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Showing posts from 2018

Menorca Cathedrals

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It is hardly surprising that on the beautiful island of Menorca you can find a number of churches, cathedrals and religious spots. Although many of the churches that you will see dotted around are small, they play an extremely important role in the lives of the locals. If you have accommodation in Menorca , there are a few spots that you simply can't miss. Ciutadella Cathedral This mighty building is located in the island town of Ciutadella, and is arguably one of the most impressive pieces of architecture on the island. Originally, the cathedral was built on the site of an ancient mosque, however was badly damaged in the 16th century by a fire, so had to be remodelled. The building is filled with so much detail, be it the stone carvings or the Neo-Gothic canopy, the outcome is very impressive. Santa Clara Church A small group of nuns still live in this historical attraction in Ciutadella. The church has been destroyed on several occasions since it's build

Barcelona Views from Above

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There is no denying that Barcelona is a beautiful city to get a vacation rentalin Spain . Full of stunning architecture, vibrant colour and plenty of green spaces, it can be sometimes difficult to take it all in from street level. It is sometimes better to step back and take a look at the city from above, and there are a number of viewpoints that will provide some spectacular views of the city and beyond. Bunkers del Carmel Over the years, Bunkers del Carmel has become a popular hangout for friends and loved ones to relax and watch the sunset. It is location of where the military stationed anti-aircraft artillery during the Spanish Civil War, and once you reach the viewpoint, it becomes clear why this lofty location was chosen. Not only can you get views over the whole city, there is also often a great atmosphere. Tibidabo Located at the back of the city, Tibidabo is one of the many mountains that traps the city between it and sea. This is one of the best-known v

Nadal Museum

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If you are a sports fan there is a very special experience in Mallorca that is pretty unique. The Rafa Nadal Sports Xperience Museum in Manacor allows its guests to enter into the immersive world of sports. The actual museum is located in the Rafa Nadal Sports centre. It features a large range of Rafa Nadel's trophies which are permanently on display, as well as memorabilia which has been donated by prominent figures in the sporting world. There is of course a section of the museum that is dedicated to the history of tennis which is very informative. The Xperience section is an area of the museum where Rafa Nadal has been heavily involved. Children and adults alike can be immersed in a range of high tech simulator activities, including so much more than just tennis. For example, there are simulators for formula 1, mountain biking and rowing. There are also a collection of other interactive sporting games and virtual reality experiences in sports such as ski j

Finding that perfect souvenir in Mallorca

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Sometimes it is nice to take a little something home with you when you have a great holiday abroad. Not only will it remind you of what amazing memories you made, you can also find some stunning high-quality goods to fall in love with. Majorca Pearls Mallorca is known for its pearls, but not those that you would typically find in the sea. The island features a number of top brand pearl manufacturers, such as Orquídea to Majórica, all of which have factory shops located inland. Some of the shops will even have their factories open, so you can go and see the pearls being made before heading to the shop. Traditional Sausages If you are a foodie, you should not leave the island before snapping up some traditional Mallorcan sausages, which are known locally as 'Sobrasada'. The sausages are made by families across the island, so you shouldn't have to travel too far from your Mallorca holiday rental to find them. The sausages are cured so should be fine fo

Barcelona's Secrets

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Barcelona is a city full of attractions, sights and history, but little beknown to some, some of the most interesting history is hidden in places you are unlikely to find unless you know where to look. So book a Vacation villa in Barcelona , and get exploring today. Exploring Barcelona's Gothic quarter is an experience in itself, but there are a few hidden gems buried amongst the obvious spectacular architecture. There is a small corner that is pretty wonderful to see, but you just need to know where to look. The medical patio is located at Calle Paradis 10, and it is in this patio that you will be able to find four columns that once formed part of the temple of Augusto, and are more than 2000 years old. Museum of the History if Barcelona There is no better place to learn about the evolution of the city than in the Museum of the History of Barcelona, located under the old town and filled with various ruins and artefacts from the city's past. When you are wa

Attractions in Pals

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Perched on top of a hill, Pals is a charming medieval village, a great place to have a holiday in Spain , just a few km inland from the Costa Brava coastline. There are many attractions in and around the town, which are great for families to enjoy. Explore the Rice Fields For almost 5 centuries now rice has been grown in Pals, and a great way to spend a morning is to walk or cycle through the fields. In the summer months you are also able to hop on a tourist train through the rice fields with amazing mountain views in background. You will be taken to the mill where you can see the process and the machinery room with a guide. Parc Aventura This attraction offers a unique adventure for families, located high in the pine forests. With over 80 thrills, including zip wires, tunnels and Tarzan jumps, it will certainly have your adrenaline pumping! Only a 5-minute drive away, and with parking facilities, it offers a great day out from your Costa Brava vacation rental

