Posts Tagged ‘Spain’

Lanzarote´s Natural Wonders

Sunday, August 15th, 2010

Whilst Lanzarote has traditionally been linked with package holidays a growing number of independent travellers are now visiting the island. Lured by cheaper flights, great weather and some seriously spectacular scenery, as Lanzarote is home to an abundance of wonderful natural attractions many of which were forged during the massive volcanic eruptions that rocked the island during the 1730?s.

Lanzarote is the fourth largest of the Canary Islands and has been a popular holiday destination since the 1970?s. It’s still going strong today too – welcoming millions of foreign tourists every year. And whist many are here to enjoy the glorious sunshine on the beach or by the pool most still find plenty of time to explore too.

This prompts plenty of visitors away from their Lanzarote holiday apartments and the stunning resort beaches to explore the island. As well as a reliable tourist industry and great weather Lanzarote also offers holidaymakers plenty of attractions and activities. Factors which have helped to maintain the island’s ongoing popularity. These include an array of natural wonders, such as the verdant Valley of 1000 Palms in the north of the island. And the number one tourist attraction of the Timanfaya Volcano Park – where visitors can gaze in awe at over 300 now dormant peaks. There are also close to 100 beaches to explore along with some very pretty little villages such as Haria and Yaiza. Activities, attractions or a mix of both, whichever you choose make sure to include:

Parque Tropical; Parque Tropical is located in the north of the island at the base of Mount Corona, an extinct volcano and the highest point of the island, close to the Famara Cliffs. The views here are simply spectacular. The park has an outstanding variety of birds totalling close to 300 species, including Ostriches, Flamingos, Cranes and Hornbills to name but a few.

Or perhaps :

Jameos Del Agua. The term Jameos in the local dialect describes the formation of the geology and literally means “cave where the roof has fallen in”. Manrique, an artistic and architectural visionary was highly skilled in blending his version of natural art with nature and Jameos Del Agua was a stunning example of his early visions and became a foundation of some of his later works.

If these are not to your taste you could also try Cuevas de los Verdes - Once a hiding place from marauding invaders and real life pirates the Green Caves are almost mystical and certainly have a colourful history. Although only 2km of this amazing 6km long system are open to the public there will be no disappointed visitors to this attraction. Carefully planned lighting effects and sympathetic transformations by Jesus Soto show off the true visual magnificence of the cave that when combined with a local tour expose the very essence of Cuevas de los Verdes. If you stop off or visit Timanfaya drive a short distance to the north of and you soon encounter the surreal sight of the Green Lagoon, which is situated just outside the village of El Golfo. This lagoon has been created by an interaction between sea water and algae and has been used as a film location many times over. Most famously by the makers of One Million Years BC.

The north of the island offers another spectacular green surprise – in the form of the Valley of 1000 Palms. Where villagers from Haria have created a huge swaying oasis by planting a Canarian palm for every new born child here.

Additional tourist info Lanzartote places of interest can be located here.

Lanzarote Sport Holidays

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

Most tourists like to spend their holidays in Lanzarote relaxing by a swimming pool or on the beach. But this popular Canary Island, located close to the African coast, is also an ideal destination for those who like to be a little more active than that. Some holiday makers can simply not keep still and without some vigourous activity would otherwise get board

Wet Or Dry?

The islands great year round climate makes it a real mecca for sports enthusiasts of every stripe. Offering a wide array of sporting activities which can be enjoyed both on dry land and at sea.

Lanzarote Accommodation

Places to stay on the island such as Lanzarote holiday apartments can be rented much more cheaply than on many other Spanish holiday islands. There are loads of cheap flights to Lanzarote too thanks to the fact that ow coast airlines operate services from across the UK.

Lanzarote’s Big Event Of The Year

The biggest and most important date in Lanzarote?s sporting calendar is the annual Iron Man competition, held every May. This attracts over 1000 intrepid entrants very year who battle it out across a course comprising a 3km sea swim, a 180km bike ride around the island and a then a full marathon. A course that takes the fastest entrant at least eight and half hours to finish – often in searing heat. With the quickest 60 competitors qualifying the for the Iron Man grand final which is staged every year in Hawaii.

