Travelers Best

Overview
Barcelona is Spain’s cultural capital, which exhibits an avant garde, diverse and charismatic flair. Barcelona is known to seduce its visitors, by reinventing its Spanish ethos into medieval edifices, futuristic buildings, creative cuisine and gyrating nightlife. Barcelona ranks as one of the top destinations in European travel.

While Barcelona has transformed into a vast metropolis, it has kept a stronghold on tradition. Visitors will be treated to the treasured history in Barcelona, while exploring the Gothic Quarters of the city, mingling with the Catalans or hanging out at a classic cafeteria. Meanwhile, if you want to be transported back to the present, look no further than the chic fashion streets, hopping music scene and sizzling beachfronts. Barcelona’s beauty extends beyond the city and makes the perfect getaway throughout the year. Visitors can experience the Pyrenees Mountains and Mount Tibidabo in the north, and golden sandy beaches and the Mediterranean Sea in the south.

History
Barcelona was originally a Roman City, which fell under besiege many times before transforming into an independent country. In 1469, Barcelona and the Kingdom of Aragon merged together, which made Barcelona one of the top cities in the country. The Catalan Revolt took place between 1640 and 1652, and Barcelona became the center of Catalan separatism. Despite the civil war devastation, by the 19th century, prosperity could be seen in Barcelona. Urbanization was rapid as there was large scale immigration in various regions of Spain. What completely made Barcelona flourish were the 1992 Olympic Games, which turned the city into a global one! Today, the city has become a cultural and artistic stronghold, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.

Sightseeing
La Rambla is the most famous street in Barcelona, which stretches from the waterfront to Laca de Catalunya and is lined with trees. Visitors can stroll through Parc Guell, created by Antonio Gaudi, a renowned Spanish architect from 1900 to 1914. This is a fantasy land, which combined a man-made and natural park. To see some epic regeneration programs in Barcelona, visitors can stroll along the harbor or the promenade. The focus of activity in Barcelona has shifted back to the sea. The waterfront boasts of a number of bars and eateries, leisure centers and vast shopping malls.

Things to Do
Shopping is a great attraction in the city and there is a 3 mile shopping strip, which stretches from Port Olympic to the water’s edge. Designer shops, modern department stores and international chains can be found in Placa de Catalunya and Passeig de Gracia. The main food market in Barcelona offers a myriad of local fare and fresh produce. The culinary cuisine in the city has been described as creative and diverse. Some of the best restaurants and top chefs are found in Barcelona. The variety of food is limitless with the traditional Catalan tapas to haute cuisine. The best place to party in Europe is in Barcelona. Spaniards love to party until the wee hours of the morning, and the city is known to pick up on the rhythm around midnight. The trendiest nightspot can be found at the stylish Port Olympic, where the area has been transformed into bars, collage of cafes and nightclubs. EL Quatre Gats is a famous artists’ hangout in Barcelona, which is a classic bar with its iron wrought chandeliers, antique paintings and teak wood frames.

Weather
The weather in Barcelona is pleasant all year around. However, for the best weather, visitors can travel to the city from May to July. September is also an excellent holiday month. August can be hot and humid, with temperatures reaching 34 degrees Celsius.

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If you love scenic spots, beaches, an exciting nightlife, and historical structures Zahara on the Atlantic coast of Spain, 30 km north of Tariffa, is the perfect spot for a vacation. With some of the best natural and architectural marvels the scenic village exudes a charm that few can resist.

The Zahara village plains are mostly uninhabited and are filled with some of the most scenic natural spots. The main attraction are the beaches and the weather complements the rough and rustic charm of the village quite beautifully. The temperature hovers around 20 degrees Celsius lending the place an enviable climate. The coasts being windy, humidity in the summer is felt to be quite tempered and perspiration is less of a problem than in most parts of Spain.

Spring is known to be the best time to visit the place. The temperature wavering mildly around the 20ºC mark, a bloom of the local flora sets many tourists amazed. Photographers are known to frequent the village on the Spanish Atlantic coast in large numbers during this time.

The region is also known for the wide availability of apartments for long term and short term stays. A great number of tourists choose this site for rejuvenating and use long term stay schemes in the apartments. Honeymooners find the region a great place to visit with the convenient availability of hotel bookings. There are also excellent dining options that one can find in the place. With a range of local delicacies to choose from, tourists can look to having a great time sampling the dishes.

With so much to offer, Zahara village is easily one of the best places to unwind and relax.

