How To Choose A Spanish Car Hire
Want to put your holiday in Spain, you need to start thinking about how you’re going to get around what you get there. You could always use public transport, but if you want a little bit more freedom then booking a rental car is definitely the way to go. However there are certain things that you need to keep in mind when looking for a rental company.
Before you even start to look for a rental companies you need to decide exactly what kind of car you need to hire. This will be affected by various things such as how much you are going to travel, how many people in your holiday party at how much to spend.
For example if you want to go travelling a lot while your in Spain between cities then you’ll probably want to get a slightly larger more comfortable car.
If, on the other hand, you are just going to be driving from the Barcelona airport to where you are staying and back again, then you only need to make sure that the trunk is big enough to hold your luggage.
If you have a lot of people in your holiday part then you need to think about the size and comfort of the car too. Of course you also have to rely on your budget so if you don’t have enough money for a luxury car a smaller one is better than nothing!
You should always read the rental agreements before you book in Spain too, as you need to know exactly what the terms and conditions of the rental are. You don’t want to have a shock when you get the car back!
Make sure you look at reviews on the internet of all the different car companies from people who have already been to Spain and used them so you get an idea of their quality. It is always better to pay a bit more for a high quality service than go for the cheapest and not get the car or van you require.
Tags: Vacations Spain
August 16, 2009
Learn About Spain : Parque del Buen Retiro (Madrid’s Famous Park)
The Retiro Park, located in Madrid, is one of Spain’s grandest attractions. It contains miles of paths and walkways to explore, a peaceful lake, and many beautiful sculptures and monuments, and is host to a variety of events and festivals throughout the year.
Prior to 1868 it was a solely a royal palace that housed many culturally significant and historical buildings. Due to the Napoleonic wars many structures were lost or are barely discernible however today there are numerous sites still worth seeing.
The Palacio de Cristal, a glass structure that was originally used to house a variety of exotic plants, and the Palacio de Velzquez, which once held exhibitions for various industries but is now used primarily to display art exhibits, are popular sites within the park grounds. Other amazing sites are Ejercito, a preeminent museum for military artifacts and Casn where you will find world renowned paintings from the 18 and 19 hundreds.
The focal point of Retiro Park is the Estanque del Retiro a huge lake located in close proximity to the entryway. It’s often busy, particularly in the summer months, with couples and families relaxing by the waters edge and enjoying the scenery and ambiance. Exert some energy by renting a boat from one of the merchants and experience the serenity of the lake.
Another beautiful feature of the park is the Rosaleda rose garden, enjoyed by both tourists and natives, as well as the nearby Cecilia Rodriguez gardens and Serrano Street’s outstanding restaurants.
There are lots of outdoor cafes in and near the park where you can taste a variety of Spanish cuisine. It is also home to various entertainment forms such as dancers, street musicians, fortune tellers, and jugglers all alongside the local citizens that are out and about for a simple walk.
Tags: Vacations Spain
August 11, 2009
Spain Guide : Madrid’s Central Square
Puerta del Sol is one of the most popular destinations for tourists to Madrid; the name means “Gate of the Sun”.
The Spanish used to enter the city of Madrid through these gates at one time. Like many towns in medieval times back in the 15th century Madrid was protected by a large wall with Puerta Del Sol serving as the only entrance. In this way, it was well known to traders and visitors from all over the world, and after the walls around Madrid were taken down, it stayed a meeting place. As a matter of fact, it remains the major meeting point in Madrid even today.
Outstanding examples of Spanish architecture can be seen throughout the area and there are also various monuments and statues, a particularly famous one being a large sculpture of a bear eating the fruit of the madrone tree (the name ‘Madrid’ derives from the Spanish word for this plant and the bear is a powerful symbol for the Madrid citizens).
One of Madrid’s most important buildings, the House of the Post Office, which is the central point for the New Year celebrations, is located there, as is a paving slab that marks the spot from which originate the six main highways traversing Spain. For these reasons, it is an excellent place to start exploring the city, as well as the entire country.
The area is close to other Madrid attractions, like the Palacio Real (or Royal Palace), the Plaza Mayor, and Parliament; a Metro station gives easy access to the site.
There are also numerous side streets, house shops, restaurants and other destinations nearby, at least half a day in Madrid should be dedicated to the area of Puerta Del Sol. Go in the evening if possible as the bars and cafes fill up with tourists and citizens alike and street performers arrive to entertain those present.
Tags: Vacations Spain
August 10, 2009
Beaches in Barcelona
The coast where Barcelona is located and which takes on different denomination when the latitude changes is regarded among the best in Spain.
Barcelona Town
Spiagge Barcellona can be a valid response to the sweltering heat which hits the whole of Spain in the summer period but which could maybe disappoint folks who predict white sand and crystal clear water. Barcelona is also famous for its crucial port and it’d be too much to expect Caribbean-like beaches here. However, what does work in favour of the Catalan capital is the indisputable fact that it is near to coasts known for their beauty, which is certainly a good reason to contrive a trip outside of the town during your stay in Barcelona. The main beaches are Barceloneta, Nova Icaria, Bogatell and Marbella.