Two Wheel Tours

There?s plenty of scope for a superb cycling holiday on Lanzarote. As the islands volcanic terrain provides plenty of dramatic backdrops as well as gruelling hill workouts. Whilst the year round climate makes it an ideal location for cyclists looking for an accessible spot for over winter training. With many booking a stay at the internationally renowned La Santa sports complex in the north of Lanzarote.

Water Water Everywhere

Watersports are also an integral part of the islands activity break offering. The conditions for diving in Lanzarote are absolutely ideal – as the waters around the island offer great visibility as well a huge selection of exotic sea life. And the island is also very popular with surfers from across Europe. As the beaches and bays on the wilder and more rugged northern coastline offer ideal conditions for riders.

Lanzarote has a wealth of activities to suit all manner of tastes and levels of experience making sure it is the the number 1 activities holiday hotspot.

Tourist Guide Barcelona

Sunday, August 1st, 2010

The wonderful city of Barcelona, attraction of Catalonia (a Spain’s province), is located at on the shore of the Mediterranean sea also enclosed at either end by 2 river deltas. Barcelona is the second largest area in Spain after its capital town Madrid. Barcelona has a population of 1.5 million, over 4 million plus districts. the varied, eventful past of the town dates back 4,000 years to the initial settlements by old farmers. Later on it became a Roman colony, the Visigoth’s capital town, afterward it came under Moorish rule. It went through sieges, destructions also occupations, finally to become an autonomous democracy 1975. the town has always played an central role in political also cultural life of Spain also it is well reflected in the variety also quality of historical architecture, museums, a lot of extra tourist monuments. At present Barcelona is one of the most various European places with exclusive culture also rich traditions. You be able to find here a formidable balance of the traditional things also the avant-garde. A cosmopolitan metropolis, Barcelona affords visitors a warm also sincere welcome, being aknowledged worldwide as one of the best tourist-friendly places in Europe.Barcelona’s organisation of the 1992 Olympics provided regeneration of this dynamic town, gave a fresh start to its infrastructure development. Come with Oh-Barcelona to Barcelona.

WHAT TO SEE AND WHERE:

POINTS OF INTEREST - La Rambla is a tree-lined pedestrian avenue packed with buskers, living statues, mimes also itinerant salespeople selling everything from lottery tickets to jewellery. Pavement bars also stands selling craftwork, street artists surrounded by curious onlookers, a noisy bird market, Palau de la Virreina, a grand eighteenth-century rococo mansion, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the well known 19th-century opera house- these are all colourful parts of La Rambla’s mosaic. La Rambla ends at the lofty Monument a Colom (Monument to Columbus) also the harbour.
Barri Gotic - also known as Gothic Quarter, it is the old part of the town. Picasso lived also worked in Barri Gotic from 1895 to 1904 also Joan Miro was born also lived here during his youth. Gothic Quarter is situated on the right hand side of the La Rambla, it contains a concentration of medieval tall Gothic architecture (14-15th century) on narrow cobbled roads also now is home to much of the town’s nightlife.
La Sagrada Familia - La Sagrada Familia is one of the most well known also magnificent among Barcelona’s landmarks. the life’s work of Barcelona’s well known architect, Antoni Gaudi, the magnificent spires of the unfinished cathedral imprint themselves boldly against the sky with swelling outlines inspired by the holy mountain Montserrat. Above each facade there are four towers, twelve in total, which are keen to the Apostles. the tower in the center, the tallest of all at 170 m., is keen to Jesus Christ. Around these there are the towers of the four Evangelists, also the tower over the apse is keen to the Virgin. They are encrusted with a tangle of sculptures that seem to breathe life into the stone. Gaudi died in 1926 before his masterwork was completed, also since afterward, controversy has continually dogged the building program. Nevertheless, the southwestern (Passion) facade, is almost done, also the nave, begun in 1978, is progressing.
La Pedrera - Casa Mila (Mila House) is an apartment building, the last example of Gaudi’s civil architecture.It is one of his finest also most ambitious creations, extraordinarily innovative in its functional, constructive, also ornamental aspects. Visitors be able to tour the building also go up to the roof, where they be able to see spectacular views of Barcelona. One floor below the roof is a modest museum keen to Gaudi’s work.
Montjuic - the largest open space in the town, its main monuments are the Olympic installations, the Spanish Village also the hilltop fortress. Montjuic, the hill overlooking the town centre from the southwest, is home to some fine art galleries, leisure monuments, soothing parks also the main group of 1992 Olympic sites. Montjuic is covered in ornamental gardens with water features also is the most popular destination in Barcelona on Sundays.
Tibidabo - is the highest hill in the wooded range that forms the backdrop to Barcelona. It has amazing views of the whole of Barcelona, a stunning cathedral, also a family fun park Parc d’Atraccions with old-style rides offering breathtaking views. A glass lift at the park goes 115m (383 ft) up to a visitors’ observation area at Torre de Collserola telecommunications tower.
Modernisme - spectacular modernista architectural creations dotted around the town by well known Antoni Gaudi also his contemporaries.
Camp Nou - home of F.C. Barcelona, one of Europe’s leading soccer teams, with capacity of almost 100,000 spectators.
the Seu cathedral - Built in medieval times on the site of a Roman temple, La Seu is one of the great Gothic architecture in Spain.
Parc de la Ciutadella - Barcelona’s favourite park also a Sunday afternoon rendezvous for families, friends also ducks
the Sardana - traditional Catalan dance, performed outside the cathedral also at national festivals, with everyone encouraged to join in.