Peurto Banus is a marina on the Costa del Sol on the west of Marbella, Spain. It is named after the property dealer Jose Banus, who built it in 1970 as a luxury location for the rich and famous from all over the world.

Today Peurto Banus is open to everyone who wants to enjoy a luxurious holiday among beautiful beaches in a city that is the best place to shop, eat and have fun. Peurto Banus has something for adults as well as children.

The city revolves around the marina which has moorings for 915 boats some of whom belong to royalty, celebrities and industrialists of the world. Boats and yachts moored to the marina have unobstructed views of the shops and cafes lining the pavements but also of the rugged yet spectacular landscape.

A 3600kg statue of a Rhinoceros by Salvador Dali is another recent attraction for Dali fans that holiday in Peurto Banus. The streets behind the harbor are dotted with roadside cafes, boutiques and flagship stores of some of the most celebrated designers from Europe and abroad.

Peurto Banus is the number one destination for Stag and Hen Weekends simply because it has the best selection of bars, restaurants and nigh clubs offering boisterous adult entertainment that includes male and female strippers and companions. The clubs are open till the wee hours of the morning allowing visitors to enjoy a real night out. Parties and events are also held on any of the beaches or any other venue of your choosing.

Peurto Banus boasts seven beaches, Casa Blanca Beach, El Ancon Beach, Nagules Beach, Rio Verde Beach, Nueva Andalucia Beach – El Duque, San Pedro Alancatara Beach and the Peurto Banus Beach. While all these beaches are picturesque and calming, there are others that are filled with an atmosphere of merriment through out the day and night.

The marina has as much to offer children as it has adults, there are numerous theme parks that are sure to be a hit with children and young adults. Beginning with Tivoli World the largest amusement park in this part of the world, Peurto Banus also has a Sea Life Centre where there are shows at regular intervals to amuse children. There are many numerous options for children to see wild animals and creatures in some of the best natural zoos in near by Costa del Sol. Not to be missed is the ANCRAA Giant Donkeys Park to see the fast disappearing Andaluz donkeys in their natural habitat.

Peurto Banus also offers a range of activities like Go Karting, Cable Skiing, Clay pigeon Shooting, Sports Fishing, Mountain Biking, Quad Bikes, Paintball, Canyoning, Horse Riding, Hot Air Ballooning, Dolphin Spotting and Horse racing among others. Tours of Andalusian villages can also be arranged on request by most tour operators or the hotel management. The Aloha Golf Club is an attraction that no serious golfer would wish to miss out.

Shopping is a serious business in Peurto Banus given the plethora of boutiques of well known and local designers. Apparel and accessories can be bought at one of the many fashion houses or at lower priced departmental stores, hyper markets or even at the local bazaar. Every Saturday the farmers markets offer the freshest farm and dairy products along with antiques and local crafts and art.

Getting around in Peurto Banus and whereabouts is not that difficult if you have accurate information about the various types of available transport and minimum fares. Taxis can be found at any time of the day but ensure you know exactly where to get them after dark as they have specific stands in certain places for them.

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Torremolinos a beach resort in the neighborhood of Malaga was once a tiny obscure fishing village on the Costa del Sol. Today, despite retaining a mix of traditional and modern culture and lifestyle, it is one of the most popular beach destinations along the Spanish Coast.

Torremolinos has a separate municipality than that of the Costa del Sol. Its history goes back 150,000 years when it was first a settlement, a vantage point, refuge and camping ground for armies. Skulls belonging to Greeks, Phoenicians and Arabs with some belonging to humans from the Bronze Age throw considerable light on its historic eras.

However it was only in 1948 post the Siege of Malaga that Christianity spread in Torremolinos. Later it came under the rule of Malaga and was named Torres de Pimentel for a few years around 1502. Consequently Torremolinos was put on the map by Francisco Llobet a map maker by profession and after a brief albeit fruitful dependence on Malaga, Torremolinos became independent again in 1988.

Torremolinos on the Costa del Sol enjoys a good climate throughout the year as it is located in the middle of high and low mountains and the vast Mediterranean Sea. Summers are very intense so it’s best to plan a holiday during autumn or winter when there aren’t too many other tourists.

What to See

Torremolinos has three famous museums, the Museo Del Tatuje “El Templo”, Museo Picasso Malaga and the Museo Casa Natel de Picasso. The first museum is a favorite with tattoo lovers, in English it simply means the Tattoo Museum. The Museo Del Tatuaje “El Templo” showcases more than 100,000 tattoos along with other relics that tell the story of tattooing in the ancient times.

