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The Guell Palace in Barcelona

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:46:18 +0100

It is no wonder that Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. This can be attributed to the fact that the country is not only a natural beauty but also has lots of manmade attractions calling tourists from all over the world. It is a country you can be sure to enjoy from whichever part you choose while within it. It is a huge country made up of different regions and fortunately each has great things in store for its visitors.

Catalonia is such one region with plenty of things to offer. You will find here lots of monuments within the cities that it has. Barcelona is one of the best cities in this region and it has world fame more especially because of the popular football club. It however also have lots of monuments and hot tourist spots making it one of the most visited annually. The monuments here are mostly in form of castles, palaces and cathedrals all of which have something interesting to offer.

The Guell Palace is one of the gems as far as the palaces and castles category is concerned. It was built back in 1885 through to 1889 and was the original design by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi. It was a dedication to Eusebi Guell, the most important patron for the artist. This has made the palace one of the most visited monuments in the city and the work is quite impressive.

Being in the architect’s huge undertakings list, the palace is very original and his style and creation is clearly uniquely standing out on the palace. The décor and structure fusion as well as the contents and forms that the architect used are simply characteristic as it is in the rest of his amazing masterpieces. You will find your tour around the palace most interesting and it is a paradise for history and art lovers coming into Barcelona.

This palace is open to the public from Monday through Saturday from 10 in the morning till six o’clock. There is actually a guide taking people around every half of an hour and you will therefore manage to explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer without leaving anything that is interesting out during the tour. It is definitely one of those pieces that you cannot miss out on when thinking of a tour that will turn Barcelona inside out.

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The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 07:51:57 +0100

Museums are some of the major monuments that you will find in Spain. They are well distributed in the regions and cities of this beautiful country and they hold great collections, artifacts and are also full of history. The one thing that is certain about the museums is that they are great architectural sites making them fit into the monuments of Spain category.

The Guggenheim museum is one of the most attractive museums in Spain. It is the main symbol of the city of Bilbao meaning that it is a landmark that is treasured in the city. Even though this museum was constructed in recent times, it has made the city very attractive to tourists coming into Spain. It is a museum showcasing modern architecture and located in a beautiful setting. The most outstanding thing about the gorgeous museum is that it has a titanium shining roof and the architecture is definitely futurist. It has managed to transform this otherwise quiet city into a hub for modern tourism.

There are features of the Guggenheim museum which cannot be missed on a visit to the beautiful place. You will find a total of 19 galleries within the museum. They are spread well on the building floors and contain treasured collections. The collections here are most famed in Venice and New York and are composed of art works from a variety of artist. The museum exhibits these collections in an organized manner and it is not that hard to find your way into the museum exploring and enjoying every piece that it has for you.

Also in the museum you will find a library, shop and cafes. It makes it easy to tour the museum since you can take breaks in between to enjoy something at the cafes and you can also get any other item that you could need from the shop here. For those who love Spanish classics, the Fine Arts Museums not far from this museum is recommended. The combination can be a great way of enjoying your art exhibition tour as well as enjoying the architectural part of the museums.

Museums are great in preserving art work and other important artifacts for the nation or region within which they are located. You might therefore find it great to include touring into several museums while in Spain and the Guggenheim is one of the best museums that you can choose to tour.

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The La Sagrada Familia Basilica Spain

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 07:41:52 +0100

Spain is home to wonderful architectural work and monuments and the La Sagrada Familia Basilica happens to be a major attraction. This is an amazing basilica gigantic in size by the famed architect Antoni Gaudi. It is probably the only building that has been under construction for more than a hundred years but the architectural work is simply breathtaking and a wonder.

It has a touch of modern architecture which has brought controversies with most people feeling that Gaudi would not have loved the way it has turned out. It is however still a major attraction. It is located in the city of Barcelona making the city a hot spot for tourists coming into the country for holidays and touring the major attractions. This is a monument which cannot be missed for anything. Its size is a direct sell making it hard to miss while in the area. The original Gaudi design is still very much visible although the difference between his style and the modern designs can clearly be seen on the basilica.

