Sun and beach holidays never fail

By Luke Durden in Sun and beach Hotels

Even the most rebellious takes it. Even those who say nothing or criticise it end up to plan such a holiday once. And they enjoy it. The sun and beach holidays, lying down to dolce far niente for a week in a paradise at the edge of the sea, is one of those little comforts that everyone choose from time to time. It is no wonder that – and now they can say no, but those who denies it, will soon wish they could delete those words – planning holidays basically means: resting in a quiet place, where you can spend you free time in the most comfortable way, relaxing your body and mind, and doing everything that you cannot afford in the place where you live. It does not matter whether it is sport or long reading days lying down on sand. In any case, no one gets bitter for a sweet.

Iberostar Fuerteventura Palace Hotel

Iberostar Fuerteventura Palace Hotel

It is true that the sun and beach holidays have a host of detractors, because in many occasions the budget is limited and you end up to any beach in Torremolinos or Benidorm, drowsing surrounded by people, children and beach equipment that leave not a single bit of sand free throughout the summer. But this is a very reductionist view of the travel concept we are talking about today. Sun and beach can also mean escape to a virgin beach among nature for 5 days, enjoying a comfortable accommodation and the varied entertainment proposals designed for their guests. An example is the resort in the El Rompido beach of Garden Hotels chain, an Adults Only resort in Huelva that offers sol and beach with 4 star facilities, interesting and varies complementary plans, and services customised for couples and adults who look for the maximum calmness.

Sun and beach, par excellence, is the Caribbean. In addition, despite those who criticise it, if you can afford it, in terms of dates and budget, everyone should go to a resort in Playa Bávaro or to an All Inclusive hotel in Riviera Maya, México at least once in a lifetime. Booking an All Inclusive hotel in the Caribbean, does not mean giving up visiting the destination or remaining in the resort all days of your stays, but, if you like it, it is a good plan as well. The value for money is exceptional and you can enjoy everything you want any time and in any place of the resort; you have every kind of service, not only inside the hotel, but also in its gardens and at the beach; you have parties, relax, culture… Everything you want and almost everything is included in your initial budget. Therefore, you can plan your holidays in an easy way and without last minute distress.

However, for those who do not like take an airplane and will never cross the pond, there are resorts very similar to those of the Caribbean in Spain, such as for example, the resorts in Playa de La Barrosa, Cádiz, that boast of having the biggest number of sunny days in Spain and are at the seafront. Some hotels in Costa Adeje, in Tenerife, are not inferior to the big Caribbean resorts. Actually, there you can find the one that, for three years in a row, has been chosen as the best All Inclusive hotel in Spain by its guests.

The All Inclusive resorts in Tenerife, Lanzarote, Majorca or Andalusia are perfect for holidays with children: comfortable, with complete services, every time more specialised (a good example are those called Picapiedra Hotels, of the hotels for family holidays range of Melià Sol Hotels). Some of them feature different spaces for parents and children, so that also the adults can enjoy some relaxing holidays, even if they travel with their kids… However, above all, they are an advantage, because you can have a fixed quotation beforehand that avoids you any distress at the end of your holidays.

 

Holidays in 2015: where to go and what not to miss (part 2)

By Luke Durden in Uncategorized

Looking for the North

… Undoubtedly, we are in Bilbao. If you need to make a choice, do not hesitate, there is nothing better for the summer than this city full of life and with thousands of plans every minute: museums, cuisine, one of the most modern music festivals on the national scene, the most spectacular natural routes, its river and, of course, its people. Bilbao has been one of the Spanish cities that most suffered a big transformation in the last years, in terms of tourist destination, changing into one of the most quoted. July is the month with more popular festivals, therefore – if you can pick those dates – it is the best moment to visit the city. Do you fear the climate? Do not be afraid, the temperatures are usually mild, reaching 20 degrees on average (or more), it does not rain much as they say and, indeed, you may like the cool sunrises.

Catalonia Atenas Hotel in Barcelona

Hotel Catalonia Atenas in Barcelona

Accommodations are not very cheap, but they are not as expensive as those in San Sebastián or Santander. There are historic hotels in Bilbao that offer an excellent value for money, but you need to book in advance because their rooms are much requested: they are near the historic centre that is the most interesting area, if you like to enjoy the nightlife of the city. If you prefer holidays more oriented to beach or nature, we recommend you to leave the centre of Bilbao only for your visits and to look for a hotel close to the Ereaga beach or in any other area of Getxo: there are best rates and very good connections to organise excursions and routes around the city.