Cova D’en Xoroi

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If you want an experience with a difference while you are renting a villa in Menorca , then visiting Cova D'en Xoroi is a must. The venue is essentially a bar and restaurant built into the cliff face, and although you have to pay a small entry free to get in, you are rewarded with a drink and an experience like no other. To enter, you have to first descend down some stairs and then through a maze of twisting rocky corridors, until you reach the bar itself. Not only is the venue pretty unique, it also offers some stunning views from the opening at one end, and a promise of some pretty spectacular sunsets. The venue has been described as the ultimate sundowner, as there is nothing quite like sipping on a refreshing cocktail and watching the sunset to the sounds of ambient music. It is no wonder that locals and holiday makers flood from their Menorca accommodation to party the night away in one of Menorca's most unique venues, which is popular both day and night. T

Ibiza IMS

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On the 25th May this year, the Ibiza International Music Summit will take place, located in the picture-perfect location of Dalt Vila. Many people will renta villa in Ibiza purely to attend this event, as it is one of the most unique parties in the world. It is an event worth attending for the location alone, which has been named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are a fan of electric music, then this is the music festival for you, with an exceptional line up year after year. Like many music festivals in the island, the event takes place in the open air, and as the 11 th edition, the organisers are making it bigger and better than ever. This year Sven Vath is headlining the performance, returning for his third Dalt Vila appearance, but you will also find other acts including Pete Tong b2b Bedouin, Nastia b2b Dubfire, Danny Tenaglia b2b Guy Gerber and many more. It is one of the only events where music legends share the stage with some of the most exciting, emerging a

EsVedra

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EsVedra is often described as one of Ibiza’s biggest attractions, and can provide a great day trip from your villa in Ibiza . Although the island off the western coast of Ibiza is small, it is incredibly beautiful. It stands at 413 metres tall and is around 2 and a half km from the coast of Calad’Hort, and forms part of the protected Calad’Hort nature reserve. History The rocky island is thoughtto have been standing for 155 million years, formed by seismic movement on the coast. Due to its location the south west, the EsVedra sunset is really out of this world, and trip to the island from your Ibizaholiday rental is worth it just for the sunset alone. Myths and Legends. Tours to the island are as popular as they are partly thanks to the history of the area, which is shrouded by myths and legends. Fishermen and boaters swear that their navigational equipment goes crazy when they are anywhere near the rock, much like the Bermuda triangle, but no one knows why. The

Barcelona’s Famous Mountains

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The most famous mountain formation in the Catalunya region is Montserrat, and remains one of the area’s biggest attractions. Located just 30km away from Barcelona, it is perfect for a day trip if you have a Barcelona vacation rental.  Its name literally translates as ‘Serrated Mountain’, and you can see why it is named so. At its highest point it reaches 1236 metres, and thanks to millions of years of water erosion, have developed their dramatic shape. Around the mountain you will find typical Mediterranean forests, just waiting to be explored. Legends Legend has it, that in the year 880, the villagers were tending to their cattle when a bright light seemed to fall from the skies. This continued to happen at the same time for the next four weeks. The bishop came to observe this event and found an image of the virgin Mary in a nearby cave. When he tried to move it, the weight of it made it impossible. The bishop claimed that this was the will of the Virgin, who did

Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter

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Booking your vacation rental in Barcelona around the gothic quarter means that you only have to step outside your door to be surrounded by stunning architecture and a hub of activity. The streets of Barcelona’s gothic quarter are filled with Medieval buildings and trendy bars, clubs and restaurants. What’s more, you are in the heart of the city, within easy reach of all the other main attractions. History The area is known as the gothic quarter due to its former life as a Roman village. You will still be able to find many remains of its glorious past. Because of the constant modernisation of the area, it’s not unusual for you to spot a modern building right next to an ancient one. It’s this eclectic mix of old and new that brings people from all over the world to find Barcelona accommodation in this area. Shopping There is an abundance of shopping opportunities in the gothic quarter. For commercial shopping head to Calle Portal de L’Angel or you can spend hours popping in

Best Street food in Barcelona

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Food is likely to be a big part of any trip to Barcelona. Many people chose to get a vacation rental in Spain simply to try some of the delicious delicacies on offer. Although not well known for its street food, Barcelona has some delicious street eats that shouldn’t be missed. In recent years the street food scene has taken the city by storm. Although restaurant food has continued to grow more refined and complex, this new scene has come with the aim of injecting some simplicity into local dining in the city. If you plan on spending much of your evening in your villa in Barcelona , then simply grabbing some dinner on the go could be the best option. Mercat de la Boqueria Located on the bustle La Rambla, this market is the most popular in Barcelona, offering a huge range of fresh food. It is a fantastic place to grab a bite to eat if you can find a place to sit at one of the many counter tops. From simple salads and sandwiches to snack cones and fresh juices, you can f