The Olympic legacy of Barcelona

By Luke Durden in Uncategorized

No one can deny that one of the greatest landmarks that placed Barcelona at the pinnacle of the international scene were the spectacular 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. The organisation, the facilities prepared to host the best athletes of the world, the innovative and creative character of its people and, of course, the beauty of the city and its culture have formed a whole that captivated the world and that, more than two decades later, keeps being considered a great tourism destination of Spain, even ahead of Madrid.

Despite the time, the trace of that great universal sports meeting remains indelible not only in the memory of the Spanish people but also in the streets and places of the city.  The Olympic Barcelona is part of the today’s Barcelona and one of the facets worthy of a day in its honour or at least a morning of visit during our stay in the City of Counts.

Barcelo Raval Hotel in Barcelona

Barcelo Raval Hotel in Barcelona

 

A walk by the Olympic village

In the Sant Martí neighbourhood, beyond the Parc de la Ciutadella and right in the heart of the Poblenou, La Vila spreads out: a big sea area, with a promenade plenty of bars and restaurants, marina and big residential buildings that, once, received several design and architecture prizes, giving life to an urban area that was out of the usual tourism and travel circuits in Barcelona.

What was used to be called the Fort Pius made suddenly a different sense: during the Olympic Games, this area was established as the residence of athletes from all over the world that arrived to Barcelona to show their efforts and achievements, but all the work was carried out with the clear objective of making of this area, defined in the zone of the Llaccuna del Poblenou, a place full of life.

The village is outlined between the Salvador Espriu, Marina, Llull streets, Icària  avenue and the Vicens i Vives street.  It mixes green spaces with complete services for its residents and visitors: here is the Communication Campus of the Pompeu Fabra University, with numerous centres, auditoriums. libraries… A great shopping centre, tube station, tram and public bicycle, (ideal for travelling by the centre of Barcelona, at any time of the year.)

One of the scenes that offers a biggest Olympic legacy is the Olympic Port, around which a fashionable daytime leisure area is being created, with shops, restaurants and a great park to enjoy the excellent weather of Barcelona.  The marina is one of the biggest ones in the Catalan coast and offers space for the boats with high capacity.

A little further the Nova Icària beach stretches away, offering an irresistible stop to the visitor that goes from spring to autumn: the Mediterranean is cold from November to May, but sun gets hot enough to lie down and relax next to the sea.

At the other side, looking at the centre of Barcelona, there is the Barceloneta, the zoo, the Aquarium and the Hospital del Mar. An area where you can have a leisurely walk until arriving to the Barcelona harbour.

Accommodation in the Olympic village

In this neighbourhood next to the Ciutadella you can find some of the best hotels of Barcelona.  Good prices,  with wider spaces and more complete services than those of the city centre.  Some of the hotels in the Olympic village in Barcelona stand out for being more targeted to the business public that to the leisure traveller, nevertheless, most of them are ideal for a weekend escape to Barcelona.

It is important seeing the nearness of those hotels to the Barcelona centre and to the tube, bus and tram stops, since walking to the old town of the city requires a long stroll, not  very convenient for doing it everyday.  What is more, if you are looking for combining beach and city, the closer to hotel of the Nova Icaria beach or to the Barcelona, the better.

Booking a room next to Las Glórias square, the Fórum and the Olympic Port can be a good option to have a bit of everything.  Although the best for the nightlife lovers will be always booking a hotel in the centre of Barcelona.

Getting around:

The best advise to get around Barcelona is leaving the idea of a private car: taxis, urban buses, tram and, of course, by foot or bicycle. City is pleasant and the weather does not imply a excuse (quite the opposite) to walk or get around on two wheels.

Another option is renting a moped or motorbike. Barcelona, as in the rest of the Spanish Levante. is a perfect city for small cylinder capacity bikes.  And even it could be a marvelous experience, especially if cannot enjoy it as you want in your city.

 

Magaluf or how to make the most of a developed tourism destination

By Luke Durden in Destination

Although there are many (so many) tourism destinations in Spain that are aware of being overexploited and crowded, only a few have known how to find the escape route, the method of revitalising the lost charm and recover the attraction that have made them the focal point of tourists from everywhere.

Benidorm, Torremolinos, Salou, Palma Beach… Examples for every taste and all of them, with greater or lesser success, have begun plans to change their future: Palma beach, in Majorca, took the first steps some years ago with a comprehensive change plan that intended to recover more space in front of the sea for promenade and park, making the hotel a second line one and offering a recreation and amusement area much bigger that the current area. Remodelling hotels, creating big natural areas, improving connections… The arrival of the economic crisis and the loss of limits by an autonomous administration tainted by corruption have stalled the project, leaving it in stand by.

