Moms Travel TipsTravel Tips and Vacation Ideas for the Whole Family

Andalucia is probably one of Spain’s most sundry areas with its mountainous regions leading down to the Costa del Sol, Costa Tropical, Costa de Almeria and to the far west neighboring Portugal, the pretty Costa de la Luz.  It is excellent for a holiday in winter as well as summer as there’s skiing in the Sierra Nevada.

An Andalucia vacation has much to supply from its countrywide Parks to a trip to Jerez for some sherry tasting.  Also not to be missed are a day out to the fantastic town of Granada with its Alhambra Palace, Jaen or similarly Cordoba which also has much Moorish history.

The white towns ( pueblos blancos ) named thanks to the Moorish practice of whitewashing the buildings are a glance back in time to traditional Spain.  Towns such as Ronda, Gaucin and Jimena de la Frontera to name just a few.

Inland, rural Andalusia has three excellent cities to explore, namely Cordoba, Granada and the capital of the region – Seville.  In addition to these historic cities with their Moorish past, there are many conventional and quaint whitewashed villages to visit, as well as nature reserves or simply walking or hiking in the scenic countryside.

Western rural Andalusia is home to the excellent town of Ronda.  It has got a impressive setting being located on a massive outcrop of rock.  It is also renowned for its bullring, which is the oldest in the country.  The Punte Nuevo – ‘the New Bridge’ spans the gorge and links the old part of Ronda with the new.  This part of Andalusia is also home to the whitewashed hamlets – pueblos blancos – of Gaucin, Jimena de la Frontera as well as pretty towns and villages such as Alhaurin el Grande, Alhaurin de la Torre and Coin.  Also in this area near the town of El Chorro is the geographical wonder of the Garganta del Chorro, a massive natural chasm in the limestone mountain.  The national park of El Torcal is also favored by hikers, hikers and nature lovers.

In the east of the Malaga region Antequera is a busy market town inside reach of Malaga for a short break.  It is a more conventional town and is well known for manufacturing olive oil.  It is feasible to walk round the walls of the 13th century hilltop castle from where there are wonderful breathtaking views over the encompassing area.

Some of the smaller rustic hamlets in this area are Villanueva de la Concepcion, Alcaucin and the pretty white hamlet of Competa.  Here and in similar villages you will find a treasure house of culture and a taste of real Spain.  We have many vacation fincas and cortijos to lease as well as interesting hamlet houses all set in agricultural andalucian locations, yet the sea in most cases is inside an hours drive.  If you are looking for a vacation rental to escape from it all, then this is the area of choice.

Where do you want to travel in the world? For an idea of where to go on your next vacation, visit famouswonders.com. While you are on the site, also take a look at places to see in Spain.

Touted as one of the foremost attractions of Madrid is Retiro Park (in Spanish it is Parque del Buen Retiro). Beautiful promenades and pathways wind through it, there is a quiet lake, stunning memorials and sculptures as well as numerous festivities and fun happenings.

Following its opening in the year 1868 it has housed royalty in gorgeous palaces as well as been the site for various important buildings throughout history. Due to the Napoleonic wars many structures were lost or are barely discernible however today there are numerous sites still worth seeing.

Popular sites within the park include the Palacio de Cristal, a glass structure originally used to house exotic plants, and the Palacio de Velzquez, a former industrial exhibition house now mainly used to display art. Other amazing sites are Ejercito, a preeminent museum for military artifacts and Casn where you will find world renowned paintings from the 18 and 19 hundreds.

There are many fantastic places to explore, but the heart of the park lies within Estanque del Retiro, the large lake at the northern entrance. Not surprisingly summer is one of the more popular times for the park when entire families can be found taking in the beautiful surroundings along the perimeter of the lake. For those wishing for a little activity, you can rent a boat from one of the local vendors there and row around it.

Another beautiful feature of the park is the Rosaleda rose garden, enjoyed by both tourists and natives, as well as the nearby Cecilia Rodriguez gardens and Serrano Street’s outstanding restaurants.

There are many outdoor cafes in and around the park for you to sample a range of Spanish cuisine. It is also home to various entertainment forms such as dancers, street musicians, fortune tellers, and jugglers all alongside the local citizens that are out and about for a simple walk.

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The Spanish called it the “Gate of the Sun” and for visitors to Spain’s Puerta del Sol, they’ll know exactly what the Spaniards were talking about.

