The Barcelona Travel Guide

Barcelona is one of the most popular visited cities in Europe with its own unique character and culture. The city is very much alive and offers an array of entertainment from cultured museums, dining in the night, quality beaches, and the Catalan interests.

Traveling to Barcelona
Flying there is easy as the large international airport is only 14kms to the west of the city. Taxis, train and buses are other less popular options.

Brief History of Barcelona
The city of Barcelona came to existence during the Phoenician and Roman periods. History states that the Romans were eventually driven away from the city by the Visigoths. This gave the city the name it holds today making it the focal point of the Catalan Kingdom. The most prestigious moment to come to the city to date was when it hosted the 1992 Olympic Games.

Accommodation
Barcelona is a tourist city and so accommodation options are vast and diverse. Las Ramblas is the main area of the town where many fancy hotels can be found. However, accommodation can be found in the city or closer to the sea in the forms of hotels, guest houses, self-catering apartments, villas and so on.

Shopping
Barcelona has plenty of shopping opportunity. The main area is a set designed retail area that is five kilometres long, starting at Las Ramblas. You will find all you need along that stretch especially if you are into designer clothing. If you are more into shopping malls then head into El Corte Ingles. This is a massive department store located on Placa de Catalunya.

Dining and Drinking
Barcelona is famous for its nightlife and social events. Las Ramblas is the area you should be heading for. It is a late night city where the main bars remain quiet until around midnight when the city really livens up. Food wise, the most popular dish served in restaurants is Paella and Rioja is the tasty special local wine.

City Attractions and Sightseeing
A must see in Barcelona is to head for the Port Vell marina complex at the waterfront. Then stand beneath the statue of Columbus and walk up the world famous street of Las Ramblas. Here you will find yourself in the middle of the cities culture amongst artists, street buskers and many quaint restaurants and cafes. Don’t forget to venture to the Cathedral de la Santa Creu and the grand Placa de Catalunya. Everybody who visits Barcelona must go and see the Sagrada Familia. This is the unfinished beautiful cathedral by the legend Gaudi. As well as the attractions mentioned there are also many museums scattere about the city. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Salvadore Dali Museum and Joan Miro Exhibition are well worth a check.

Dan Oldfield
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-barcelona-travel-guide-100498.html

Spain is a treasure trove for the culture enthusiasts, nature lovers and adventure seekers. Many families come to Spain and stay in self catering accommodation which they rent direct from their holiday home owners. The things to do on a holiday in Spain are abundant and include sightseeing, colourful fiestas, flamenco, opera, arts, literature, painting, sports, skiing, bullfighting, exciting night life, adventure activities, water sports and shopping in addition to many more staying in holiday villas with swimming pools.

You can see the three world renowned museums in Madrid, the capital city of Spain. While there you can stay in one of the many luxury self catering apartments or holiday villas in the capital. Families on vacation visit many of the museums in Madrid including the Thyssen-Bornemisza, Sofia and Prado. When staying in self catering accommodation in Madrid you will get a chance to see the priceless paintings of master artists like Picasso, Dali, Miro and Juan Gris.

Madrid’s Royal Palace is also a landmark tourist attraction and has stunning exhibits. Madrid is also home to the impressive historic square of Plaza Mayor, Retiro Park, Botanical Gardens and Casa de Campo in addition to other interesting places. It is said that Madrid is home to some of the best luxury villas with swimming pools in Spain.

You can go on excursions from Madrid to see the other places of tourist interest in Spain. Many tourists rent a holiday villa and visit the world heritage site of Alcala de Henares, Aranjuez Summer Palace and Gardens, Seville Cathedral, Great Mosque of Cordoba, Alhambra of Granada and Castle of Santa Catalina in Jaen.

You can enjoy soaking in the sun on the beach resorts of Mediterranean coastline. Relax by the seaside on the beaches of Costa Brava, Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol. Families come here to enjoy the sun soaked beaches and rent a holiday villa with swimming pools or self catering apartments.

