The new cooking courses at the Mencey’s Cookery Classroom

By Luke Durden in gastronomic hotels, Uncategorized

September begins with in full glory at Mencey’s Cookery Classroom, after a summer filled with news and special nights in this idyllic setting. The IBEROSTAR Grand Mencey Hotel is one of the most prestigious gastronomic hotels, with a long gastronomic tradition in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Her cooking classes, many of which are gourmet courses in Tenerife with internationally renowned chefs offer you the chance to become a real chef for a few hours.

On Thursday the 18th of September, the first cooking course of the season was held, and was centred around the “hot and cold around Appetizers served around the table“. This cooking course is designed to surprise family and friends in our homes, with some extremely creative appetitive and appetizers, very easy to prepare, and will definitely delight our guests. Some of the recipes that will be prepared include a Smith ham roll, Caesar salad snack, cauliflower pure with a crispy prawns and red fruits sauce.

Cooking lessons at Mencey's Cookery Classroom

The Cocktail Bar Iballa will continue to offer during the month of September the emblematic nights of the Mencey Lounge. The Mencey Lounge combines the best culinary proposals and the best live music, in a unique and incomparable space. Come and enjoy a perfect night at the Mencey!
On the Friday the 19th of September, the Mencey Lounge will offer a selection of gourmet tapas and pintxos, including mini Spanish avocado omelettes and tuna, fried morcillas with caramelized onions…

NOCHES MENCEY LOUNGE A IBALLA COCKTAIL BAR

On Friday 26th of September, the nights of the Mencey Lounge will surprise you with a delicious sushi and a wide selection of hot and cold snacks. The selection of tapas will be paired with local and national wines, and of course, the delicious and exotic cocktails from our bar.

One final announcement to make, the following month of October there will be a special guest, Begoña Rodriguez, the winner of the TV show Top Chef 2013. Guests will be able to enjoy a degustation menu with many surprises…

Sports that you must try while in Fuerteventura

By Luke Durden in Water sports

Fuerteventura is one of the favourite destinations for all those who practice water sports, like surfing or windsurfing. Its excellent winds and spectacular beaches that extend along miles of virtually unspoiled coastline, make this island a paradise to venture to learn or, for those who are already active fans, to escape to and enjoy the excitement of the ferocious Atlantic waves. In fact, it is in Fuerteventura where every summer the World Windsurfing and Kiteboarding Championship is celebrated.

If you have planned to travel to Fuerteventura this Autumn, and you are a windsurf enthusiast, book a hotel in Corralejo and challenge yourself to try the incredible waves created in this northern coast. The best beaches to practise windsurfing are Mats Blanca, El Burro, Piedra Playa and Butihondo, and close to them (or very close to) you find schools dedicated exclusively to this sport, with intensive courses for those spending a few days on the island.

Iberostar Playa Gaviotas Park

Iberostar Playa Gaviotas Park

Diving is another water sport that you can enjoy on Fuerteventura like in no other place. In this case, the best advice is that you choose a hotel in Playa de Jandia or a hotel near Matorral beach, as it is here, at the southern end of the island where you find the calmer waters, and the immersions allow greater visibility, as well as an additional level of safety.

For those that prefer ground sports, it is always a good alternative is to choose a hotel in Jandia and organise trekking, Nordic walking and hiking trips in the area surrounding the coast, where you can find stunning beaches like Cofete beach.

Parasailing, water skiing, climbing and canyoning, caving… Fuerteventura lends itself to almost any sporting whim that visitors have, and prices are quite affordable. Also, if you do not want or cannot move your sporting equipment, there is a good number of shops and nautical schools that rent out all necessary equipment without problems.

Jandia in September

By Luke Durden in Fuerteventura

Traveling to the Jandia peninsular in September is one of the best options if one wishes to enjoy all the charm of this area in the south of Fuerteventura without suffering the extreme heat and an excess of tourists, which is normal in the high season but without renouncing the great summer atmosphere in this holiday paradise.

Book a room by Jandia beach or choose a good family resort in Playa Gaviotas, it is more economical at this time at the end of the summer and the climate is still mild,  slightly windy but without causing discomfort and it is ideal for practicing sports such as surf and windsurf, the top activities on the island.  The hotels near to the beach of El Matorral and Costa Calma are amongst the best that can be found in the south of Fuerteventura and have the advantage of being very near to the delightful Morro Jable village, where concentrated are a large part of the cultural and gastronomic offer of this beautiful natural peninsular.

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Forming part of the municipality of Pajara, is one of the most spectacular natural areas in Fuerteventura – until recently with the category of Jandia National Park – and it is an ideal destination for hiking and September is one of the best months, with very agreeable temperatures, the hours of sunshine continue until late in the afternoon and the routes are less populated.

