Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Madrid, more tourist attractions than you imagine
Madrid, together with Barcelona, is the most
famous city in Spain, and also the capital of this amazing country. As the
capital, the things to do in there are almost endless and each one is more
interesting than the last one.
First of all, we will start talking about the
most interesting places in the city, places that you must visit if you travel
there. The first one is the Puerta del Sol, which is the most famous square in
Madrid. There, you will find the Kilometre Zero.
The next place of interest is
the Plaza Mayor, one of the oldest squares in Spain. What is more, you have to
visit the Gran Vía, the most famous street in the city, with its most important
theatres and cinemas.
Another place is El Retiro, a park where you will be able
to relax and to enjoy a day with your family. And finally, the last one of
these almost compulsory places to visit is the Puerta de Alcalá, one of the
most representative monuments in Madrid.
Perhaps those are the most interesting places.
However, there are three more places there that are worth the visit. Those are
the Plaza de Cibeles, the Real Palace and the Almudena Cathedral.
If you want to go out in the capital, the most
famous area within the tourists and the students is Huertas. This street is
full of bars and discos and it is very close to the Puerta del Sol.
Another main feature in Madrid is its
gastronomy. The most famous meals of the capital are squid sandwiches, patatas
bravas and Spanish omelette.
As you can see, Madrid is a big city with
plenty of things to do. If you travel there, you should take some days to enjoy
it and to visit as much things as you can. It is, for sure, a city that won’t
let you down.
Continue reading in Spain Holidays 10: Palma de Mallorca, enjoy its incredible beaches
Oh, to Be in Back Barcelona, travel to Spain
Guest Posting:
Sixth grade, seven years since the last time I was on an airplane. To be honest I was completely freaked out by the thought of having to be in one again. Last time I traveled any distance close to this I was with a large group going to New York City.
This trip was my first out of the country, and my brother would be the only one going with me. We would later meet up with my Aunt Vic, the whole reason we were going to Barcelona was to see her in an Opera at Teatre Liceu; however, the thought of going through Amsterdam and then hailing a cab out of the Barcelona airport was slightly frightening.
My brother Ben and I made it to Spain without incident, minus the fact that he lost his skateboard at the security check in the Netherlands. We even had our selection of cabs and cab drivers lined up as we exited. I was able to communicate with the cab driver, even though he told me that I spoke "mexican spanish".
Even the sights on the way to the heart Barcelona were breathtaking. Ben and I couldn't wait to go out and explore. As soon as we got out of the cab, we went to get the key, and found the apartment fairly easily.
We literally sat our stuff inside the apartment door and took the elevator back down to the street.
The apartment was located directly across from Port Vell, La Gamba, and El Cap. We took a walk around the port and down to La Placa de Colon before it started pouring rain and we had to turn back.
That was alright with me, because at that point I had such terrible jet lag that it far outweighed my curiousness of the city. We had so many things we wanted to do and see, and only six days.
The next morning the first thing Ben went to a local skate shop and bought a board, then we went to a small local bakery and bought chocolate covered doughnuts.
The food there was amazing. It was all so natural and not very greasy. Aunt Vic was only able to spend two days traveling with us, and the first day there we were lucky enough to have her as our guide.
The whole week we spent going to all of the major sights, and some recommended by the locals and cab drivers. To be honest some of those were the best days we had. We saw so many cathedrals, it was almost hard to remember the names.
The architecture was amazing, and that was the main reason Ben, the architecture student wanted to go. We were able to see Sagrada Familia, La Catedral de Barcelona, and La Catedral de Santa Maria del Mar, Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, and Parc Guell.
We also got to see some less famous things, but they were no less beautiful and intricately designed than the others.
My favorite thing was Parc Guell, a man made park designed by Antoni Gaudi. For someone like me, who's camera is like another appendage, the park was like a dream. Really, the whole city was and to come back here where everything is so fast paced and so modern was almost disappointing. Going there gave me the travel bug, and I can't wait to go somewhere else.
Continue with this post in Spain Holidays 10: San Sebastián, an incredible destiny
Sixth grade, seven years since the last time I was on an airplane. To be honest I was completely freaked out by the thought of having to be in one again. Last time I traveled any distance close to this I was with a large group going to New York City.