Spain has a great deal to offer by way of nature and the tourists who love the great outdoors can take recourse to the diverse landscape of coniferous and deciduous forests, salty marshes, rocky coves and bays, fertile river valleys, mountain peaks and mountain streams staying in holiday cottages. You can indulge in nature watching at the various national parks of Spain and enjoy the ample wildlife. The famous national parks of Spain are Tablas de Daimiel, Ordesa, Coto de Donana, Montana de Covadonga and Aigues Tortes. Near all of these beautiful park are many holiday homes to rent direct from their holiday owners.

You can enjoy exciting nightlife at the numerous bars, discos and clubs in Puerta del Sol, Madrid’s hub for nightlife. This place is also famous for shopping. Enjoy fun filled recreational activities like tennis, swimming, jogging at Casa de Campo and Parque de Atracciones. Many tourists choose to stay in holiday self catering apartments and enjoy the local nightlife and culture to the full.

Spain has world class facilities for golfing at the Canary Islands like Gran Canaria, Tenerife and so on. The avid golfers can look forward to excellent golf at many other places like La Manga, Costa del Sol and Valderrama in Spain. Golfers go to Spain on short golfing breaks and stay in self catering accommodation. Other golfers stay there for longer periods on a golfing holiday and some rent holiday villas.

You can see the typical white washed Spanish village in Andalucia and the charming whitewashed houses dotting the narrow streets of cobblestones in addition to ancient churches make for stunning sights. If you are lucky enough you will be able to rent one of these beautiful holiday cottages.

Spain is renowned for skiing and has ample ski resorts of world class facilities. The skiers will enjoy the lovely slopes, blue skies and warm sun. When there you can rent a log cabin or chalet and fully explore the beautiful countryside. The Pyrenees area is best suited for nature walks, hikes and mountain climbing. You can also explore this area on horseback. Go windsurfing or water skiing by the seaside. Canoeing and white water rafting can be enjoyed in north Spain.

Spain is a great place to spend your vacation and has some of the best holiday homes in Europe. There are luxurious holiday villas, holiday cottages and self catering holiday apartments available to rent in Spain. There are holiday rental homes in Spain to suite almost every budget.

Andrew Gibson
http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/things-to-do-on-a-holiday-in-spain-389838.html

As well you can’t beat the year round near perfect temperature and climate of the area. It’s just a can’t go wrong vacation.

There is much to see in Benidorm as far attractions go and you’ll likely not find many places with a better nightlife. The city hosts more than 30 dance clubs, as well as hundreds of restaurants that can be found only steps from the sand of the beaches. Therefore, after a nice relaxing day in the sun, there’s no reason that you can’t eat, and dance the night away to your hearts content. Upon waking, depending on your hotels location you can step right onto the beach and start it all over again for the next day. I hardly think that you can get a much better vacation, what do you think?

If eating, dancing, and sleeping doesn’t fulfill your vacation the way you would like then perhaps you’ll want to enjoy a blend of various activities and enjoy some of the rich culture of Spain while you’re here.

The center of Benidorm, which is called the Casco Antiguo, has much history to experience with old buildings that run along San Vicente, San Lorenzo, and Santa Fez Streets.

If golf is more your virtue, you’ll be pleased with the golf courses that you’ll find throughout the Alicante region, which again is only a tiny distance from Benidorm. The Bonalba Golf Club which is in Mutxamel, the Bosque Golf and Country Club located in Chiva, and the Alicante Club in San Juan Beach are just a few of the many places to enjoy your game.

Another great thing about Benidorm is the great theme parks in the area. There are lots for the family to enjoy with the three biggest being Mundomar, Terra Mitica, and the water park Aqualandia.

Now usually a vacation means fun in the sun, and Benidorm has no shortage of that with the various beach along its coast. The temperatures in the region are controlled year round by mountains that control the wind flow into the area, making it perfect for beach weather both summer and winter.

You really can’t go wrong at either of the two main beaches in Benidorm, which are the Playa de Poniente and the Playa de Levante. You’ll find it very hard to leave.

Johnathan Bakers
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/vacationing-in-benidorm-spain-107320.html

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The closeness of hotels in Barcelona Near Costa Brava

Here is a sample plan of what you can do while visiting Barcelona. You can start by getting a transport to the hotel near the adventure park in Barcelona “Port Aventura”. Keep in mind that Eurocar has special discounts for rentals for anyone who is staying in Port Aventura. This lodging will not only provide with a place of relaxation and fun, butr it will also give you the option of being close to all things in the city if you are on a trip for both business and pleasure. By choosing to stay in Port Aventura you will have not only chosen to stay at a quality hotel in the city and adventure park, but in lodging that is rated very highly and personalized.

