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Have you ever been to Paradise? Spain is just its finest replica!

24/07/2010 10:36

There are a lot of travel agencies out there and this makes it so hard to choose a place which you will not be sorry to have picked, a place where you will be 100% satisfied of having a great time. If you are just tired of the same flashy exotic places all the agencies are selling vacation plans for, take a while and relax for a minute, take things one at a time and you will understand why Spain is the ideal place for your next vacation destination.

There are hundreds of places to visit in Spain. From the futuristic town of Valencia to the rural parts of Spain, you will find yourself in a paradise of wonderful ancient places you will no longer want to leave.

Cuenca is just one of those towns which stand as a world heritage and it is located just below the ruins of the once fierce fortress of Kunka. Its cobbled streets lead to the hanging houses this city is populated by dating back to the 1500s being the main attraction of this place. If you also love wine, you should know that this town is famous for its wine production and you can acquire a bottle by visiting a bodega to buy this great tasting, rather cheap but nonetheless unique wine. To the east of the town you will be able to find Seeania de Cuenca, a place where waterfalls, gorges and amazing green valleys are the secret elements for seducing your senses.

Hondarribia is yet another great place situated on the Cantabrian coast, just near the Province of Guipuzcoa. It is a traditional fishing village with Basque origins and in the last years tourism has continually increased in this town because of its amazing beach promenade which offers incredible views across the Txingudy bay.

Guernica is a wonderful town standing at the heart of the Basque country and has a history of being a symbol of resistance and independence for the Basque people as well as being the once ancient capital of the Basque country.

Guernica is now a symbol of peace and this is due to the key role it played during the invasion of Franco’s troops during the time of the war. It was a town used as a guinea pig for the armies of Italy and Germany. The town was attacked in midday when it was marketing time and a lot of people were killed during this cruel attack. Due to this incident, one of the greatest painters in the world, Pablo Picasso was truly inspired and decided to paint one of his greatest paintings, the Guernica.

If you would like to remember your next vacation as one of the best choices you have ever made, then consider choosing Spain as your next destination for your vacation. It is not just a place filled with incredible history, but it is also a wonderful place full of magical landscapes.

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Royal Botanical Gardens in Madrid, Spain

24/07/2010 10:30

The Botanical Gardens, were any of you out there aware that there is actually more than one botanical garden? This gal will be the first to admit just that, but as it turns out, Montreal is not the only place that boasts a beautiful botanical garden which houses many exotic flowers. The garden we are talking about is referred to as the Royal Botanical Garden and it is located in Madrid, Spain.

The garden boasts 20 acres of land and houses approximately 30,000 different types of flowers and plants, not to mention approximately 1,500 different species of trees. It is a garden lover's dream! The Royal Botanical Garden, referred to in Madrid as Real Jardin Botanico was commissioned (or paid for) by Carlos (Charles) the Third in the later part of the 18th Century. Surely this was the best investment Carlos ever made.

The Garden is located in the heart of Paseo Del Parado and tourists can stroll through the garden for a nice break from the noisy hustle and bustle of everyday life. After a person has gotten his bearings in this beautiful piece of heaven, he can step over into the Prado Museum where he can learn a little about Spain's history. Whether you enjoy the museum first or the Garden, rest assured that they are both worth spending time on and you and your loved ones will no doubt never forget them!

The Real Jardin is not the biggest of the many botanical gardens that are in this world but it is by far one of the most extensive in its collection of flowers, trees and plants. With the many different species of each, the average tourist would most likely feel that there are not enough hours to take in all that the Jardin has to offer. On the plus side, the Jardin never has an off season.

As mentioned, the plant life as well as the trees that are thriving in the Real Jardin come from all over the world; there are Iris which are from South Africa to the Peonies which come from Japan, Korea or even China.

The climate in Madrid makes for favourable growth conditions for the plant life that is housed there. As you can expect, this is a plus for the tourists as well as for the economy in Madrid. Tourists all year round makes for excellent money making.

