Weekend Getaways: Explore Madrid

The capital city of Madrid is filled with an abundance of culture, making it one of the most vibrant and exciting places in all of the world. Formally a court of Phillip II, once the city received its New World wealth it was changed forever. A center of Spanish literature and art, Madrid has been the epitome of Spanish culture since the 17th century. It's definitely a must-see European city, and even if you only have a weekend to spend, there's much to see to get the most out of your mini-vacation. It's easy to attempt to do too much, but to truly appreciate all that Madrid has to offer, it's best to focus on just a few items and plan another weekend trip for the future. The capital city is also not as expensive as other European cities, making it possible for visitors on a budget to fully enjoy the attractions, as well. The key to fully experiencing the best of Madrid without feeling rushed is to plan on top choices for sites and restaurants, in order to feel the flow of the weekend.

Travel and Accommodations
The most important part of planning any trip is to think of ways to save money on transportation and accommodations that allow you to spend your funds on the sites. There are an abundance of low-cost hotels in the city that don't sacrifice amenities with the price. Research those in your price range to find a hotel close to some of the locations you hope to visit to save time on travel. Additionally, you need to purchase a two-day metrocard to help you get where you want in a timely fashion, without spending too much money.

City Center
The core of the city is the historic architecture found in the center that can be appreciated just by walking around the city. Plan your walk-through accordingly in order to highlight some of the key monuments, historical highlights and must-see gardens. A visit to the Puerta de Sol and Plaza Mayor should be high up on your list. Visit one of the local markets to purchase some Spanish-style sandwiches called bocadillos and cava, which is sparkling wine, and walk over to El Retiro Park for an early picnic. Located just right of the city center, the gardens are home to a paddle boat lake and fountains, amongst many beautiful attractions. The area right in front of the Prado Museum will allow you to take it all in as you enjoy a traditional Spanish-style lunch. You also want to walk over to Puera De Alcala and Palacio de Comunicaciones, breathtaking sites with plenty of photo opportunities.

Royal Palace
During the summer this historic attraction doesn't close until 6PM, which allows you to fit in a visit to this site no matter your schedule. Located a short walk from Puerta de Sol, across from the Royal Theater, it's the official residence of the Spanish King. Not only does the building have an intricate facade, the palace houses classic artwork from Mengs, Caravaggio, Goya and Velasquez.

Dining
An online search before your trip can give you the names of some of the most popular tourist restaurants in the area, but you can find an abundance of traditional, small restaurants by simply walking around Puerta de Sol. If you must eat at the more well-known institutions, Mingos is known for their roast chicken and apple cider, while Casa Lucio is famous for huevos estellados. Finish your night by sipping sangria in one of the outdoor cafes to take in the sunset.

Emma A. Johnson is a contributing author and travel writer. She recently spent her summer exploring Europe on the weekends. After a search for cheap hotels in Madrid, she found top accommodations at a low cost, which allowed her to get the most out of her trip.

Things to do in Barcelona, Spain. Old Town Walking tour

By Mstyslav Chernov (Self-photographed, http://mstyslav-chernov.com/) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Barcelona is today one of the world's leading tourist, economic, trade fair/exhibitions and cultural-sports centres, and its influence in commerce, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities.
This beautiful city is full of what European cities are known for (outdoor markets, restaurants, shops, museums, and churches) and is fantastic for walking.

 Offline version of this walk for your iPhone you can get via PinMyWAY app. FREE!

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Things to do in Barcelona, Spain. Jew Mountain Walk

Photo by NetAction (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0-es], via Wikimedia Commons

Barcelona's Montjuïc (Jew Mountain) is a broad shallow hill with a relatively flat top overlooking the harbour, to the southwest of the city centre. The eastern side of the hill is almost a sheer cliff, giving it a commanding view over the city's harbour immediately below. The top of the hill (a height of 184,8 m) was the site of several fortifications, the latest of which (the Castle of Montjuïc) remains today.
The site was selected to host the 1929 International Exposition (a World's Fair), for which the first large-scale construction on the hill began. The surviving buildings from this effort include the grand Palau Nacional, the Estadi Olímpic (the Olympic stadium), the ornate Font Màgica fountains, and a grand staircase leading up from the foot of Montjuïc at the south end of the Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, past the Font Màgica and through the Plaça del Marquès de Foronda and the Plaça de les Cascades to the Palau Nacional. The Poble Espanyol, a "Spanish village" of different buildings built in different styles of Spanish architecture, also survives, located on the western side of the hill. Mies van der Rohe's German national pavilion was constructed at the foot of the hill, near the Plaça del Marquès de Foronda. It was demolished in 1930 but was rebuilt in 1988.
The Montjuïc was selected as the site for several of the venues of the 1992 Summer Olympics, centred around the Olympic stadium.