The three hotels on the theme park property all have their own special designs and themes with which to attract different people. One has a Colombian theme and another of the hotels has a Mexican theme. All are Spanish in nature, but have their own twists and intricacies. There themes are all based on different cultures so as to bring in different visitors and to provide a variety of options. There are many packages and options that are available for both adults and children. The prices will vary based on the time of year as well as the number of children and adults that are staying at the hotel. Base your trip on the time as well as the price since the weather is fairly good year round in Barcelona.

Other Lodging Options In Barcelona

One option is the Arts Hotel which is a bit pricey, but well worth the price. This hotel has many rooms and options and all of which have a great view of the marina. This is a great location to be pampered and catered to. The Goyescas restaurant is a very tantalizing accompaniment to your stay at this lavish hotel.

The city is well known for its hotels and food. The Can Ravell and the Club del Gourmet are two places well within distance of the two hotels for exquisite food to accompany your stay in Barcelona.

Jack Blacksmith
http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/finding-hotels-in-barcelona-110431.html

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Malaga City Overview

You’ll find something for everyone here in Malaga, which is located on the Costa del Sol. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a casual beach visitor, or a nature lover, you’ll find an activity that suits you.

You can enjoy the outdoors by taking nature tours, walking tours or hiking tours. These types of tours are great ways to see Malaga close up. You can also choose a theme for your tour, whether it’s history or nature. You can walk through ancient artifacts or carefully manicured landscaping. You can go on a tour of museums or a tour of gardens. You can find a gentle, meandering walk through beautiful scenery, or a rugged hike through rough terrain.

Taking a walk through Malaga is like a taking a walk back in time. Through the history of the rule of the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Romans and the Arabs, you can see that the museums and the churches communicate the importance of these contributions in this country. A popular tourist attraction in this area is the birthplace of Picasso, the famous Spanish painter. It’s located in the Plaza de la Merced. In 1998 the home was re-opened by the Picasso Foundation under the direction of the King and Queen of Spain. It’s now open to the public as a museum, and it pays tribute to Picasso’s life and talent.

Another thing you’re sure to find here is a festival or street fair. Spain, as a deeply religious country, honors most religious holidays by holding a special event in its name. Therefore, you’ll find small villages and larger towns all over Spain observing important religious events.

If you’re a shopper, you can enjoy the thrill of finding a one-of-a-kind item at a street market or local shop. If you’re shopping for souvenirs, hit the streets to find unique items handcrafted by local artisans.

After hours, it’s time for fun. Enjoy the ambiance at one of Malaga’s many nightclubs, or head up the coast to Benidorm, the most popular tourist attraction on the coast. You can find places to sit back and relax with a drink, and lively places in which you can dance the night away.

Clinton Maxwell
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/visiting-spain-85300.html

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Others who respond to the call need accommodation to live or stay. This leads to the necessity of developing new properties in Spain with villas, apartments, penthouse etc. in them. Those who are fond of luxurious living look for the Spanish villas. They want an accommodation with enough facilities included in it. It should also be located in a beautiful place in the middle of favourable weather and with fantastic views around.

And Spanish villas provide them with this all. Spain is famous for its climate, its beaches, golf courses and above all its villas. Both from inside and outside, Spanish villas are unsurpassable. They are located in the nicest places in Spain with great views around them. Particularly, when you have the sea nearby the villas, taking a birds-eye view from the terrace enthrals the mind and satiates the senses.

Inside the villas, you have everything that you need to take delight of life up to your heart’s content. Big bed rooms, neat and clean bathrooms, spacious lounge, clear swimming pool, large terrace – everything is there to ensure that the boarders get the best of this intriguing place they are living in. Apart from being an ideal accommodation to live a life of luxury, Spanish villas offer profitable option for making investment. As the flow of visitors in Spain is always on and demand for new accommodation is always there, investing money in the villas is bound to come out with high profit.