 

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Gran Via: Be Amazed

24/07/2010 10:24

You have been waiting for this for a long time and you have finally done it! You have booked the flight, bought your vacation clothes and you are ready to embark on a new adventure! Destination - Spain, better yet, you have decided to check out Madrid, Spain. If you are wondering which places to visit, why not go for something different?

Almost everyone who goes on vacation anywhere in the world will choose the path most taken. Why not take the road less travelled and check out some of the lesser known areas? One place in particular that you can visit would be Gran via which is located in one of the busier spots in Madrid. The great part is that Gran via is not a building but rather a collection of buildings. It is a section in Madrid that draws all sorts of people from all walks of life. Any type of person can find what they want or need in Gran Via.

Sure, there are places to shop, eat and even see movies but if you are like this writer, then you most likely enjoy taking in the beauty of architecture. It might sound boring but when you really look at a building, the lines of it, the feel; whether it is inspired by modern architecture or if it has been inspired by something out of the 15th century; this is when you can really appreciate just about any building in any country in the world. The same can be said if you like to sit in a particular spot and watch life as it happens all around you.

Gran Via was designed in the 19th century when the  designers realized that something had to be done in order to pull the Plaza de Espana and Calle de Alcala together; they needed something that would tie it all together in one tidy, multicultural and awe-inspiring package. They succeeded in doing so when they created Gran Via.

In order to make this dream a reality the powers that be had to destroy quite a few older buildings but the citizens will tell you that it was for the better and the area's economy has been better ever since. Gran Via means great road which is a fitting name when you consider what the area is like.

It took a very long time to finally get the approval to make this addition but it finally happened in 1904 and by the time the last section of this amazing road was finished, it was 1929. Suffice it to say, it really does pay homage to the name “great road”. As you can imagine, the construction of this multicultural piece of history made work for quite a few architects who were anxious to make their name in architectural history.

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Almudena Cathedral: An attraction worth seeing

24/07/2010 10:19

Spain, with this one word a person will conjure up many images in his mind of bullfighting arenas, beautiful women and beaches on which to bathe and sleep for hours. Perhaps you have not even considered that there are beautiful buildings to visit there as well.

This can be said about many buildings in Spain but the building that I speak of is located in the beautiful city Madrid in Spain and it is called the Almudena Cathedral. Where this cathedral now stands used to be what is said to be the only church that happened to be dedicated to Maria de la Almudena who was a Saint revered by the people of Spain.

The history of this beautiful structure is rich. Unfortunately we cannot get into the complete history but we will take a look at the basics and in turn, many of you will hopefully go on to research this gem of architecture by yourself when you have finished reading this. This cathedral was designed and the building started back in 1883 after the citizens of Madrid got their permission from the powers that be to build there.

The cathedral's design is one of a neo Gothic nature and is said to contain a tomb which has a lovely picture of the Virgin de la Almudena. The construction of the cathedral was finished in 1993, it was then consecrated by Pope John Paul the second. Now, it should be noted that when this church was designed (as previously mentioned) back in the 16th century, they had to hold off on building the cathedral because of various legal mumbo jumbo, mostly of a political nature and the fact that someone who had a lot of power and money did not want it to be built.

Suffice it to say that after much debate, the building of the cathedral resumed and the result is the beautiful building that stands there today. When you get there and look at the beautiful structure both inside and outside, you will appreciate all of the labour that went into the construction of this building, both labour of love and physical labour as well.

This building may not be very famous to the world but it is worth taking the time to appreciate and if you really want to find another reason to visit, you should know that it was the location of the wedding ceremony of Dona Letizia and Prince Felipe which took place in the month of May, 2004.

 

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Things To Do and Attractions Almeria

24/07/2010 09:45

Spain is popular amongst tourists because in this country in entire Europe there is a healthy combination of places for amusement or recreation and places which enhance our knowledge. The province of Almeria, located on the South East of Spain serves as the best example for such a place. In fact, historical places which are of interest are much more in Almeria than in any other place in Spain. Now let us start our tour of Almeria:

Cabo de Gata Almeria:

This is a natural park covering an area of about 45000 hectares. The park is located very close to the beach and has the Tall Mountain as its backdrop. According to geologists, the mountain is a volcanic formation and facing this mountain is the beautiful beach with white sand; this is certainly a place which everyone would love. The beach has many hidden coves.