Others are still studying the best way to confront their challenges of the future, in the case of Benidorm, where this year will be celebrated the tourism forum dedicated precisely to look for solutions to turn the capital of Costa Blanca into a Smart City Destination. For now, the steps taken are diminutive and the city keeps anchored to a 60’s tourism that does not find support in the current demand.

Sandos Monaco Hotel in Benidorm

Sandos Monaco Hotel in Benidorm

Nevertheless, the administration and government pairing and the private initiative seem to have found a solution for being worth the effort of keeping investing in these developed areas.  A good example is the case of Melià in Magaluf with the creation of its new concept of resort: Calvià Beach, or some hotel chains like Sandos, Fiesta, Garden Hotels or Marconfort, that this summer will release a new theme hotel in Benidorm.

The Magaluf case

The Melià Hotels International group has been an author of one of the most successful reactivation projects of a developed destination in Spain: the Calvià Beach Resort project declared of regional interest that has received support from public institutions as the Balearic government and the Calvià council.

The work of the first phase, finished in October 2012, consisted in remodelling or restructuring 4 holiday hotels in Magaluf targeted at families to turn them into specialised hotels for very specific types of travellers with median and high purchasing power: sportsmen, couples, foreign young people… In all, around 1 km of the coast of this famous Majorcan town principally focused on the British tourist, where since several years ago the tourism bussiness and the socioeconomic data of the entire area registered it was plummeting.

Sol Cala Blanca Hotel

Sol Cala Blanca Hotel

Among the new revived hotels stands out the Beach House – called since the end of the last year ME Majorca– that incorporates a Nikki Beach, concierge service and the famous Wave House, targeted at young people and surf lovers, and includes a giant waves pool one step from the sea. Right beside are the Sol Cala Blanca Hotel and Sol Antillas Barbados, that still preserve some of the ancient essence of Only Adults holiday hotels and hotels for kids linked to the beach resorts line Sol Hotels; and finally, the inclusion of the theme park Katmandú creating the first hotel with theme park of Majorca.

Careful design and innovative facilities inviting to enjoy an experience in the hotel that gives value to the destination have been the key elements that have marked this project. Thanks to this, the hotel group has obtained a tourism merit badge from the Department of Industry recognising the effort made in the modernisation of a developed area, in this case Magaluf and, in general, the entire Palma Nova coast.

Nature and sport in the Dunas de Doñana Golf Resort

By Luke Durden in Andalusia

Today’s review is dedicated to the Dunas de Doñana Golf Resort hotel, an idyllic complex of studies and apartments located in a privileged place of Costa de la Luz, the first sustainable golf course in all of Europe. 

It is a hotel for families and couples located in Huelva, in the Matalascañas locality, a few 200 metres from the sea, next to the Doñana National Park and only a few 13 km from the small village of El Rocío.  In addition, around the complex there is extensive vegetation that creates a very special environment where you can spend pleasant holidays playing golf or just enjoying the place.

The complex has different kinds of lodging, studies, apartments with one or two bedrooms and master suites.  The studies have cosy spaces with kitchenette, terrace and agreeable visits to the golf course.

The apartments of Dunas de Doñana Hotel in Huelva have one or two rooms, especially made for families since it can take in several persons.  Besides it has complete services as kitchen, fridge, microwave or TV.

The master suites of the Dunas de Doñana Golf Resort are without a doubt the treasure of the complex, with spacious areas equipped with all the necessary amenities.  With two bedrooms, living room, four complete bathrooms, toilet, kitchen and private terrace, these suites are the perfect lodging where you can find the privacy that you need when you are on holiday with family,  An exclusive pleasure to enjoy all the amenities next to the sea, do sport and relax.

The Dunas Doñana Golf Resort complex is specially made for families and, that is why it has a series of services designed for this type of public, as social activities for children and adults, playground, mini club or equipped rooms for several persons.

Among its services, stands out the free car park, welcome amenities, buffet restaurant or the choice of booking preferential green fees in the golf course.  Besides, it also offers to its customers the possibility of living a “Rociera experience” with the visit to a typical house of the small village of El Rocío where you can taste the cuisine of the area and enjoy a flamenco show.

Hotel Key factors:

–       Golf course

–       Lodgings with kitchen

–       Free car park

Puerto Rico and Amadores, the destinations of Gran Canaria for 2014

By Luke Durden in Gran Canaria

The areas of Puerto Rico and Playa Amadores are the most popular destinations in Gran Canaria for 2014. In recent years, they have been considered one of the most exclusive areas on the island as they provide an incredible natural location (between 3 beautiful valleys overlooking the Atlantic Ocean) and some luxury tourist services that have managed to attract, mainly, tourists from Nordic countries, that travel every year to this corner of Gran Canaria.