The most outstanding feature of the original construction is that the architect used irregular shaped stones to construct the huge buildings thus giving it that unique spectacle. Lots of construction work is still going on to date and hence you can expect to find constructors on site. The one thing you cannot miss while visiting the basilica is the museum which is within its interior. It has wonderful art collections and other interesting artifacts even though most are religious.

This is a magnificent building in Barcelona worth checking out while within the area or spending some time in Spain. It is a country with lots to offer especially in terms of great architecture and history and you will only run out of time before you run out of wonderful things to see. To have the very best of your tour in Spain, it is advisable that you do your research on the best attractions that you cannot miss out on. This way, you will manage to come up with a plan for the holiday to ensure that you explore and enjoy each one of the attractions.

The La Sagrada Familia Basilica is a magnificent as far as taking photographs is concerned. The architectural work will keep you interested for a long time making your tour around it most enjoyable and memorable. It is an attraction you cannot afford to miss out on.

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Attractive City of Orense in Spain

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 09:10:01 +0100

Spain has lots of cities which serve as great tourist spots for all kinds of holidays and vacations. The cities come with a wonderful mixture of the many features most visitors look out for when searching for the perfect ground from where to enjoy their holidays. The most impressive of these Spanish cities is that they each have something unique and interesting to offer meaning that the visitors still get to enjoy their time in Spain whichever of the cities they choose.

The City of Orense is one such beauty in Spain and it is found in Galicia region. It impressively occupies the land on Minho River banks and it has its origin deeply rooted in Auria which is a Roman town. The Burgas hot springs are still very much visible and it is also a town that offers easy crossing of Minho River hence receives lots of visitors. This is a city that has undergone through great destruction phases in the past and has a rich but tragic story to tell. It has however still managed to rise from the ashes and it is now one of the most beautiful cities you will find in the region.

The medieval quarter of the city is overlooked by many travelers coming into the city or passing by here to other areas yet it is one of the treasures of the city. It is a quarter made of narrow streets and very tiny plazas but currently going through a transformation that is leaving it modernized with typical bars and restaurants. The University students patronize the town giving it that youthful and fun ambience that is generally interesting. Those looking for great city entertainment should be around Plaza Mayor. Here they will also get to see the town hall and get interesting things from the shops arcading the plaza.

The cathedral found in the city is the major and important monuments here and it actually comes second in terms of age in all the monuments of Galicia. The bridge by the Minho River is another interesting feature of the city which cannot be missed. Even though it has gone through frequent repairs, it is still in great shape and is interesting with the Roman foundations. The Episcopal palace is also worth checking out and it now has Provincial Archeological museum. The collections in the museum are mostly Bronze Age objects as well as Romanesque and Roman collections.

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How The Running Of The Bulls In Pamplona Originated

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 09:06:10 +0100

Running in a crowded street with a pack of raging bulls thundering right behind you may not be your idea of fun but it is for quite a lot of people in Pamplona. Locals and tourists from all over the world visit Pamplona each year to witness and participate in the famous running of the bulls festival. This popular festival is specifically known as the San Fermin Running of the Bulls which is a festival that has been celebrated since the ancient times. Its origin dates back to the 15th century where it was originally held in the month of October. It is a series of festivals that culminates in the San Fermin Running of the Bulls. The series of festivals include the religious celebration of the feast of San Fermin who is the patron saint of Navarra and Pamplona, a few commercial festivals and the bullfighting festival.

In the past the festivals were celebrated in a very serious and solemn way but as the years went by, the celebrations became more joyous and festive. The festival was later moved to the month of July because the weather is more favourable during this time of the year. This ensured that the weather will be sunny and warm during the celebration of the festival.

During the ancient times, the festival was celebrated without the running of the bulls. This part of the festival was later added out of the people’s need for some adrenaline rush and reckless fun. The running of the bulls occurred as the bulls were released from the pens to be led to the bullring in preparation for the bullfights that will occur in the evening. Some of the locals came up with the idea to turn this normally dull part of the festival into a very exciting one by having people run in front of the bulls as they head for the bull ring. This kind of event may be considered illegal in some countries due to its very high element of danger that could lead to injuries and even death but in Pamplona it is considered as a very integral and exciting part of the celebration of their festival.