There is also a coral reef near the beach. When you get into the park, you will notice that this park is something different from its contemporaries and is so beautiful that you would prefer to take photos of every nook and corner of the park. Needless to say that the beach has many water sports facilities.

Alcazaba castle:

Most ideally situated on the top of a hill, the castle was once a home for about 20000 armed troops. It was built on the top of the hill so that it would serve as an observatory to watch the movement of pirates and other enemies. Further, the enemies would find it difficult to reach the top of the hill.

The castle has a cathedral which is built in the typical Gothic architecture. According to historians, the cathedral was built in the year 1524. However, it was destroyed by a severe earthquake. Thereafter another cathedral was built in place of the one destroyed. Unfortunately this cathedral suffered casualty during the subsequent wars. But each time it suffered casualty; it was rebuilt and brought back to its past glory.

The cathedral retains its glory even to this day. The cathedral has many priceless collections of art and artifacts. The sculpture works made of marble, carving works on the door and windows are amazingly beautiful. In reverence to the founder of the cathedral, Bishop Villalan, a chapel has been built where a tomb has been built for the Bishop.

Church:
Mojacar is a town in the province of Almeria. This was actually a fortress before being converted into a church. It was also a customs house during the 18th century and the place where custom duties were collected can be seen even to this day. A beautiful arch believed to have been built in the 15th century welcomes the visitors.

Moorish fountain:
This is quite an interesting place which no visitor should miss. According to historians, this fountain is believed to have been built during the Roman period. In fact this fountain was the source of water for people of Mojarcar. Interestingly, the history of the city has been written on the stone around this spring water fountain.

 

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What to Have as Breakfast in Spain?

21/07/2010 16:20

Breakfast is generally smallest meal in Spain that is eaten during the day. Spanish people eat breakfast only to tide themselves with something until they have lunch. Lunch for them is the biggest meal throughout the day. Almost all breakfast foods in Spain are doughs or sweet pastries. They combine this with thick hot chocolate or Café con leche (milked coffee). Though, breakfast cereals are also widely available in Spain, traditional breakfast foods remain the most popular choice.

Bolos
Bolos are the most admired food for breakfast in Spain. Bolos are sweet roll pastry that people either eat with jam or they simply dipped it in coffee. Bolos are generally treated in oven and made a little warm before consuming. These are quite flaky and light in texture to that of a croissant.

Churros
Churros are very well-known food item for breakfast. In fact, Churros has gained immense popularity as a sweet snack all over the world. Churros can also be called as Spanish doughnuts but they are not round in shape. Churros are basically short stick of dough that is fried with fluted sides with dusted sugar as cinnamon. The traditional way of having it is by dipping it in hot chocolate or coffee for breakfast. Churros can also be prepared at home but there are plenty of dedicated churros maker who are known for possessing an art of making this delicacy. Most of the people in Spain like to buy these fresh.

Magdalenas
Magdalenas are cupcakes that are traditionally eaten for breakfast. People buy this from local bakery and they are quite rich in flavor. These cupcakes are known for being fluffy and they possess a hint of lemon flavor in them. Like other breakfast foods, Magdalenas are also eaten with hot chocolate or coffee.

Torrijas
Torrijas can also be understood as Spanish version of the French toast. Torrijas is generally eaten at Easter as breakfast and it is widely enjoyed throughout Spain for breakfast during any time of the year. The bread is soaked using eggs, sugar and milk but a lot of people accentuate with variations like wine cellar, cinnamon or honey.

