TRAVEL ARTICLES
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Viva Barcelona
Barcelona: The gaudy jewel in the Spanish architectural-crown; a bustling Catalonian city thrumming to Flamenco, tapas and tide; a beautiful seaside resort, hemmed-in by the mountainous Serra de Collserola ridge.
As a holiday destination, Barcelona is all things to all men - providing almost every possible attraction for the full gamut of travelers and tourists. The airport is now Spain's second largest, and cheap flights to Barcelona - coupled with a vigorous tourist industry that is ever expanding - make the city one of Europe's top destinations.
Indeed, Barcelona is an extremely accessible and eminently affordable city break destination; short-haul flights and accommodation can be snatched up for very little on sites like Lastminute.com. Because Barcelona has so much to recommend it besides hot weather and beaches it also makes a great off-season destination, you might even prefer the prospect of exploring the city unhindered by the touristy bustle of summer. Otbeach.com have some great deals on late holidays.
Historically, Barcelona dates back to the 3rd century BC, and evidence of the city's early Roman origins can be seen in the ruins beneath the Plaça del Rei. However, architecturally speaking, the dominant force in the city is certainly the buildings of Antoni Gaudi; the great modernist architect of highly individualistic buildings that bubble rise out of the cityscape like molten lava. His great, unfinished masterpiece, The Sagrada Família - a massive Roman Catholic church - is still under construction today, having been begun in 1882.
On other artistic fronts, Barcelona offers dazzling array of opportunities to indulge the sense: in one of the many art and antiquarian museums; in the Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house; the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya; the Picasso museum, or the Fundacio Joan Miro, to name a few.
Once your cultural palate has been quenched, you might want to sample some of the exquisite restaurants and bars Barcelona has to offer. Tapas and local specialities of stewed sausage and white beans, red peppers and aubergine, and cod with onions will hit the spot perfectly - washed down with a jug of cold Sangria. Or you could drink that on one of Barcelona's four kilometres of beach, or in one of the 68 municipal parks...
Barcelona is one of the leading lights of modern, cosmopolitan Europe, an extraordinary and varied place with a vibrant culture, an astonishing heritage and a glorious landscape. Viva Espana, and viva Barcelona!
As a holiday destination, Barcelona is all things to all men - providing almost every possible attraction for the full gamut of travelers and tourists. The airport is now Spain's second largest, and cheap flights to Barcelona - coupled with a vigorous tourist industry that is ever expanding - make the city one of Europe's top destinations.
Indeed, Barcelona is an extremely accessible and eminently affordable city break destination; short-haul flights and accommodation can be snatched up for very little on sites like Lastminute.com. Because Barcelona has so much to recommend it besides hot weather and beaches it also makes a great off-season destination, you might even prefer the prospect of exploring the city unhindered by the touristy bustle of summer. Otbeach.com have some great deals on late holidays.
Historically, Barcelona dates back to the 3rd century BC, and evidence of the city's early Roman origins can be seen in the ruins beneath the Plaça del Rei. However, architecturally speaking, the dominant force in the city is certainly the buildings of Antoni Gaudi; the great modernist architect of highly individualistic buildings that bubble rise out of the cityscape like molten lava. His great, unfinished masterpiece, The Sagrada Família - a massive Roman Catholic church - is still under construction today, having been begun in 1882.
On other artistic fronts, Barcelona offers dazzling array of opportunities to indulge the sense: in one of the many art and antiquarian museums; in the Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house; the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya; the Picasso museum, or the Fundacio Joan Miro, to name a few.
Once your cultural palate has been quenched, you might want to sample some of the exquisite restaurants and bars Barcelona has to offer. Tapas and local specialities of stewed sausage and white beans, red peppers and aubergine, and cod with onions will hit the spot perfectly - washed down with a jug of cold Sangria. Or you could drink that on one of Barcelona's four kilometres of beach, or in one of the 68 municipal parks...
Barcelona is one of the leading lights of modern, cosmopolitan Europe, an extraordinary and varied place with a vibrant culture, an astonishing heritage and a glorious landscape. Viva Espana, and viva Barcelona!
Taking that Late Summer Holiday
There is a very strong argument for delaying your summer break until the commercial drop-off of early autumn. For a start, the moment we move out of high-season breaks, the prices drop dramatically. Secondly, the crowds are also minimised, as most children are back at school, students go back to university, and most of the rest of the country head back to the office.
Also, flights begin to run less frequently, meaning that you are more likely to fill up a regular plane rather than demand the commission of a whole new set of flights. It might sound insignificant, but that is a reduction in carbon emissions as well as a better guarantee that you won't get bumped or severely delayed by massive crowds.
These are just a few reasons to consider taking advantage of one of the late holidays on offer at a range of online travel websites. Many of us will be tempted by the idea of a few days in the sun, making up for the beach holiday we never had this summer. Take a look at On the Beach's website and you may well find some inspiration for a sunny September interlude.
There are still plenty of holiday destinations to choose from; thanks to the extended summer much of the continent seems to be enjoying, you are not limited to taking city breaks or walking tours. Make the most, instead, of the beach holidays on offer. Perhaps you fancy yourself as a surfer, an explorer following in the footsteps of William S. Burroughs and Jack Kerouac: take a trip down to Morocco for culture clashes as well as wave crashes.