MUSEUMS - the Barbier-Mueller Museum of Pre-Columbian Art -the only museum in Europe devoted exclusively to Pre-Columbian cultures. Housed in a gothic palace, its collection is one of the finest of its kind also gives visitors an insight into the rich world of the earliest cultures on the American continent. This tiny museum contains one hundred pieces, including wood also stone sculptures, ceramics, tapestries, jade, often found in international exhibitions also prestige publications. the exhibits represented the Olmec, Maya, Aztec, Chavin, Mochica also Inca civilisations.
Palau de la Musica Catalana - one of the world’s most extraordinary music halls, it is a Barcelona landmark. From its polychrome ceramic ticket windows on the Carrer de Sant Pere Mes Alt side to its overhead busts of Palestrina, Bach, Beethoven, also Wagner, the Palau is the flagship of Barcelona’s Moderniste architecture.
Museu Picasso - is Barcelona’s most visited museum. 3,500 exhibits make up the permanent collection. Picasso spent several years (1901-06) in Barcelona, also this collection, is particularly strong on his early work. Displays include childhood sketches, pictures from the beautiful Rose also Blue periods, also the well known 1950s Cubist variations on Velazquez’s Las Meninas (Ladies-in-Waiting).
Gaudi Casa-Museu - Gaudi lived in this pink, Alice-in-Wonderland house from 1906 to 1926, which now houses a museum of Gaudi-designed furniture, decorations, drawings, also portraits also busts of the architect.
Fundacio Miro - it was a gift from the well known artist Joan Miro to his native town. the museum opened in 1975, also now it is one of Barcelona’s most exciting showcases of contemporary art. There are Oh-Barcelona Apartments in all this nice areas in Barcelona. Check it out!

BEACHES - One of Barcelona’s greatest draws is undeniably its beautiful beaches. Beside world-well known Costa Brava also Costa Dorada which are within 1-hr drive time from Barcelona, there are also several nice beaches over 4 km long within the town boundaries, we will list just several of them here: Nova Icaria- Closest to the Olympic marina, always crowded, this wide swathe of rough golden sand is great for food goers. There are three perfect beach bars also two very popular restaurants on the boulevard (Mango also Chiringuito de Moncho) also countless bars also restaurants are just a short stroll away. Bogatell- This beach is twice the length of adjoining Nova Icaria also fringed by a stretch of stone walkway perfect for jogging, roller blading also cycling. Three large informal restaurants on the boulevard. Mar Bella (Metro Ciutadella Vila Olimpica, plus 20-minute walk)- Barcelona’s only naturist beach close to a peaceful park - good for a picnic or siesta under the trees. Barceloneta- wide also long, a traditional also popular stretch with locals, crowded, noisy also very jolly.

