Spain: Travel Information, News and Opinion
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Archive for: April 2011



April 24, 2011

Top Beaches in Mexico

Filed under: Vacations Spain - 24 Apr 2011 from Aaron Maurette

Cancun Beach: Cancun has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The scenery is like those you get to see in Technicolor movies, with chalky white beaches and inviting water colours. And if you are attracted by the party atmosphere Cancun offers one of the best nightlife experiences in the Caribbean.

Cozumel Beach: The beaches in Cozumel range from scalloped bays and little coves to wide wind-swept swathes of fine white sand. There is a beach for every taste; the tranquil waters of the most occidental part of Cozumel are ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing. But the east of the island is blown by steady winds making it a paradise for windsurfers.

Acapulco Beach: Here you are in a place where the beaches and the surrounding mountains are simply breathtaking. Acapulco Beach is so scenic; it’s the typical holiday postcard you see in post offices around the world. But be aware in recent years Acapulco is undergoing a constant battle against drug lords.

Playa del Carmen: Not as busy as Cozumel but close enough for a short trip to try Cozumel amazing coral reefs, Playa del Carmen is also blessed with powdery-white beaches, gentle surf and slow lifestyle. Numerous ridiculously delicious restaurants provide you with the delights of the Mexican cuisine.

Puerto Vallarta: Privileged by its location the Puerto Vallarta beaches are beach-goer paradise. We are talking 26 miles of pure white beaches. Puerto Vallarta is one of these coastal cities where you can find dozens of beaches ranging from busy tourist hubs to more secluded location.

San Blas Beach: This is one of the quietest and most peaceful little towns on earth. If you are travelling on a budget then San Blas is your best bet. Lodging can be as cheap as a couple of hundred pounds for a whole month. It is a great place to get away from it but if you miss the hustle and bustle of busy town you can hop on a bus to Puerto Vallarta.

Guayabitos Beach: Located near Puerto Vallarta, the more modest Guayabitos town is a wonderful holiday destination. Not only is it lees crowded than other better known beach resort areas but it also features some of the best beaches in all of Mexico.

Teacapan Beach: Settlement of a small fishing village on an isolated peninsula, about 50 miles south of Mazatlan; Teacapan is your perfect off-the-beaten-track beach location.

If you requiere further information about beautiful beaches please click on the links provided for an up to date list of the top 10 beaches.

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April 13, 2011

Barcelona And Diagonal Mar Shopping Centre

Filed under: Travel and Leisure - 13 Apr 2011 from guest

Do you want to come to Barcelona and visit a mall different to the crowd? Why do not you try Diagonal Mar? This glamorous, enjoyable and entertaining mall is less known than the much more well known and touristic Mare Magnum, but surely much more appreciated by the Barcelona folk!

Book one of the great appartamenti Barcellona in the characteristic barrio of Poblenou, extraordinarily close to Diagonal Mar and to a few of the primary monuments of the town, for example Torre Akbar.

Poblenou, whose Catalan name means new hamlet, is a component of Sant Mart district. Maybe you may also hear somebody calling it Pueblo Nuevo, do not worry, it’s precisely the same. Pueblo Nuevo is just the Spanish name. In the 19th century it was actually the main industrial section of the area of Barcelona, which was found not in the town, but close to it. In the last decades it has been especially reappraised, and plenty of its old factories have been revived and transformed. This quarter ( especially its rambla, its main street ) is the best place for a cheap booze hour in a perfect Barcelona-style.
Therefore after your drink in Rambla Poblenou Diagonal Mar!

You might end your wonderful day between the sea and the town attractions with some of the greatest shopping you might want! Three floors of stores ( with the best clothing and electronic brands ) and restaurants and a multiplex with so many Spanish and international films. And to conclude the evening with your buddies the best way a good bowling match!

Don’t hesitate, book one of the appartamenti Barcellona close to Diagonal Mar!