The Museo Picasso Malaga in Torremolinos features various collections by Picasso. The collections are housed in the Palacio de Buenavista, a 16th century building of Andalusian architecture. It also has some interesting remains from the Phoenician, Roman, Moorish and Renaissance periods, to give visitors a slice of Malaga history. The museum which is closed on Mondays offers a significant discount to students.

The Museo Casa Natal de Picasso at the Plaza de la Merced is the third museum of interest in Torremolinos. It is the birthplace of the great artist Pablo Picasso. The museum is open throughout the week and a must see for all Picasso fans. Another museum worth a visit outside Torremolinos but still along the Costa del Sol in Malaga is the Bonsai Museum in Marbella.

What to do

Torremolinos has the busiest beaches on the Costa del Sol which are safe for children and just right for surfers. Sun beds, complimentary shades and skilled lifeguards can be found at regular intervals along the stretch of this nine kilometer beach as well as local chiringuitos, or beach bars that serve a mix of local and international cuisines in a rather fun ambience.

The beach offers a chance to sail, water-ski, dive, and windsurf, paraglide or fish with experienced anglers. Or simply take a walk to La Carihuela, the ancient fishing quarter that has survived the ambush of mass tourism for a traditional seafood meal at one of the typical diners. There are numerous outlets that teach beginners how to dive, water ski and paraglide among others.

The Aqua Park Torremolinos is the biggest water park on the Costa del Sol, which has plenty of new and old attractions including a wave pool, tropical lake, wild river ride, a bubble pool, kamikaze death slide and foam slides. Sea Life Centre is another huge family attraction located in the port area of the neighboring beach Benalmadena. Kids will also love the Tivoli Amusement Park, Benalmadena Cable Car, Crocodile Park, Yelmo Cinema and the Karting for Kids to name just a few of the many attractions.

There are a large number of bars and night clubs that offers senior citizens and adults equal entertainment opportunities. The other main attraction in Torremolinos would be the promenade off the beach that has cafes and restaurants along its sidewalks.

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Located at the foot of the Sierra Tejera but above the sea, Nerja is another beach holiday destination on the Costa del Sol. It is 50kms from Malaga and retains a larger part of its traditions than other more popular destinations along the Spanish coast.

Nerja has it all, night clubs, restaurants, tapas bars, beaches and a notable number of Andalusian white washed houses with pretty trimmed window boxes along ancient cobbled streets.  It also boasts its share of water sports and theme parks and caves.

What to see in and around Nerja

The beaches are worth a visit even if you don’t want to take a dip. Playa Burriana, Playa El Salon, Playa Mar and Playa Torrecilla are the four most visited beaches in Nerja. The first three offer the most beach amenities and are better for families and groups but the last one should be visited mainly by couples without children as it’s a nudist beach not meant for the faint hearted. All the beaches have some or other sporting activities for anyone interested in them.

Nerja also offers day trips to nearby national and theme parks. Most prominent of these are the El Pinarillo Nerja that is essentially a picnic arena in the heart of the National park of Nerja. You are likely to see lizards, snakes and hordes of butterflies and if you are lucky enough an Ibex, which is an Andalucian mountain goat.

The Caves of Nerja are another must see as they will tell you more about the history of the place than any tour or guide book. Most visitors opt for Jeep Tours that can be booked for a full day or half depending on your areas of interest. Or you can join the Nerja Walking Club that covers El Pinarillo, Fuente del Esparto Umbria del Lobo Frigiliana, Cuesta de Jiminez and other places of interest to tourists.

Nerja additionally offers a vast number of nightlife and entertainment venues for those who come with a mind to live it up. H2o, Buena Sombre, Tutti Fruti Plaza, Bar Thebas, All That Jazz and Seven are among the best night clubs within the city that cater to guests till the small hours of the morning. They are wild and fun places that offer a perfect blend of beauty, fun, fashion and excitement and must not be missed even if for just a few hours.

There are plenty of dining options in Nerja and cuisines range from local to foreign to fusion. Haveli is the best place should you fancy Indian food. Casa Luque, Ayos, Roger and Denise, Fusion and Porto Finos are other fine dining choices.

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Costa del Sol is one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Spain. With something for everyone, the Costa del Sol is a holiday paradise, Stretching over 50 Kilometres along coastline east of Malaga city the capital of Malaga province, this coastal town has risen from a quiet fishing village to a world class tourist destination.