WHEN TO GO, WEATHER: the best times to visit Barcelona are late spring also early autumn, when the weather is still comfortably warm, around 21-25?C. Summers are usually hot also humid, with temperatures averaging +30 (+ 86 Fahrenheit). Especially avoid the “dead” month of August, when a lot of shops, bars also restaurants close for the month as a lot of local inhabitants head out of the town. Winters are cool with average daytime temperatures around +twelve C (+59 Fahrenheit), occasionally rainy.

GETTING THERE AND AROUND: By a direct flight to Barcelona, or through Madrid or via another large European town from almost any major airports in the world. the highest fares are from May to September, the lowest in March-April, October-November also December to February (excluding Christmas also New Year when prices are hiked up). Note also that flying on weekends may increase your ticket cost. If traveling to Barcelona from within Europe you be able to also chose train, bus or car, though these take much longer than a plane also often work out no cheaper. a lot of Mediterranean cruises include Barcelona as a port of call.

ACCOMODATIONS: We be able to offer you a range of choices. You be able to choose vacation rentals in Barcelona starting from $ 125
USD for a double room in a 4-star apartment hotel. Or you be able to opt for hotels from $ 65 USD for a double room in a 3-star hotel. Accomodation prices do not change much throughout the year due to the steady all-season flow of visitors to this extremely popular tourist town also surrounding resorts.

DINING: Besides restaurants you be able to eat at bars where you would have a succession of tapas (small snacks- three or four chunks of fish, meat or vegetables, or salad, which traditionally used to be served up free with a drink) or raciones (larger ones). the bar option be able to be a lot more attractive, allowing you to do the rounds also sample local specialities. Generally, the average cost for a meal consisting of two dishes also dessert would come to about 25 Euros. Travellers on an extremely limited budget be able to do well for themselves by using the excellent markets, bakeries also delis also filling up on sandwiches also snacks. Decent restaurants also bars are easily found all over the town, though you’ll probably do most of your eating where you do most of your sightseeing, in the old town, particularly around La Rambla also in the Barri Gotic. Look for the best also most authentic seafood restaurants in Barceloneta, a seaside neighbourhood. Gothic Quarter neighbourhood is home to some of the oldest also most traditional restaurants in the town. Gracia is a very popular area among young people during the weekend, it leads the way in terms of exotic restaurants (Lebanese, Egyptian, Thai etc.). Oh-Barcelona.com always has the best accomodations in Barcelona.

TRANSPORT: Barcelona has excellent transport system comprising the metro (subway), buses, trains also a network of funiculars also cable cars. You be able to find a link to transport maps at the end of our guide. On all the town’s public transport you be able to buy a single ticket every time you ride, but even over only a couple of days it’s cheaper to buy a targeta - a discount ticket strip. the T-10 targeta is valid for ten separate journeys on the metro, buses also trains. These tickets be able to be used by more than one person at a time. the metro is the quickest way of getting around Barcelona. For black-also-yellow taxis there is a minimum charge of $ 2 euro. You’ll obviously have a great deal more freedom if you rent a car . Major roads throughout the town are generally good, also traffic is generally well behaved, though Spain does have one of the highest incidences of traffic accidents in Europe. It also has some of the lowest fuel prices on the continent.

SHOPPING: Barcelona, one of the most stylish places in Europe offers great shopping, from designer clothes also accessories to household items. You will find the town to be quite cheap for a lot of items, especially if you coincide with the annual sales ( rebaixes in Spanish) lasting from mid-January until the end of February, also throughout July also August. the best shopping areas in Barcelona are the old roads off the upper part of the Ramblas. Souvenirs include ceramics, which are widely sold in the roads around the cathedral; leather goods; town’s delicatessens, particularly cooked Catalan meats also sausages; a porron (the long-spouted glass drinking jar); CDs also tapes of Catalan rock also pop, sardana music, Spanish rock or flamenco. If you’re looking for original gift ideas, some of the best hunting be able to be found in the shops of any of the town’s museums, where you’ll find reasonably priced also exclusive examples of Catalan disseny (graphic), also extra original items ranging from postcards to replica works of art.
We wish you a nice also safe journey!