During September in this area, are celebrated the “Octopus fiestas” at nearby Puertito de la Cruz, which also includes a traditional race between the lighthouses of the Punta de Jandia.  Athletes both professional and amateurs attend from all over the island and every year there are more foreigners participating.  Gastronomy, sport and diversion for all ages, the highlights of summer.

If you are travelling with the family and book a children’s hotel in Jandia, rent a car and visit some of the theme parks available, such as the Oasis Park La Lajita or the Acua Water Park and some of the interior villages where the kids can enjoy the authentic Canarian atmosphere.

 

Places to extend the summer 2014

By Luke Durden in Destination

If you are someone who, like us, has not been able to threat yourself to a proper holiday, we propose below a number of destinations and hotels that where you can loose yourself, disconnect and prolong the summer, for many has already begun its countdown. Majorca, Cabo de Gata, Ibiza or Minorca… Choose one and don’t let anyone tell you that summer is over.

More summer in Majorca

It begins in May and does not end until well into October. Some years, the weather is good even during the first weeks of November and, although the Mediterranean Sea begins to cool, it is still possible to take a swim in some of its coves. The best areas to enjoy this time of year and find a good budget accommodation in Majorca are north of the island, such as resorts in the Playa de Muro, hotels in Puerto de Alcudia, rooms in Alcudia centre, iconic accommodations like the Hotel Formentor, apartments in Pollensa. In the west you can find good boutique hotels in Santa Ponsa and Costa de la Calma at affordable rates, especially starting in September. Finally, somewhere in the East Coast, most notably hotels and apartments in Cala Ratjada, designed for you to enjoy everything without worrying about anything.

If you are rather a city person, and you do not want to give up the bustling atmosphere of the city even in summer, choose a hotel in the centre of Palma or rent a room overlooking the Paseo Mallorca in the trendy neighbourhood of Santa Catalina or the Paseo Maritimo of the capital. Prices in September go down in these areas, and the cultural agenda in Palma continues to be very active with plans for all tastes and ages, from the independent music festivals to classical music concerts, expositions and opera cycles.

platja-de-muro-12

The calm of Minorca

To forget everything and reconnect with your natural side, we suggest booking a hotel in Minorca or villas in Cala d’en Bosch. Minorca is a Biosphere Reserve, a magical place full of tradition and a spectacular gastronomy. While in September the winds begin to be felt more strongly, the water of the Mediterranean on its coast remains at an ideal bathing temperature and the weather is good for all kinds of outdoor sports, especially hiking.

If you travel with friends, take the opportunity to organize a couple of days hiking in the newly recovered path of Cami de Cavalls, that covers the whole perimeter of the island and offers a very different picture of what is commonly known to a tourist who comes to Minorca. As it is a very long way it should be done in several days. In addition, stopping and enjoying the scenery is really worth it. Minorca is not, of course, an island to visit in a hurry.

Cabo de Gata

More nature, but in this case, in the south of the Peninsula: Almeria and its spectacular coastline full of landscapes that look like straight out of a film. From western deserts to towering mountains overlooking the sea, fertile orchards, sandy beaches full of light… Cabo de Gata is one of those favourite locations for photography lovers, a space in which to lose track of time and places location and to go and enjoy the hours of unlimited freedom. The accommodation in Cabo de Gata is varied and ranges from budget hotels in Almeria to 4 star hotels in El Toyo, one of the most exclusive areas coastal areas, next to the village of Retamar.

Costa de la Luz

Specifically, El Rompido and its incredible strip of sand, that stretches into the sea resulting in one of the most beautiful unspoiled beaches on the coast of Huelva. It is a destination to go alone or with your partner to restore inner peace, energy, reading, sleeping, sunbathing, eating well and enjoy what the Italians call the dolce fare niente. A few meters from the beach there are several hotels, one of the most recommendable, especially if you go with your partner is an adults only hotel in El Rompido, right next to the sand.

Use the trip to rest is essential, but if it is the first time you visited this coast, we can not but recommend that you can organise a couple of routes to see around them you will definitely enjoy it, marshlands, long beaches, gastronomic tours, parks…  Huelva is a paradise waiting to be discovered and moreover in September when the weather is still good and everything is much quieter than in August.

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.

Discover the charm of the fishing village Puerto de la Cruz

By Luke Durden in Tenerife

Puerto de la Cruz is an old fishing village that has become through the years one of the most important tourist enclaves of the Tenerife island. Its wonderful weather, the open nature of its residents, it numerous places of interest, and its wide offer of services make this city an ideal destination all the year long.

