MercaTurismo

Archive for the ‘Spain’ Category

Want a fabulous holiday destination that combines great beaches, lovely climate and seas perfect for water sports? Take Canary Islands holidays. These islands off the coast of northwest Africa are a Spanish colony. They offer many and diverse opportunity for fun.

There are nine islands in the Canary Islands archipelago. Each has a number of beautiful beaches, interesting natural formations and great hotels, villas and resorts. The toughest thing about Canary Islands holidays is deciding where to spend your time so you can have the most fun.

Tenerife is the most visited of the islands. Many come here to see the volcano on majestic Mount Teide. Mount Teide is the third largest volcano in the world. Stretching over 12,000 feet into the sky, this mountain is the tallest one in Spain. Next to Mount Teide the beaches are Tenerife’s most beloved/visited natural feature. There are resorts all over the island giving vacationers access to its wonderful beaches.

Canary Islands beaches like El Puertito in the southwest of the island are known for their natural beauty. Playa Grande at Punta de Abona attracts tourists to its cream coloured beaches, calm waters and the Abino lighthouse. Playa Socorro’s black volcanic sands and huge waves is a surfer’s paradise. The most spectacular beach is Playa de las Teresitas. With its golden sands, aquamarine waters, and palm tree lined beach, this man-made beach is perfect for families.

There are also beaches for people whose focus is water sports. Puerto del Carmen and Puerto Calero and popular with divers. Costa Teguise and Papagayo are frequented by the windsurfing crowd. Playa de la Tejita, Playa de la Pozo and Playa de los Patos allow nude bathing.

The Canary Islands are a holiday destination chosen by millions of people each year The Canary Islands offer an opportunity to swim, sunbather and participate in water sports. A visit to the islands also has great educational value as well. Tourists can learn about the flora and fauna as well.

Want a good deal on holidays to the Canary Islands? Visit onthebeach.co.uk. They have great rates on airfare, hotel accommodations and island tours.

Although “sun and sand” still fit the bill for many holiday makers, an ever increasing number of vacationers are choosing to take a holiday with a bit of culture thrown in.

This type of break is becoming especially popular with those wishing to take a long weekend in a location with a café culture, good restaurants and a few buildings and museums to visit.

If this is the kind of holiday you are considering, then Spain’s northern city of Santiago de Compostela may well fit the bill.
Santiago is the capital of the region known as Galicia and it is the most visited city in the north of Spain. Over recent years its cosmopolitan nature has attracted an ever increasing number of foreigners and it is now promoted as the cultural capitol of the northern Iberian Peninsula, and with good reason.

What Santiago has to offer is history, monuments, a religious legend and an old town steeped in baroque and neo-classical architectural beauty. The city’s most famous building is its massive cathedral which, according to the Catholic Church, has within it a tomb containing the remains of the apostle Saint James. It all sounds a bit macabre, but the story behind these claims have led to Santiago becoming the finishing point of arguably the world’s biggest Christian pilgrimage called the “Way of St. James” (or “el camino de Santiago”).

Religion aside, the cathedral is a truly spectacular building and it sits on the city’s large Obradoiro plaza facing the equally impressive “Rajoy” palace. The world’s oldest hotel, now a state run Parador, also occupies this square.

Plazas or squares are an integral part of the old district of Santiago’s charm and there are four famous courtyards dotted around the cathedral that contain, or are overlooked by, many of the city’s outstanding buildings. Several of these older building are now, in part a least, museums and the cathedral itself can adequately fill two of three hours of most tourist’s time if they choose to view the various exhibits.

A café culture is also one of the city’s appeals and although an international menu is available at most restaurants, all favour dishes based on the Galician speciality of fish and seafood. Prices can be high, but that depends on where you choose to eat and many excellent restaurants are highly affordable, particularly if you venture slightly off the beaten track. As an example, we have enjoyed a three course lunch in the city center for as little as 8 Euros per head and that was based around local fish dishes.

Getting to Santiago is becoming ever easier (and cheaper) with direct Santiago flights from most European countries to either Santiago airport or neighboring A Coruna airport. Hotels are plentiful and if you simply want a short break of 3 or 4 days a car will not be necessary – Santiago should fill your time amply.

Malaga Airport is an international gateway into the Andalucian city of Malaga in Spain. This is the third largest airport in the country and is mostly served by the budget airlines that can provide connections to the other European destinations. Also accessible with a car hire are the beaches of La Malagueta and other resorts located to the east of the city centre. There are also other best car hire available in the other parts of the resort.

Malaga airport serves as an idea travel base for visiting the Costa del Sol resorts as well as other towns in the province. Further out, visitors can go to Costa del Sol with their cheap car hire malaga airport spain. The coastline features a number of towns and resorts that are the worth the drive. It also provides for the best way and the way to find resorts, hotels, apartments, and so on.