If you fancy something quieter, the Balaeric Islands are now winding down after their busy summer season. The old side of Ibiza is a beguiling and picturesque part of an island more famous for its extraordinarily expensive mega-clubs. If Spain doesn't seem like the place for you, the south coast of France provides style, class and top-quality cuisine, as well as beautiful scenery and a good deal of celebrity spotting. But with these late holiday offers, you won't necessarily have to pay movie-star megabucks to get there.
Also, flights begin to run less frequently, meaning that you are more likely to fill up a regular plane rather than demand the commission of a whole new set of flights. It might sound insignificant, but that is a reduction in carbon emissions as well as a better guarantee that you won't get bumped or severely delayed by massive crowds.
These are just a few reasons to consider taking advantage of one of the late holidays on offer at a range of online travel websites. Many of us will be tempted by the idea of a few days in the sun, making up for the beach holiday we never had this summer. Take a look at On the Beach's website and you may well find some inspiration for a sunny September interlude.
There are still plenty of holiday destinations to choose from; thanks to the extended summer much of the continent seems to be enjoying, you are not limited to taking city breaks or walking tours. Make the most, instead, of the beach holidays on offer. Perhaps you fancy yourself as a surfer, an explorer following in the footsteps of William S. Burroughs and Jack Kerouac: take a trip down to Morocco for culture clashes as well as wave crashes.
If you fancy something quieter, the Balaeric Islands are now winding down after their busy summer season. The old side of Ibiza is a beguiling and picturesque part of an island more famous for its extraordinarily expensive mega-clubs. If Spain doesn't seem like the place for you, the south coast of France provides style, class and top-quality cuisine, as well as beautiful scenery and a good deal of celebrity spotting. But with these late holiday offers, you won't necessarily have to pay movie-star megabucks to get there.
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
Havana's Crumbling Charm
Cuba has largely avoided being commercialised like other Caribbean islands, retaining the glamour of its past; the modern and old-school worlds living together on the island. This lends Cuba its nostalgic gleam and makes a visit a one-off experience.
If you're planning a trip, Havana, the capital is a good place to start if you're after a taste of the old world. This city best represents a more antique Cuba and its dusty architecture gives the capital a faded charm.
Cuba is famous for its rum, so a visit to the former headquarters of the Bacardi bar is recommended. It was built in the 1930s, based on a New York Art Deco theme tower and was one of the first skyscrapers in Havana. Another landmark that was in the swing of old Havana is The Hotel Nacional, which was originally built up by the North America mafia in the 1930s. Famous guests have included Frank Sinatra and Ernest Hemingway, while the musicians from Buena Vista Social Club have sung in their gardens. It holds onto its peeling decor and old-school glamour today, which may feel bit kitsch without its context; but it's a significant building to Havana.
If you want to relax after exploring Havana's streets, you can lie back and sunbathe on one of the many beautiful beaches. In Havana, a top choice is the Tarara Marina that has flower coral in the shallow waters and keen scuba divers should be delighted by the swordfish and sea marlins. Alternatively try Bacuranao Beach for the closest beach to Havana, in the Habana del Este district. It's managed to stay local and tourist-free by being a little difficult to find, but is worth investigating for the fresh water creek that runs thought it.
When you venture out after dark, anticipate a night full of music and singing. Music is a real passion for Cubans and the nightlife has a real buzz. Havana is known as the party capital of the island so expect a mix of modern and old-school clubs and bars. Keeping in theme with the older Havana, you might want to try La Floridita - a place renowned for their daiquiris. For a night of traditional sing-song, visit the Piano Bar Maragato at Hotel Florida which is right in middle of old Havana. It is a Cuban haunt, and a night out will include very decent rum and a bunch of locals performing old classics to each other.
If you're planning a trip, Havana, the capital is a good place to start if you're after a taste of the old world. This city best represents a more antique Cuba and its dusty architecture gives the capital a faded charm.
Cuba is famous for its rum, so a visit to the former headquarters of the Bacardi bar is recommended. It was built in the 1930s, based on a New York Art Deco theme tower and was one of the first skyscrapers in Havana. Another landmark that was in the swing of old Havana is The Hotel Nacional, which was originally built up by the North America mafia in the 1930s. Famous guests have included Frank Sinatra and Ernest Hemingway, while the musicians from Buena Vista Social Club have sung in their gardens. It holds onto its peeling decor and old-school glamour today, which may feel bit kitsch without its context; but it's a significant building to Havana.
If you want to relax after exploring Havana's streets, you can lie back and sunbathe on one of the many beautiful beaches. In Havana, a top choice is the Tarara Marina that has flower coral in the shallow waters and keen scuba divers should be delighted by the swordfish and sea marlins. Alternatively try Bacuranao Beach for the closest beach to Havana, in the Habana del Este district. It's managed to stay local and tourist-free by being a little difficult to find, but is worth investigating for the fresh water creek that runs thought it.
When you venture out after dark, anticipate a night full of music and singing. Music is a real passion for Cubans and the nightlife has a real buzz. Havana is known as the party capital of the island so expect a mix of modern and old-school clubs and bars. Keeping in theme with the older Havana, you might want to try La Floridita - a place renowned for their daiquiris. For a night of traditional sing-song, visit the Piano Bar Maragato at Hotel Florida which is right in middle of old Havana. It is a Cuban haunt, and a night out will include very decent rum and a bunch of locals performing old classics to each other.
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