This trip was my first out of the country, and my brother would be the only one going with me. We would later meet up with my Aunt Vic, the whole reason we were going to Barcelona was to see her in an Opera at Teatre Liceu; however, the thought of going through Amsterdam and then hailing a cab out of the Barcelona airport was slightly frightening.
My brother Ben and I made it to Spain without incident, minus the fact that he lost his skateboard at the security check in the Netherlands. We even had our selection of cabs and cab drivers lined up as we exited. I was able to communicate with the cab driver, even though he told me that I spoke "mexican spanish".
Even the sights on the way to the heart Barcelona were breathtaking. Ben and I couldn't wait to go out and explore. As soon as we got out of the cab, we went to get the key, and found the apartment fairly easily.
We literally sat our stuff inside the apartment door and took the elevator back down to the street.
The apartment was located directly across from Port Vell, La Gamba, and El Cap. We took a walk around the port and down to La Placa de Colon before it started pouring rain and we had to turn back.
That was alright with me, because at that point I had such terrible jet lag that it far outweighed my curiousness of the city. We had so many things we wanted to do and see, and only six days.
The next morning the first thing Ben went to a local skate shop and bought a board, then we went to a small local bakery and bought chocolate covered doughnuts.
The food there was amazing. It was all so natural and not very greasy. Aunt Vic was only able to spend two days traveling with us, and the first day there we were lucky enough to have her as our guide.
The whole week we spent going to all of the major sights, and some recommended by the locals and cab drivers. To be honest some of those were the best days we had. We saw so many cathedrals, it was almost hard to remember the names.
The architecture was amazing, and that was the main reason Ben, the architecture student wanted to go. We were able to see Sagrada Familia, La Catedral de Barcelona, and La Catedral de Santa Maria del Mar, Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, and Parc Guell.
We also got to see some less famous things, but they were no less beautiful and intricately designed than the others.
My favorite thing was Parc Guell, a man made park designed by Antoni Gaudi. For someone like me, who's camera is like another appendage, the park was like a dream. Really, the whole city was and to come back here where everything is so fast paced and so modern was almost disappointing. Going there gave me the travel bug, and I can't wait to go somewhere else.
Continue with this post in Spain Holidays 10: San Sebastián, an incredible destiny
Seville, tourism in Spain
It is said that Seville has a special colour, a
different colour, and we can assure you that this is completely true. Seville
is one of those cities that will touch your heart with its warm, cosy
atmosphere. This city is placed in Andalucía, in the south of Spain, and it is
the third most visited capital in Spain, after Madrid and Barcelona.
Seville is the city with more catalogued
monuments in Europe. However, there are some of these monuments that are so
amazing that have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Site. We are talking
about Seville Cathedral, the Giralda, the Alcázar of Seville and the General
Archive of the Indies.
Its old town is the largest in Spain and the
third largest in Europe, and it contains three of these UNESCO World Heritage
Sites: the Cathedral, the Alcázar and the General Archive of the Indies.
Some other main sights in Seville are the Torre
del Oro, a watchtower and defensive barrier, the City Hall, the Plaza de
España, in Maria Luisa Park, and the neighbourhood of Triana a great monumental
and cultural centre.
The most important museum in Seville is the
Museum of Fine Arts in Seville, which holds many Spanish works of art from the
medieval period to the early 20th century.
The most important event in Seville, and
probably in the whole Andalucía is the Seville Fair or, in Spanish, La Feria de Abril. It begins two weeks
after Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week), and lasts for six days. During all
night, until the morning, there are many crowds partying. They dance Sevillanas, drink Jerez sherry and manzanilla
wine, and eating tapas.
In this city, you will find yourselves right in
the core of the Andalusian culture. Bullfighting, Flamenco, tapas, Sherry
wine... Enjoy your time in a warm city where taking life easy is what will
really matter.
Continue reading in Spain Holidays 10: Summer travel to Spain on a Budget
Valencia, unforgettable holidays
Valencia is one of the largest cities in Spain, and also one of the most visited places in the country. It lies on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, so it has many beaches close to the city centre.
