Cultural trip to Bogotá: must-visit museums

By Loren in Colombia

Every cultural trip to Colombia must include visits to the museums of Bogotá. This city boasts one of the largest numbers of museums and cultural centres in Colombia and, additionally, the last Sunday of every month the entrance to almost all of them is free or has a significant discount. Most of them are located in the centre of the city, specialized in all types of themes, from the most recent technology to the nature or history of the country.

One of the most emblematic ones that must be included in any cultural visit to Bogotá is the Colombian National Museum. This art centre invites you to make a unique trip to the essence of Colombia, since it has artworks of all kinds and ages. It also offers very interesting temporary exhibitions that you should consider on your trip.

National Museum of Colombia

National Museum of Colombia

There are also very curious and attractive museums. This is the case of the Gold Museum, one of the places in the world where you can appreciate the most wonderful metal works of the Pre-Columbian Era, as well as ceramics and unique gold articles.

The Botero Museum of Bogotá is one of the must visits, especially for those who appreciate the art of the 19th and 20th century. In this museum you can enjoy works of Miró, Picasso, Dalí or Renoir, donated before by Botero. This museum boasts one of the largest collections of Botero’s works in the world, with more than 130 exhibits.

Then, we cannot forget in our cultural trip to visit Quinta de Bolívar, a historic centre situated in the house that served as a residence to Simón Bolívar. This museum allows us to discover more about this figure so important in the history of the American continent, throughout personal objects, artworks and traditional elements from that time.

One of the most modern cultural centres in Bogotá is Maloka, an ideal museum to visit with family since it offers the possibility of interacting with many exhibited works. In fact, it is more than a museum, it is an educational play centre designed to bring science to society. You can play, take objects and even watch documentaries and 3d movies.

But if there is a place in Bogotá where modernity prevails, it is MAMBO, Modern Art Museum of the city, characterized by its unique architecture signed by Rogelio Salmona, and offering a schedule full of innovative and incredible plans.

Luxury accomodation in Bógota

Luxury accomodation in Bógota

For these types of cultural trips, the most recommended is to look for a central accommodation without giving up the safest and quietest areas in the city, so that you can enjoy some relaxing days in Bogotá. Some of the most outstanding ones belong to Dann Hotels, one of the most emblematic hotel chains in Colombia, with hotels for business, leisure, families and even for long stays.

●        Casa Dann Carlton Bogotá

●        Dann Carlton Bogotá Hotel

●        Dann Norte Hotel

10 Things to do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

By Luke Durden in gastronomic hotels

The island of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is renown for its climate, beaches and warm seas tourist, making it one of the most popular destinations in Europe. However, its historical and cultural heritage is in many cases forgotten by the tourists visiting the island.

Here is our list of the 10 most interesting things to do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

1. Visit the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The port of Santa Cruz shelters some unique and magical places, from which to contemplate the city of Santa Cruz.

2. Auditorium in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The Auditorium of Santa Cruz has been designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and was inaugurated in 2003. It has two independent spaces that houses the symphony orchestra and chamber orchestra.

3. Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Known as one of the most important carnivals in the world, the Carnival of Santa Cruz lasts two weeks and begins with the election of the Carnival Queen.

4. García Sanabria Park

This park is located in the city centre of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and is a true oasis for both locals and tourists. Take a walk through the park and disconnect from the chaos of the city.

5. Visit the old town of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

The city of Santa Cruz was founded in 1499 and to this date, some historical monuments have been preserved. It does not cover a very large area, making it a comfortable walk from Plaza de España. There are organized tours that will guide you through all the secrets of the old town.

6. Walking route to Mount Teide

The ascent to Mount Teide is not too complicated, but the route takes about 5 hours at a medium slow pace. But, you will definitely enjoy the unique views while walking to the top of the mountain.

7. Tenerife Espacio de las Artes (TEA)

This building, located in the renovated old town area, has over 20,000 m2 distributed among a library, exhibition centre and Tenerife’s Photographic Centre. The TEA will not leave you indifferent.

8. Visit the Castle of San Cristobal

For many locals, it was a surprise to discover that under the Plaza de España lay the ruins of the ancient Castle of San Cristobal. In 2006, the local council decided to conserve and exhibit the castle’s remains in an unApartmaederground museum.

9. IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Mencey

This iconic luxury hotel in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a reference on the island, where many personalities from the fields of art, film, politics and culture have stayed and enjoyed the comforts of this unique hotel. The hotel has 3 gourmet restaurants and a cocktail bar.

10. Cooking classes at the Mencey’s Cookery Classroom

Mencey’s Cookery Classroom is a space designed to taste and enjoy the best cuisine in a unique atmosphere. Enjoy the perfect cooking class in Tenerife.

 

 

You can find more information at the tourist office in the Plaza de España.