The gates used to be the entrance to the city of Madrid. In the 15th century, like numerous medieval towns, Madrid was surrounded by a wall to protect it, and people could only go in through the gates. The name of the gate became well known through out the trading world because Spain at one time was the center of the known world. Even after the fall of Madrid’s walls, the gates remained a place for tradesmen and dignitaries alike to meet. As a matter of fact, it remains the major meeting point in Madrid even today.

Breathtaking examples of architecture are found throughout the area, as well as numerous statues and monuments, including a famous sculpture of a bear eating some fruit from a madrone tree, which is what the name “Madrid” is derived from; the bear is also a very powerful symbol for the people of Madrid.

The House of the Post Office, is one of Madrid’s most important buildings, and it is the main point for the celebrations of the New Year. There is also a slab of paving that marks the area that the six major highways come from, that go around Spain. That means it’s not just a good place to start exploring the city, but the whole country.

Just a short distance away from Puerta del Sol you can visit other tourist attractions, like the Plaza Mayor or the Palacio Real; the Royal Palace. The city’s governmental body, Parliament, is also a short distance away. You can board a train at the Metro station and visit this location.

Dozens of side streets house shops, restaurants and other attractions, so at least half a day should be set aside for a visit. But Madrid and Puerta del Sol are not just places to visit during the daylight hours. At night is when the real fun begins; as bars and cantinas and cafes become packed with tourists and residents, the street performers come out and entertain all.

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The Palacio Real (Royal Palace) located in Madrid is known for its astounding classical architecture, and for the wondrous statues, monuments, and lavish gardens that adorn the area. Up until 1931 a series of Spanish rulers occupied Palacio Real, which was under construction for 25 years, and was at one time the mecca of power for a dynasty that reigned half the known world in the 1700s.

Even with 90 percent of the palace being closed off from public viewing, the remaining portion is still far larger than anyone could see in one day. In its splendor, the palace is made up of nearly 3,000 rooms with 240 balconies and over forty staircases, and one can behold its grand furniture, extravagant decorations, and grandiose ornaments all throughout.

You’ll see the Throne Room, from which the plans and strategies of what was once the world’s greatest superpower were formulated, and the Royal Armory, which displays a number of weapons and armor, along with a range of medieval torture implements used in the Spanish Inquisition.

In the palace you will also experience the Royal Pharmacy, where you will learn more about past medical customs; The Royal Library, where numerous first editions of critical Spanish literature are retained; and an impressive banquet hall, where many of the most legendary European rulers have feasted.

Outside of Palacio Real, you can walk through the Royal Gardens (which are the most famous in Madrid), enjoy the sight of the Manzanares River, and watch the changing of the guards.

To see all the sights and take in all the history of Palacio Real, a two-hour guided tour is the way to go. These $30 tours sell out quickly, mostly during the summer, and it is best if they are reserved ahead of time. You cannot take pictures at the Palacio Real, but you can buy postcards and books at the end of the tour as souvenirs.

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The Plaza Mayor is one of Madrid’s main tourist attractions and draws in millions of visitors a year.

The Plaza is not a forefront in architectural art, however the pleasant atmosphere here will surely lead to a pleasant experience. It’s an amazing place to experience the culture first hand, both Spanish locals and tourists frequent the area.

The Plaza Mayor was established hundreds of years ago, but a fire in 1790 contributed to its current shape. Political debates, bullfights, beheadings and festivals have all taken place in the The Plaza Mayor which was widely used as a public gathering. Reading up on it’s history prior to visiting it, or even whilst there, will make a trip there even more worthwhile.

Measuring 100m on each side and being nearly square, it may not be exceptionally large, but it has the capacity to hold 50,000 people at once. Throughout the summer season, the Plaza is particularly packed. To live a true Spanish experience you’ll want to visit The Plaza Mayor during one of the many festivals which are held there all year round.

It is perfect for having a drink or getting a bite to eat – or just sit back and relax – as there are several bars, cafes, and restaurants to visit there. A plethora of classic Spanish meals can be ordered, often at prices that are reasonable. Many different shops are in the area to visit, so be sure to pick up some souvenirs.

Buildings that encircle the Plaza are convenient places for looking down upon events that are taking place down below. These spots are most definitely worth the time and effort to reach, as you will be able to get above and away from the chaos and stress of being present in a large crowd, thus enabling you to have a better chance at watching the events taking place below.