Apartments in Playa Amadores

Apartments in Playa Amadores

Finding a hotel in Playa de Amadores or in Puerto Rico is not an easy task. The large demand and the limited existing offer in the area means that during the high season all accommodations are sold out, and that the possibility of finding a budget hotel in the area of Gran Canaria, is almost impossible. To avoid this, the best option is to take advantage of the early booking campaigns that can offer discounts between 20 and 30% over the price set for the summer season in the area of Playa Amadores.

The current situation of these destinations does not only reflect the good occupation all year round and the purchasing power of many of its visitors, but in the constant increase of its quality complementary offer that includes gourmet restaurants, luxury boutiques, beach clubs, chill outs and cocktail bars with amazing terraces. You can also find a water park, 2 marinas, yachting clubs and shopping centres.

Palmera Mar apartments

Palmera Mar apartments

The pull factor generated by the marina situated between the beaches of Puerto Rico and Playa de Amadores is another key element that has led both destinations to top the ranking of the most popular holiday spots in Gran Canaria. Some of the best boats and yachts that sail across the Atlantic can be seen mooring in its waters.

The quality of the water of the beaches, the minimum swell of the bay of Amadores, protected from the different tides that are present in the Atlantic, are the perfect compliment for one of the most exclusive spots of the moment for sun and beach tourism. An irresistible plan for this 2014.

 

Pajara, the city with the coastline with the most kilometres in Spain

By Luke Durden in Fuerteventura

For many of the foreign tourists who visit it each year (60.6 million in 2013 with a total expense of 59.082 million EUR), Spain is sun and beach. And they are right: the Spanish Peninsula and its islands are authentic havens by the sea of relaxation, being in some parts of its geography practically just that. This is the case of Pajara, in Fuerteventura, the town with more kilometres of coastline in Spain, where everything revolves around the sea, its beaches and the spectacular natural landscapes, almost uninhabited.

Pajara has 170 km of coastline, of which more than 70 are beaches are perfect for swimming, with fine sand, stretched and with shallow waters. Cofete Beach, one of the most famous, located on the large natural park of Jandia, is a true spectacle of beauty, although its current’s and tides make it one of the least recommended for bathing especially if traveling with children.

Sol Jandia Hotel

Sol Jandia Hotel

This southern municipality is one that has the most beach hotels in Fuerteventura, being especially notable those located in the resorts of Costa Calma, Jandia and Morro Jable. More specifically, the hotels in Jandia beach are the most desired because they offer a privileged location, just steps from everything, but with the peace of mind of being in a more natural areas of Fuerteventura beach.

Book a hotel in one of the southern beaches of Fuerteventura is a guarantee of sun and relaxation, but also gives you the opportunity to know the interesting culture of this area of the island, where the sea spirit of the people is mixed with the tourism boom that it has experienced in recent years.

Pajara retains its traditional charm, its traditional festivals and gastronomy, very much based on seafood: in some of the restaurants that one can find on the frontline promenade of Morro Jable, it is possible to taste delicious and amazing dishes, not only for its preparation but for the excellent quality of the raw materials with which they are prepared.

Towns like La Lajita, La Pared o Ajui are worth a visit, as they offer a clear image of what was and what is Fuerteventura today. It’s small streets, caves and natural sights, its people, its traditional taverns, the pleasant atmosphere of the evening when the sun goes down, the music …

Pajara is a place to get lost in its coast, but also it is a place to discover inland, and discover its true essence. An ideal place for family holidays, and an escapade to a beach destination.

5 Places to eat in Tenerife

By Luke Durden in gastronomic hotels

This list of the top 5 places to eat in Tenerife reflect the preferences of a group of friends and acquaintances who have travelled in the past to the island, and intend to repeat the trip in the future. According to numerous surveys that try to collect the intentions or motivations of travellers, gastronomy would be in 3rd place in the decision making process.

This selection is for anyone planning a holiday to Tenerife, and is wondering what the best places to eat and drink are.

Restaurant Los Menceyes

Restaurant Los Menceyes

 

1. Something to snack:

If you are looking for a place where you can enjoy a good atmosphere, good food, and drinks at a good price, the most recommended place is La Casa de Oscar, situated on the street of Herradores. The name of the tavern is due to the fact that the house was the birthplace of the local surrealist artist Oscar Dominguez.