Excellence is the goal

By Loren in gastronomic hotels

Being the best and standing out year after year in the tourism industry is really difficult. On one hand, it requires huge investments in facilities and, on the other hand, it requires a special attention to anticipate the needs of the customers. The rough competition along with the varied range of services in Spain have turned it into a worldwide tourism reference that set trends, but it has also generated a such excessive efforts in the hotel chains that many small chains have given up.

If we focus our attention only on the main Spanish hotel chains, we will find a limited number but, undoubtedly, la crème de la crème of the world hotel trade. NH, Barceló. Melià and Iberostar compete year after year for local, national and international destinations, as well as for very characteristic travellers: from sports lovers to music fans.

In the interests of achieving the top of the list, one of the best defined portfolios is from the Grand Collection of Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, exclusive group of luxury hotels situated all around the world. In Spain, it has conquered areas with high tourism demand such as Costa Adeje and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, two of the most visited places during summer in Spain. Additionally, there are other relevant destinations such as Budapest, although in this case, it is not in Spain and has a very special hotel concept if we compare it with the rest of hotels.

We only need to visit the website of any of these Grand hotels to understand which types of accommodations we are talking about when we refer to the competition for being the best:  5-star hotels in Tenerife such as Iberostar Grand Hotel Mencey; luxury resorts in Costa Adeje such as Grand Hotel El Mirador or Grand Hotel Salomé, and avant-garde accommodations in Europe specially designed for businessmen, managers and travellers with a high-medium purchasing power.

If there is a common characteristic between these hotels and resorts is that, regardless of the location, they have always invested in gastronomy and spa and wellness services as their main attractions. Cuisine is one of the oldest motivations when we travel and choose a destination, and, in the last years it has received a boost along with the rise of the chef profession, thanks to TV series that have democratized the high cuisine such as Masterchef or Topchef. Based on this, a new initiative appears: Chef on Tour, created by this chain in order to spread and promote more and more the select culinary tradition offered in the restaurants of their hotels in Europe and in the Caribbean.

As for gastronomy, there is a hotel belonging to the Grand Collection that surpasses all expectations (and it is really gaining ground). It is Grand Hotel Mencey. It famous Los Menceyes Restaurant and its Cookery Classroom has turned it into one of the best places to eat in Tenerife. Besides, we can enjoy its gastronomy not only in the exclusive Los Menceyes restaurant (also opened to the public in general), but also in a cocktail bar offering service of lunches and dinners based on the traditional Canary cuisine; in a casino bar with a complete menu of snacks; and a terrace restaurant called Los Laureles, which I now offering an additional menu with Mediterranean and healthy dishes.

Another important weapon of these hotels and their direct competitors is to offer some of the best spa and wellness centres in their destinations. They all have refurbished facilities, larger spaces and new areas, so that relaxation, mind and body are a key element in their holiday offer.

In fact, many wellness travellers stand them out as the most exclusive ones in the world, not only for their treatments and spaces, but also for the location: the possibility of enjoying a massage in front of the sea is a luxury that only few people can boast. In the same vein, hotels of Barceló such as Barceló Illetas are direct competitors, and hotels of Melià, such as Melià de Mar, both of them situated in the exclusive area of Illetas, just one step away from Majorca and with direct access to the sea from its spa areas.

 

Holidays in 2015: where to go and what not to miss (part 1)

By Luke Durden in Madrid hotels

Time does not run, it flies. Therefore, before June arrives without having set any plan, we are going to programme a range of essential and very varied proposals so that everything our imagination (or pocket) has stuck for holidays in 2015 collects some ideas and enjoys the most interesting accommodation offers that (attention!) already start to run out. Yes, dear travellers the countdown for 2015 summer has started. Fast your belts… we are taking off!