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It may lie just seventy miles off the coast of West Africa. But the small Canary Island of Lanzarote is Spanish owned. And has long been a hot favourite with British and Irish tourists – who accounted for over one million visitors last year,attracted by a delightful year round climate, good quality holiday accommodation and the island´s unique volcanic scenery.

There is a wide choice of Lanzarote apartments but if you prefer a more luxurious holiday then you can grab yourself a bargain Lanzarote holiday villa this summer as lower than expected visitor number means there are some good deals to be had.

At just four hours flying time Lanzarote is one of the closest winter sun holiday destinations to the UK. And is serviced by a number of the biggest low cost flight operators – such as easy Jet and Fly Monarch. Which means it is usually possible to pick up cheap flights to Lanzarote for as little as £200 return from all major UK airports.

The sole airport on the island is called Arrecife and is located around 3km outside of the island capital of the same name. Thanks to Lanzarote´s relatively small size (it measures just 58km by 34.5km) transfer times from the airport to the island’s three main resorts are mercifully quick. With Puerto del Carmen just ten minutes from the airport, Costa Teguise fifteen and Playa Blanca around thirty five minutes away.

The bulk of visitors to the island arrive on package holidays so will find themselves travelling to their resort on coaches organised by their tour operator. But for the growing band of independent travellers there is no shuttle bus service to the resorts. Which means they need to rely on either taxis – which are available just outside the main arrivals terminal. Or hire cars – which are also readily available at the airport.

Car hire in Lanzarote is very good value in relation to many other holiday destinations. With prices starting from as little as €20 per day. Petrol is also much cheaper than in the UK or Eire, costing around 80 centimos for a litre of unleaded fuel.

Around 40% of all visitors book hotels in Lanzarote. Which are of a high standard, particularly in the island’s newest resort of Playa Blanca in the south of the island. Where all establishments built over the last ten years are of a four star standard and above.

Whilst the bulk of the best villas in Lanzarote are located in and around the resort of Puerto del Carmen. Which was once known as a small fishing village called La Tiñosa before package tourism first really took off on the island. Transforming it into the most popular resort on Lanzarote.

The island is also blessed with a raw volcanic scenery and plenty of natural beauty. Making it an ideal holiday location for sightseeing. Elements of the landscape have been united with the artistic aesthetic of the island born artist Cesar Manrique. Who created a series of seven unique tourist attractions during the 1970´s – such as the Cactus Garden and the Jameos del Agua – which still delight tourists to this day.

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Despite the current economic climate and the depreciation of sterling against the euro the small Spanish island of Lanzarote, in the Canaries, expects to welcome well over one million tourists during the course of 2009.  With British and Irish holiday makers comprising the largest contingents of visitors.

This is great news for the tourists visiting the island as there are some great deals to be had on Lanzarote Villas and Lanzarote apartments.

This figure will still be way down on previous years however.  As island tourist authorities have already recorded a 20% drop in arrivals during the first quarter of this year.  As some consumers opt to either stay at home or journey outside of the euro zone.  But many more still find that a good value break in a destination such as Lanzarote can even work out cheaper than a holiday in the UK.

Self catering holidays on islands such as Lanzarote can in fact work out to be very affordable.  The cost of a weeks stay in many Lanzarote apartments for example starts at around €170 per week.  And this is the price per room, rather than per person.   Those looking for a really good accommodation deal should search for apartments in Puerto del Carmen.  As Lanzarote´s biggest resort offers the largest range of choice, boasting hundreds of complexes.

Accommodation is available in both the New and Old Towns – both popular holiday locations in their own right.  Offering good facilities, such as swimming pools and maid service at highly competitive prices.  Puerto del Carmen has also enjoyed a recent revamp, with a new marina nearing completion in the Old Town Harbour area.  Whilst the main beachfront strip, the Avenida de las Playas has been partly pedestrians.  Making it a for more pleasant place to stroll.

There´s a wide selection of high quality Lanzarote villas available for rent across the island.  All offering high standards of accommodation with prices starting from around €400 per week.  For a two bedroom villa with private pool.  There are more villas in Playa Blanca, the newest destination on the island, than in any other resort.  Thanks to the fact that hundreds of overseas investors have snapped up property here in recent years to rent out to their fellow tourists.