Immerse yourself in Costa Brava

By Clementine Robine in Destination

Immersed in the heart of the Costa Brava. There we go, exploring the secrets of one of the most visited and admired coasts in Catalonia, a place where you can easily enjoy the beautiful scenery of sea and nature, where you might even run out of time to see and experiment it all. Blanes, Tossa de Mar (yes, the locations where one of the most famous Estrella Damm commercials was recorded), S’Agaró, Palamós, Playa d’Aro… Magical places in spite of the pressure of tourism invading the coasts every summer.

Among the must-see places there is Blanes botanical garden, where you can find samples of the unique autochtone species and exotical flowers. An indescribable experience of so many colours and smells followed by a visit of the highest point of the cliff where it is located and from where you can savour stunning sea views.

Another garden you should visit is the Santa Clotilde garden. If you are staying in a hotel in Lloret de Mar, it will only be a stone’s throw away. It is a huge garden inspired on the famous gardens in Paris, but with wonderful views over the Mediterranean sea. Luxuriant vegetation with its infinite green tones, stairways, fountains, charming little squares… All of it only a few metres from the beach.

The municipal library of Lloret is a great centre of incessant activities. It offers interesting plans everyday of the year, from exhibitions to reading workshops and book presentations. Next to it, the Casal de l’Obrera offers theatres for all tastes, the Plaza de la Vila invites you to its festivals and local street markets, and Lloret beach will please any sporty person with its large variety of watersports, even traditional fishing demonstrations.

If you book a room in Lloret de Mar you will have the comfort to walk all around the city, without needing any transport. Although it is recommended to rent a bike and visit the surroundings: a perfect way to keep fit enjoying a beautiful scenery.

Don’t forget to save a day during your visit to go for a tour of the town’s Indiano and modernist legacy, eat at one of the traditional restaurants close to the beach, get closer to the Sant Romá church, stroll about the so-called Ronda roads which are the perfect way to discover the cost of the village, go up the hill next to the beach and climb to the Sant Joan castle…

Immerse yourself in Costa Brava and tell us about it: there are a thousand and one experiences you will be willing to share!

Family trips: ready for anything!

By Loren in Family holidays

One of the images that comes to mind when we talk about family trips is the car with the boot full of stuff, from the air mattress for the kids to the surfboard of the eldest son, the hammock of Grandma… A chaos.  Anything but the holidays we all hope during all the year.

However, that image is now somewhat obsolete or, rather, reduced to only one part of the population: those enjoying the whole summer holiday with all the members of the family on the beach, by car and with all the equipment. But besides these travelers that often choose apartments in eastern and southern areas of Spain, there are many who decide to travel with family and they not only travel in any season but also to any destination.

The only requirement to organizing a different family holiday is being patient and always planning the trip in advance.  Look for a friendly destination, with good transport connections, cheap flights and family holiday accommodation close to the areas where you can enjoy the main reasons that led us to choose this destination: beach, water park or children entertainment, museums and cultural centres, the city centre, a natural park, a sailing, diving or golf school…

Family holidays in Fuerteventura

Family holidays in Fuerteventura

Most of the times, choosing the right accommodation is the first step towards enjoying your holiday.  For example, in the area of hotels in Playa de Jandia, Fuerteventura, we can find several family resorts next to Playa Gaviotas offering diver level beginners courses near to one of the liveliest towns in the area, offering a complete range of food for all ages and tastes and some of them even with Adults Only areas, such as Fuerteventura Palace Hotel.

To make decisions, you must first be clear about who travel with you and the type of trip you want to do. And be prepared for everything. If you travel with your partner and the child or children, it is an easy decision because most of holiday destinations and accommodations are created to enjoy as a couple with kids. Hotels with miniclub in tourist areas such as Majorca, Minorca, the coast of Almería and Andalusia often outstand for its great atmosphere and great possibilities for outdoor leisure: from the quiet turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea to the wonderful natural environment of Cabo de Gata or the marshes of Huelva.

If we planned the trip for Easter, an interesting option is giving up the beach and the mountains and exploring a city. In Spain we find beautiful places to enjoy and, in most of them, accommodations are mainly targeted at families. Many hotels in the centre of Madrid, for example, have worked hard in the recent years to offer new services more focused on those who travel with children or elderly: adapted spaces, spacious rooms with different environments, special furniture and details to ensure the whole family enjoy the stay, from the youngest to the oldest.

Family hotel in Barcelona Family hotel in Barcelona

Like in Madrid, it is more and more common to find hotels with family rooms in the centre of Barcelona, Seville or even in smaller cities like Salamanca. Although urban hotels have their limitations (not only space but services designed for kids), many are those that offer cots, truckle beds and even babysitting service so that parents can enjoy a night at their leisure.