 Offline version of this walk for your iPhone you can get via PinMyWAY app. FREE!

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Things to do in Barcelona, Spain. Gaudi walking tour

By Chongming76 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

Antoni Gaudí was an architect, who belonged to the Modernisme (Art Nouveau) movement and was famous for his unique style and highly individualistic designs.

Gaudí, as an architecture student at the Escola Tècnica Superior d'Arquitectura in Barcelona from 1873 to 1877, achieved only mediocre grades but did well in his "trial drawings and projects." After five years of work, he was awarded the title of architect in 1878. As he signed Gaudí's title, Elies Rogent declared, "Qui sap si hem donat el diploma a un boig o a un geni: el temps ens ho dirà" ("Who knows if we have given this diploma to a nut or to a genius. Time will tell.")
The newly named architect immediately began to plan and design and would remain affiliated with the school his entire life.

 Offline version of this walk for your iPhone you can get via PinMyWAY app. FREE! 

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Things to do in Granada, Spain. Historic Centre Walking Tour

Photo by Mihael Grmek (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

Granada is a mid-sized city located in Granada Province in the Andalucia region of Spain. Rich in history and culture, Granada is arguably the single most worthwhile city in Spain for a tourist.
In addition to a rich multicultural history, the Alhambra and other monuments, a student-driven nightlife, and skiing and trekking in the nearby Sierra Nevada, Granada offers a break from the summer heat of other Andalusian cities such as Córdoba or Seville. Spring and Fall are also both excellent times to visit. With much more cultural interest than other cities like Malaga, Granada is never overcrowded (although one should still book tickets to the Alhambra at least one day in advance).

Offline version of this walk for your iPhone you can get via PinMyWAY app. FREE! 

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Top 10 beaches in Tenerife

by Travel Guru

Tenerife is a Spanish island located on the Atlantic side of Spain, and is the largest of island in the Canary Island chain. Tourism is the number one industry and millions visit Tenerife each year. It is a favorite with Europeans with the UK and Germany leading the pack, and Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, and all of Scandinavia following. Tenerife is known for its fantastic beaches; the following are the 10 best beaches in Tenerife.

Torviscas and Fañabé
These two beaches actually join together to become one. They are connected by a long promenade that runs along a beautiful azure beach. Located along the coast of Costa Adeje these two beaches have relatively calm waters and are great for families on vacation.

El Bullullo
(La Orotava) This is a clean, very nice man-made beach that is located east of Puerto de la Cruz. There is a nice place to get drinks here and the waves are great.

Playa San Marcos
This beach is located west of Puerto de la Cruz and is a small fishing village. This is a black sand beach that is usually peaceful without many people during the weekdays. Weekends tend to be a little crowded. Apartment and Condo rentals are available and there is a full compliment of tourist services.

Playa Del Roque (Taganana)
This is a dark sand beach with beautiful clear waters and is a favorite of sun worshipers, surfers, and photographers.

Playa del Médano
This is perhaps the longest, natural sandy beach in Tenerife. There are many good fish restaurants here because this used to be a fishing village. The windsurfing here is great and the waters are usually fairly calm making this a great spot for families with young children.

Las Galletas
This is a charming fishing town that has quaint little inlets that have beaches very kind to beginning surfers. Having been a favorite of Jacques Cousteau and his son for diving, Las Galletas offers a wonderful opportunity to do scuba diving.

Torviscas
This is a golden sand artificial beach located on the Adeje Coast. This beach is a favorite and has many tourist activities and services available. A great beach for a vacation, Torviscas has a great nightlife. 

Los Cristianos
This is a popular beach located near the southern airport on Tenerife. There is easy access to the nearby AquaPark Octopus and Tenerife Zoo for the kiddies. Offered for the whole family there are fishing excursions, glass bottom boats, and many eateries and pubs. There is also a great nightlife here. A popular choice for Tenerife holidays.