Brittney Jackeline
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/spanish-villas-ideal-for-luxurious-living-and-profitable-investment-246894.html

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Golf Holidays in Spain, Courses and Instruction

You can find information on courses through a travel agent or online. There is information on course conditions, locations, maps and pictures of the courses. You will also find information on upcoming events and other news from the resort.

Many websites have reviews written by both amateur and professional golfers. Read some that were written by people who have stayed at the resort and played the courses. This will give you valuable information about the resort from the point of view of past guests.

Many golf resorts have an onsite golf school. Professional golfers offer instruction to guests of the resort. Lessons can be done in small groups or privately with the instructor. Small group lessons are less expensive. Some also have golf school for kids. Between lessons, practice your new skills on the practice range.

Most resorts have a golf shop located at the resort. These shops sell equipment and apparel. You can buy anything you forgot to pack at the shop. Some also rent clubs, bags and balls. This is a good option if you don’t want to carry everything with you from home. You can rent what you need at the resort and have less to pack.

A club house at the resort is a nice convenience for guests. This will give you a place to change and shower after your game. Some have a sauna and food service as well as facilities for changing and showering.

Consider the size of the course. Most have either a nine or eighteen hole golf course. Whether you are playing nine or eighteen holes, keep good etiquette in mind. Politeness is part of Spanish culture, so don’t be rude to other groups on the course. Consideration is especially important during the busier seasons.

A common complaint among golfers is slow play by other groups. There is a lot you can do to avoid this. Be ready when it’s your turn to play a shot. Stay just behind the game in front of you to avoid longer waits for the group behind. Play your shot and move on. Mark your card at the next tee. Courtesy to other groups goes a long way toward everyone having a great time.

Other Activities on Golf Holidays in Spain

Consider other activities offered at golf resorts. Entertainment can be found at both hotel resorts and golf property rentals. One thing you will probably want is a pool, especially if you are traveling in the summer. A hotel will have a community pool. A private rental can have either a private or community pool. A private rental will have other conveniences such as an oven and washing machine.

Other Entertainment at Resorts:

o Tennis
o Swimming
o Mini golf
o Spa
o Gym
o Activities for kids
o Day nursery for kids

Another consideration is how close the resort is to other amenities. You may want a resort that is close to shopping and restaurants. If you aren’t planning to rent a car, you will want some of these things in walking distance, or be near to public transportation. If you plan to take part in the night life, you’ll want something near to bars or clubs.

Peter J. Mason
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/golf-holidays-in-spain-courses-and-instruction-132535.html

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Technorati Tags: cheap spain holiday, spain holiday deals, spain holiday villa

Some of the holidays celebrated during the spring and summer include Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Corpus Christi and St. John’s Day. Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday and is a very important holiday in Spain. Many cities have parades or large festivals and many areas hold these processions throughout the entire week. Some events also include re-enactments of the crucifixion. In addition, many of these festivals extend to the Easter Sunday holiday. It is another very important holiday throughout Spain and is meant to honor the Resurrection of Jesus. The holiday of Corpus Christi, meaning the Body of Christ, is celebrated in late sprint or early summer. This holiday is very important to the Catholic religion. The feast of Corpus Christi celebrates the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and is honored on the first Sunday after Trinity Sunday. It is usually in May or June, but varies each year. St. John’s holiday is on June 24, but it is on June 23 that St. John’s Day is celebrated in June 24 but the celebrations tend to begin the evening before. During the evening of June 23, bonfires are built and effigies are burned. Many individuals jump over ht bonfires, as it is thought that jumping over the fire three times will cleanse them of sin. However, jumping over the bonfire is only one aspect of the celebrations, as different areas celebrate this holiday in a variety of ways.

Holidays during the autumn and winter seasons include Columbus Day, All Saints Day, Constitution Day and Christmas. Columbus Day is also the National Holiday of Spain and is celebrated on October 12. It is to honor Christopher Columbus’ arrival to America. Many festivals are held in his honor. The Catholic holiday of All Saints Day is celebrated on November 1 in honor of all saints and martyrs. This holiday began in the fourth century as a day to remember the martyrs. Today, the play Don Juan Tenorio is often performed during this holiday and people usually make offerings and may visit graves of those who have passed. Constitution Day is a very important holiday celebrated on December 6. It celebrates Spain’s transition to democracy after its constitution was approved in 1978. January 6 marks the end of the Christmas season in Spain. This holiday, known as the Three Kings Day or El Dia de los Reyes, celebrates the wise men’s visit to Bethlehem. According to Spanish tradition, the three kings represent Arabia, Africa and Europe bringing gifts to baby Jesus. There are often large processions or festivals celebrating this day.

