January | 2014 | Hotels and destinations

What to do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

By Luke Durden in gastronomic hotels January 27, 2014

If you have chosen Tenerife as a destination for your next holiday, maybe you are checking in internet for accommodation, leisure activities, the best beaches, where to eat, and where you can have a night out, where you can relax, what to see, opening hours, there will be endless questions…

We propose alternatives to all these questions starting with accommodation.

If you are looking for a five star hotel with every commodity and luxury, we recommend the Iberostar Grand Mencey in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It is the island’s outstanding hotel with regard to history and glamour and it is also a well-known gastronomic hotel in Tenerife. It has all the guarantees of an Iberostar hotel, which makes it a safe choice.

Gourmet restaurant in Tenerife

With regard to activities, our recommendation is an excursion through the Canarian countryside, following the trail from the Cruz del Carmen and the Llano de los Viejos.

It is an easy route, suitable for everybody of all ages with a duration of 45 minutes.

One of the most visited and attractive beaches of the island you will find in Costa Adeje.

In this area you will find numerous beaches, the most outstanding is the beach of Fañabe, the most popular choice of Tenerife’s residents.

One of the best restaurants in Tenerife is the restaurant Los Menceyes, which is part of the hotel Grand Mencey. Top class cuisine, with an emphasis on local produce and an avant-garde interpretation of typical Canarian dishes. In the same hotel you will find the Iballa Cocktail Bar, famous for their Jazz concerts and exotic cocktails.

Regarding the most emblematic places to visit, one of the highlights is whale and dolphin watching in the middle of the ocean, the Tenerife Adan Martin auditorium, the Arona Pyramid, the volcano’s and landscapes and not forgetting the extensive offer of night time leisure activities.

The Coast of Playa Blanca

By Luke Durden in Lanzarote January 23, 2014

The coast of Playa Blanca, in Lanzarote, is one of those magical places that welcome you to a journey far from any borders. Its volcanic landscape, protected by the declaration as a Biosphere Reserve Park, as well as its spectacular ocean, provide a range of colours and contrasts that surprise visitors time after time, even to the most experienced traveller.

Playa Blanca is a very appreciated tourist destination around the world, specially in Europe, for its unique beauty, the tranquillity of its ambience and its exceptional climate all year round. It is one of the most valued destinations for a relaxing trip during the autumn and winter months, as communications with this part of Lanzarote are comfortable and the possibilities for leisure and rest are infinite.

Apartments in Lanzarote

Large beaches and small rocky coves make up this Atlantic coast, different to all those that can be found in the Canary Islands, including cliffs off volcanic stones, black, dark and red colours that merge with the intense blue of the Atlantic Ocean that slide over the water, turning into fine white sand. A paradise for the senses where the sound of the waves propose a halo of perpetual tranquillity.

Less pronounced coasts link with vertiginous cliffs and coves that open to the traveller, like small oasis where to rest for hours, far away from civilization. Playa Blanca is perfect to defy routine and recover from the stress of the large cities. Ideal for a long weekend after weeks of hard work or to enjoy 10 days of well being and relaxation.

Villas Coral Deluxe

The accommodations in Playa Blanca connect with this peaceful spirit that reigns in every corner of the island, even in the most lively towns of the coast of Yaiza, known for its attractive parties, striking traditions and folklore. To stay in this coast of Lanzarote, there are different options to choose from, from luxury villas in Playa Blanca, at the foot of this stunning volcano of Montaña Roja, to a quiet hotel in Yaiza, or some family apartments.

Travelling is also very comfortable and versatile, as the roads connect the whole island and they provide routes to the most interesting and famous places in Lanzarote. The connection of Playa Blanca with the islands airport is easy, as well as with the capital of the island.

Luxury hotel for golf lovers: Iberostar Son Antem

By Esther in Uncategorized January 23, 2014

Majorca is the perfect destination for enjoying the fantastic beaches that characterise the island and its fabulous Mediterranean climate. But the island also has many other appeals for specific groups, like for golf lovers. Today we are going to talk about a hotel specially designed to cover all golfers’ necessities: the Iberostar Son Antem Golf Resort & Spa.

The Iberostar Son Antem Golf Resort & Spa is a 5-star hotel located in Llucmajor, one of the calmest areas in Majorca, close at hand from the best beaches in the island and surrounded by two stunning golf courts that provide the landscape with a panoramic full of nature and peace.

This golf hotel in Llucmajor has in its enclosure two 18-hole golf courts. Both of them offer you a varied and fantastic tour, designed by Francisco López Senegalés, with wide lanes and spacious greens suitable for all levels.