Los Gigantes
Located in west Tenerife, this is a good beach for sunbathing. There is the small town of Cueva del Polva nearby and also nearby are the imposing and famous Los Gigantes cliffs. This is a Blue Flag beach, which meets the highest quality standards in the European/World travel industry.

Las Gaviotas
Beach This last beach in the Top Ten Beaches of Tenerife is not necessarily a family beach. This beach is a nude beach with a section that is also frequented by gay tourists.

Things to do For Free in Madrid

Author: Brett Kurtis
When you are a student or on a budget, you worry sometimes that you won't be able to enjoy Madrid as it can get a bit expensive.

However, rest assured that there are plenty of free things you can enjoy doing in Madrid whether it's sitting in the park, free entries to museums, or even free tapas! You can go to sit or have a picnic in Retiro Park where you can enjoy the beautiful weather and even meet locals and other tourists. You can also sit out in the city squares where many people sit by fountains and watch the different kinds of street performers. There also free days at the museums so make sure you head to your favorite museum and ask them where the free days are.

You can also visit the Temple of Debod which is an ancient Egyptian temple. Madrid's Atocha railway station is also a must visit. There you can see the tropical mini forest garden there and of course the turtles that live there. A metro ticket is usually for one Euro per one journey so make sure you purchase the metro ticket for 10 journeys which is for eight Euros to save some money. Another famous attraction is the Espana Plaza which is a monument to Miguel Cervantes and Sancho Panza. There you will also find hundreds of tourists getting their picture taken.
The bullfighting museum- Museo Taurino is another place you can visit as there is no entrance fee required to enter. There, you can get an idea of the history of bullfighting in Madrid. You can also visit the stunning Royal Palace as there is free entry every Wednesday. For bargains, make sure you head to Rastro Market to get the best deal on clothes, accessories, and souvenirs. However, make sure you go early in the morning as it get can get too crowded during the day.
There are also aspects of nightlife that you can enjoy for free. There are many restaurants and bars that offer free delicious tapas with each drink ordered such Tigre Bar. Tapas are a main dish in the Spanish cuisine. Keep in mind that most places in Madrid offer free entry to those fewer than eighteen years old and sixty five years old.  Don't forget to also ask your hotel or the people working where you're staying whether they offer walking tours or any other services at a low price. Make sure you have a great time in Madrid!

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Spain. Elche City Walking Tour

Since Iberian times, Elche was an important centre of civilization as we can clearly see with the impressive statue of the Dama de Elche ( The Elche Lady ) which was discovered in 1897 and is now found in the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid. It is now the third most important city in the Valencian Community thanks to its population and has a prosperous shoe manufacturing business, but the sweets and clothing business are not too far behind. In 2001 Elche was named part of the World Heritage.

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Tenerifes Beautiful Beaches

Author: Aardina Boud

Known for its beautiful beaches, Tenerife attracts thousands of tourists annually who flock to the islands shores to enjoy the year round good weather. The trademark black sand natural beaches created by the islands past volcanic activity have left a few beautiful natural beaches, however the sharp increase in the volume of year round tourism has required the development of new man made beaches to accommodate everyone.
Beaches on the island
Those looking for a clean and well maintained beach should head to Jardin. Local authorities have redeveloped the beach front using reclaimed local sand in the area surrounding Punta Brava, and it offers a pleasant swimming and sun bathing experience and also boasts a number of facilities.
Another popular beach area is Martianez Pond which has also been redeveloped extensively. Made from water from the sea, this creation of a large pond by local born Canaries artist Manrique has remained true to local style and incorporated vegetation and aesthetic elements to ensure a pleasant experience for the user. The large sea water pond is accompanied by other swimming areas which are popular amongst young and old alike. Nearby is a natural beach at Martianez with has at some parts the trademark black sands for which the area is famous. The waters are choppy here and lend themselves well to water sports.
Heading north, you will find another beach which has had a bit of help from the local authorities - Teresitas. Imported sand had widened the beach in the 70's and some lovely trees and vegetation has been planted. The area is filled with charming local eateries specialising in local seafood.
A more rugged beach is found at Roque, which also has a number of restaurants in the area. It is popular amongst those wanting to try surfing and other water sports but its rugged nature can sometimes lead to unsafe tides, so care is needed here. It also boasts the trademark sands of the area. Those wanting to practise free nudism will find a few suitable places, for example at El Medano beach, which is also famous for its windsurfing championships and windy seas.