Spanish Tortilla
Also known as Spanish on rate, Spanish tortilla is absolutely different then traditional American omelettes. Spanish tortilla does not have cheese but it is very thick egg mixture that is fried and includes boiled potatoes along with onions. A Spanish tortilla can be around 1 1/2 inches thick and it is eaten by adding it like cake. It is in normal breakfast foods and does not tide over until lunch time.


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Preparations needed to visit Running Of The Bulls Event in Pamplona

21/07/2010 16:17

Thousands of visitors flock to the Basque city of Pamplona that is nestled between Pyrenees Mountains to attend the event that is quite famous -- the running of Bulls. This event is primarily held between July 7 and July 14. Since the running of bulls has acclaimed immense popularity, the event is held when the tourist season is at peak. If you are coming to Spain only to attend the events, it is always recommended that you make your travel arrangements as early as possible. Because this so popular, if you make your arrangements late, you will probably not be able to find any tickets.

Apply for a passport at least six months before your prospective visit to Spain. If you already have a passport, get it checked and also make sure making sure that it will be valid during the time of your visit to Spain. After getting details of your passport, select the destination where you want to fly. If you are making it to Spain especially because of Pamplona Running of bulls then book your tickets for Barcelona airport.

You can also take an alternate route to Madrid in case you want to do some sightseeing on the way to Pamplona. In fact you can try and compare the prices of various airlines for both the destinations and choose whichever you find to be cheaper.

Upon your reach, rent a car and enjoy nearby attractions that surround the beautiful town of Pamplona. You can visit the Salazar Valley which is just a short drive towards the east of Pamplona. The valley is home to a number of castles and monasteries. Other popular attractions include the Pamplona cathedral, Museo de Navarra and the Plaza del Castillo.

The running of bulls is an event that it essentially showcases a race between a man and a bull and the distance that they need to cover is around 2750 feet.

For a more royal retreat, book a villa that is close to the venue of the running of bulls. Santo Domingo is a point from where the Running of Bulls event starts. You may rent a balcony on the route to get the most out of the event. These balconies offer great view of the entire event.

The running of bulls is an event that it essentially showcases a race between a man and a bull and the distance that they need to cover is around 2750 feet. The race that begins at Cuesta de Santa Domingo and it comes to an end at the bullring in Pamplona.

 

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National Monuments Of Spain

21/07/2010 16:11

There is no doubt that Spain is a spectacular tourist country. The real aura of Spain's rich heritage and culture can be attributed to sprawling beaches, the La Alhambra, exclusive wines, art and architecture. Spain is said to have an effervescent culture that truly knows how to celebrate life. Though the modernity has been greatly embraced by all cities of Spain but the country has truly retained the significance of its history and you will be able to glide in it by taking a glance at the countries historical monument which represents a compelling and deep heritage.

The Alhambra
Also known as The Red Fortress, the Alhambra is the pride of Spain. The Fortress is one of the most exceptional examples of Moorish architecture and Islamic influence in the Andalucía region of Spain. La Alhambra is present in Granada, the city that is full of white building muddles and narrow alleyways.

The architecture of Alhambra is beyond definition. The building’s oldest structure dates back to somewhere in 9th century. Though the fortress walls was renovated somewhere around 14th century by Mohammed V and Yussuf I, the oldest parts of the structure can still be viewed and appreciated. The sprawling fortress has a palace that contains countless fountains and courtyards. Also have a look at archways and intricately carved walls. This Moorish architecture of this Fortress has known to have captivated a generation of travelers.

Great Mosque Of Cordoba
The mosque is also known as the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. You can visit this ancient mosque if you visit Cordoba. The construction of the mosque was done in ancient period, somewhere around 8th century. The mosque was built under the rule of Abd al-Rahman I who had actually fled from Syria following the massacre of his family. The design of this heritage building features a rectangle prayer hall, a courtyard and burrows that are similar to Abbasid mosques and Umayyad mosque from Iraq and Syria.

The mosque is known for Lavish and complicated details, in particular the maqsura which was a private prayer space that was used by the ruler. 300 years after this mosque was made, Ferdinand III declared this mosque to be a cathedral. This national monument is a must visit attraction and you must see it.