Discover Mallorca This Summer

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Mallorca – or Majorca – is the largest of the four Balearic Islands, which are located in the Mediterranean off the southern coast of Spain. And adminstratively fall within the autonomous region of Catalonia. Like the other islands in the group such as Ibiza and Menorca, Mallorca is located around a two and half hour flight from the UK. With flights to the island available with most of the leading budget airlines such as easyJet.

Some thirty years ago areas of the island in the south especially started to earn a reptutation as a slightly downmarket destination. Thanks in no small part to the drunken antics of young and rowdy British holidaymakers in resorts such as Magaluf. Today though that image has long since faded – as VIP visitors and indepdendent travellers are now the norm. With the focus shifting towards the north of the island and in particular the resorts of Pollensa and Alcudia. Which have become very popular with the more discerning visitor.

Many of these tourists prefer Majorca villas to hotels – as they offer much more privacy and luxury. And lots of these properties have been built using locally quarried stone. Which helps to create a very traditional feel – whilst also offering plenty of modern day luxuries. Holiday Villas in Majorca do get booked up very early in the season, but to be sure of the best choice book well ahead of time.

Palma is the capital of Mallorca as well as of the Balearic Islands – and this is also where the international airport, known locally as Son Sant Joan, is located. Palma is home to around 400,000 local residents as well as a fine selection of architectural treasures, most notably the Le Seu Cathedral, which was built on the site of a former Mosque in the 13th century – although it wasn’t finally finished until six hundred years later. When famous local architect Antoni Gaudi was drafted in to help complete the project.

The historic Old town area of Palma is located just behind this famous Cathedral and is a real Arabic warren of maze like streets and traditional Moorish buildings. A legacy from the past that is perhaps best exemplified by the Arab Baths, which are situated close to the Convent of the Cathedral.

High season on Mallorca occupies the main summer months of July, August and September. When there is very little rainfall and when the temperatures average out at around 30 degrees. Many visitors enjoy a holiday on the island during off peak periods too such as May and October. When temperatures average at about 20 degrees.

Affordable Villas in Majorca .

Discover Manriques Magic In Lanzarote

Saturday, July 17th, 2010

As the saying goes “different strokes for different folks” and whilst many tourist jet off for their summer break to laze on some sunny beach, go scuba diving perhaps in the maldives or simply shoot off to Florida for a trip to disney world; others prefer a more cultural break where they can explore the history, architecture and cultural back drop of their chosen holiday destination. Cultural tourists tend to want to savour and experience the cities and countries they visit, and more often than not travel itinaries include musuem visits, visits to monuments and even cathedrals and churches. So what has Lanzarote got to offer the culturally demanding traveller?

Many visitors to the island simply come for the almost guaranteed weather but Lanzarote has a rich cultural background as well,and with an excellent choice of holiday villas in Lanzarote finding accommodation on the island will not be a chore

Anyone who visits Lanzarote soon encounters the name of C?sar Manrique as his influence is everywhere. Starting right from the airport, where one of his best known giant wind toy sculptures is located, through to their accommodation. As it is thanks to him that all of the apartments and villas in Lanzarote are painted a uniform white colour. Whilst there are no high rise buildings or ad billboards blotting the landscape.

Manrique was born in the island capital of Arrecife in 1919 and developed a deep love for his birthplace from a very young age. Fostered by long summers spent on the beach at Famara in the north of the island, where his family kept a holiday home. And where the huge 8km long bay is flanked by the majestic sight of the Famara massif cliff range.

The young Manrique went on to study art in Madrid, against his parent’s wishes, before becoming involved with the Spanish surrealist movement in the 1950?s. A brave move in Franco?s Spain at the time. Before heading off to New York under the patronage of the Rockefellers to study and exhibit there. Where he rubbed shoulders with contemporaries such as Andy Warhol.

