Holidays in 2015: where to go and what not to miss (Part 4)

By Luke Durden in Fuerteventura

Jandía, the stronghold of the family peace

You can say that only a few places in summer are quiet and relaxed. The large invasion of tourists that the major coasts and beaches in Spain sustain makes almost impossible to find a sunny destination that is not overcrowded… Except for escaping to an island. And this island is Fuerteventura and, in particular, its extreme South: the Jandía peninsula. Even if, like in every place, you can perceive the summer, since this area offers a spectacular climate (and very similar) all year round, in the high season there are no peaks of floating population, as it happens, for example, in Majorca in July or August.

For this reason (and for many others, like its beaches, nature and windsurf), we have included Jandía in this little list of destinations for holidays in 2015. The peninsula of Jandía, with areas with family hotels such as Playa Jandía, Costa Calma or the village of Morro Jable, offers a unique landscape, beaches with less waves and with less deep sea floors than in other parts of Fuerteventura, thematic parks where to take your children, a good native gastronomic offers and wines… Basically, without moving from the peninsula. If you travel there, we recommend you the excursion to Pico de Zarza, the tallest mount in Fuerteventura, and a visit to the beach of Cofete, but be careful because it is some kind of dangerous for your kids, since this is a coastal zone with strong marine currents. As regards accommodations, there are many options to choose from. If you travel with your family, any of the 3 hotels in Playa de Jandía of the Iberostar chain largely cover your needs. In addition, one of those hotels in Jandía features a special area for adults that will allow you to enjoy as it were a holiday with your partner.

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.

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.