Tower of Hercules
La Caruna Harbor is home to a number of monuments in Spain that reflect the Roman heritage of Spain. The Tower of Hercules is the main attraction here and it was built during the first century A.D. and was then known as Farum Brigantium. Updated during the 18th century, this tower is the only remaining functional lighthouse that was used by Romans. The declaration of this Tower as a national monument has resulted in some great preservation efforts.

 

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Spain : A country with overwhelming attractions

21/07/2010 16:06

Spain is one of the most favorable travel destinations that has splendid number of attractions and sites and can attract just about any visitor. The country known for its rich history, culture, diversity, coasts, food, wines, nature, festivals, bullfighting and hospitality is located on the Iberian Peninsula. The country has an ending coastline, small but well preserved medieval towns, white washed villages, modern urban centers and a developed metropolis life as well.

Air Travel
Air Iberia is Spain's national airline and has more direct flights in Spain than any other air travel company. Air Iberia has a number of nonstop services for major Spanish cities and travelers from throughout the continent of United States can avail nonstop services.

Entry Requirements
All international travelers require a valid passport for entry to Spain. The passport that they carry should be valid for a minimum of three months before the date of travel to Spain. Residents of Canada, United States, New Zealand, Australia and United Kingdom do not require this first day up to 90 days.

U.S. residents can participate in business-related activities or tourism for the ration of three months of their stay in Spain. For those who wish to extend their travel time in Spain who, need to apply visa so that they can remain in the country without facing any legal problems.

Considerations
Spring and fall are two most important seasons when people from all over the world travel to Spain. The weather during these two seasons is extremely comfortable and the crowds are also manageable. For the months between May and October, the Spain happens to the least crowded and it is the best time when you can shop around and get deals and promotion that are of true worth.

Language
Castilian Spanish or Castellano is Spain's official language and international travelers may learn a few phrases and words in this language so that it helps in communication. In major cities it is easy to locate non-Spanish speakers also. Most of the shop owners and servers in restaurants also know English.

Currency
The official currency remains to be Euro and it is recommended that international travelers either get their currency converted before being travel or they may also get traveler’s check in Euro. Alternatively, Spain has a lot of ATMs and it is possible to use debit cards easily here. Make sure you do not exceed a day limits of withdrawal so that you do not have to pay extra fee.

 

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Alcudia – A Small paradise in Spain

21/07/2010 16:02

Alcudia is a beautiful town in Mallorca, Spain. Alcudia is basically famous for its historical remains and some pristine beaches. The best way to enjoy Alcudia is by hiring the car or by exploring it by foot. You may get some great opportunity to visit the old town that has narrow streets but there is not much parking. The intercity travel is also quite easy with Spain bus service.

Facts About Alcudia

Situated in the island of Majorca, the city of Alcudia is a must visit area in Balearic Islands and is presence towards the east coast of Spain. Alcudia has a long history and is known for the Roman remains which have still been reserve by the municipality of area.

Beaches are also great attractions in Alcudia and water sports here are at rage. You'll find long sandy beaches along with cliffs that have a lot of caves and coves. This may be beaches of the city in special attraction. You may also visit a nature reserve that is quite popular amongst bird watchers.

This nature reserve happens to be resting points for a number of birds that migrate from Europe to Africa. From Balearic Islands, you just need to take a ferry and reach this beautiful city. A ferry also connects Alcudia to Barcelona. From Palma airport, you can reach there by car in an hour.

S'Albufera Natural Park is an important place to visit in Alcudia. This national park is in fact the largest wetland area that is present in the whole of the Balearic Islands. This area was created when a lagoon and a hollow was created that got filled up by sediments. This prime bird watching location displays more than 271 different species of bird during the season. While you're in old town you must visit the Gothic church -- Sant Jaume.

There are a large number of restaurants and bars in town, you must make it to the HarpBar which is owned by the Alcudia’s government and it is essentially an Irish bar that is known for live traditional music.

 

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