Search Results for: Spain
Top Reasons to Visit Spain
There are plenty of top reasons to visit Spain. And if you just consider how colorful and long-standing its history is, you’d be convinced of its worth as a tourist destination. Tourism in Spain developed around the 1960’s and 1970’s. And back then, the country was herald as a great summer vacation spot. Today, it presents an array of alternative tourism significance, which attracts as many as 53 million visitors per year (allowing it to earn a whopping $53 billion tourism direct GDP. Spain is essentially a Mediterranean country that is run by a constitutional monarchy. And it was among the countries the nations that pioneered in world exploration, thereby making it a very influential force as far as culture and religion goes.
Many of the tourist attractions in other countries, especially the Caribbean and Pacific involve remnants of Spanish architecture, which are often represented by town halls, forts, churches and old houses. The top reasons to visit Spain are no different. And here, folks can actually appreciate a more sophisticated depiction of its artistic side with landmarks like the Palacio de la Diputacion in Bilbao, Cathedral of Seville in Seville, Fort Sebastian and Santa Catalina in Cadiz, and the Old City of Cordoba. El Escorial is among the most interesting places to visit in the nation’s capital as it was once the center of the Spanish Empire. And in this vicinity, people will get to appreciate multiple facets of Spanish construction. Also known as the Monastery or Royal Seat of San Lorenzo de (El) Escorial, this massive building functioned as a religious sanctuary, royal palace, museum and school. It is a complex made up of a number of well-designed buildings, influenced by 16th and 17th century aesthetics. And it is surrounded by a vast woodland area, which served as the royal family’s hunting grounds. It was inaugurated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 and currently attracts as much as 500,000 guests. And the best part about it is that it’s only 45 kilometers away from other highlights located in Madrid.
If you are interested in more nature-centric destinations, you could schedule a trip to Almeria, where you could indulge in local picturesque natural beaches. As mentioned earlier, one of the top reasons to visit Spain has always been its summer getaways. And Almeria has the best lineup in the world. Las Salinas and La Almadrava de Monteleva are among the undisturbed coastlines it affords people. And as an alternative, Valencia also has a nice beach waiting for foreigners to try out. More commercialized strands are found in Coastal Blanca, Brava and del Sol. And if you are particularly fond of pairing water-sports with that of party facilities, Ibiza and Mallorca are definitely some of the places you should include in your itinerary. If you want to read some more about these places, check out reviews from On The Beach.
Sierra Nevada is another one of the top reasons to visit Spain that is serving ecotourism interests. But unlike the previous, this mountain range in Andalucia offers guests more rugged outdoor experiences, from hiking to climbing, canyoning, paragliding and skiing during the winter. Tenerife is an overseas territory of Spain that also serves tourists the same set of activities, but pairing it up with spectacular beaches and a lively nightlife, making it the ultimate holiday retreat.
When is it still worthwhile to use a travel agent?
In this era of self-serve travel planning, it’s easy to assume that the travel agent is a dinosaur well on its way to extinction.
While this has been the case for the past decade, the pendulum has begun to swing back in the other direction lately, as many people have found the burden of coordinating their own travels to be a drain on their energy and their personal time.
When is it worthwhile to use a travel agent? The following three scenarios are excellent examples of when it makes sense to hire a travel expert.
When you are traveling internationally to an unfamiliar destination
You may know the ins and outs of travel within your own nation, and you might be aware of what it takes to travel to the beaches of Spain, but what about if you are traveling to Asia, or Latin America? These parts of the world often have a tricky series of visa requirements and hidden fees that would make the Byzantines crack a smile, as many independent travelers have found out about at the last minute.
Don’t be caught unaware: hire a travel agent that knows about the rules for any nation to which you might be considering a trip, and that actively stays on top of any changes that occur (that’s what they get paid for, after all!) in visa requirements and fees on a day to day basis.
When you have your hands full planning a wedding
Weddings are full of complicated plans that inspire nothing but stress leading up to the Big Day. Do you really think you’ll have the capability to plan a honeymoon while you trying to track down a reliable caterer or a DJ that will spin appropriate tunes at your reception?
Outsource this important job to travel agents at companies like Eshores (http://www.eshores.co.uk/), as they have a lifetime of experience at organizing romantic getaways for countless couples in bad need of a change of scenery to rekindle the love in their lives. Just give them an idea of what you are looking for, and let them handle the rest.
When you are tasked with planning a trip for a group of friends
While you bow to nobody but yourself when you travel solo, traveling with friends is a completely different matter altogether. Unlike the freedom of your backpacking days, you now have to consider the wants, desires and needs of multiple people, and for many, the logistical nightmare has the potential to suck the joy out of the trip for you, the anointed travel expert in your group of pals.
By letting a travel agent handle the detail work after filling them in on the needs and wants of your group, you’ll have all the fun you ought to have on a journey with your buds.