Its cultural offer is almost endless, with its Cathedral, el Miguelete or the Lladro museum. But what is probably most impressive is The City of Arts and Sciences (La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias), an architectural and cultural complex destined to the entertainment. This complex is formed by eight buildings.
These buildings are: L’Hemisfèric, a planetarium, laserium and an IMAX cinema; el Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe, an interactive museum of science; l’Umbracle, which contains alien plant species; l’Oceanogràfic, an oceanographic park; el Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, a performing arts centre and an opera house; el Pont de l’Assut de l’Or, an impressive bridge; l’Àgora, a covered square; and finally the Torres de València, which is still only a project of three skyscrapers.
For those who are very keen on gastronomy, in Valencia they will find one of the most famous and appreciated dishes in Spain: paella. This is a rice dish with vegetables and meat, offered in most Valencian restaurants, if you travel there, you can’t forget to try it!
One of the most famous festivals in Valencia is celebrated in March, and it is called the Falles. During this festival, each neighbourhood builds a kind of construction which is known as falla and in the end it is burned.
For those interested in going to parties, there are many music festivals during the whole year, especially in the summer. Besides, there are also a huge number of discos for all tastes.
So, if you travel to Valencia, make the most of this experience, eat in the best restaurants and get immersed its interesting culture and atmosphere.
Continue reading a new post on Spain Holidays 10: Things to do on holiday in Mallorca
Today we visited the island of Formentera in the Balearic Islands
Travel to the Balearic Islands: Formentera
In the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, about
200 km away from Barcelona, lays one of the most paradisiacal islands in Spain.
This island belongs to the Balearic Islands, and its name is Formentera.
Even though it is kind of a small territory, it
offers its visitors many things to do. As we have said, it is an island, so
beaches are the most important feature.
White sand, rocks, cliffs... Choose what you prefer, and discover this paradise. Two of the most amazing beaches are Migjorn beach and Illetes beach. Those are white sand beaches, and they have blue transparent water where you will feel it is compulsory to swim.
White sand, rocks, cliffs... Choose what you prefer, and discover this paradise. Two of the most amazing beaches are Migjorn beach and Illetes beach. Those are white sand beaches, and they have blue transparent water where you will feel it is compulsory to swim.
This island preserves some of the hippie
essence back in the sixties. This is proved with its street markets, its
peaceful, bohemian people wearing straw hats and using bicycles almost the
whole time.
Some things you must visit in Formentera are
its small, magic towns, the lighthouses near the sea and the mills. The most
impressive lighthouse is the lighthouse in the Cabo de Barbaria, which is
placed next to a cliff.
Another interesting place is the viewpoint in
La Mola. There, you will be able to watch the whole island. What is more, you
can make the best of it, and see the sunset from there. It is an experience you
will never forget.
And finally, there are some small bays in this
lost paradise that are worth the visit. The first one is Es Caló de Sant
Agustí, where you will be able to get covered in mud. The Cala Saona, a small
bay where you will be able to watch the twilight from the sea, and Es Caló des
Mort, an amazing beach, which is never crowded, where you will find peace and
privacy.
Read a new post in Spain Holidays 10: Palma de Mallorca, enjoy its incredible beaches
San Sebastián, an incredible destiny
beaches
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cathedral
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gastronomy
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monuments
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san sebastian
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spain
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tourism
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travel
First of all, we must highlight the beach in
San Sebastián, since it is probably one of the most impressive beaches in the
north of Spain: La Playa de la Concha. It is placed in the middle of the city,
surrounded by the bay with the same name. There, you will be able to swim in
the Atlantic Ocean and to enjoy the views.
If you want to go for a walk in San Sebastián,
you should go to the Paseo Nuevo. From this promenade, you will be able to see
the sunset, as well as high waves dashing against the rocks during rough seas.
As we said previously, it is really advisable
to go for a walk in the old town of the city and to get lost in its beautiful
streets. Besides, gastronomy is one of the strong pints of the capital, and
there you will find many restaurants with the best pintxos and tapas in the
city.