Playa Blanca is an atmospheric and well appointed destination.  Boasting a delightful seafront promenade that stretches from one end of the resort to the other.  Along with some of the best beaches on the island and a fantastic microclimate.  Which tends to make this the most reliable choice for those in search of sun.  Visitors can even hop on a ferry and visit the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura, just 6km away across the Bocaina Straits.

Visitors to Spain and the Canary Islands will get a warm welcome and have a fantastic holiday regardless of their choice of destination.

Jetting from Birmingham International Airport, you can travel to lots of fascinating countires such as Turkey, Spain, Bulgaria, and more. What you need is a detailed trip itinerary so that your trip will be pleasant and enjoyable. There are multiple ways you can plan for your holiday. One quick and effortless way, is to identify relevant information from the internet.

Turkey

If you are jetting to Turkey from Birmingham city, you will be amazed at the rich culture of the country. Turkey is neighboured by a total of eight other countries. As a result of its natural positioning, which is between two continents, Turkey has a unique mix of Western and Eastern cultures.

The antiquity of Turkey began from as early as the 13th century BCE. The first major empire belonged to the Hittites. Empires rose and fell throughout the time. As each empire gave way to stronger and more powerful empires, traces of its traditions were left behind. Today, you can still see fantastic ancient buildings such as The Celsus Library in Ephesus, the legendary walls of Troy (VII), and lots of others. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) is perhaps the most majestic of all.

Spain – Interesting destinations.

Spain is a large country with many alluring regions. It would be a good idea to focus on various cities so that you have more opportunity to really get to explore the cities well. You may wish to travel to Barcelona, which is the second largest city in Spain. Many well known painters live in this city, so you bury yourself in one of the art galleries and have a really fantastic time. Another charismatic city is Valencia. As it is located near the ocean, many visitors return to the city to enjoy the beach every year.

Bulgaria

No doubt, Turkey and Spain each have rich history. Perhaps Bulgaria is a country with enough cultural attractions of interest to beat each of these countries! The man made sites include Rila Monastery, Boyana Church, Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari, Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, Madara Rider and the Ancient City of Nessebar. The only two natural sites are known as Pirin National Park and Srebarna Nature Reserve. For sure, that’s enough destinations to keep you active throughout the whole vacation.

You must be curious if such holiday packages would be costly. Just check out some of the online deals that are available on via popular travel sites. You may be surprised at how economical the prices are. For a few hundred dollars, you can travel to many great cities from Birmingham city.

For package information look for some fantastic Holidays from Birmingham and don’t forget to book your Birmingham Airport Car Parking.

Despite the current economic downturn the holiday island of Lanzarote still expects to welcome well over one million foreign visitors during the course of 2009.  The majority of them from the UK.  As the island remains a favoure holiday spot with tourists.  Much to the delight of the many thousands of overseas owners of holiday villas in Lanzarote.

Fortunately most families still refuse to cut their annual vacations and holidays even if money is tight.

The Canarian archipelago, comprising a total of seven very individual islands, is a short four hour flight away from the UK by plane.  And some of the best known budget airlines fly there, such as Jet 2 and Thomas Cook.  Which means it is usually fairly easy to get a flight to the island for as little as £200 return.  Making it a big favourite with overseas investors – many of whom rent their property in Lanzarote to holidaymakers. The bulk of flights from the UK operate on Mondays and Thursdays.

Lanzarote only has the one international airport at Arrecife.  Which is located around 3km from the island capital of the same name.  This serves as the hub for ´domestic’ flights between the other six Canary Islands as well as the rest of Spain.  Facilities at the airport are a little limited by mainland European standards.  For example there are no bureau de change facilities or shops in the arrivals hall.

In addition, there are no shuttle buses running between the airport and the main resorts.  Which means that independent travellers will either need to take a taxi to their Lanzarote hotels or hire a car.  Taxis are available directly outside the main arrivals hall.  Although it is well worth noting that there can be a considerable queue during busy periods – such as Thursdays.  When arrivals should allow up to twenty minutes wait.

On the upside, getting to most accommodation such as Lanzarote villas or apartments is usually pretty quick.  As the island is very small – measuring less than 60km from end to end.  So transfer times are speedy.  For example, Playa Blanca, which is the furthest resort from the airport can be reached in around 35 minutes.  Whilst the other two main resorts of Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen are both within a ten minute radius of Arecife airport.