For those who want a trip with a large family (3 children or more, with cousins or grandparents), the most recommended option is to opt for family beach resorts: a week sunbathing and enjoying the comforts that offer this type of accommodations could be affordable and please everyone. For example, the area of hotels in Alcudia is an ideal place to find this trip alternative: it is a destination with many outdoor activities thanks to good weather, and the hotels offer facilities for all tastes: mini club, mini disco, sports, spa areas, restaurants of all kinds…

Another important aspect, besides the destination and accommodation, is to reconcile hobbies and leisure activities, since it is not the same traveling with children that with grandparents. Planning an active trip can be a good option as everyone can travel at their own pace. A couple of good locations are Lleida, with a spectacular mountain area, or Almería. In the latter case, it is advisable to book a family hotel close to Cabo de Gata, since the park is full of hiking options, beaches, water sports and landscapes that you can only enjoy by walking.

The safety and health services the destination offers are also something to consider. But in any case, it is essential to decide and book as soon as possible in order to choose without limitations. From March, many of the best rooms and hotel family packages are sold out or more expensive. Planning a trip in advance means having always an ace up your sleeve.

Business trip to Bogotá

By Loren in Colombia

Capital of the country and meeting point of political, economic, administrative, industrial, cultural and tourism matters of the country, Bogotá is a city that receives a large number of visitors every year, and many of them are business travelers.  This is the reason by which it is important to provide a top level hotel service in order to make the business trip a pleasant experience.

As for business hotels, Bogotá has not one, but hundreds of alternatives.

The Colombian capital offers from 3-star hotels created to please the visitors to 5-star business hotels designed to turn the business trip into an unforgettable stay.

An excellent option as regards business hotels in the centre of Bogotá are the Dann Hotels, which offer high level services and exclusive facilities for work, rest and well-being. On the other hand, Platinum Suite Hotel, just 18 minutes away from the international airport, boasts an elegant and sophisticated furniture, devised to meet the needs of business travelers: its rooms has flat screen TV, free wifi, mini bar, and after a long work day, there is nothing better than a spa with relaxation sessions and hydromassage bath, sauna, gym and solarium.

Dann Avenida 19 Bogotá Hotel

Dann Avenida 19 Bogotá Hotel

Those who want to stay in a business hotel offering good gastronomy can opt for Bogotá Marriot Hotel, since it has two restaurants with Italian and Japanese cuisine. Its luxury rooms have soundproof windows, so you can enjoy a wonderful view and rest after a work day  without the noise of the city. It has high speed internet, desk and ergonomic chair. It also has 10 meeting rooms for large events.

All in all, there a huge list of business hotels in Bogotá worth recommending, so these three hotels are just an appetizer for all you can find in this wonderful city.

When you plan a business trip, comfort must always come first. If Bogotá is your destination, discover business hotels and stay in a place you will not want to leave.

 

Ibiza: eternal paradise

By Loren in Balearic Islands

Whether you travel alone, with friends or as a couple, Ibiza is the perfect place for a different and inspiring holiday. Although this island is always related to party and night, it is more than the electro music paradise. Ibiza is synonymous with peace, relaxation, game and sport. Sailing in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, arriving to a deserted cove, exploring its history, its famous markets, contemplating the sunsets and tasting the delicious dishes such as bullit de peix is one of the best experiences you could ever have. Ibiza is everything you want it to be. And even more.

Hotels in Ibiza

Hotels in Ibiza

This island has a complete range of hotels to choose from. Adults Only hotels, family hotels, beach aparthotels in Ibiza and luxury villas, 3-star hotels in Santa Eulalia, 4 and 5-star accommodations in Playa d’en Bossa…  Getting an affordable rate will not only depend on the type of hotel you choose, but also on the time of the year you book. For this reason, if you are clear about travelling to Ibiza in summer, the best thing you can do is to take advantage of early booking deals that most of the hotels offer on their official websites.

As for gastronomy and restaurants, food in Ibiza is very eclectic, dishes from a broad and diverse range of countries and an excellent selection of top level gastronomic spaces specialized in the regional cuisine. Planning a gastronomic trip to this island is a must if you want to know in depth the idiosyncrasy of Ibiza. Traditional dishes such as sofrit pagés, borrida de rajada, atún a la ibicenca or orelletes are the best representation of this island’s gastronomy and the best way to discover the real essence of this Mediterranean paradise.

Leisure at day and night. The night in Ibiza is one of its main attractions. Besides boasting some of the most famous discos in the world, Ibiza has a bar area where you can have tapas and drinks next to the harbour.  It is the meeting point of hundreds of people to begin the night.

The sunsets in its coves or in any of the chill out bars situated next to the sea, such as Café del Mar or Kumaras, are a must-live experience. At morning, the perfect plan is to enjoy a traditional breakfast with olive oil toasts and then discover the wonderful towns of the island: Sant Antoni, Sant Josep and, especially, Santa Eulália, which is one of the most beautiful and cosiest towns, ideal for those who travel with family and want peace and rest.

Markets and terraces located in the centre of Ibiza city are an excellent alternative to combine with a shopping tour close to the harbour. Later, you can visit the old quarter, the castle, walk the harbour and contemplate the beautiful yachts in summer, have an appetizer in a flat roof in Dalt Vila or visit a beach to sunbathe and get away from it all.