This festival is celebrated in honour of San Fermin also known as San Fermin de Amiens who hailed from Pamplona which was called Pompaelo in the past. He was the son of a Roman Senator. He travelled to far places at a young age to preach the Christian Doctrine. He became a bishop when he was only 24 and he was martyred when he was only 31. Local legends say that San Fermin was killed through decapitation after being tied up to a bull and then dragged all over the streets of Pamplona.

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Attractive Ametller House Spain

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 08:56:44 +0100

Spain has hundreds of monuments most of which are the major attractions in the different areas of the country. The monuments hold great architectural, historical and religious significance making them treasures to the country. Each of the monuments found in Spain has a story to tell and you can therefore rest assured that you will enjoy learning a few things about the monuments that you choose to visit or see during your Spanish tour.

Ametller House is not popularly mentioned but it remains to be an interesting monument that is worth visiting while in the country. It is an amazing piece of work by Puig I Cadafalch who was a modernist architect. The Casa Ametller was out up back in the 18 hundreds and took several years to complete. This monument belongs to Discord Island together with other houses namely Batllo House and Lleo Morera House. They are the modernist buildings uniquely standing on the same block that is now residential.

The three houses are quite impressive as far as the architecture is concerned and they have aesthetic value to them. You will however be amazed at just how different the houses can be in terms of the style. Even though visitors coming here to see the monument are not allowed into the houses since they are residential, the street view is still as astonishing as ever. The architectural work is simply breathtaking and professionally done.

The Casa Ametller has Gothic architecture from Central Europe that is clearly displayed on it. Everything from the pyramid shaped roof to the window arches which are gothic in style showcases the influences. You will however still manage to see the modernist influence on the façade ceramics. It is a wonderful mix of the two influences thus making it stand out within the area. It is now the hosts to Del Modernisme centre.

Architectural work is not only attractive to the architects to be but also to people who love attractive things. You will therefore find all kinds of visitors coming here to behold the wonderful building that is Ametller House. A lot can be learned from the architectural work. You will also find other interesting features in the surrounding areas of the house especially taking into consideration that it is located in a perfect place where you can easily have access to everything that you could need during your tour here.

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Unspoiled Beauty in the Costa Calida

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 11:16:48 +0100

At the south eastern Iberian Peninsular lies the Costa Calida which is also about 40km away from Murcia. Costa Calida is also known as the Warm Coast for its pleasant weather that envelopes the region.

Costa Calida is situated between Costa Blanca and Costa Almeria. It enjoys lovely climate and fine sandy beaches which draw many local and foreign visitors.

Beach delight

Costa Calida offers 250 kilometers of fine sandy beaches that would satisfy any holidaymaker for some serious fun in the sun vacation. The coastal offering comprises rugged coastlines, virgin soft sandy beaches, romantic coves and crystal clear warm waters. There is a myriad of water sports that can be enjoyed here.

One of the more popular spots at Costa Calida is Mar Menor which is not just any coastal strip; it is an enchanting beachfront that is totally closed off by the Mediterranean with some connecting channels and a large salt water lagoon which is well protected from the rough Mediterranean waters.

Tourist activities

Costa Calida is not only popular for its beautiful beaches; it is a great choice for some golfing activities. The beautiful landscapes make Costa Calida a delightful golfers’ paradise for a few games of golf while holidaying here and enjoying the beach. The well structured La Manga Golf Resort spans 3 championship courses to delight any avid golfer. The varied terrains at La Manga challenge even the veteran golfer on any game anytime.

There are numerous choices of seaside resorts at Costa Calida. Puerto de Mazarrón offers a relaxing stay as a seaside resort with excellent hotel facilities and a lively nightlife. The unspoiled coastline makes this area very alluring with the many water sports to indulge in.