The town attracts some of the most discriminating travelers because of its mild climate and the many resorts and urban developments that have been built at the town the last several years. Costa del Sol is truly a paradise.

Aside from the sunny beaches and the wonderful amenities that resorts have to offer travellers, the region offers some thrilling night life with the bars and clubs in Nerja, Fuengirola and Torremolinos.

Costa del Sol has all the attractions that appeal to the modern traveler. Golfers can play a round or two at the San Pedro Alcantra’s Golf Club, a premiere golf course that attracts well-known golfers. The popularity of the golf course has resulted in the development of the surrounding areas as hotels and inns have been built to accommodate the big number of golfers that visit the town.

Because the town was colonized by Phoenicians, Vandals, Moors, Carthaginians, and Visigoths, it features an interesting mix of cultural heritage. The town has a rich historical background that is apparent in the town’s architecture and food.

Together with the modern day attractions, the town presents tourists with a unique experience that is both romantic and exhilarating. With white-washed buildings in the Andalusian-style architecture, the town exudes old-world charm coupled with modern and comfortable facilities that make it a top choice for tourists.

The history of the coastal town can be traced to as far back as the Bronze Age. Through the years it has existed as a peaceful little town steep in culture and history. During the 1950s the town was discovered to be a fantastic tourist spot.

The town can be accessed through the airport at Malaga where eighteen international airlines are operating from. The town also has seventy golf courses and more than one hundred hotels. The town also has two local trains and one port.

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Spacious beaches, a range of facilities and a traditional Spanish atmosphere combine to make this resort popular with summer holidaymakers. The sand and shingle beach is uncrowded and long with the added attraction of watersports, including windsurfing and sailing. Flat and compact, Roquetas de Mar is ideal for exploring on foot or by bicycle, before spending relaxed evenings in the open-air cafés, restaurants, bars and beachfront discos.
Transfer from Almera airport: 45mins

Mojacar was once a haven for writers and artists from all over the world due to its picturesque landscape and unspoiled view of the Mediterranean Sea.

Cobbled stone alleyways dotted with ancient Roman and Moorish architectural details vie for attention against the modern state of the art hotels, restaurants and villas that line the beach front make up the old and new parts of this town.

It is another of the many beach resort towns that dot the Costa de Almeira that lies between the Sierra Cabera Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Mojacar is also believed to be the birth place of Walt Disney.

An aerial view of Mojacar reveals a criss cross of white washed houses that look more like lumps of snow set against a sunny beach. Its history dates back more than 4000 years and the town itself has been developed by one of the most ancient communities of Spain. Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Moors have all had their tryst with this town. However the Moorish sultans were said to last the longest, driven out 500 years ago, leaving a far stronger presence than their predecessors. This is why Mojacar has more similarities to a Moroccan village than a Spanish tourist town.

Known as Munsaqar under the Arab reign it was regained by Christians under King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in the late 15th century. Since then the town has been through numerous changes in terms of culture and tradition but the Arab architecture survived as testimony of its history a very interesting point of discussion for most tourists.

In contrast, the sea front tells a more modern and hip and happening story as this is where all the fun and entertainment begins. The beach front is typically dotted with bars, nightclubs, fast food joints and elegant diners all jostling for space on the crowded road.

Mojacar has restrictions on the height of its modern hotels and buildings so that they blend in with the existing landscape rather than stick out like sore thumbs to mar the beauty of the coastline.

What to see and do in Mojacar

The beach front is where most of the action is for most holiday goers. While some prefer to relax and bathe in the sun others more adventurous in nature can partake of the few water sports offered by relevant operators. Water skiing, paragliding, wind surfing, fishing and scuba diving are the best options for water sport lovers throughout the day.

Visitors often spend most of their time on Brit Street located along the Mojacar Playa or beach. This street is lined with pubs, night clubs and other British themed diners. Most of these places also offer happy hours and free tapas to go along with the main orders. The safest nightclubs are the ones run by some of the big hotels. Most bars also arrange for Flamenco dancers and other live entertainment at your request.

Mojacar also has 11 golf courses of which three take centre stage.  Shopping can be enjoyed at the Commercial Centre, a large mall, or at the many small shops that sell souvenirs. Horse riding, off road biking and lawn bowls form the other entertainment in Mojacar. The Moors and Christian Fiesta held in honor of the regions history is a spectacular delight inclusive of costumes and sabers to remember their Arab ancestors.

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Unspoiled beaches, a dramatic coastline, strategic location and sunny weather throughout the year have made Costa de Almeria the perfect destination for holiday makers during winter, summer or rain.