Rob Carlton
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/some-of-the-many-holidays-in-spain-107302.html

There are all kinds of rental properties available in Spain and they normally have facilities tailored for holidaymakers. In the most part they are fully equipped so that the tourists get a feeling of staying in a home away from home. Most of the villa rentals in Spain have picturesque locations with special private areas, such as outdoor entertainment, swimming pools & built in BBQ’s.

Local markets in Spain provide an amazing array of meats, vegetables and fruits that you wouldn’t normally find at home, and for a fraction of the price too. Most restaurants even in tourist areas are relatively inexpensive.

Other standard amenities available near most holiday rentals in Spain are golf courses, fabulous beaches, water sports and excellent cuisine. If you book online most companies will endeavor to provide the facilities that suit your taste. Villa rentals in Spain are specially designed and decorated with colorful interiors and exteriors, with palm trees surrounding some of the pathways. There are holiday rentals suitable for all kinds of budgets and all tourists. Everything makes a comfortable and pleasant stay making your vacations in Spain memorable.

There are several companies who advertise online there portfolio of Holiday Rental Apartments, Townhouses and villas spain. So if you would like to know more about booking a self catering vacation in Spain and how to book your place of stay, you can take the help of online companies.

The greatest advantage of booking online is that you can search by location, regions, or even a specific village. Most of the websites have descriptive maps with details about the accommodations available. You not only get to know more about the accommodation, but you also can know about the facilities and amenities that you can avail. You get the opportunity to compare the rate of different rentals and then choose a vacation of your choice. If you need to be extra sure about the place and amenities available in the villa rentals or holiday rentals you can read reviews written by people that have stayed previously. Word of mouth is the best kind of feedback that you can get!

Viva Espana!

Andria Hooper
http://www.articlesbase.com/vacation-rentals-articles/self-catering-holidays-in-spain-714327.html

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Holidays in Spain

Good Friday, the Friday before Easter Sunday, is a very important holiday in Spain. Many cities, large and small, celebrate this holiday by having a procession or a festival. There are re-enactments of the crucifixion and Holy Week events.

Good Friday is second to Easter Sunday in importance. On Easter Sunday, the resurrection of Jesus is commemorated throughout the country, in villages near and far, in bustling cities and small villages.

In late spring, the holiday of Corpus Christi (”The Body of Christ”) is cause for another religious observance. The Catholic sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is celebrated, and there are events throughout the country that commemorate this. This event falls on the first Sunday after Trinity Sunday.

The Feast of St. John’s is observed on June 24. To prepare, bonfires and effigies are burned. The most widely held believe that people have is that if they jump over the fire three times, they will be cleansed of sins and cured of any disease. This day is celebrated differently throughout the country, with festivals held that are unique to each area.

Fall and Winter Holidays

Columbus Day, observed on October 12, is also the National Holiday of Spain or Hispanic Day. It honors Christopher Columbus and observes his discovery of the Americas in 1492. You’ll find a variety of celebrations going on throughout the country.

All Saints day is November first. This Catholic holiday celebrates saints and martyrs by offerings made by the people of Spain. Don Juan Tenorio’s play is traditionally performed on this day.

December 6 is Constitution Day This day takes note of Spain’s transition to democracy. This is a widely-observed national holiday.

January 6 marks the end of the Christmas celebrations. This day celebrates the Epiphany, or the day the wise men visited the infant Jesus. It’s also known by the name El Dia de Los Reyes, or “The Day of the Kings”. According to Spanish lore, the three kings represented Arabia, Africa and Europe. Many villages throughout Spain observe this holiday with festivals and processions.

This deeply Catholic nation celebrates religious holidays with much fanfare.

Johnathan Bakers
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/travel-to-spain-for-the-holidays-85266.html