Besides checking out beautiful landscapes, tourists can also check out the many quaint villages like Mazarron. This quaint old fishing village still plays a vital role in the local economy with its daily fresh catches. A unique sight at these villages is the auctioning of sea catches early in the morning when the fishermen come back from the sea. There is a hive of activity at the local jetty or port with the locals haggling over the prices of their preferred catch. Tourists are welcomed to observe or participate.

There are quaint bays around Costa Tossa de Mar which can be easily explored. These are also surrounded by the majestic Almenara and Sierras Moreras Mountains. These impressive mountain ranges give rise to pleasant climates at the surrounding towns and villages.

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Spanish Holiday: Gorgeous Granada

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 11:02:01 +0100

Situated at the foot of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains, within easy distance of the blue Mediterranean, Granada in the Andalucia Province of south Spain, is famous for its climate: ranging from bright Mediterranean summers to cold, snowy winters. For nearly 800 years, Granada was the center of the Muslim culture, and its Moorish conquerors left an indelible mark with their delicately beautiful architecture, spicy cuisine and intricate arts and crafts.

The center of the olive-producing industry, Granada with its mountainous slopes is the hub of agriculture in Spain. Tobacco, sugar, local fruits, vegetables and spices are the well-known products. Apart from these, there are some breathtaking monuments to be visited in Granada:

The Alhambra: Granada's most famous tourist attraction, the Alhambra fortress and palace were the strongholds of the last Moorish rulers in Spain, the Nasirid dynasty. Located scenically on the Saint Elvira Hill, the Alhambra is a treasure-trove of art, architecture and delicate sculpture and immaculately laid-out gardens.

Granada Cathedral: constructed by the triumphant Christian conquerors of Granada, this magnificent 16th century edifice is in a mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles. The Catholic monarchs of Granada are buried here in the churchyard. The royal chapel here is also a museum, with spectacular Van der Weyden paintings, the crown of Isabella and the sword of Ferdinand – the two supreme rulers who united the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon in medieval times.

Arab Baths: The Hamam banos Arabe or Arabic baths of Granada date back to the 11th century and are great for enjoying a relaxing traditional bath and massage. Organic products, essential oils and the local mineral salts are used.

Carthusian and San Jeronimo Monasteries: If you love medieval religious architecture, these monasteries, with their charming cloisters and quiet, shady walks are the perfect place to spend a few hours in.

Apart from sightseeing, visitors must get a taste of Granada's delicious cuisine, with its strong Arabic and Andalucian influences. Traditional cooking methods using local produce, mountain-cured ham, with a light sprinkling of fresh spices, mouth-watering tapas, hot chocolate, desserts and wines are a foodie's delight.

Walking through Sacramonte's twisting alleyways in Granada's mountainous region, visiting the Old Jewish quarter, the colorful Triunfo Garden are other delightful trips to make while you're here. Another great idea would be to plan your visit during one of the colorful festivals – Easter, Corpus Christi, Day of Taking, etc. to give you a glimpse of local culture and heritage. Sacroamonte is also famous for its unique flamenco shows held in one of the mountain caves! Flamenco is not just about dancing, but also about music, poetic lyrics and great guitar playing.

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Spanish Holiday: Food lovers' Spain

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 10:44:55 +0100

If you're a dedicated foodie and good cuisine and wine are your religion, your Spanish holiday can be nothing short of a culinary pilgrimage! With its huge range of cuisines, displaying the diverse cultural and historical influences that have gone into making Spanish cuisine among the most celebrated in the world, a trip through Spain's provinces would give the gourmet a better idea of how food is prepared, served, and enjoyed across the country.

There are many tour operators who offer culinary tours to Spain, for food-lovers and food-professionals. Typically a package involves traveling through different regions, sampling local delicacies, wines, cheeses and desserts and attending professional cooking classes, discovering rare gastronomic delights and participating in food shows, exhibitions, events and other food-related activities.