Madrid

Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII

Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII

Summer in Madrid? Are we crazy? Yes and no. However, summer is for crazy things. Moreover, Madrid has changed a lot the concept of being a drowsing capital during the summer, when all its workers leave the city in crowds, and there are only tourists with their cameras crawling from monument to monument. There are more and more national tourists that plan a holiday from time to time and many residents in Madrid decide to remain enjoying the peace that summer offers. To best survive the hot days, there is nothing better to stay at your home… The truth is that Madrid has been offering more and more worthwhile summer proposals: concerts, open-air festivals, cinemas on the streets, summer theatre… and also the local fiestas are very interesting. In addition, you have the usual plans (that even if you can do them throughout the year, they do not lose their charm in summer): the vermouth in La Latina, the nights dancing in Malasaña, the sun rises in Gran Vía, the evenings in El Retiro. Of course, the cuisine: it is ideal to lose your entire figure you have gained at the gym during the wintertime. It so delicious and cheap that it is almost impossible to say no thanks.

To accommodate in Madrid, if you travel there in summer, do not hesitate: choose a hotel in the centre of Madrid. A hotel in Gran Vía  (there are various new and interesting hotels near the Congress) or rooms near the Retiro are two of the best options to stay near everything you need and to have always a funny plan to do. If you are looking for something cheaper, you can choose a hotel in the Arturo Soria area – today it is considered to be a central one – since if you take the metro there are only 3 – 4 stops and you will be near the airport.

Enjoy your holiday with a view to the beautiful Santa Ponsa Bay

By Loren in Balearic Islands

It’s decided; enjoy your holiday with a view to the Santa Ponsa Bay this year, this Mediterranean treasure far from all the hustle and bustle in the touristic area of Majorca, an east coastal hidden beauty where you can enjoy some of the loveliest and romantic sunsets in the island, an exclusive area in the Costa de la Calma, a paradise settlement with little apartments, luxury villas and high category hotels combined with a relaxing and natural landscape, ideal for those who like to rest next to the ocean, celebrate a special occasion or just spend summer holidays with family close to the beach and mountains.

With low population but with a wide variety of services, Costa de la Calma is an unknown place even for the Majorcans, and it remains as a secret, as they want to preserve the peace and calmness as long as possible.

When you visit Costa de la Calma for the first time, you can feel like you’d travel to the old Majorca, unexploited by tourism, an unexplored island with a few buildings close to the sea, and it’s strange nowadays because is hard to find this kind of preserved places close to the main touristic areas like Palma city (20 minutes through the motorway) or Santa Ponsa Town, which is just 5 minutes walking through the coast.

Costa de la Calma treasures its tradition, this small Majorcan village gives you the opportunity to disconnect yourself, enjoy the sunbath, the ocean, a refreshing beer, a traditional delightful Pa amb oli, a walk on the Mediterranean beach, a romantic dinner, or a sport day: Kayak, diving, golf, paddle surfing…

Hotels in Costa de la Calma have the characteristic of being integrated with the environment, using the natural beauty of the place and creating new ones that preserve it without ruin the tradition, (although there are some exceptions). An example of this is the IBEROSTAR Jardín del Sol, an Adults Only hotel over the Santa Ponsa cliff, which offers rooms with terrace and Jacuzzi giving you astonishing sunrises and dusks.

Another accommodation option in Santa Ponsa bay would be the Marítim Hotel Galatzó,a spa hotel in Costa de la Calma, designed for family holiday, a short break, conferences, weddings or business trips. Its privileged location makes it unique, letting you enjoy both the coasts and the mountains (it’s very close to the Puig Galatzo. Where it takes its name from) very well rated in websites like Tripadvisor or Minube.

spa hotel in Santa Ponsa

spa hotel in Santa Ponsa

The local celebrations are in summer, you can enjoy the open-air dances and the traditional correfocs de dimonis (a parade where people disguise as demons dancing to the tune of the drums around the fire). Kids can play around, as it isn’t a busy street, in fact, one of the best ways to go across the Santa Ponsa bay is by riding a bicycle.

The beaches of Peguera, Cala Fornells, and the Santa Ponsa itself as well as other coves are all very close where you can enjoy tranquillity far from the crowds, it’s recommended to ask in the lobby if you’re interested in these beautiful places since they usually don’t appear in the tourist guides and those who do, doesn’t include the bars, restaurants and many other interesting places, that surely exists, but remain well hidden.

 

 

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.