Author Archives: Jeremy Albelda
Top Reasons To Visit The Canary Islands
Being a relatively known tourist destination, there are many top reasons to visit the Canary Islands. This archipelago is an Atlantic territory of Spain and it is located off the west coast of Africa. It shares close proximity with Morocco, Cape Verde and two known Portuguese territories such as the archipelagos of the Azores Islands and Madeira Islands. The Canary Islands are composed of seven atolls, each of them uniquely beautiful. The first civilization to inhabit this archipelago were the Phoenicians, around 1,000 BC, right after establishing their capitol in North Africa. It is interesting to note that in ancient times, the Canary Islands were believed to be the lost islands of Atlantis. Anyone with a fascination for this legendary location can probably choose to believe that Atlantis is not just a myth. But Atlantis or not, it was not called “the lands without sorrow” for nothing.
1. Vacation means fishing, surfing and cruising
An island vacation wouldn’t feel right if one does not enjoy the recreations akin to the pleasant surroundings. Fishing in the Canary Islands is a splendid experience especially in Tenerife. There is big game fishing with a wide array of angler selections such as yellow fin tuna, white marlin and wahoo. Fuerteventura is a windsurfer’s and outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. There are plenty of great places to stay as well, just check out On The Beach for accommodation in Fuerteventura, they have some good options.
2. A magical trek along the Magic Isle
La Gomera has earned the moniker Magic Isle. Being a haven for walkers and casual outdoor enthusiasts, strolling around the Magic Isle is definitely one of the top reasons to visit the Canary Islands. The rough terrain provides a good challenge to many intermediate trekkers, providing some sense of adventure while not being too dificult. Have a talk with one of the friendly locals and notice their “Whistled language” which was documented by the Romans back in ancient times. This whistled speech is called Silbo Gomero.
3. Seafood diet is so good it is see-food diet!
Another of the top reasons to visit the Canary Islands has a lot to do with their diverse cuisine. Canarian cuisine is a great treat for health conscious eaters as it often makes use of ingredients based on fish, vegetables and fresh fruits. Because of its close proximity to North Africa, it is not surprising to find Moroccan cuisine in the mix with the standard Spanish culinary genre. For meat lovers, one can always enjoy a nice hot stew or have a piece or two of the succulent barbecue steaks.
4. Fantastic Drink Options!
Canary Islands have four wonderful types of drinks. The wines are of excellent quality fermented from the vineyards of La Palma and Northern Tenerife. It’s a good addition to a romantic dinner. Barraquito is a special brewed coffee admired for its caffeine strength and tea-like constitution. The special ron miel is a sweet rum made from honey, similar to mead. Lastly, nothing beats a good cold beer!
Top Destinations for a Weekend Beach Break
Planning a weekend beach getaway is all about choosing the right location. You see, unlike longer holidays, location has the power to significantly impact how much of a break you get – choose somewhere that’s relatively quick to reach and you’ll enjoy plenty of time in the sun; select a destination further afield and your carefully planned break will morph into a weekend of planes, trains and automobiles.
So, today I’m going to give you a few ideas of places to go for a long weekend in the sun. Hopefully, they’ll inspire you to do something a bit different with your next bank holiday or short break from work.
Barcelona
Barcelona is my favourite destination in Europe and I think it’s absolutely perfect for a long weekend away – especially if you’re looking for something more than just a great stretch of sand. While Barcelona is home to several excellent beaches, it’s also a culturally rich city that has something to offer virtually everyone.
So, you can divide your time between sipping cocktails at the numerous beach bars and exploring some of the cultural sites, such as the various architectural achievements of Antoni Gaudi, including the Sagrada Familia and Casa Batllo.
Plus, it’s less than a two-hour flight from most UK airports, making it extremely well suited to short breaks. The only downside is that as there’s so much to see, you may well find yourself wishing you had more time to explore!