Iberostar Son Antem Golf Resort & Spa

The Son Antem Este golf court, inaugurated in 1994, has wide and long lanes that make this golf court perfect for novice golfers who need more space to comfortably make their strokes. The route winds its way through 5 lakes that, apart from creating a beautiful atmosphere, include other harder holes for more experienced golfers.

The Son Antem Oeste golf court, inaugurated in 2001, is more adequate for more experienced golfers, with holes that will be an authentic challenge. The narrow lanes, with few rough and their undulating greens surrounded by bunkers, define the court’s design. The route also features big tees and 3 lakes that come into play in 5 holes, creating a fantastic panoramic of the court.

Iberostar Son Antem Golf Resort & Spa

This golf hotel close to Palma also features a golf academy lead by a professional team headed by Pau Padrós and Coque Unsúa.. The Son Antem Golf Academy (SAGA) gives private courses and organises different tournaments throughout the year in a short shot practise pitch, three Putting Greens and a stunning circular Driving Range with a maximum capacity for 200 players.

Besides, the hotel features an equipment rental service, a club repairing service and a Club House with a bar for clients to enjoy their favourite sport to the maximum.

And in order to complete the experience with a bit of relaxation, the Iberostar San Antem has a fabulous wellness and spa centre with personalised treatments and a free gym, open 24 hours.

The Crocodile Park in Torremolinos turns 18!

By Luke Durden in Uncategorized January 21, 2014

In 2014, this famous and curious amusement park, focused on displaying these impressive wild animals, celebrates its 18th birthday, with an interesting leisure proposal of fun for the whole family. A must see for those who choose Torremolinos as a holiday destination.

It is one of the most emblematic amusement and animal parks in Spain. Located at t he foot of the Sierra de Torremolinos, the Crocodile Park is one of those places that everyone should visit at least once, especially if you have children.

Marconfort Griego Torremolinos Hotel

Founded in 1996, the park is very close to the center of the city, next to the Aqualand water park and a few kilometers from the family hotel in the center of Torremolinos, the Marconfort Griego hotel. Besides being a place that is already part of the history of Torremolinos, it is one of the most striking leisure proposals the city has to offer. They boast of having among its residents, the oldest crocodiles in Europe, Paco.
After several renovations and new additions, next year the famous crocodile park in Torremolinos will turn 18 years open to the public, and it aims to celebrate it in style. Along with various surprise activities and special parties, the Crocodile Park will show its over 200 crocodiles in the open air, in large ponds that can be visited and admired from different platforms and viewpoints.

Hotel rooms in Torremolinos

Seeing how they eat, move, interact with each other or hunt is a real show, and it is also possible to see at the park from baby crocodiles to large African caimans weighing over 500 Kilograms.

One of the top attractions rated by children is, allowing them to hold baby crocodiles in their arms and being able to take photos with them. The park also includes a museum of objects, wildlife and African culture, a school workshop and projection area in which educational videos are on display about the history and prehistory of the dinosaurs and reptiles.

The latest in hotels: the All Inclusive Urban

By Esther in Urban Hotels January 9, 2014

The tourism sector keeps surprising us with new formulas and proposals to conquer and surprise the travellers. There are options for all tastes, pockets and ages: Adults Only Hotels, Picapiedra Hotels, Hotels for Friends… And all of them are totally specialised so that they can offer a personalised service to the detail.

One of the last proposals we have found is the All Inclusive Urban concept, recently inaugurated by the Spanish chain Barceló Hotels. It is a renovated concept of urban hotels which bet on offering their guests an All Inclusive service, but without giving up the exclusivity, the design and the personalisation that characterise the city hotels.

Accommodation in Caceres

This service is undeniably a modern revision of the classic All Inclusive applied to urban hotels, but Barceló has managed to give it a special touch which makes it unique and personal, and which makes a urban accommodation become a complete holiday destination.

Hotel in Caceres

The All Inclusive Urban is a formula specially designed for family holidays or for business, incentive or group trips, as it offers many possibilities inside the hotel, ideal for those who need a comfortable, well-equipped space full of commodities which make their stay easier: rooms and menus for the whole family, conference centres and meeting rooms, swimming pool, parking, wifi access…

One of the Barceló hotels that has already introduced this service is the Barceló Cáceres V Centenario, an exclusive 4-star hotel close to the old town, with suites and specialised services for corporate clients.