Diagonal Mar shopping centre is found in Avinguda Diagonal 3, and you can simply reach it by metro L4 ( stop : El Maresme / Frum ) or by tranva ( stop : El Maresme ). It is open from ten am to ten pm from Monday to Saturday ( on Sun. its open, but all the shops are closed, and only the restaurants, the bowling alley and the cinema are opened ). Tal|Spea}king of tranva and metro, it must be mentioned the transport network of Barcelona, because it is truly broad and convenient, and it will also help you reach each point of the town. Even though, looking at a town map, you might think Diagonal Mar is a little bit far from the center, you might reach it in under 15 mins from Rambla ( the primary and most renowned street of the town ) by metro ( taking Linea 4 in Urquinaona stop or Jaume I stop ). The Integrated Train line Network of Barcelona is very well run, with a metro service of 11 lines, a tranva service of six lines ( for small distances in 2 peripheral areas of the town ), a bus service and a service of Ferrocarrils ( metro lines of long distance ). It’s an integrated networks, that is you can take all the means with the same ticket ( but attention! This is right just if you do not buy the single ticket, but the carnet of ten tickets, called T-10 ).

So book one of the smashing flats of OH-Barcelona in the one of the finest and most special Western European cities!
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April 12, 2011

Heat in Barcelona

Filed under: Travel and Leisure - 12 Apr 2011 from guest

Barcelona is in the ideal place to enjoy masses of sunlight and warm summers.
It is located in the north of Spain on the Mediterranean coast. Across the year there’s typically masses of sunlight and very little rain. In the winter months temperatures are of course cooler but sometimes mild compared with the remainder of Europe.

In turn, the summers are often warm and can reach the mid thirties. Actually this year the weather has been hot much earlier than common. In April temperatures usually reach around the high teens however the first week of April has seen temperatures reach 30C. This however is mostly bizarre but not unusual.

Although the sun is excellent, you may of course get days when the weather is much cooler and rainier. But usually the rain is awfully rare, with usually only one day of rain rather than successive days.

Spring and autumn in Barcelona, often follows the same weather pattern and the days are dry and fine. In fact in October temperatures can still be in the mid-teens. Like has been mentioned before even spring ( April ) can see temperatures hitting high summer temperatures perfect for a spring getaway in one out of many Barcelona Hostels
The summers bring high temperatures and the town can get terribly busy. You should always wear suntan / sunblock making absolutely sure that you stay safe in the sun! The beach is a great spot to go to take five from the hot weather and take a swim in the ocean.

Why not stay in a selection of Hostels in Central Barcelona that the town has to offer all snug and affordable to make your stay an agreeable one.

Most places are air-conditioned which creates a pleasant rest break from the heat of the summer. In the winter, however the weather you do not always need a heater making it convenient.
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April 10, 2011

A Guide About Barcelona

Filed under: Vacations Spain - 10 Apr 2011 from Elijah Bitson

Around the Mediterranean coast of Spain, around the Iberian Peninsula, marked with all the colors of its long history is found the attractive Barcelona. Filled up with the spirit of the region, the town smells of Mediterranean cuisine and sea. The complex multi-layer architecture produces the illusion that Barcelona is present concurrently in several epochs.

The pulse of youth vibrates within the atmosphere, the life is modern, however the action happens against the old Gothic cathedrals and Art Nouveau buildings in the classic Catalan architecture. The labyrinth of streets discloses mysteries of the city, helping to make you adore Barcelona from the first sight and inhale its atmosphere. At the territory of Barcelona, appears like several cities coexist and this impression is made through the contrasts relating to the various neighborhoods. A stroll inside the Gothic neighborhood Gothic Barry (Barri Gothic) is going to take you to the Royal Square.

Climbing the hill Montzhuik will reveal spectacular views of the impressive complex of monuments - the National Palace, known for the singing fountains, the National Museum of Catalan Art with works by Van Gogh and Picasso and the Sport Palace. In the center of Barcelona opens its beams the Catalunia Square, which has the form of a star. You will recognize the square and by the hundreds of pigeons, thinking the square is their home and walk freely along with the tourists. Here you can stop to take a rest among the birds and beautiful plants.

Then you can visit Sagrada Familia Cathedral. The work of the genius Antoni Gaudi is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world and is considered one of the best achievements of the architecture. The base of Sagrada Familia is done in 1882 and the project is so big, that these days the cathedral is still under construction. Barcelona actually lives with the spirit of Gaudi, his wonderful creations dyed the city architecture, creating its charming view.

Among his works are the famous landmark Park Guel and its palace. You can easily fall into another world, because there are many strange buildings and attractions that have nothing to do with the laws of physics, architecture and construction. It’s very unusual creation that can make you forget that it is built by a genius architect; you would rather believe that is the work of the storyteller.