Puerto de Santiago beach will offer the user no sands, but large rocks offer great sun bathing possibilities and the waters of its small cove are excellent for snorkelling and scuba diving.
Therefore, in Tenerife, you'll find a wide array of beaches suitable for all tastes - sports fans, young families and adults alike.

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villa costa blanca is ready for a season full of sun, sea, beach party for you. Club Villamar let your ideal vacation dream come true with a varied selection of holiday homes in club villamar and vakantiehuis spanje.

Barcelona walking tour to beach from plaza Catalunya

By Christina

This is a self guided tour from plaza Catalunya to the beach. It is a long but scenic walk.

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Barcelona Free Walking Tour - GAUDÍ

Take a trip through Gaudi's eccentric life and discover his most magical buildings around the city. Marvel at his work ending at his unfinished masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia.

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The Spanish Towns of Southern Costa Blanca

By: Macon Gravlee

Torrevieja

This is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the southern part of Costa Blanca. It is located 40 minutes away from Alicante airport to the north, or 20 minutes away from the Murcia airport. Torrevieja is a busy tourist hub and has been so for many years now, thanks to the 2 large saltwater lagoons that continue to harvest salt. The lagoons are also home to flamingoes and other bird species, thus attracting all manner of tourists. Being a busy commercial centre, the town serves both the locals and tourists. Torrevieja town features a Spanish design evident in the living style of the locals as they reside in apartment blocks.

The town of Torrevieja is not lacking in terms of beaches as just recently, the main beach walkway was renovated to give a pleasant soothing stroll or an ideal spot for relaxation and unwinding as one sips a cup of coffee from a beachfront café. There are lots of beaches to choose from, and if you are a dare devil, you can always go to the water parks. Along the beach promenade, most of the days you will find a small market equipped with collectibles and souvenirs while every Friday, there is a large open air market that sells all kinds of goods at unimaginable bargains.

Holiday accommodation in this part of Costa Blanca is not a problem as there is everything for everyone, from luxurious golf courses villas and beachfront villas, to apartments and townhouses.

Alicante

If you are like many people, you know the city of Alicante by your view through the window of an airplane as you arrive in the international airport in Costa Blanca, or through the windows of a rental car as you make your way to other destinations in Costa Blanca. However, if you took some little time in Alicante, you will be amazed by how much it really has in store for tourists.

Alicante is the capital city of Costa Blanca, dating back to the Roman times. As you make your way from the airport towards the town, you will be forgiven to think that it is a boring city as the first impressions are quite poor. However, just past the urban sprawl you will be greeted by a palm lined walkway on the front part of the town. Alicante further boasts a buzzing nightlife, irresistible restaurants serving mouthwatering delicacies and a great shopping avenue for an irresistible shopping experience. Southwards from the town the city’s coastline stretches for miles of stunning golden sandy beaches.

La Manga

La Manga del Mar Menor (Little Sea) is a resort town located near Murcia and boasts of beaches in a 40km stretch and various golf courses. The Little Sea is a covered salt water lake that forms part of the Costa Calida, a perfect resort for water sport activities. There are lots of coastal strips hotels, rental holiday apartments, houses, bars, and restaurants stretched along the Mar Menor. If time is on your side, you can always visit the nearby coastal towns of San Javier and Murcia and Cartagena or San Pedro del Pinatar, or if you are a fishing enthusiast, the old fishing village known as Los Alcazeras. Football fanatics will find the famous La Manga Club that is located close by irresistible, particularly during the winter months.

Holidays in Spain: Torrevieja in the Costa Blanca

The beaches, sun and sand are the main reasons people come for their holidays in Spain and especially to Torrevieja. There you can enjoy the promenade, marina, sandy beaches and rocky coves, all offering something for everyone whether you are a sports fan or not.
Did you know that any beach could technically be a nudist beach as nudity is legal in Spain? Better though to join the rest of the nudists on beaches specially designated for them. As for swimming make sure you use the Blue Flag beaches where there are often the safety flags flying.
Anyway, there's something for all of you for your holidays in the Costa Blanca.