Finally, we would like to make reference to the
most impressive buildings and monuments of San Sebastián. Those are San
Sebastián cathedral, or the Good Shepherd Cathedral, the largest cathedral in
Gipuzkoa. The aquarium, which is the oldest one in the city and one of the most
visited places. And finally, the Constitución Square, placed in the middle of
the city, where you will be able to see some of the greatest bars and stores in
the city.
How Not to Screw Up Your First Trip to Spain!
Guest Editor:
So, you're
thinking about going overseas are you? Well, I would like to share a few things
I have learned (the hard way) on my first trip to Spain. These are just five
simple ideas that will help you to make your trip that much better!
Clear
Customs. That seems so elementary right? Well, I screwed that up. When I
arrived by ship to the Port of Barcelona Spain, I am not sure how I did this,
but I just left the port area without ever clearing customs. It was quite
simple really. I just walked out of the disembarkation point. In my defense, I
had even looked for customs and thought about clearing them, but did not find
them, so I assumed that since I came by ship, it was unneeded. I figured the
cruise line must have handled that paperwork. Wrong. When I left the country,
it became quite the issue, and very unnerving.
Research.
Traveling to Barcelona Spain, I just figured I would "wing it" once I
got there. What I should have done was checked out every travel documentary
ever made and done some homework. Instead, I was trying to figure out things to
do, while there, and I missed many fabulous things that I would have liked to
have seen. I did see many of the works by Gaudi, and those were a true
highlight, but I missed the world famous museums which I really wanted to see
simply because I did not plan ahead as the museums are closed on Mondays.
Have an
out. When I got over to Spain, I ran out of money. The Iceland volcano was
erupting, and price gouching was in full force all across Europe as travelers
were stranded by the hundreds of thousands. Many travelers found that hotels
and travel companies had raised prices just because they could. Make sure you
have someone you can fall back on in case of an unexpected emergency. Mine was
my mother. Luckily, I did not need her help.
Talk to
strangers. I love to talk to people when traveling. I find that is the best way
to find the best places to eat, things to see, and areas to avoid. Spain is a
travel hotspot and I met many people from all over Europe and America on my
travels. I talked to everyone, especially the hotel staff of the Barcelona
Marriott and other guests staying there who helped me many times over by
pointing out some of the things to see and do.
Travel alone.
I have learned to travel by myself these days. I do not have to plan my
itinerary with anyone, and I have no one to blame but myself if something goes
wrong. Traveling alone also forces you to meet new people, which becomes as
rewarding as the trip itself. While on my travel to Spain, I met many others
who were traveling alone, and we just had blast being together, sharing
adventures and getting to know one another.
Travel
light. I had a work assignment to get too once I left Spain, so I had packed my
work clothes along with my travel clothes. This was a mistake. I had way too
much baggage and trying to get through customs, airports, and terminals became
a challenge. In fact, I threw stuff away at almost every stop, just to make my
baggage more manageable.
Travel is
wonderful, as long as you do it right! Heed my advice and you will have a great
time!
Cadaqués, a fishing village where Dali lived and worked
Cadaqués is a fishing village placed in Gerona, in Catalonia. It is better-known for being the home of the great surrealist painter Salvador Dalí, as well as the place where many other famous artists, such as Picasso, spent their summer holidays.
The village lies in the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, in the Costa Brava. The main feature of the water in this region is its quality; it is clean, clear and free of pollution. Its white houses, typical of these fishing villages, make of Cadaqués one of the most picturesque and beautiful places in Gerona. It is really worth to go for a walk in the old city centre, since it is a place where you will be able to feel the peace that comes from this corner. It is a place to disconnect, where you will admire each one of its corners and you will get absorbed by its atmosphere.
But it is not only the streets that are charming. In this village we can find the Port-Lligat Museum house, where Salvador Dalí lived and worked, as well as the museum of the village, with some exhibitions.
Close to Cadaqués, there is also the Natural Park of Cap de Creus, the biggest uninhabited area in the Mediterranean coast. Once in there, we will be able to see many protected species of plants and animals, as well as tiny coves, hidden isles and incredible cliffs.
Those who love snorkelling and scuba diving are lucky. They find themselves in an area which has a great underwater splendour, since the beaches in Cadaqués are known to be an underwater paradise.