It is placed on the north coast of the Tenerife island, at the foot of Teide, in the Santa Cruz de Tenerife province. Its fishing harbour was one of the main drivers of the local economy and dynamism, nowadays it is a place frequented by bathers and fishing enthusiasts.

Photo by Mundofotos.net

Photo by Mundofotos.net

Visiting this city is a pleasant experience at any time of the year. In summer months, its beaches become one of the main place of interest in Puerto de la Cruz: Jardín beach, Martinez beach and San Telmo beach are the most known ones.   Another very attractive tourist complex is Costa Martinez, an architectural creation that integrated a lake with 5 natural islands where you can find a good variety of establishments, such as several restaurants and casino.

But Puerto de la Cruz is much more than sun and beach. Its numerous emblematic places worth a visit. Among them, stands out the San Felipe Castle, one of the most important fortifications from where the city was defended against the pirates.

El Peñón del Fraile is an iconic symbol of the city visited every year by crowds of tourists wanting to take photos of it. Plaza del Charco is another key point of the city where it is usual to see tourists and residents walking around, drinking something in its terraces or shopping.   The high quality cuisine of Puerto de la Cruz is one of its most outstanding characteristics. There is restaurants for all tastes and pockets, where you can enjoy the  regional, national and international cuisine.

Photo by Sobrecanarias.com

Photo by Sobrecanarias.com

Puerto de la Cruz has also a wide range of hotels, among which stands out the Elegance Hotels chain. This firm possesses three hotels specially designed for families: Elegance Miramar Hotel, Elegance Palmeras Playa Hotel, and Elegance Dania Park Hotel.

Beaches and coves in Benidorm

By Luke Durden in Benidorm

The Benidorm coast is formed by several beaches with different styles and atmospheres.

The most famous are Levante beach and Poniente beach, where are situated most of the beach hotels of Benidorm, although this Alicante city has also other coves more secluded but with an excellent offer of services.

Poniente beach

It can be said with certainty that this is the most frequented beach in Benidorm:

a urban beach with more than 1 mile long where you will find a promenade plenty of bars, restaurants and shops, placed between Punta Pinet and Punta Canfali.

Its fine and golden sand and its quiet waters make of this beach an ideal place for swimming and resting under the sun.

Poniente Beach in Benidorm

Poniente Beach in Benidorm

Levante beach 

It is the longest beach in Benidorm with more than 1 mile of sand. It is also a urban beach, although, unlike Poniente beach, it is more peaceful and visited by native tourists. It has a large promenade where are situated the most prominent hotels in Benidorm. Thanks to their orientation, in these beaches you will enjoy the sun until late afternoon all over the year.

Mal Pas Cove

This small cove separates the beaches of Poniente and Levante, it is specifically located between Punta Canfali and the harbour, and has an extension of 393 feet where you will be surrounded by quiet waters and blond fine sand. Fortunately, this cove is not crowded and has a relaxing and pleasant atmosphere. Ah! And in summer you can attend musical events.

Tio Ximo Cove

It is a natural and small cove situated at the foot of Sierra Helada, sheltered by cliffs.

Its rocks and sand, as well as its crystal-clear water, make it very attractive for snorkelling.

La Almadrava Cove

An ideal cove for diving by the rocky bottom and the underwater life. It is also at the foot of Sierra Helada, a bit hidden, although this is one of the characteristics that make it so special.

2014 destinations in the Barcelona coast

By Luke Durden in Barcelona

Barcelona is much more than an avant-garde city. The province hides one of the most welcoming Spanish coasts, where you can find charming towns inviting you to leave the worries behind and live like in the olden days: peace, safety and good food. Barcelona coast is full of destinations waiting for being rediscovered this 2014: Pineda de Mar, Calella, Santa Susanna…

Many of these coastal towns have succumbed to the urban development and overbuilding but, even so, most of the people keep its image of holiday place where everything happens with the typical calm and tradition of an old small fishing town. One of the most tourist ones is Calella, where hotel and restaurants industry has grown so much that it is difficult to choose where to stay or eat without thinking for a long moment.

Hotel Fergus Montemar

Hotel Fergus Montemar

Hotels in Calella are not, nevertheless, big and overcrowded tourist ships, but rather homely enclaves receiving each year the usual holidaymakers with their families, friends and acquaintances that come to enjoy the sun at the edge of the Mediterranean. It is true that between all of them there is a big foreign community in love with this coast and other ones that have simply arrived as if by chance. All this mixed give rise to an entertaining and extraordinary ensemble where time has a different rhythm from that of the other cities.

Santa Susana is another worthwhile great destination in this Barcelona-Maresme coast, specially if you are considering a trip with family or a sports getaway with you friends: it is one of the best places for enjoying the Catalan coast, since it offers the best and most varied out of doors activities. Even hotels in Santa Susana are specialised and offer specific services for sportsmen as well as a wide range of plans to enjoy with you children.