In the late 1960?s though mass market tourism and package holidays were just starting to take off. As General Franco opened Spain up in order to secure much needed foreign currency. Manrique, fearing that his birthplace could become buried beneath a sea of hotels and apartment blocks, returned to Lanzarote – and began his campaign for controlled development on the island.

Manrique was appalled at the potential threat to the islands culture when he returned from his travels but at the same time, Manrique also accepted that his fellow islanders could not continue to live off just fishing and agriculture alone. So Manrique also started work on the creation of a series of seven cultural attractions that would become the mainstay of the island tourist industry to this day. Encompassing brilliant works of architecture such as the Jameos del Agua and the Mirador del Rio. Whilst also campaigning tirelessly for a retrained and sensible approach to construction.

Further details about available Lanzarote self catering apartments can be found on the Lanzarote1.com website.

Lanzarote The Volcanic Destination

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Despite the recent volcanic activity in Iceland and the chaos this caused for countless travellers plenty of tourists will still be heading for similar hot spots around the globe during 2010. With destinations such as Lanzarote still very popular. This little island still bears the very visible marks of huge eruptions that took place some 250 years ago. With the interior left resembling the stage set of a science fiction movie.

Films and TV series shot on location on Lanzarote and around the other Canary Islands include:

  • One Million Years BC
  • Even Dwarfs Started Small
  • Doctor Who
  • Take a Hard Ride

Today though these volcanoes are all now dormant – and whilst the Timanfaya National Park is the islands number one tourist attraction there is still much more to Lanzarote than lava fields alone. As this unique island also has close to a hundred great beaches sprinkled along its coastline, as well as loads of interesting places to explore.

Lanzarote Villas And Apartments; There are lots of places to stay too – with plenty of self catering properties and hotels for visitors to select from. Villas in Lanzarote have proved very popular with British and Irish tourists over the last decade. Whilst Spanish and German guests tend to book Lanzarote hotels instead. With plenty of luxurious five star options available.

Most people will want something a little different from their annual holiday or break, for some it will simply be lazing on one of Lanzarote’s sun kissed beaches followed by relaxing evenings spent in a restaurant or bar, Whilst for others they will want to be hitting the watersports scene either surfing, paragliding or even diving. More active visitors will almost certainly want an equally bouyant nightlife scene with plenty of action. Of course for the cultural types staying in one of the main resorts of Playa Blanca or Puerto del Carmen may be far from their mind, and instead they may prefer Costa Teguise or even to stay in one of the increasingly popular rural villas that are guranteed to give a true taste of island living.

As well as great weather all year round visitors will also find that there is a lot to do and see on the island, which helps to contribute to Lanzarote?s popularity as a holiday destination. Such as the many creations of the local artist C?sar Manrique – who developed visitor attractions such as the Cactus Garden and the Green Caves. Along with many natural wonders such as the Valley of 1000 Palms and the majestic sight of the Timanfaya Volcano Park.

Finding holiday accommodation in Lanzarote

Travel Barcelona

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Set on a plain rising gently from the sea to a variety of wooded hills, Barcelona is Spain’s most cosmopolitan town and one of the Mediterranean’s busiest ports. Cafes, bars and clubs are always packed, as is the seaside in summer. You may get the impression it’s dedicated solely to hedonism, but it’s a hard-working, dynamic place looking to place itself in the vanguard of 21st-century Europe with a heavy concentration of high tech and biomed business.
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It regards its long past with pride. From Roman town it passed to medieval trade juggernaut, and its old centre represents one of the best concentrations of Gothic architecture in Europe. Beyond this core are examples of the planet’s more bizarre buildings : surreal glasses capped by Antoni Gaud’s Sagrada Famlia church.

Barcelona has been breaking ground in art, architecture and style since the late 19th century. From the marvels of Modernisme to the modern wonders of today, from Picasso to the likes of Susana Solano, the racing heart of Barcelona has barely skipped a beat. The city’s fashionable cooks whip up a tempest which has even the French reaching for superlatives.