Arriving in Cadaqués is not easy, since the road that takes there is narrow and full of curves. Anyway, the journey is really worth it. it is one of those villages that bewitch you with each one of this corners, a place to admire and to disconnect from the rest of the world, where you will feel absolutely free.
More post in Spain Holidays 10: Malaga, Spain, travel guide
Palma de Mallorca, enjoy its incredibles beaches
In the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, with an excellent location, we can find the wonderful Balearic Islands, each one of them with its own appeal. The biggest one is Mallorca, an island where you will be able to enjoy a sundown in the sea, sunrises and heavenly beaches, among other amazing things, and its capital is called Palma.
Palma is a coastal city, warm and cultural, a city that will touch your heart for sure. It is one of these cities that have it all: beaches, party, places to relax, architecture, good gastronomy, culture...
One of the emblems of the city is its cathedral, a Gothic style building that lies right next to Palma’s beach. On its side, we can find the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, one of the Spanish Royal Family’s residences.
Palma’s beach is not famous for being one of the most wonderful beaches in the island, since there are other heavenly beaches with clear water that cannot be compared with this one. However, this beach does stand out for being right in the capital, and for the great number of play activities that it offers.
Another interesting point in Palma is its historical city centre. There we will see narrow medieval streets with characteristic buildings where we will be able to disconnect for a while from the busy streets in the city centre.
For those who love to go partying, we cannot forget to mention the Paseo Marítimo (the Boardwalk), the nightlife area par excellence. It is a long street with a great number of pubs, restaurants, bars and discos. Especially in summer nights, in the Paseo Marítimo there is an atmosphere of party and fun, with opened discos until the early hours of the morning.
In conclusion, then, we can say that Palma is a city full of life, in the summer on in any other season of the year, that is really worth visiting and a great place to spend some time.
Continue reading in Spain Holidays 10: Top 5 must see in Nerja, Málaga
La Tomatina - The Worlds Biggest Tomato Fight
How does
the world's biggest tomato fight start? Who owns the claim to fame as to having
the world's biggest tomato fight? Nobody seems to be crystal clear as to how
this gigantic tomato fight got started. But it did, that's for sure. It would
seem that people hold within themselves the need to throw food and have a great
deal of fun doing it. Seems to me that to be involved in a huge, crazy tomato
fight, just might be a real blast! If nobody gets seriously injured in it, then
maybe it just fulfills a nature desire that's in all of us.
This food
fight is believed to have been started in either 1944 or 1945. It is said that
they had so much fun throwing tomatoes that it has continued every year since
then. Twice the government tried to stop it out of concern for safety issues.
It was finally given the big go ahead in 1957.
What does
it take to put on a food fight of this proportion? Lots of tomatoes of course.
Were talking in the neighborhood of 240,00 tomatoes or the equivalent of 140
tons. Rest assured that these aren't perfectly good tomatoes, that could be
used for food. Didn't you always wonder about that? No, these are damaged or
spoiled tomatoes. They are trucked in from another small town called
Extremadura, because they can supply a large amount of damaged tomatoes.
Extremadura has quite a large growing area of tomatoes and also manufactures
lots of tomato paste.
Celebrations
start a week in advance of the La Tomatina with festivals of food, bands and
fireworks. The size of the town's swells to about 20,000-40,000 people at the
time of the celebrations. There's food and drink flowing.
The day of
the tomato fight starts early with the flow of wine in abundance. The tradition
is for the festival to always be held the last Wednesday of August from
10AM-1PM. The towns people bring out large sheets of plastic to cover there
wares and buildings from flying tomatoes. People are dressed in clothes that
they expect to throw away after the food fight. There are some rules to be
followed. No sharp objects are allowed and of course no glass, such as bottles.
The tearing of other people's clothes is also not allowed, but of course this
happens quite often. And tomatoes are only supposed to be thrown after they
have been smashed.
The morning
of the festival a large pole is greased and a ham is put up at the top. The
commencement of tomato throwing is suppose to start when someone climbs the
greased pole and makes it up to the top. But most years the throwing begins
before any body can get to the top. The crazy throwing of tomatoes lasts for
about one hour's time. Then many people take off for the Bunol River near by to
wash up.