Find seclusion in Menorca
Seclusion in Menorca might sound like something of an oxymoron. After all, everyone knows it’s an immensely popular holiday destination, renowned for its natural beauty, stunning beaches and lively cities. Such is its legendary status among the Balearic islands that thousands of Brits board Monarch Airlines flights destined for Menorca every year.
But if you’re looking for a holiday of seclusion, there’s no need to write off the island just yet. Menorca is significantly calmer than its party-loving fellow Majorca, which has a reputation for wild nights out and packed beaches. You just have to plan your trip around the quieter areas and take certain precautions. Follow our guide below and you’ll find no end of seclusion in Menorca.
Accommodation
First things first – you need to sort out your accommodation. Many hotels will offer you plenty of space and privacy, but if you’re looking to be completely shut off, your best best is a villa. Fewer staff, no other guests – just you and the ones you love. Some of them are located a good hike from the nearest town, so it’s worth deciding whether this will be a positive aspect or an inconvenience.
For those who want a little more company than the beach, Es Grau is an excellent compromise between the totally shut-off and the bustling holiday resorts. It is a little fishing village offering a handful of bars and restaurants, with a huge unspoilt stretch of sand known only to the locals and savvy holidaymakers.
Menorca is also less busy at certain times of the year, and it’s all the more likely you’ll find seclusion during term time or in the winter months. This is definitely something to consider if you’ve not got children.
Attractions
It’s not all waterparks filled with screaming children and sunburnt British families packed like sardines on the beaches. There are plenty of attractions on Menorca that evoke a sense of the secluded.
We’ll start with the beaches as these are one of the island’s top features. Stay away from the ones next to huge hotels and you’ll find what you’re looking for. Cala de Algaiarens is a top one to visit if you’re stuck for ideas – its picturesque cove is rarely inhabited by more than a handful of sun worshippers, and it’s also perfect for snorkelling and exploring underwater caves. However, the beach itself is private property and there is an entrance fee of four euros – something that helps to put off the crowds.
Sticking with Menorca’s natural assets, its rugged landscape is an absolute joy to explore if you enjoy hiking or even a casual walk. Paths are strewn all over the island – perfect for a good-for-the-heart stroll under the afternoon sun.
Although there are tours available, you’ll obviously want to avoid these if you’re aiming for isolation. Start at one of the towns or cities – or even your accommodation – and just use your trusty map and a pair of decent boots.
Those looking for seclusion in Menorca simply need to know where and when to head to one of the most spectacular islands in Spain. By heeding our instructions, you be well on your way to having a relaxing holiday here!
Top Driving Locations in Europe
Sometimes, the act of driving itself beats the anticipation of arriving at a final destination. There’s nothing better than those magical stretches of road, which seem to have been designed for fantastic driving. That’s why we’ve done our research, pooled our thoughts and created this guide to our favourite driving locations in Europe.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your keys and head off in pursuit of some of the best driving routes the continent has to offer.
S26, Italian Alps
The name may not be very familiar, but we’re sure that you’d instantly recognise this particular road in the Italian Alps if you saw it. Still not sure what we’re talking about? Imagine listening to Matt Monro’s ‘On Days Like This’ as you drive this winding route through the mountains with your shades on…
Of course, this was the road used in the opening scenes of the classic 1969 film The Italian Job. It’s famous twists and turns have made it something of a bucket list item when it comes to European driving and it attracts travellers from all over the world. Take a look at this article from USA Today, for some great ideas about touring the Italian Alps using this majestic route, including things to see along the way.
Adalucia, Spain
Spain is a country that just begs for a road trip. And with so many fantastic routes to choose from, you’re more than spoilt for choice.
If you have two weeks to spare, nothing beats a comprehensive tour of Southern Spain and Andalucía. A great place to begin is Malaga, where you can pick up a rental car from the airport. Arrange this in advance to secure the best deal, using a company such as Economy Car Hire, which offers affordable car hire in Spain.
Collecting a rental car is a much better option than driving your own car to the southern tip of Spain. By the time you get there, the novelty of driving may well have worn off and you’ll resent the amount of time you’ve already spent behind the wheel. Take a short flight and collect a car feeling happy and relaxed. This will make embarking on a trip to discover Spanish delights such as Nerja – heralded as the scuba diving capital of Spain – and the gorgeous beaches of Cabo de Gata, all the more enjoyable.
Germany’s Black Forest
It has to be one of the most popular routes in Germany, if not Europe: yet the iconic Route 500 through the Black Forest can often be deserted for enormous stretches, leaving just you and the road.
Ultimate Driving has some great tips for driving on Route 500, including which parts of the route can get busy at different times of the day.
A highlight along this route is the abundance of hot natural springs, which has resulted in a wealth of spas and health resorts springing up along the way. After clocking up some serious miles driving through Germany’s biggest nature reserve, we can’t think of a better way to relax than sitting in the bubbling waters of a natural thermal bath with a few German beers. Take in the gloriously clean air and indulge in some traditional German fare – as much as you love the driving experience, we’re sure you’ll find it difficult to drag yourself away from so much pampering!
There you have it! some of the best driving locations in Europe to enjoy your next road trip.
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