Hotel Fergus Mar Mediterranea

Hotel Fergus Mar Mediterranea

Between Calella and Santa Susanna you will find another wonderful destination in this Barcelona coast, it is Pineda de Mar, another town standing out by its nearness to the Montnegre Natural Park an its incredible peace. Hotels in Pineda form a great first class residential area, where calm, homely atmosphere and nature mix to form one of the most important long term holiday places of Catalonia: spending a month of holiday in Pineda is an excellent balm against stress.

The high-quality accommodations and services are common in this tourism areas, and prices are, contrary to what may be thought, much more affordable than in other destinations that have become prohibitive because of the fads or specific events.  Sometimes, changing or improvising is the best way of discovering pleasant surprises in a trip.

Destination, Playa de Muro

By Luke Durden in Majorca

Playa de Muro, in Majorca, is one of those places that, despite being a mass destination, offers the intact charm of the Mediterranean island, white sand paradise beaches as well as an impeccable natural environment. Although it is true there are overcrowded areas, compared to other places in Majorca, Muro is still a destination where we can enjoy the essence that makes of this island something unique.

With an area of 2 miles, Playa de Muro is one of the largest areas in Majorca. It has an exceptional white fine sand beach that forms a small chain of dunes mountains surrounding the sea in the shape of a half moon throughout the Alcudia bay.  Encircling the beach, there is a typically Mediterranean vegetation, low, with some pine groves hiding some of the best luxury hotels in Majorca.

In general, hotels in Playa de Muro have the advantage of being low buildings, with few floors, which extend up to the beach without affecting the natural aesthetics of the area. Besides, a large part of the beach is protected, because it houses the most important natural park of the island.  S’Albufera in Majorca is a beautiful wetland, ideal for watching birds, hiking, cycling and all kinds of active tourism sports.

Iberostar Playa de Muro hotel

Iberostar Playa de Muro hotel

May and June are the best months to visit Muro and its beach.  Although water temperature is still lower than in the middle of the summer, the advantage of having less visitors can be seen in everything: waters are crystal-clear turquoise blue, sand is perfectly clean and beach bars scattered all over the beach have the perfect atmosphere for relaxing and enjoying the sea.

 

PLAYA DE MURO FACTS:

Municipality: Muro (Majorca)

Length: 2 mi

Width: 229 ft

Swell: Gentle

Blue flag: Yes

Atmosphere: Friendly and sporting

Lanzarote: 5 things you should not miss

By Luke Durden in Lanzarote

Lanzarote, magical land that will amaze you before landing: from the aeroplane window you will see its wonderful lunar surface created thousand years ago and the presence of two essential elements in this Canary Island: lava and Atlantic Ocean.  Although there are dozens of places to visit in Lanzarote, beaches to rest and monuments to admire, here we include 5 must-see things in Lanzarote:

1)     Timanfaya: This National Park is located in the southern area of the island, gathering some of the most  amazing landscapes in Lanzarote. Among its most well-known volcanoes are La Montaña de Fuego and La Montaña Rajada.

2)     La Graciosa: A tiny archipelago of spectacular pristine beaches. Away from the usual tourism circuits, La Graciosa is a place to escape a whole day enjoying the sun, sand and deep calm it offers.

Sandos Papagayo Beach Resort Hotel

Sandos Papagayo Beach Resort Hotel

3)     On the trail of César Manrique: The multi-faceted artist of Lanzarote is the author of the most characteristics  monuments and spaces of the island.  Thus, in Arrecife, capital of the Island, you can enjoy the San José Castle, turned by him into the Museum of Contemporary Art with a restaurant with panoramic views over the sea.  If you stay in a hotel in the Costa Teguise area, you could visit the César Manrique foundation just 5 km away, built on what used to be his house that represents a key element to understand the entire work of the artist.

Barcelo La Galea Hotel

Barcelo La Galea Hotel

4)     The holiday in Majorca could be very different depending on the island area you have chosen to rest.  The variety of lodging options is similar in the whole island, but atmosphere could drastically change from north to south, Calvià area or Playa de Palma.  Choosing is complicated, above all if you do not know well every district and municipality of the island, since each one has a different holiday proposal.

5)     The “Hervidores”.– If your hotel is in Playa Blanca, Yaiza you will be located just 13 kms from one of the most spectacular places in Lanzarote. Los Hervideros are cliffs bursting with magic, formed after the last volcanic eruptions registered in Lanzarote resembling solidified arms that melt into the ocean while the foam appears over the coast line. It is very close to other popular places in Lanzaorte, the Salinas del Janubio.