Once the
festival is over, the shop keepers take down all the tomato covered plastic,
and clean up begins. They use fire trucks to hose down the streets with water
brought from Roman aqueducts. And that's the story of the worlds biggest tomato
fight.
Continue reading in Spain Holidays 10: Summer travel to Spain on a Budget
Summer Travel to Spain on a Budget
Guest Editor:
Spain is a wonderful country. I know I'm partial about it, because it is my country and I was born and raised there, but still I assure you that if you travel to Spain you will love it.
People travel to Spain for three main reasons:
- The first one is because the food is amazing.
- Second, to enjoy the relaxed and fun way of life, the nightlife,
- The third reason is to admire the culture and monuments of the country.
The good thing about traveling to Spain is that we will enjoy the three reasons to visit it in the same places, because it is a country so rich, in culture and history and so diverse that we never will get bored in our vacation.
For the travelers who are searching for a good time and a crazy nightlife in a warm weather, I recommend the South and East of Spain. Andalucia and Levante are two Spanish regions where we can find delicious food specialties as fried fish or paella, and the nightlife is full in clubs and outdoor bars around the beaches.
Cadiz is a city in Andalucia that has plenty of white sand and warm water beaches, although the wind can be a little mean sometimes. I love the beach in Bolonia, Cadiz, a huge white beach, and Tarifa, one of the most popular places to practice windsurf in the whole world.
In Andalucia we can find plenty of hotels belonging to big chains and with very reasonable prices. If we want to backpack travel, there are many cheap hotels we can use, it is important to check out the tourist information offices in each town to figure out about camping's and motels for students.
Marbella, also in the South, is a classic town dedicated to rich tourists coming form all around the world, we can admire the spectacular boats and villas where prosperous Arabians live.
Granada, a beautiful town in Andalucia as well, is a terrific place to go in the winter and practice ski, Sierra Nevada is full of wonderful ski resorts. The town itself is worth a visit, with the Arabian and Jewish streets and La Alhambra, a beautiful Arabian castle surrounded by an incredible park.
Levante, the East part of Spain, is as well full of delicious beaches and wonderful restaurants where enjoy the Mediterranean fish and the Spanish specialty la Paella.
Torrevieja in Alicante, Javea in Valencia or Benicassim in Castellon are examples or typical Spanish towns dedicated to the tourists that go there to enjoy the sun. These places are maybe too much focused in tourists, but they are really affordable.
If we travel more toward the Northeast, we find the Catalan's coast, with more expensive hotels and tourists with more money on their pockets. The beaches are beautiful and less populated, and we have the opportunity to travel to Barcelona, a wonderful town full of culture and modernity.
But if we want to see a different side of Spain, we should travel towards its North; Euskadi, Asturias and Galicia are green beautiful places full of culture and history.
In Galicia we must visit Santiago de Compostela, destiny of pilgrims for centuries, with medieval streets and a wonderful cathedral.
In the North of Spain the food is different that the one we can enjoy in the rest of the country, and must not forget to taste the delicious fish from the Atlantic Ocean, the recipes are based in fresh fist and vegetables, and the wines are good enough to satisfy any gourmet.
Traveling to the North of Spain is cheap because there are less tourist all the year around, we can find very good and affordable hotels. Be aware that the weather is quite instable in the area, with a very frequent presence of rain.
If we are interested in culture, we must visit Madrid, the capital of Spain, an amazing city sited in the middle of the country. Madrid has a delicious mixture of classicism and the most modern way of life.
We can live the Spanish history in the old part of the town, full old streets, squares and churches from the times of the Austria Dynasty, or visit one of the most important museums of the word, El Museo del Prado, to enjoy the masterpieces of Goya or Velazquez. Plenty of museums are located in Madrid, and we can even visit the private art collection Thysen-Bornemitza, another important humanity's treasure. We can find very cheap hotels in Madrid, if we walk around one of the big streets of the town, La Gran Via, we will find plenty of private homes that rent rooms for very little money and in very good condition. We call these places hostales, and they are spread all around the town.
There are much more many places to visit in Spain, but if I continue my relation this will be a book, not an article.