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Majorca is an island of many things. Beautiful sandy beaches, stunning mountain scenery, fantastic nightlife, and romantic restaurants. There’s so much here to see and do that holidays in Majorca really are for everyone. The beaches are obviously the first port of call for holidaymakers, and they won’t disappoint, with long sweeps of clean white sand to enjoy all around the coast. When you want to get off the beach, there are plenty of other options. Trips on glass-bottomed boats are available from most of the bigger resorts, with snorkelling an option for those who like to get wet. Water-sports of all kinds are available on the beaches, from white-knuckle banana boat rides to windsurfing. Families will find there are lots of ways to keep the kids busy, from water parks in El Arenal, Magaluf and Alcudia, to the giant maze at Playa de Muro. If you want to get back to nature, hire bikes or simply walk through the lovely countryside in the north of the island.

Couples and families looking for a quieter stay will probably enjoy the north of the island, at resorts such as Pollensa, Alcudia and Playa el Muro. Beaches tend to be quieter than elsewhere and it’s easy to get out into the countryside and explore. For something a bit livelier the eastern resort of Cala Millor fits the bill. There is a big beach and lots of bars and restaurants, but generally these are family orientated, although there are a few clubs open until dawn. Cala Bona, just next door, is quieter. Further south, those who want to party hard can opt for cheap Magaluf holidays. In Magaluf you’ll find plenty of bars and clubs open all night, and a beautiful beach to sleep of the hangover on the next day! If you want to be close to the action but not in it, neighbouring Palma Nova is quieter.

The Cistercian Route “(La ruta del cister) runs between the Catalan cities of Tarragona and Tarrega. The route connects three Romanesque monasteries Santes Creus, Poblet and Vallbona. Two of them are still full of the Order-life. Along the way are worth visiting towns and natural parks. The Cistercian route can also be explored by mountain bike or on foot. Show your support with custom silicone wristbands of your favorite location of this historical places.

Santa Maria de Poblet
Between vines rise the towers of the Abbey of Santa Maria de Poblet. Poblet is the largest still inhabited by monks Cistercian monastery in Europe since 1991 and has World Heritage status.

The roots of the monastery to go to the 12th Century. Nearly 100 years, from 1853 to 1940, was to leave the monastery. Then the Cistercians returned and restored by the Civil War and vacant dilapidated building ensemble. Today there live about 30 brothers.

In Poblets monastery church were crowned heads of Aragon and Catalonia, the final resting place. While detailed alabaster sarcophagus of the eight kings, queens and six from the 12 to 15 Century bear witness to its former power. An oasis of calm is the cloister, with its fountains. Some of the rooms of the monastery cloister outgoing can be viewed through glass, but not be entered, including the refectory and the chapter house are. They are still used by the monks. The wine cellar from the 14th Century and the former dormitory, however, can be entered. Well worth a visit the small monastery’s museum which has, inter alia medieval monk tombstones. Male visitors are allowed to stay in the guest house and participate in the prayers and meals to the monks. Are allowed stays of up to one week.

Own Wine
Poblet to include nine hectares vines, flourishes mainly Pinot Noir. Most bottles are sold in the in-house wine shop on the monastery grounds, restaurants also lead the region the grape juice from Poblet. Winery and wine cellar are in a building dating from the 18th Century houses.

Vallbona de les Monges – monastery guesthouse
Nestled in the pristine, crisscrossed by narrow lanes Vallbona de les Monges the village is the monastery of Santa Maria de Vallbona. It was mid-12th Century and has since created almost continuously inhabited by Zisterzienserinnenn. The monastery buildings were constructed during three centuries.

Visitors can stay in a cozy guest house, regardless of their gender or their religion. If you wish, you can participate in the prayers of the nuns or chat with the sisters. The monastery has 20 simple but comfortable single and double rooms with bath. In addition, it offers especially for school groups suitable accommodation “Refugi en San Bernat. The monastery is also a center for the interpretation of early music.

Destruction in the Civil War
Until the Spanish Civil War, the monastery was intact. During the fighting Vallbona served as a barracks and hospital. The soldiers simply took advantage of the valuable asset for firewood. Thus, the monastery church today presents itself quite bare. At present (autumn 2009) will be recovered part of the monastery. Upon completion, the museum will open, which, inter alia, the day will be issued by the nuns operated pharmacy.

Santes Creus
Santes Creus is the third of the Cistercian monastery route. It was inhabited by monks almost 700 years, in 1835, the abbey was abandoned. The monastery has two cloisters: a plain Romanesque and Gothic. The latter attracts with ornate capitals. many orange trees and a wash house intact. In the church were like in a few kings of Aragon Poblet their final resting place. Next to the church, many rooms have been preserved, such as the bedroom and the writing room.