There are many interesting and beautiful landmarks to see in Barcelona. You can enjoy the culture and the achievements of this wonderful and exotic Spanish city. The culture and heritage of Arabs and Moors, Romans and Franks still can be seen in Barcelona. Roman ruins and Gothic buildings can be noticed all around Barcelona. Do not forget to take your camera with you. You will make thousands of pictures for sure.

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April 8, 2011

Top Beaches in Thailand

Filed under: Vacations Spain - 08 Apr 2011 from Aaron Maurette

Southeast Asia and specially Thailand has some of the best beaches in the world. There are hundreds of beaches to choose from and it can be a daunting task to pick the best of the bunch. And to make things worse each of these beaches has its own charm and personality. Below we have compiled few of the very best of Thailand.

Patong Beach in Phuket: This is very first tourist location in Thailand and as a result is today’s most developed resort. The beach area is about 3 kilometres long of white sands and turquoise waters with plenty of tropical palm trees. Water sports are readily available and at night you can enjoys the liveliest clubs in the whole of Thailand.

Railay Beach in Krabi: This is a luxurious tropical paradise. With towering limestone cliffs sheltering incredibly beautiful beaches, Railay is a peninsula isolated from mainland Thailand. Is a lot more quieter location compared to the busy Phuket. It is all about the beauty of nature for this beach. No crazy night life, overcrowded sands and just chill out time.

Maya Bay, Koh Phi Phi Ley: This madly imposing setting beats all others in Thailand and is fair to say in the whole world. In case you did not know it, this beach was made famous by the movie “The Beach” starring Leonardo di Caprio. If you have not seen this movie yet let us just says that Phi Phi Leh will make you feel really proud of planet Earth.

White Sand Beach, Koh Chang: White Sand Beach (Haad Sai Kao) is a beautiful sandy beach at the northern end of Koh Changs west coast. It is about 2.5 kilometres long and lined by rocks, over-hanging palms and broad-leaved trees.

Lamai Beach in Samui: Lamai Beach to be found in Samui is the second biggest resort location after Chaweng. It is quieter and less busy than its big sister, but still offering lots of dwelling facilities, dining and shopping, and a number of great spas and tourist sites to walk around.

Kata Beach in Phuket: This is the larger of the two beaches. The bay is very picturesque with Koh Pu (Pu Island) at the northern end. Half of the beach is bordered by a road, while the southern half has a few resorts right on the beach.

If you requiere further information about the best beaches in the world please click on the links provided for an up to date list of the best beaches in Thailand.

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April 4, 2011

Things To Do In Barcelona

Filed under: Travel and Leisure - 04 Apr 2011 from guest

So you will of heard the phrase shop until you drop one thousand and one times, but in Barcelona you actually can do this. A mass of shops, shops, chain stores, markets, stalls and street vendors line the whole city and your Mastercard should prepare itself for some abuse!

So lets commence with Barcelonas preferred shopping street, located right in the center of the city centre. Portal d’Angel has the highest footfall in Barcelona and it’s no wonder with the huge chain stores of Zara, HM, Bershka, Pull & Bear, El Corte Ingles and many many more to choose between! Hostels near plaza catalunya Barcelona are the perfect way to spend your time in the city. Right in the heart, amongst everything!

You can follow this street into the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona and blend your love of shopping with the citys striking Gothic design. Here you’ll find smaller stores and one off shops, the area has a much more conventional feel.

But if its spacious shop floors and designer brands that tease your fancy, then head in the alternative direction towards the Eixample area which is sure to have you ooing and arring at the gorgeous fabrics, colours and products!

If youre a lover of all things vintage then head on down Las Ramblas to the Raval neighbourhood, which hosts numerous vintage shops selling undying pieces at amazing prices.

On the way to the Raval you actually need to check out La Boqueria market, which is one of Barcelonas highlights. Fresh goods is at its best here and the colours and smells will make your mouth water. I dare you to leave without buying something ; )

On the theme of markets, which are rather well-liked in Barcelona, you need to also check out the painters stalls at the base of Las Ramblas ( towards the port ), you can even have your portrait done. Also worth checking out is the farmers market in Placa del Pi which although it is rather costly, the sweet honeys, succulent cheeses and home made products are scrumptious and well worth the ticket. If you are looking to sun yourself then the are some beautiful hostels near beach in Barcelona.

And if your feet can take any more then head on up to Gracia for more shops and a well merited meal after a hard days work.

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