Continue reading in Spain Holidays 10: Malaga Spain Travel Guide
History, Fun and Culture for Every Pocket in Spain
Spain is a wonderful country. I know I'm partial about it, because it is my country and I was born and raised there, but still I assure you that if you travel to Spain you will love it.
People travel to Spain for three main reasons:
- The first one is because the food is amazing.
- Second, to enjoy the relaxed and fun way of life, the nightlife,
- The third reason is to admire the culture and monuments of the country.
The good thing about traveling to Spain is that we will enjoy the three reasons to visit it in the same places, because it is a country so rich, in culture and history and so diverse that we never will get bored in our vacation.
For the travelers who are searching for a good time and a crazy nightlife in a warm weather, I recommend the South and East of Spain. Andalucia and Levante are two Spanish regions where we can find delicious food specialties as fried fish or paella, and the nightlife is full in clubs and outdoor bars around the beaches.
Cadiz is a city in Andalucia that has plenty of white sand and warm water beaches, although the wind can be a little mean sometimes. I love the beach in Bolonia, Cadiz, a huge white beach, and Tarifa, one of the most popular places to practice windsurf in the whole world.
In Andalucia we can find plenty of hotels belonging to big chains and with very reasonable prices. If we want to backpack travel, there are many cheap hotels we can use, it is important to check out the tourist information offices in each town to figure out about camping's and motels for students.
Marbella, also in the South, is a classic town dedicated to rich tourists coming form all around the world, we can admire the spectacular boats and villas where prosperous Arabians live.
Granada, a beautiful town in Andalucia as well, is a terrific place to go in the winter and practice ski, Sierra Nevada is full of wonderful ski resorts. The town itself is worth a visit, with the Arabian and Jewish streets and La Alhambra, a beautiful Arabian castle surrounded by an incredible park.
Levante, the East part of Spain, is as well full of delicious beaches and wonderful restaurants where enjoy the Mediterranean fish and the Spanish specialty la Paella.
Torrevieja in Alicante, Javea in Valencia or Benicassim in Castellon are examples or typical Spanish towns dedicated to the tourists that go there to enjoy the sun. These places are maybe too much focused in tourists, but they are really affordable.
If we travel more toward the Northeast, we find the Catalan's coast, with more expensive hotels and tourists with more money on their pockets. The beaches are beautiful and less populated, and we have the opportunity to travel to Barcelona, a wonderful town full of culture and modernity.
But if we want to see a different side of Spain, we should travel towards its North; Euskadi, Asturias and Galicia are green beautiful places full of culture and history.
In Galicia we must visit Santiago de Compostela, destiny of pilgrims for centuries, with medieval streets and a wonderful cathedral.
In the North of Spain the food is different that the one we can enjoy in the rest of the country, and must not forget to taste the delicious fish from the Atlantic Ocean, the recipes are based in fresh fist and vegetables, and the wines are good enough to satisfy any gourmet.
Traveling to the North of Spain is cheap because there are less tourist all the year around, we can find very good and affordable hotels. Be aware that the weather is quite instable in the area, with a very frequent presence of rain.
If we are interested in culture, we must visit Madrid, the capital of Spain, an amazing city sited in the middle of the country. Madrid has a delicious mixture of classicism and the most modern way of life.
We can live the Spanish history in the old part of the town, full old streets, squares and churches from the times of the Austria Dynasty, or visit one of the most important museums of the word, El Museo del Prado, to enjoy the masterpieces of Goya or Velazquez. Plenty of museums are located in Madrid, and we can even visit the private art collection Thysen-Bornemitza, another important humanity's treasure. We can find very cheap hotels in Madrid, if we walk around one of the big streets of the town, La Gran Via, we will find plenty of private homes that rent rooms for very little money and in very good condition. We call these places hostales, and they are spread all around the town.
There are much more many places to visit in Spain, but if I continue my relation this will be a book, not an article.
Continue reading in Spain Holidays 10: Malaga Spain Travel Guide
Granada, do not miss the visit to the Alhambra
Andalucía
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Granada is a Spanish city placed in Andalusia, and it lies next to the Sierra Nevada, what conditions its weather: very cold in winter and very hot during the summer.