A trip to the Spanish capital of Madrid – that means not just a holiday in the heart of the Iberian peninsula but also in the heart of Spain. In the fast-paced metropolis of Spanish traditions and customs are ubiquitous and determine the everyday lives of Madrilenos. But besides tapas bars, here are the royal family, art and culture at home.

This is especially clear in the name of the famous museums of Madrid: Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza. Her international fame thanks to the paintings of great artists whose paintings are on display here. Including works by surrealist Salvador Dalí, Gauguin and Picasso’s huge painting Guernica. Making use of Car Rental Madrid, will certainly give better freedom in your travelling experience here.

During the Reina Sofia modern art shows, home to the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza is one of the largest private collections of paintings dating from the 14th Century. However, most art lovers flock to the traditional Museo del Prado, which is why the line of visitors is always very long. In the Prado attract unique paintings of the great artists such as Albrecht Dürer, Francisco de Goya and Diego Velázquez. The three museums all conveniently located in close proximity to each other.

The tallest building in the Plaza de España is the 35-story Torre de Madrid, particularly stands out, however, the Edificio España. It provides, with its pompous appearance of the image of the place. Another memorial, which draws attention to itself, is created in 1928 statue of the legendary writer Cervantes. At his feet are the famous characters of his masterpiece Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
In addition to art and culture there are also countless clothes shops, cinemas, theaters and restaurants, attract tourists and locals every day on the Gran Via. You’ll find all the shops and world-renowned Spanish chains, therefore, a paradise for those who like to go on holiday shopping. Going down the Gran Vía to the west, we arrive at the Plaza de España. It offers, surrounded by tall buildings, space for a little breather from the hustle and bustle of the Spanish metropolis.

The tallest building in the Plaza de España is the 35-story Torre de Madrid, particularly stands out, however, the Edificio España. It provides, with its pompous appearance of the image of the place. Another memorial, which draws attention to itself, is created in 1928 statue of the legendary writer Cervantes. At his feet are the famous characters of his masterpiece Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.

Not far from Plaza de España is already the next attraction in Madrid – the palace of the royal family (Palacio Real). Since he is open to the public, the crowd here is similar in size as in the Prado. From the Palacio Real you have a beautiful view of the largest park in the city: Casa de Campo. He once was reserved for the royal family as hunting ground, now relax here all Madrid’s weekend. The Casa de Campo can be crossed with a cable car. Opposite the palace, the magnificent Cathedral de la Almudena draws attention to itself. Here was in 2004 the wedding of Crown Prince Felipe and Letizia.

Plaza Mayor, El Rastro and Calle Huertas – in Madrid is just always something going on

In the vicinity of the palace, the Calle Mayor leads up to the main square – the Plaza Mayor. The square is surrounded on all sides by bright red buildings, which are provided with arcades. This is where the tourists and Madrilenians a relaxed drink coffee, for street artists to always ensure that there is something to watch here.

South of the Plaza Mayor lies the bustling district of La Latina. Every Sunday romp here, the bargain hunters at the famous flea market El Rastro “. On the steep road Ribera de Curtidores then again there are a lot to browse and be amazed. However, tourists should be extra careful, because the Rastro as the preferred area of true thieves.

The central square in Madrid is the Puerta del Sol, which meet at the Calle Mayor and Calle Alcalá. Not only are many bus and subway lines converge, from here we have a look into the pedestrian area of Madrid. Whose entrance is marked by the city symbol, a bear licking a strawberry tree. The monument is also seen as a popular meeting place, especially for rendezvous.
Who on vacation seeking relaxation will find it in Madrid’s green lung – the Retiro Park, from high tree-lined walks, spacious lawns and an artificial lake formed amidst the bustling city of Madrid is an oasis of calm. The Madrilenians usually visit the park on weekends. Then one sees everywhere people go when walking, running, idling and the boat.

The nightlife in Madrid is typically Spanish. Most of the evening begins with a tour of the numerous tapas bars or with a substantial and late dinner. From midnight the Madrilenians eventually flow into the clubs and disco-pubs around until the next morning at about seven clock fall into bed. A very popular entertainment district is Calle de las Huertas in the Old Town. Countless bars and pubs lined up in the pedestrian street together.

Madrid is the perfect destination for a short break. Finally, there is something for everyone, whether young or old, art lovers, Shopping fan or in architecture. The summer months are due to the unbearable heat, unfortunately not as good as a holiday. Beautiful it is there in the colder seasons, especially at Christmas, when everywhere in Madrid festive lights shine.