Barbecue season begins in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

By Luke Durden in gastronomic hotels

The Iberostar Grand Hotel Mencey inaugurates a new space for its guests and clients, and makes it big with a launch party next July 11 from 20.30. The Grand Mencey debuts new space Jardin Casa Duque & Terrace Los Laureles, where you can enjoy the best live jazz and a wide range of cocktails.

The presentation is the start to enjoying throughout the summer the wonderful Mencey Lounge. This new space will be open from Monday to Sunday from 19.30 to 00.30, with the best live music, delicious Canarian cuisine from the restaurant Los Laureles and the most refreshing cocktails.

At the same time, the barbecue season opens during the weekend, and will go on the whole summer, every Saturday and Sunday from 13.00 to 16.30, you can enjoy a special barbecue menu on the terrace of Restaurant The Laureles. An example of a meal that you can enjoy includes Los Laureles salad, coloured potatoes with mojo, tasting the best grilled meat and dessert. The price of the menu, excluding drinks, is only 26 € and also offers a special menu for children.

Restaurante Los Menceyes

Restaurante Los Menceyes

The IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Mencey has two more surprises, and if you eat lunch on Saturday at Restaurante Los Laureles, you will receive a 50% discount for the Water Circuit at the Spa Sensations.

And if you visit the trendy restaurant in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Saturday evening, you will enjoy a unique romantic candlelight dinner with an exclusive à la carte menu and you can also enjoy the best live music.

Malaga, destination for golf lovers

By Loren in Andalusia

In Malaga we can enjoy  one of the strategic places for practicing golf in Spain, the known Valle del Golf, one step away from Marbella and Puerto Banús, in the middle of the stunning Sierra Blanca mountains.  It is not the only enclave targeted at golfers in Costa del Sol, but it is one of the most exclusive ones and boasts a wonderful landscape. Luxury housing developments have been built in the entire area, fostering the worldwide fame of Marbella, which has turned into a Jet Set holiday destination in Spain.

Altogether, there are about 70 golf courses in Costa del Sol and, specifically, there are 16 golf courses in Marbella which stand out for hosting some of the best national and international golf tournaments celebrated in Spain.

Two of the most appreciated courses in Valle del Golf are Aloha Golf Club and Golf La Quinta.  The first one was designed by the renown Javier Arana and was opened in 1975.  It is a big official golf course with 18 holes,  and an additional course with nine par three holes, designed by Enrique Canales, horrific member of the club.

IBEROSTAR Marbella Coral Beach

IBEROSTAR Marbella Coral Beach

On the other hand, La Quinta Golf is one of the biggest courses.  It has 27 holes, split among 3 nine hole courses.  Additionally, it has school, shop, gym, wellness area, restaurants…

There also other important golf courses close to Alhaurín el Grande and Antequera.  Mijas, another of the places of reference in Costa del Sol, has its own Valle del Golf, with 12 golf courses, ideal for both experts and those new to the practice.

If you are planning a golf getaway for this summer or autumn in Málaga and if you have the possibility of choosing an accommodation, the best area is Puerto Banus and the Benahavis mountain village: a spa hotel in Marbella or an apartment  right in Sierra Blanca are two interesting alternatives especially if you are looking for rest and relax without getting away from the beach area in Costa del Sol.

Holiday in Chiclana

By Loren in cadiz

Cádiz hides unique spots, places full of magic where we can discover the authentic essence of this Andalusian province and let ourselves be impressed by its beauty and its delicious culture and cuisine.  Chiclana de la Frontera, one step away from the centre of San Fernando and very close to Puerto Real and to the city of Cádiz, is one of them. Everything converges here, from so impressive natural spots such as the marshes of Sancti Petri to the famous beaches in Roche, one of the most emblematic beach areas in Cádiz thanks to its quality, not much overcrowding and to the high degree of conservation of its natural richness.

Chiclana is synonymous with party, fried fish and folklore.  It is a perfect destination for knowing the authentic coast of Cádiz. You can easily access from almost any point of the peninsula and with complete services for the traveller: “Chiclana Suena” Concerts Festival in August, painting exhibitions, recitals, boat tours, theatre, children parties, golf tournament.

IBEROSTAR Andalucía Playa

IBEROSTAR Andalucía Playa

If you are undecided and have not chosen yet a holiday destination for this summer 2014, here we give you good reasons for choosing Chiclana as the epicentre of you getaway.

Beaches: The coast of Chiclana gathers some of the best beaches in Cadiz.  La Barrosa is one of the most emblematic beaches, with 6km long, fine sand, a pine grove and a promenade, where we find some of the most outstanding spa hotels in Chiclana. Sancti Petri beach with 2 km length, is another of the favourite ones for quietly swimming. It has all types of services, from beach bars to sailing school.

Nature: Chiclana Salt Mines, Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park, Pinar del Hierro, Huerta del Novo, Montellano and Jeli lagoons, Sancti Petri Marshes… The alternatives for enjoying the nature of this area are so diverse that it is really recommended to program in advance the different tours in order not to miss anything.

Golf: The entire Chiclana and, in general, the coast of Cádiz is one of the strategic points that all the golf lovers should include in their trip plan. Here we find the Novo Sancti Petro golf course, designed by Severiano Ballesteros, with 36 holes and wonderful views of La Barrosa beach. Next to it, we can also enjoy the golf courses Campano, La Estancia and Sancti Petri Hills… If possible, opt for staying in a golf hotel in Chiclana near to some of these courses: most of them offer interesting discounts and promotions, and help you to book your green fees.