There is probably one building that makes it really worth to visit this city. This building is the Alhambra, a palace and fortress complex built in 889 by Arabs in Granada. Besides the Alhambra, it is also really advisable to visit the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighbourhoods.
From the Albaicín neighbourhood you will be able to see what it has been considered the best sunset in the world. If you visit the Alhambra in the morning, in the evening you can go to San Nicolás viewpoint in Albaicín, watch the sunset, and then go to visit the Sacromonte neighbourhood, with its typical Arabian music and dances.
Another interesting place in Granada is the Sciences Park, where you will be able to get into sciences in a fun and dynamic way.
As we have said, the Sierra Nevada is near the city, so, if you go to Granada during the winter, you can make the best of it, and go there to ski. However, if you go there in the summer, the visit is also really advisable and impressive.
Another place of interest of Granada is its cathedral. It is a building from the Spanish Renaissance, and perhaps it is not as amazing as other cathedrals in Spain, but it is worth the visit.
Finally, if you travel to Granada you cannot miss its gastronomy. It is formed by Andalusian dishes, mixed with different contributions of the new towns, for example beans with ham. The confectionery is really wide, with huevos moles, sponge cakes and San Jerónimo’s Puff pastry.
Granada is an amazing Spanish capital, with plenty of thing to do and see. Streets, mountain and the sea are really close in this amazing city.
Continue reading in Spain Holidays 10: Malaga Spain Travel Guide
Discover the Regions of Spain - the Festivals of Andalucia
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Experience the Beauty of Andalucia
Andalucia is one of the most popular destinations in Spain, due to its amazing beaches, warm climate and relaxed atmosphere. The region is home to many ancient cities, including Seville, Cadiz and Granada. Although the region was first settled thousands of years ago, there are plenty of new attractions to keep you occupied.
There are numerous annual festivals or ferias that are held throughout this region. These festivals are a great way to get a true sample of the culture of Andalucia, from its regional cuisine to the spirit of its people.
Fiesta de Los Reyes - The Festival of the Three Kings.
In all major cities in Andalucia, this festival is celebrated on the evening of January 5th. It is designed to commemorate the three kings of the Orient who delivered their gifts to the Christ Child. The next day, January 6th is a national holiday throughout Spain, which will give you plenty of time to relax and enjoy the events happening around you.
Cadiz Carnival
Held in the ancient city of Cadiz, this festival occurs each year on Shrove Tuesday, or the Tuesday before Lent begins. A huge parade is held during the Carnival and the entire city gets in on the action. If you think the carnival in New Orleans is fun, you haven't seen anything until you've visited Cadiz.Seville Spring Fair - This festival is held two weeks after Easter.
The entire far bank of the Real de la Feria is taken over by enormous tents and pavilions where you'll find incredible bargains, great food and entertainment. The festivities start on midnight and continue for an entire week. As with the Cardiz Carnival, the dates of Easter change every year, so plan your trip accordingly.
San Lucar Manzanilla (Wine) Fair
During the third week in May, in San Lucar de Barrameda you'll find the San Lucar Manzanilla Festival which is dedicated entirely to a type of wine that is produced in this region. Prepare for a lot of fun and a lot of celebration of this wine for an entire week.Summer Fairs
Every town in Andalucia has its own summer fair, so if you time it just right, you can experience at least one fair each week of your stay. The first fair starts in Seville in April and the last is held at San Pedro de Alcántara in October.The fairs are divided into day and night fairs. For the entire week of the fair, all businesses are shut down and the streets are turned into cafes where you can sample the regions best food and listen to live entertainment. At night, small amusement parks are set up complete with rides and more singing and entertainment.
Bullfighting Fairs
These fairs are usually set up to coincide with the Summer fairs mentioned above in each city. In Ronda, they hold a very special bullfight where all of the fighters are clothed in costumes found in Goya's 18th century engravings.The Verdiales Music Festival
To round out a year filled with festivals and fun, you must visit the Verdiales Music Festival, which is held annually on the 28th of December in "Puerta de la Torre" which is near Almogia. Local musicians compete dressed in traditional costume and the wine is plentiful.
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