Out of Barcelona
One of the Catalans’ favourite beaches is Ocata, which is on the Masnou coast and among those we will be able to find to the north of the town, being loved by surfers who come out at the weekends. It is also very close to the famous beach of Masnou ( which gives its name to the stretch of coast ), which is also favoured by surfers, has good facilities and pure and clear sand. Others stunning beaches are Andri de Besos, Villassar de Mar, Cabrera de Mar,
Carrying on this direction you go thru Villassar del Mar, which is extremely popular with tourists and then you can the splendid city of Matar, which is the county seat of the Maresme area, being set between the blue of the Mediterranean and the green of the mountain range of Serralada Litoral, with about 120 thousand folk living there and is extremely loaded in natural and cultural treasures. Its beaches stretch out along the coast for roughly 5 kilometres and are especially split up into : the Playa del Espign, the Playa del Callao and the Playa del Varador.
If you are planning on visiting the beaches to the south of Barcelona, there are 2 which truly stand out : the first is Castelldefels, which is about half an hour on the train from the capital, and characterized by a line of restaurants and bars very near its wide and clean beaches, and the other is the Playa de Garraf, which is one of the few examples of mountainous / mountainous natural environments where the sea’s nature and the moderness of restaurants behind the beach come together and which really is deserving of a visit as picture in oh barcelona blog shows.
Very out of Barcelona
If you have an interest in spending a day in an amazing destination by the sea but you also want to spare some time to do some sightseeing, another place you could consider is Sitges, which is the crowned jewel of Catalonia, and famous all over Europe for its carnival ( when the whole area comes out on the streets for the town’s festival ) and has been, for a considerable time now, the haunt of the gay community. As well as enjoying captivating beaches, the city also gives you the chance to get lost in its narrow and steep side streets, which are like the widely recognized Genovese carriages in their layout, visit its churches San Bartolom and Santa Tecla, and make the best of the Catalan cuisine whose origins, more than anyplace else, can be discovered here. The most important cost is Costa Brava our favorites are Blanes and Lloret de Mar.
August 5, 2009
Boat Charter Newbie Information
There’s no better way to make a holiday special than a boat charter. If it goes well it can be a magical day out, but it also can be a disaster so here are some basic tips to help make your day at sea fantastic.
If you have chartered a boat “bareboat” that means there’s no crew on board. If you have not got the necessary paper work you will need to hire a fully qualified skipper. Often the charter company can organize this for you.
If you’ve opted for a power boat then you will need to take into account that the fuel is normally charged as an extra on top of the charter fee.
You can tan three times the speed at sea. But you have to be careful not to burn. Take lotion and a hat. You often don’t feel the effects of the sun until you have reached land at the end of the day and then it’s too late!
Snorkel and goggles are a must if you are going to moor up and take a dip in the sea. They’re great for spotting jelly fish before it’s too late [a problem in the Med] or sharks [in other seas]
When the weather is bad you will be required to wear a life jacket, especially if you can’t swim. It’s advisable for children to wear them all the times. Some boats will not be suitable for really young children. Always take the skippers advice and listen to his safety speech at the start of the journey.
Always tip the skipper or if you’re going ashore for lunch invite him along.
There’s the basics, most of all have fun - if it goes well you will have one of the most amazing days of you life!
Tags: Vacations Spain
August 3, 2009
Information On Spain : Puerta Del Sol (Madrid’s Central Square)
One of Madrid’s most famous tourist spots is Puerta Del Sol or rather “Gate of the Sun.”
The gates used to be the entrance to the city of Madrid. Like many towns in medieval times back in the 15th century Madrid was protected by a large wall with Puerta Del Sol serving as the only entrance. Traders and travelers the world over knew of the gates and Puerta Del Sol stayed a popular meeting place even after the walls around Madrid were gone. And for many in Madrid, it is still a great place to meet friends and family, both old and new.
Breathtaking examples of architecture are found throughout the area, as well as numerous statues and monuments, including a famous sculpture of a bear eating some fruit from a madrone tree, which is what the name “Madrid” is derived from; the bear is also a very powerful symbol for the people of Madrid.
The House of the Post Office is one of Madrid’s most important sites and is located nearby to Puerta Del Sol, it is central to New Years celebrations, there is also a paving slab which marks the start of the six major highways which cross over Spain. For these reasons, it is an excellent place to start exploring the city, as well as the entire country.
From other attractions on Madrid, like the Plaza Mayor, and the Palacio Real(Royal Palace, and Parliament it is only a brief walk, in addition, there is a Metro station that allows fast access to the site and back.
There are many side streets that have shops, restaurants, and many other attractions, so as much time as possible should be used to visit this section. The evening is the best time to go as the bars and cafes will be full of both tourists and citizens and many street performers come to entertain.
Tags: Vacations Spain