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, an area with its own language, personality and history many Catalans think of their home as a separate country. The town itself could occupy you for weeks but just outside it are sandy beaches, Sitges and the Montserrat mountain range - so be sure to make time for one or two day trips during your stay. Barcelona apartmentscould be the right way to pass the time in the town.

On the other hand, the town presented an exhausted picture. The Metro was running but there weren’t any buses ( they had all been employed on the front ). Virtually all of the animals in the town zoo had keeled over from starvation or injuries. There were frequent blackouts, and would be for years .

By 1940, with WWII raging across Europe, Franco had his regime more decisively in place and things turned darker for many . Catalan Francoists led the way in rounding up victims and up to 35, 000 people were shot in purges. At the same time, small bands of resistance fighters continued to harry the patriots in the Pyrenees thru a lot of the 1940s. Llus Companys was caught in France by the Gestapo in August 1940, handed over to Franco, and shot on 15 October on Montjuc. He is said to have died with the words Visca Catalunya! ( Long live Catalonia! ) on his lips. The executions continued into the 1950s. Barcelonins reacted in other ways. Most accepted the situation and tried to get on with living, while some jumped at opportunities, occupying flats deserted by Reds who had been forced to flee. Speculators and industrialists in bed with Franco began to make money hand over fist while most people barely managed to keep body and soul together.

But as any local can tell you, it isn’t all doom and gloom in Barcelona. There are plenty of Apartments in barcelona The city’s beloved soccer team FC Barcelona are back on top, erasing memories of its disturbed 2007-2008 season with a record smashing triplete in the 2008-2009 season. Not only did Bara win the desirable Spanish League ( leaving their everlasting rivals Real Madrid in the dust ), but they won in the Copa del Rey and the UEFA champs League, leading to an explosion of street parties and Catalan pride unprecedented even in this patriotic, party-hardy town.

Top Apartment Holidays In Puerto del Carmen

Monday, July 5th, 2010

Puerto del Carmen’s appeal as a holiday resort is firmly established as a result of its wonderful climate. The town takes full advantage of its location on the eastern coast of Lanzarote, where it is also sheltered by several volcanoes from the prevailing winds.

As a result the fine sandy beaches that line its seven kilometres of coastline make it an ideal place for swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling. Whilst recent changes to the seafront promenade have shifted the emphasis to pedestrian enjoyment, with wide pavements and shady spots.

Over the last forty years, the town has developed from its humble beginnings as a small fishing village to become the resort it is today. So it is now home to some of the best self-catering Lanzarote accommodation to be found on the island. Visitor here are spoilt for choice given the range of Lanzarote holiday villas to pick from.

Alongside apartments there is also a great range of holiday villas in Lanzarote to be found in Puerto del Carmen. Obviously the villas tend to be more spacious and better equipped than the apartments, with many extras included as a matter of course.

There is no shortage of restaurants throughout the town, with almost every type of cuisine represented from Thai to Irish. Perhaps the most atmospheric area for dining is the old harbour, where numerous establishments look out over the sea towards the southern tip of the island.

Nightlife, on the other hand, tends to be focused around the central area of the new town, where a good selection of clubs and bars can be found. Many of the busier clubs don’t open until the early hours of the morning, as is typical in most Spanish resorts.

Lanzarote Accommodation

The Agbar Tower Of Jean Nouvel

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

The Torre Agbar, or Agbar Tower, was created by French designer Jean Nouvel. It opened in June 2005 in Barcelona, Spain, and it was inaugurated officially by the kings of Spain on the sixteen of September of 2005.
The structure, which measures 142 metres in height, hosts the Barcelona Water Company, and Nouvel has designed it to evoke water: smooth and continuous, shimmering and transparent. The Agbar Tower is located in the Poblenou district of Barcelona and is named subsequent to its initial owners, the Agbar Group, a holding corporation whose interests include the Barcelona Architect water company Aig?es de Barcelona. To visit Barcelona, you will arrive at Aeroport Barcelone.