2. Traditional Canarian Food:

Some of the most famous dishes of the Canarian cuisine include papas arrugadas, gofio, queso palmero and majonero, chorizo Canario, pigs leg, fish and sea food. It is always a good idea to pair it with a good Canarian wine. One of the most recommended restaurants of the island is the restaurant Mocanes, in C/Castro 21.

3. Haute Cuisine:

Although not as recognized as the Basque or Catalan cuisine, the Canary Islands boast some prestigious chefs with a long standing history in international restaurants. The most prominent fine dining restaurant in Tenerife is the Los Menceyes restaurant, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This restaurant is part of gourmet hotel Iberostar Grand Hotel Mencey, and leading this project we find the local chef Juan Carlos Clemente. For more information, visit their website, www.lacocinadelmencey.com

4. Author Cuisine:

The Bistro Victor Cruz is located in the Rambla de Santa Cruz, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Chef Victor Ruiz has a long history working in restaurants, both on the island and the Spanish mainland, and the cuisine draws on the influence of local and traditional products and a necessity to understand their traditional cuisine.

5. Restaurant with views

The Las Terrazas del Sauzal restaurant has one of the best views of all the Canary Islands. Breath taking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains are a perfect setting for a romantic dinner or any celebration and has 10.000 meters of private gardens.

Saint Valentine’s plans in Lanzarote

By Luke Durden in Lanzarote

Journey to the heart of a volcano, walk though attractive paths of lava, discover the immaculate paradise of La Graciosa…. Lanzarote is the perfect island to travel to at any time of the year but it is without a doubt the most romantic destination where you can enjoy Saint Valentine’s day, away from everything and everybody. Just for two.  The possibilities for couples on this spectacular, natural volcanic island start with varied active tourism, both mountains or beach or the cultural, more traditional or gastronomic.

Lanzarote is one of the most well preserved of the whole Canarian archipelago.  Haven for those looking for tranquillity and the sun, open for visitors are numerous museums, interpretation of nature centres, outstanding landscapes and charming small historic villages where you can try the typical wrinkled potatoes (papas arrugas) with a spicy sauce (mojo picon), fried fish, marinated tuna, Canarian fish (Los Gueldes), or chickpeas stew.

Atlantic Gardens hotel in Playa Blanca

Atlantic Gardens hotel in Playa Blanca

For a relaxing afternoon, the best suggestion is to spend some time in Playa Blanca.  If your hotel is on this coast of Lanzarote, perfect because you can walk along the maritime promenade, try a cocktail at the Cafe del Mar, check out the new marina, treat yourself at one of many boutiques, walk around the centre or enjoy a romantic dinner.  In Playa Blanca you will find some of the most exclusive accommodation for couples on the island.  Outstanding for their sunsets are the Villas Coral Deluxe, villas at the foot of the volcano Montana Roja and the luxury hotel in Las Coloradas run by the group Sandos Hotels and Resorts.

Some of those which have the best offers for couples and are preparing special offers for Saint Valentine’s day in Lanzarote are Marconfort bungalows for Adults Only in Playa Blanca and also some of the Barcelo Hotel and Resorts chain and Iberostar situated in the area near to the Marina Rubicon and the famous Las Coloradas beach.

A visit to the island of La Graciosa and some of her smaller sisters is one of the most romantic trips you can make in Lanzarote.  This archipelago is near to Lanzarote and boasts enormous virgin beaches with fine white sand and water that reminds you of the Caribbean.

Rent a car and visit the Timanfaya National Park, practice hiking, swim at one of the hidden coves or eat at one of the mountain villages, these are some of the amusing proposals that you can enjoy in one of the most beautiful natural areas of the island.

To visit Lanzarote and enjoy the best atmosphere all you need to do is rent a car and visit Puerto del Carmen or Arrecife:  cafe Chill Out La Ola, or the Blue Mar, with its terrace opposite the sea, and the disco Aqua.  Romantic dinners in Yaiza, at the picturesque restaurant, El Almacen de la Sal, one of the most famous in Lanzarote and the traditional Amura or the innovative La Cocina de Colacho.

The most natural coast of Andalusia

By Luke Durden in Andalusia

For those thinking about organizing active tourism holidays for 2014, there is an economical destination with services for all types of travellers, which combines incredibly everything that a nature and marine lover could ask for. It is the famous Costa de la Luz, between Cadiz and Huelva.

These stunning coastal marshes, canals and infinite natural parks together with long sandy beaches, extend from La Linea de la Concepcion to Ayamonte passing by such well known areas as Tarifa, Zahara de los Atunes, Conil de La Frontera, San Fernando, Punta Umbria and Isla Canela.