Set in the Andalusian province of South Eastern Spain, Costa de Almeria is surrounded with stunning mountain ranges and vast stretches of beach making it a destination that has beach and sun, modern and traditional activities and snow and skiing at the Sierra Nevada ski resorts just two and a half hours away.

The weather essentially sets Costa de Almeria aside from other popular destinations in this quarter of Spain. It is sunny with long hot summers and warm winters, and very little rainfall. The peak summer months of July and August tend to reach 30 degrees plus, while the temperatures drop down to 20 degrees in the early summer months. Evenings are pleasant in the summer and winter giving you the perfect climate for sunbathing during the day and splendid outings after sun down.

The dry desert like landscape in one part of Costa De Almeria has made it a popular site as a movie location. It was also the host to the 15th Mediterranean Games in 2005 owing to its various water sport facilities and well maintained golf courses.

Its location between the Costa de Sol and Costa Blanca has resulted in some of the best beaches within the region. The best beaches to visit in Costa De Almeria are undoubtedly the Punta de la Mona, La Herradura and the Salobrena. It is also very near to other beach resorts such as Mojacar, Vera Playa, Roquetas de Mar and Almerimar.

Most beaches offer water sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling and water skiing among other activities. The flora and fauna along the beaches are also another point of fun and curiosity among visitors. There are many isolated mini beaches along the way that offer immense privacy and peace from the regular busy ones.

The Alcazaba castles as well as the 16th century cathedral provide a piece of historic evidence to visitors. Their original structures have been maintained to increase their value of interest. Beautiful villages resplendent in traditional glory are a delight for most international tourists. The Natural Parks around the Costa de Almeria are again refreshing breaks from the hum-drum and noise of the crowded resorts.

In comparison to other beach resorts on the Costa de Sol, the night life in Costa de Almeria is rather quiet and closes early. Entertainment on offer is more suited to couples and in some cases young adults but not for those seeking a wild night out on the town. In fact there are fewer nightclubs and more tapas joints and restaurants. Restaurant Alfareros, Restaurant Sol de Almeria and Marisquera El Alcazar offer some of the freshest sea food along with a variety of local and international food.

Shopping in Costa de Almeria can again be restricted to local produce and street stalls full of souvenirs. Additionally the village market in Vicar offers a variety of farm and dairy produce and local handicrafts at affordable prices.
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Santa Susanna rose to its current popularity as a sought after tourist destination in the seventies. Formerly it was just another small city off the coast of Maresme just 50km away from Barcelona.

Tourists from within the country as well as outside began to flock to the city when developments took place and to explore the Catalonian regions within this area. It is surrounded by the Montnegre Mountains on one side with the sea on the other.
It is quieter than most other beach resort destinations in Spain yet it has all the amenities to make a great holiday nonetheless. To reach Santa Susanna from out of the country you would have to fly to Barcelona and then drive down to it by taxi or a rented car.

Sightseeing and activities

Església parroquial de Santa Susanna is one of the more popular sites in Santa Susanna which is a church made to honor the protector back in 1940. Torre de Can Bonet d’Avall another major tourist attraction is a tower adjoining a farm house that was constructed in the 13th or 15th century but was renovated in the 19th century to save it from dilapidating.

Can Rates was constructed in the 16 th century and a tower was added as protection in 1584. There are many other  towers such as the Torre de Mas Galtés,  Torre de Can Rates, Torre de Can Xirau, Torre del Mar and many others most dating back to the 16th century that add to the historic charm of the region.

Magnificent beaches, water sports and fun night clubs and entertainment are some of the other reasons why tourists chose this destination along the coast. Platja de Llevant is the most frequented city beach that provides immense beach amenities and lifeguards for visitor safety.

Platja de les Dunes and Platja de les Caletes also have a significant number of tourists for their activities for kids.

Platja de les Caletes is a fantastic little beach, which has several bays. The sandy beach is 2km long which stretches as far as Malgrat de Mar. This beach hosts a number of fun for all water sport activities for water sport aficionados. Restaurants and bars dot the busy street serving an array of local and international cuisines and shopping is another adventure that can keep you busy for hours.

Other great places to visit is Marineland that has spectacular dolphin shows and is also just 4km away from the Water Park in Lloret de Mar. The mountains offer the best ever chances of mountain biking and hiking along this part of the coast. If you visit in August you are sure to get a chance to see some of the best Sardana dancers at the many fiestas held annually.

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