There´s lots of things for tourists to do on Lanzarote.  As the island boasts over ninety great beaches.  Along with a surprisingly large amount of natural beauty spots – such as the Timanfaya Volcano Park and the Green Lagoon.  Along with historic towns such as Teguise – the oldest in the Canaries.  And some unique man made attractions – created by the island born artist Cesar Manrique.  So hire a car and take time to explore this enchanting island.

Pop along to the Lanzarote villas website for the very latest availability of Lanzarote holiday villas. You can also find a great selection of  Lanzarote holiday apartments there too.

While your initial impression of Spain may be one of popular stereotypes – bullfights and Flamenco dancers – in reality it’s an incredibly magnificent country of outstanding landscapes, accentuated by a synergy of mind-blowing architectural integrating a diversity of genres unlike anywhere else in the world. Combined through a smorgasbord of arts, culture, gastronomy, attitudes and styles, many reflecting its tremendous history, Spain is a constitution of a variety of original regional societies that today remain as proudly distinct as they are united within the fabric of a single country.

The Spanish people are among the most open-hearted and communicative in the world; making friends won’t be any problem, especially in the larger urban areas. There is a legendary saying that the Spanish living room is the bar where the people normally spend a lot of their time. And the only way to fully appreciate the excellence of this ‘community’ is to travel Spain from top to bottom.

This synergy has not come easily; past centuries have witnessed incursions by every dominating power of that era: Iberians, Celts, Phonecians, Greeks, Romans, Gothics, Muslims, Christians, Arabs, Moors, French – each contributing to the amalgam which is now the cultural of Spain.

Travel Spain: When To Visit And How To Travel?

Typically, the most temperate climate can be enjoyed, depending on the region, between April and October, when you can rely on good moderate weather. But if your objective is to take in some of the numerous national and regional cultural festivals happening during the summer, your best bet is to visit between Easter and September.

But remember, to travel Spain in the summer means you are visiting during the high season, both the coastal and interior regions of Spain; in mid-summer, the inland cities empty out and everyone migrates to the coasts, and the Iberian Peninsula is packed with tourists outnumbering residents. If you are destined to travel Spain in the middle of summer, plan before ahead, and prepare yourself for a pleasant busy (but exciting) vacation; an additional advantage of not travelling in this peak period is naturally the rates charged by travel, accommodation and entertainment services.

Travel Spain By Train And Metro

Spain is well-serviced by international and regional airports with excellent connections to Europe and the rest of the world; a popular way to travel Spain, perhaps as a component of a European trip, is to use the excellent rail systems. Bus travel is well-developed in Spain, and may be quicker than trains of you are planning to cover a variety of destinations in any area; many train stations are located some distance outside of major cities and towns. But if your plans to travel Spain require you to be as flexible as possible, renting a car is possibly the best option.

Spanish trains are the most inexpensive in Europe, and provide excellent connection to all cities in Spain through an integrated network of national, regional and inter-city rail options, necessitated by the historical development of regional train services based on incompatible narrow and wide-gauge formats.

But the range of available rail options (for example, high-speed, sleeper car, dining/hospitality, commuter) provides you the flexibility to travel Spain while leveraging your rail component to also serve as accommodation and mobile restaurant – a  savings in time and money which provides the means to extend your enjoyment of Spain’s cultural diversity a little longer.

In major Spanish cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, or to travel Granada Spain, subway systems are a convenient way to see most of the sites of the city, especially if the weather is not cooperating or you have a long distance to cover.

Travel Spain Outside The Metropolitan Areas

Why travel Spain outside of the big cities? In two words – beaches, and countryside.

Excellent beaches are found along most of Spain’s coast, near Malaga, Huelva and Almería in the south as well as near the coasts of La Manga, Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and Euskadi. If, however, your objective is wild and crazy packed beaches and resorts, there are plenty of crowded beaches on the Costa de la Luz and the Costa del Sol.

However, if fresh air is your objective, the Spanish countryside is filled with incredible geography unparalleled vistas and phenomenal photographic opportunities. In addition, there are areas which offer trekking, mountain-climbing, wildlife parks, cave exploration, horse riding, and even deserts. To travel Spain is indeed experience a lifetime of activities and fun in the space of a vacation.

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