Confortel Calas de Conil Hotel

Confortel Calas de Conil Hotel

Nature here has names that are well known throughout the world as some of the most beautiful areas of the planet.  This is the case of the Doñana National Park, with the spectacular canals of Guadiana and the mouth of one of the most important rivers in Spain, the Guadalquivir.

The Doñana park, declared as World Heritage by UNESCO, is perfect to visit at any time of the year, but it is in winter when you can appreciate the enormous number of aquatic birds living there. According to a study of the area, this number can reach around 200,000 each year with 300 different species.

With regard to other animals living in the park, we must highlight the Iberian lynx, a protected species, native to the area and considered to be one of the most at risk of disappearing from the planet. For some years, there has been a very successful breeding  plan for the Iberian lynx .

To visit the Doñana park, a good option is to reserve a hotel in La Barrosa, one of the most beautiful beaches of Chiclana de la Frontera, or a hotel in Punta Umbria, near to another outstanding natural park, Los Enebrales of Punta Umbria. This area is also a perfect place for an active family holiday because it offers many activities with children in Huelva and additionally is very near to the centre of the city.

A little further on, following the coast to Ayamonte, we find a paradise of sea and sand by the mouth of the river Piedras, the beach of El Rompido, one of the few extensive virgin sandy areas that remain in Spain.  This is the perfect destination for a romantic break and as a matter of fact in the surroundings can be found some of the best hotels for Adults Only in El Rompido, perfect with good prices.

Passing the marvellous marshes of the River Piedras, the nature of the Costa de la Luz offers us another singular place where it is essential to dedicate at least a morning, capturing with your camera the extraordinary lights and colours of this outstanding area.

These are the marshes of Isla Cristina, very near to the area of resorts in Isla Canela and hotels in Islantilla, but preserved from all human pressure.  The marshes are intact and full of life, but nearby to golf courses, leisure centres, the most beautiful beaches in Huelva and the charming villages such as Ayamonte.

Barcelo Punta Umbria Mar Hotel

Barcelo Punta Umbria Mar Hotel

To plan a journey to the Costa de la Luz is relatively easy because connections are good and the price of accommodation is within budget. It is also an interesting route for those with young children, thanks to the outside activities offered by the destination, combining beaches with natural landscapes where they can always learn something new about the environment.

Before leaving it is important to check out the events offered by the town halls and tourist offices of the towns and villages you will be visiting or where you will spend the night.  All have an ample offer of workshops, guided hiking trips, ecology courses etc. that can be the perfect complement.

As a starting point for this route along the Costa de la Luz, you could book the hotel in Calas de Conil Cadiz and follow the coast to the frontier with Portugal, spending at least one night in the places we have underlined.  This is it, the perfect plan for a week, next to nature, the sea and fun with the family.  Who’s up for it?

 

 

 

Images of a journey to Benidorm

By Luke Durden in Benidorm

Sun, beaches, crystal clear sea, sports, long party nights, shops, streets where you can find shade, terraces and landscapes to discover… Benidorm presents itself as a large leisure and holiday collage through a unique promotional video produced by the Benidorm tourist organization especially for Internet and it can already been seen on Youtube.

The video, of just over one minute, reviews all the proposals that are hidden within this holiday city for families, on the Spanish east coast.  It is an agile summery offering plans for all types of travellers: golf lovers, diving, a romantic getaway, children… All, but not forgetting such places as Terra Mitica and its culture: local festivities and bonfires on the beach. Additionally, the easily recognizable skyline and all the Benidorm emblematic hotels, open throughout the year, giving life to one of the most visited places in Spain.

For those, who after seeing the video wish to see more, you can arrange a short break for couples, with the family or friends to Benidorm, and here you will find a small selection of hotels on the Costa Blanca for you to make your choice.

Hotels in the centre of Benidorm 

The large selection of hotels in the centre of Benidorm are very competitive which means that prices are very good but also it complicates your choice.  To find the right hotel amongst so many can be difficult.  For those of you with doubts here are some establishments tested by us and that can serve as orientation.  The Prince Park, a complete hotel in the park of l’Aiguera, very near to the town hall, or the Flamingo Benidorm, one of the most emblematic hotels in Benidorm, and the Flamingo Playa, which offers the option of staying in apartments.

Hotels with suites in Benidorm

One of the novelties this summer of the Benidorm hotels will be the Marconfort Benidorm Suites, one of the most exclusive hotels owned by the chain Marconfort Hotels and Apartments, composed exclusively of modern suites with special services for families, at just a few paces from the beach, but with all the ambience of a hotel in the centre of the city.

Hotel Prince Park

Hotel Prince Park

What to do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

By Luke Durden in gastronomic hotels

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

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.