It is made up of 4,400 windows as well as 56,619 transparent glass plates and translucent ones: the glass of the windows is transparent, otherwise it is etched to be merely translucent. The cladding consists of aluminum panels in 25 colours behind glass louvres. The louvres are titled at 14 distinct angles calculated to deflect straight sun light. In addition, temperature sensors regulate the aperture and closes of the glass blinds of the frontage, optimizing the use of necessary energy to the air conditioning.

The Agbar Tower is constructed of reinforced concrete sheathed along with red and blue glass panels, reminiscent of the colorful tiles on structures by Antonio Gaud?. At nighttime, the Agbar Tower is brilliantly illuminated by means of LED lights shining from more than 4,500 window openings. Glass blinds are motorized. They open and close mechanically to regulate temperature inside the structure. To visit that amazing tower book your Voyage Barcelone

Jean Nouvel wrote on this project: This is not a tower, a skyscraper, in the American sense. It is a more an emergence, rising singularly within the centre of a normally calm town. Unlike slender spires and bell towers that usually pierce the horizons of horizontal cities, this tower is a fluid mass that bursts through the soil like a geyser under permanent, calculated pressure.” The expenditure of the structure was about one hundred thirty million euros.

Don’t miss these on a trip to Barcelona

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

1. Amongst the most well known avenues in the planet, La Rambla merits a wander down even if you only have a single day in Barcelona. A gateway to rural Catalonia, the mile-long street is filled with travelers, artists, human statues, fortune-tellers, dancers and musicians. Pulsating flower stalls, a cultural and exhibition centre, the excellent La Boqueria market, a Joan Mir? mosaic, newspaper stalls and caf?s line the street. You may pay a fortune to sip a coke at a roadside caf? but the people-watching opportunities will make it worth the price.

2. Take a trip to Gaud?’s majestic designs

In some Barcelona Apartments, you can stare in wonder at Gaud?’s fairytale works. The Sagrada Familia is awesome and grotesque by turns. At first glance, it seems as though a careless giant has dripped melting wax over a Gothic cathedral, but a closer look reveals that the protuberances produce a stone tapestry of Jesus life. Take the lift to the top for a breathtaking view. Park G?ell is a magical place that emulates an English garden city. After seeing the gatehouses, modelled on designs for the opera Hansel and Gretel, you can walk up a splendid staircase, past a mosaic dragon to what once was a marketplace. Outside, climb to the top of the park to gaze down at the magnificent panorama.

3. Hit a high note in concert

Barcelona has its fair range of live music venues, such as Razzmatazz and Bikini. But there are also marvellous concert halls. The Gran Teatre del Liceu is a splendid place, decorated by gold leaf, plush red carpets and elaborate carvings. L’Auditori is a sleek 2,400-seater venue that covers not only classical but also jazz and world music. The Palau de la M?sica Catalana is well known for its Modernista architecture, and sheer quantity of musical activity. There are a range of music festivals, ranging from the pop-infused Primavera Sound, to the quirky Festival d’?pera de Butxaca I Noves Creacions and the Festival Internacional de Jazz de Barcelona.

4. Picture the city of Picasso’s youth

Picasso remembered his Apartments in Barcelona as romantic and bright, a city where he spent his early years. Follow in the path of the artistic genius by visiting the attractions that shaped his youth. Ramble along the Calle Reina Christina and then cross over to 3 Carrer de la Merc? to view where his family lived, though the building was later destroyed. For a break, stop by the Els Quatre Gats, a caf? attended by Catalonia’s fin-de-si?cle avant-garde. Then, head instantly to the Picasso Museum, a gallery that records Picasso’s formative years.

5. Pick up a platter at a pintxo bar

Pick on pintxos, platters of bite-sized food presented on bread (a Basque variety of tapas), is a well-liked gastronomic trend in Barcelona. Tradition calls you to pick at the food with toothpicks, and at the end of the evening you will pay for the number of toothpicks that you have ordered. The Old Town Basque house Euskal Etxea invites you to try dainty little croissants crammed with cured ham, chicken tempura with saffron mayonnaise, melted provolone with mango and ham, or a mini-brochette of pork and peppers.