Benalmadena
The Costa del Sol is a great destination for a sun-drenched holiday, and one of the best places on it for a weekend break is Benalmadena. As it’s just 8 km from Malaga Airport, it’s particularly convenient for anyone arranging a short break who doesn’t want to waste time on lengthy journeys between the airport and their accommodation (by the way, you can get some ideas of places to stay on this website).
The beauty of Benalmadena is that it offers a little bit of everything. As well as great beaches, it has a charming old town (Benalmadena Pueblo) and is close to a huge range of attractions, including the amazing Tivoli World theme park. Unsurprisingly, this is a firm favourite among families, but it has rides suitable for big kids too, so don’t disregard it if you’re travelling with other adults!
Another thing well worth doing is hopping on the local cable car. This will give you great views not only of Benalmadena, but also of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Alternatively, head over to Aqualand, which is the Costa del Sol’s largest water park.
Benidorm
Last on my list is Benidorm, which is a classic British holiday destination. Located on the Costa Blanca, this tourist resort is famous for being a bit of a home from home for UK travellers, thanks to its abundance of British-style food and pubs. This is the place to come if you want to do nothing more than relax on the beach during the day and dance the night away once the sun goes down.
Benidorm has a great tourist infrastructure, so there’s plenty you can do here if you don’t fancy spending your entire break on the sand. For instance, there are plenty of water sports you can try, or you can take a short trip out to Peacock Island, which has some great scenery, as well as lovely views over Benidorm.
Following an ancient trail: a guide to the Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago – also known as the Way of St James – is a long-distance pilgrimage route across Europe that has been followed by the faithful for centuries. Their ultimate destination is the impressive Santiago de Compostela and any walking tour along the same trail will also lead you to this monument.
This is a wonderful opportunity to follow in the footsteps of travellers from years gone by, with the path first being used as far back as the 9th century by pilgrims keen to visit the place where the remains of St James are said to be interred.
A bit of history…
For the uninitiated, the Camino de Santiago runs from the French border across Spain to Santiago de Compostela near the country’s northern coast. There are several routes throughout the rest of Europe that link to the path that begins on the border, but we’re going to focus on the part that’s in Spain.
The pilgrimage was at its most popular during the Middle Ages, with fewer people choosing to make the journey as time went by due to events like the outbreak of the plague and the protestant reformation. In more recent times it has undergone something of a renaissance, with not just religious pilgrims but also keen hikers opting to tackle the challenge.
If you walk at least the final 100 km of the Camino, you’ll receive an official certificate to mark your achievement. It’s worth bearing this in mind when you’re looking at walking holidays on this route, as not all will give you this opportunity. For an example of an itinerary that does, click here.
You’ll be given a booklet known as a Credencial when you set out on your journey and you should collect stamps in this from various points along the way to prove that you’ve trekked the final 100 km to the city.
Hiking on the Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago is a well-trodden path (as you’ve probably gathered), so the hiking underfoot is not difficult. It’s generally regarded as a moderate trek and you certainly cover a fair distance, but while there are ups and downs, you won’t encounter any overly steep inclines on the final stretch of the trail.
There are many landmarks and interesting towns and villages to visit along the way as well, so you’ll want to take your time on this trek and really soak up the camaraderie and atmosphere as you walk with other people on the same route.
If walking along the Camino de Santiago is something you’ve always wanted to do, it could be best to book a tailormade tour to ensure you get to visit all the sites along the way that interest you. Explore Worldwide offers this kind of trip on the Camino de Santiago starting from £840.
Sights on the Camino de Santiago
The first noteworthy landmark you’ll reach on your hike is the 100 km marker indicating to pilgrims that they’ve reached the final leg of their epic journey. Of course, this will come shortly after you’ve started walking, but is nonetheless an exciting sign to see.
Portomarin is one of the first villages you’ll reach on your hike and it has an interesting story, having been relocated from its original location on the orders of General Franco. It’s worth negotiating the narrow streets to find San Pedro church, which is a great example of Romanesque architecture.
Palas de Rei is another village you’ll pass through, but don’t hurry in this settlement – spend a bit of time admiring its central plaza and look out for the town hall, which is of typical Galician design.