A typical itinerary would include a walking tour of Madrid's local markets, where you get to see how local produce is bought and sold, followed by a typical Iberian lunch, with pork and the famous Spanish sherry and wines. Evenings are dedicated to sampling tapas, wines and watching a flamenco show. A tour of the Rioja vineyards, with wine-tasting, at a family-owned vineyard, a traditional home-cooked meal is followed by a trip to San Sebastian and a private cooking class to learn Basque specialties, a taste of their special tapas known as pinxtos, as you walk through this charming town. The next day could be a trip to Bilbao, and lunch at the famous Bistro here. Barcelona is next on the list, with a visit to its beautiful antique food market, the Bouqueria and a Mediterranean culinary experience. A trip to the local olive groves and an olive-oil pressing factory with lunch with the family that owns it forms a fitting end to this foodie cornucopia!

If there's anything special you want to learn or taste, you can custom-design your culinary tour. A spice tour of Spain during the saffron-harvesting season would involve a hands-on experience of harvesting and peeling the saffron stamens off the flowers. A special event called the Saffron Rose Festival is held in Conseguera in Toledo in July which of course means you get to taste the mouth-watering paella, since saffron is an essential ingredient. A visit to the pepper fields of Extramadura is another great option.

In Toledo also you get to visit the famous Manchego cheese and travel the Don Quixote trail. Tasting sessions, rustic lunches among the famous windmills is an unforgettable experience.

If you're a wine-enthusiast, you can take one of the Wine Road trips through the Basque region. Laguardia, where the famous Rioja wine has been distilled since the 17th century, is an important wine center. The tour takes you around medieval monasteries, bodegas (traditional wine-cellars) and if you're in Briones, a tour of the Wine Museum here.

So let your taste-buds do the talking, when you're on a culinary tour of spain villas !

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Holiday in Spain: Breathtaking Barcelona

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 10:34:49 +0100

The second largest city in Spain, Barcelona is one of its most popular and combines a deep sense of heritage and culture with historic monuments, amazingly modern architecture, museums, parks, beaches and internationally famous shopping malls, restaurants and of course, its great sporting tradition, and world famous football team. Additionally, Barcelona is famous for its wonderful Catalan cuisine, differing from region to region, famous desserts, savories and wines. Barcelona is well-connected to other major Spanish cities and also by rail, road and air to European, American and Asian cities.

Some of Barcelona's major attractions are:

La Sagrada Familia: Think of Barcelona and its iconic Sagrada Familia building comes instantly to mind. Designed by the famous architect Antonio Gaudi, this enormous religious building in the shape of a crucifix, has three tall ceramic-decorated towers. Still unfinished, the cathedral is a tribute to the genius of Gaudi.

Cosmo Caixa: If you're traveling with kids and teens, a visit to this state-of-the-art science and technology museum is a must. With different ecological environments like a rain forest, Arctic region etc, and a fabulous planetarium, this is one visit that will keep all family members entertained.

Poble Espanol: Built for the World Exhibition in 1929, this Spanish “village” displays the different types of Spanish architecture over the ages and is a great showcase of traditional Spanish arts and crafts and also a great hub for local events and exhibitions. Food and music festivals, dance, music and arts are all part of the exhibitions held here. A famous flamenco is also held here.

Barcelona Football Club Museum: If you're a die-hard football fan, don't miss this “temple” of football! Filled with trophies, photos, memorabilia of the great players, the museum also has access to the club's changing rooms, lounges, press-meet rooms and VIP stands.

Las Ramblas: Probably the most famous street in Spain, this beautiful tree-lined, almost completely pedestrianized boulevard cuts through the city's heart and is, at any time of the day or night, filled with lively street shows, music performances, caricature and portrait artists, human statue performances, hundreds of eateries, and at the very top of the street, the famous drinking fountain, which compels you to return to Barcelona if you ever drink a drop of its water!

Miro Museum: For a great experience viewing the works of Spanish artist Joan Miro, this museum showcases his work in sculpture, painting, textiles, ceramics, prints and sketches. The building itself is a tribute to the Rationalist movement in Catalonia and also hosts several art events.

Barcelona Port: This 2000-year-old port is Barcelona's commercial and economic hub, and it also has a separate area for shopping, restaurants and entertainment, open seven days a week.

Of course costa brava are hundreds of other attractions here – you'll find out only when you get there!

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