Cuisine: It is one of the most varied cuisines in Andalusia, although the main elements are sea products, which are served with arroz “veraniego”  or delicious stews, among which stands outs the “merluza a la chiclanera”.   The stews and cold soups are served with a wide selection of snacks, specially prepared for pubs, inns and bullfighting clubs, always very lively.  The beach bars have their own cuisine and are a must visit for all those who go to Chiclana. If you have the possibility of choosing, opt for an Only Accommodation, Room and Breakfast or Half Board in your hotel in Chiclana, so you can enjoy the culinary offer of this area.

Majorca: golf, city, beach and mountain

By Loren in Majorca

Few destinations are so versatile in Europe as in Majorca: it is full well known that the island is one of the best places in the continent to enjoy wonderful sun and beach days, but it has also become a reference  for all those who, without travelling long distances, seek a destination for shopping, having fun by night, tasting gourmet specialities or practising favourite sports: golf, hiking, climbing…

Even though the big tourist places and the demand keep focusing on coastal areas, in the last times, the hotel trade has grown with more specialized and diverse offers, giving a boost to the golf hotels in Majorca, to the rural tourism in Serra de Tramuntana and to the hotels in the centre of Palma, where are offered experiences very different from the traditional resorts in Playa de Muro or Playa de Palma.

Hotel Iberostar Son Antem

Hotel Iberostar Son Antem

Booking a room in a hotel in the centre of Palma is always a good option during the low season months:  the city is full of possibilities for enjoying even the coldest months (which are not so cold, because of the excellent Mediterranean weather) and, in summer, it offers plans every night and a wide commercial and gastronomic offer that will delight the good food lovers.

Incase of opting for a holiday in the centre of Palma, the best decision is booking an Accommodation Only or Bed and Breakfast, so that you can take advantage of the days and walk by the city with no limits or time restrictions and even visit and know some of its surroundings if you have rented a car.

For those who prefer a golf getaway to Majorca, the best areas of the island for enjoying this port are the nearest to Palma.  Calvià, Son Vida or Son Antem, between Palma and Llucmajor, are some of the best places where we can find golf hotels with spa, gourmet restaurants, suites and impeccable service.  We have also the possibility of booking golf holidays in the northern area of the island, but there are resorts more related to beach areas, with a less versatile offer.

Mountain sports, cycling, hiking and climbing lovers will enjoy an accommodation in Serra de Tramuntana in the area of Alcudia and Pollença.  An excellent alternative if you are looking for nature holidays are the hotels and apartments next to the S’Albufera Natural Park in Majorca, the largest wetland of the island, where you can do interesting walking and cycling tours. Ideal for those travelling with children. In this area, specifically, are located several hotels specialized in cyclists, since it is one of the areas in Majorca with best bicycle touring routes.

Prices are very variable, depending on the stars and type of accommodation, standing out the aparthotels and apartments in Alcudia for being more economical than golf and spa hotels near to Palma.  Nevertheless, most of the hotel chains with establishments in the island provide special offers in their official websites, such as adaptable holiday packages, first kid-free, early booking discount, romantic getaway offer…

Destinations for sport lovers

By Loren in Majorca

Sports have turned in one of the main trip motivations in the whole world. It is not really new, since many have visited coastal areas in order to find the best waves and to surf, or have gone to the Perynees or the Alps to enjoy the snow sports.  Nevertheless, now it is not just about this type of sport disciplines related to specific geographical conditions, but also about a growing number of people taking advantage of their holiday to enjoy their favourite sport (which they also practice in their places of residence) in a different scene and without the pressure of the routine and the everyday life.

Majorca stands out as cradle of the bicycle touring. This type of cycling is one of the main motivations of hundreds of tourists who every year, especially in spring and autumn, book hotels in Alcudia, Majorca, which is considered one of the most related municipalities to this discipline, where we can find hotels with specific services for cyclists that cannot be provided, for example, by a hotel in the centre of Palma. Actually, some hotels for children in Playa de Muro have started to reinforce this aspect by offering a complete plan of active holidays for families.

For running, undoubtedly one of the fashionable sports, destinations such as the Catalonian coast, specifically Barcelona coast, are some of the most visited ones due to its nearness to the city of Barcelona and to the excellent weather conditions for doing this sport.  Hotels in Santa Susanna or rooms in Calella and other near towns are usually very popular, especially in weekend getaways.

If we talk about windsurfing, we cannot forget to mention the Fuerteventura beaches.  The island is one of the most important surfing centres of the international circuits.  Actually, one of the most important worldwide competitions is celebrated here. Many resorts in Playa de Jandia and hotels in Corralejo offer from discounts in schools for those wanting to make the most of the holidays to start this sport, to spaces for putting the equipment away.

For practising motorcycling or just for enjoying one of the most important events of this sport in Spain, the destination par excellence is Jerez. Booking an accommodation near to the MotoGP circuit could be a real odyssey if you do not do it long in advance since, year after year, this Andalusian city receives hundreds of bikers wanting to enjoy this important event. The region’s streets, besides, are perfect for organising and enjoying a group trip.

Golf is another of the trip motivations in any time of the year. Majorca and its hotels in Santa Ponsa or the golf resorts near to Palma are leading again, after Malaga and the big golf valley, in whose surroundings the best spa hotels in Marbella are located, flawlessly combining sport and relax at affordable price.