The revolution of El Raval, Barcelona

By Esther in Barcelona January 9, 2014

El Raval neighbourhood in Barcelona has been a forgotten place until very recently, a historic place in the suburbs known for years as “Barrio Chino” and that now -specially its upper part- has become the in style neighbourhood of the city. It is a multiethnic area which keeps the charm of the old things and a meeting place for those who lead the cultural vanguardism in Barcelona.

The advantage of this place is that what used to be the suburbs of the city has now moved to the heart of it: El Raval delimits with the Gothic neighbourhood through La Rambla and with the area of Pelai street. The famous La Boquería Market is part of its network of streets and, in fact, a good example of the bustling and colourful character of the neighbourhood.

Accommodation in Barcelona

El Raval belongs to the old city district and here the traveller will find pleasant terraces, tapas bars with an atmosphere typical from Barcelona and restaurants with worldly cuisines. One of the essential elements in the neighbourhood’s renovation has been the construction of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona (MACBA) in the area.

Surrounding this institution, the University and many other firms that have invested in the area, we can find all type of businesses which have created an innovative and dynamic scheme, where traditional firms come hand-in-hand with modern firms from technological or design sectors.

Many hotel chains have also responded to the call of this revolution, inaugurating hotels of vanguardist design, accommodations specially designed for young clients, between 25 and 45, preferably for trips as a couple to Barcelona, trips with friends or business trips.

Hotel in Barcelona

A good example of the adaptation of these hotels to the new reality of El Raval is the Barceló Raval, located in the Rambla of El Raval, with a 360º terrace on the roof which offers stunning views of this area of the centre of Barcelona.

The Abba Rambla, the Milenni Hotel, the Be Sound Hostel… And close to them, although outside the neighbourhood, we find some hotels of the Basque chain Petit Palace, such as the Petit Palace Boquería.

Corralejo, one of the trending destinations in the world

By Esther in Uncategorized January 8, 2014

Located in the north of the island of Fuerteventura and with less than 15.000 inhabitants, the village of Corralejo has been chosen by travellers around the world as one of the 10 emerging must-visit destinations for this 2014, together with exotic places such as Katmandu (Nepal), Fortaleza (Brasil) or Cayos de Belice.

Praised for its excellent beaches of white fine sand and its amazing volcanic landscapes, Corralejo is a classic destination for the European tourist and an authentic discovery for those who come from other continents: unconscious of the biodiversity of Fuerteventura, many people are surprised by the combination of the high volcanoes of black rocks with the turquoise water of the Atlantic ocean.

Accommodation in Playa de Jandia

Unique waters which, caressed by the winds, offer an unbeatable setting for water sports lovers: windsurf, kite surf, sailing… Activities which, year after year, bring together in Fuerteventura thousands of amateurs who, season after season, come back to vibrate on the stunning waves.

But Corralejo is much more than beaches and surf, that is why it is one of the 10 top destinations this 2014: tradition, gastronomy, culture, craftsmanship, nature, geology, parties… Besides, its exceptional location, close at hand from Islote de Lobos and with perfect connections by boat with Lanzarote’s neighbouring island, makes this old fishing village an ideal place for getting away from it all and relaxing by the seashores.

Booking an accommodation in Lanzarote, taking the ferry and enjoying a complete day in this beautiful island of unique landscapes can be the perfect experience that crowns your trip to Corralejo.

Iberostar Fuerteventura Palace

Regarding tourism, the area features some of the best hotels in Fuerteventura, such as the Barceló Corralejo Bay, in the area of Grandes Playas, very close to the Natural Park of the Dunes of Corralejo. The complementary offer is also really varied and adapted to all type of travellers: families, couples with children, groups of friends, business…

A trip to Corralejo is also the perfect excuse to visit Fuerteventura. The island has really unique places, such as the peninsula of Jandia, one of the most beautiful beach areas of the Canary Islands: Jandia or Matorral beaches, Cofete beach, Morro Jable… Located on the south of the island, these beaches represent the naturist and family tourism par excellence, surrounded by the stunning Natural Park of Jandia, where we find the highest mountain in the island.

The area of Jandia is also one of the most recommended areas to find accommodation in Fuerteventura: hotels for children in Jandia, hotels with Adult Only areas close to Matorral beach or family hotels close at hand from Morro Jable are some of the most valued options due to their good quality price ratio and to the variety of services they offer to the traveller.

According to Tripadvisor’s users, Fuerteventura is a rising destination, an island to be visited at any time of the year and where to enjoy sport and relaxation at the same time, without giving up luxury plans such as savouring the excellent gastronomy of the Canary Islands, going through the 24 volcanoes of the island or visiting the main museums and art centres in Puerto del Rosario, the capital.