Archive for 'Curiosities in Spain'

Isla Mágica made headlines a decade ago when Tom Cruise had a real-life movie magic moment and rented out the whole theme park for a day for his daughter Suri while in the area filming the movie, “Knight and Day.” However, you don’t need to pull that kind of massive surprise or have exclusive access to enjoy this incredible place. If you have found a vacation rental in Seville or a holiday rental in Andalusia then you should set aside a day to go and play around on the rides and enjoy the thematic zones and performances whether you are amongst actual children or those that are simply always children at heart.

Córdoba is a quaint town that is a must-see and perfect day trip destination for anyone who has found a vacation rental in Andalusia and is looking for something extra special. It is one of those utterly picturesque places that feel as though one is in an entirely different world; all lush vegetation, great open piazzas, big old bridges, flowers tumbling over cast iron balconies, little winding streets lined by cast iron lamps, Moorish architectural influences, great fountains and water features, a medieval core, and more modern parts of the city. However, amongst all the lovely restaurants, places to wander with loved ones and take in your lovely surroundings, pretty views, cute shops, and much more to see and do besides, the most famous and important attraction, by far, has to be the Mezquita-Catedral, or the Great Mosque of Córdoba.

The UNESCO-awarded Great Mosque is one of the oldest structures still standing from the time that Spain was part of Islamic-ruled Al-Andalus – the Muslim Iberia that included Spain, Portugal, and a small part of Southern France and which existed up until the late 8th century – and is the city's most famous building. It is thought to have been built on the site of a former temple to the Roman god Janus and it was later made into a church by the Visigoths who took the city in 572 before being rebuilt and converted into a mosque by the Umayyads, who were an exiled Islamic dynasty who had once ruled in present-day Syria.

Those of you who have found a holiday rental in Valencia and are exploring this beautiful seaside city will, no doubt, find themselves at the marina at some point. If so, it is hard to miss the striking architectural gem that is Veles e Vents (meaning “Sails and Winds”). Also known as the America's Cup Building, it and its accompanying park were constructed ahead of the 2007 America’s Cup, which is the world’s premier offshore racing competition, and took place in Valencia that year. This was the first time that it had been held in Europe in over 150 years and the city had it built as a central base for the teams and sponsors, as well as spectators who were afforded excellent views of the proceedings from its excellent position overlooking the marina.

An ultramodern pristine white concrete beauty, it is a minimalist building made up of staggered horizontal platforms that was designed by David Chipperfield and Fermín Vázquez. Work was begun in 2005 and it was opened in time for the preliminary regattas, held in May and June 2006.

As in the case of Greece in our last article, you may not immediately associate Spain with skiing, and yet, it is quite a popular ski destination. There are plenty of high-quality resorts with excellent facilities, pretty settings, and wonderful views to choose from. And, if you don't want to spend a whole winter break in Spain skiing, you could even base yourself in a nearby town or city, soak up the culture, try out the local restaurants, visit various cultural institutions and just set aside a day or two for some day trips to a resort. It's all very flexible and perfect for designing just the right winter getaway of your dreams. We have rounded up a list of ten excellent resorts to visit around Spain so what are you waiting for? Get planning your winter break in Spain today!

There are lots of beautiful stores, cool eateries and little gems tucked into the pretty streets of the historic centre of Madrid but if you have found a vacation rental in Madrid and want to find all three under one roof, then you need to visit Pinkoco.

Pinkoco is a beauty, fashion and homewares store, as well as a café and bar, that is impossibly cool and chic and also boasts incredible products. Whether you want to grab coffee and take a breather while exploring the city, go for drinks with pals or pick up some unique souvenirs for others (or yourself), it is an ideal location!