As you get closer to Santiago de Compostela, you’ll reach the charming Santa Irene Chapel, which dates from the 18th century and is home to a number of statues of St James.
One of the final stops en route is in Lavacolla, traditionally where pilgrims would wash and change into their best clothes before completing their trek and arriving at the cathedral. From here you have to climb a hill to reach Monte Gozo, which boasts amazing views over to the city and will afford you your first glimpse of the cathedral’s famous spires.
Make sure you plan to have at least one day to fully explore Santiago de Compostela after you’ve finished your hike. In addition to the cathedral, there are many other historical landmarks in the city, such as the Palacio de Gelmirez and the Convento de Santo Domingo de Bonaval.
Enjoy Tenerife on a Budget!
As one of the most popular summer holiday destinations in Europe, Tenerife has developed a thriving tourism industry, with a wealth of excellent attractions, restaurants and other amenities. However, don’t get fooled into thinking a trip to island has to be expensive, as there are plenty of options for budget travelers looking for a cheap holiday in the sun.
While it’s certainly possible to spend a fortune indulging in fine dining, visits to water parks and scuba diving excursions, it’s also very easy to have a truly amazing time here without giving your wallet a workout. After all, when you consider that Tenerife is a volcanic island sprinkled with charming historic towns, gorgeous beaches and unique landscapes, it becomes clear that the isle itself is one giant tourist attraction, and exploring this amazing location is free of charge.
There are also plenty of cheap hotels in Tenerife for those who don’t want to spend a packet on an all inclusive resort, and you’ll find lots information about budget accommodation here. Once you’ve booked your stay you’ll need to start thinking about how you’d like to spend your time (without spending your money) on the island. To help you, we’ve put together a brief guide to enjoying Tenerife on a budget.
Eat like a local
While the popular resorts of Los Cristianos, Playa de las Americas and Costa Adeje are full of the kinds of restaurants that thrive on big-spending tourists, the north of the island boasts its own unique gastronomical culture that is centred small eateries called guachinches. These are basically small makeshift food stalls serving home-cooked dishes using local recipes and ingredients. In accordance with Canarian culture, each guachinche only remains open for three consecutive months at a time, serving no more than three dishes, and usually will only be advertised by a small wooden sign.
Because of this, they tend to be frequented more by locals than tourists, so taking the trouble to find one is a great way to discover some authentic Canarian cuisine at an extremely affordable price. Typical dishes include ceviche and other seafood recipes, as well as crinkly chips known as papas arrugadas.
Explore the island
Rather than splashing out on boat trips or days out at theme parks, why not try exploring the island itself? This way you’ll get to learn more about Tenerife’s history, culture and nature for next to no money.
One place that’s worth visiting is the small town of Garachico on the northern coast. Once the island’s main port, the village’s development was stopped in its tracks when the harbour was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1706. Many historic buildings such as the Santa Ana Church and Convent of San Francisco remain, while visitors can also take a dip in the volcanic rock pools, which were created by the same eruption that devastated the port.
Elsewhere, the Teide National Park is home to Spain’s tallest mountain, Mount Teide. This amazing landscape is home to several species of flora that are not found anywhere else in the world, including the beautiful tower of jewels. Taking the cable car to the summit offers amazing views across the island, and is a great way to spend a cheap day out.
Hit the beach
One thing Tenerife is famous for is its climate, and there’s no charge on sunbathing. With so many beaches to choose from you can spend your entire trip discovering the amazingly diverse coastline of the island, adding a sense of adventure to your relaxing beach holiday.
Rather than lounging around in overcrowded resorts like Playa de las Americas, take a trip to Playa Bollullo in Puerto de la Cruz. The black sand, caused by the erosion of volcanic rock, is unlike anything you’ll have ever seen before, and makes for a unique s
Welcome to Home Town Travel Guides.com , your source for travel guides written by locals and those who've been there and done that! ~Jeremy