Archive for 'Day Trips in Spain'

When one thinks of the fairytale castles that inspired the illustrations that we all grew up with in storybooks and cartoons and in Disneyland, the buildings romantically perched over lush valleys of Germany and the ornate chateaux of France are probably what springs to mind. No doubt, if you are interested in bringing a little bit of magic into your life and seeking out such incredible architectural gems IRL, these are two excellent destinations in which to do so. However, did you know that one of the most influential castles to inspire the likes of Disney is actually in Spain?

Located in the town of Segovia, northwest of Madrid and an excellent day trip destination for those who find a holiday rental in Madrid, the Alcázar de Segovia is quite the sight to behold. A massive cream castle punctuated by little arched windows, a castellated tower, and several charming pointed turrets, it is the quintessential sort of fairytale, picture-perfect palace that many might imagine when conjuring such things. It is no wonder, then, that it was used as a model for the design of the queen's castle in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and for Cinderella's castle as imagined in Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland.

The Basque Country of Spain is located to the north and centre of the country and is famous for being one of the best foodie destinations in the world, for its incredible art, architecture, and culture (boasting international film festivals, world-leading art institutions like that at Bilbao, UNESCO World Heritage sites aplenty), and for its truly beautiful beaches and stunning scenery. In the north of the region, you will find the province of Guipúzcoa, which is particularly famed for its food and is home to the Basque Coast where the region's most outstanding beaches are located. One such beach fronts the incredibly pretty capital of Donostia-San Sebastián.

Donostia-San Sebastián (or Donostia in Basque and San Sebastián in Spanish) is located in the Bay of Biscay, not far from the border with France, and is one of the most famous and popular tourist attractions in Spain. Put on the map by the San Sebastián International Film Festival, this very charming city in the Basque Country of Spain is a hub of culture and a serious looker. Surrounded by lush green hills and then clustered around a large and golden crescent-shaped beach lapped by aquamarine waves, the city is a jewel where stunning natural surroundings and landscapes meet exceptional architectural gems.

Two of the best holidays of my childhood, which we all still remember fondly as a family, took place in Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. In fact, the second time that we visited we actually returned to the exact same part of the island, Maspalomas, and the very same villa complex, we liked it so much. One of the main tourist centres on Gran Canaria, the resort town of Maspalomas went from a small hamlet to a vision of what tourism could be when it was redeveloped in the 1960s. It is touristy, to be sure, but it is also charming with lots of eccentricities, unique-looking buildings, stunning beaches, lots of places to eat and go for drinks, and plenty to see and do. For a family holiday, a vacation rental in Maspalomas is a great idea as there will be something to keep everyone in the group happy and interested. One such perfect family-friendly attraction in Gran Canaria is Palmitos Park.

At the time that we visited Maspalomas, my younger brother’s dinosaur obsession was in full swing. As birds are a direct descendant of dinosaurs and have been described as living dinosaurs, his interest carried over to them too and Palmitos Park was chosen for one of our family outings to cater to his particular interests. However, it wasn’t just him that enjoyed it, the entire family had an incredible time and we still talk about it today.

The famous Sierra Nevada mountain range is located in the region of Andalusia in Spain, is Europe’s most southerly ski resort, and boasts one of Europe’s longest ski seasons. For those looking to plan a European ski break over the Christmas holidays or over half term or spring break next year, it is a perfect destination. But don’t just take our word for it, here are five reasons to find a vacation rental in Andalusia and head to the Sierra Nevada ski resort for a ski holiday this winter season.

1. How long is the ski season in the Sierra Nevada?

As noted, the Sierra Nevada ski resort boasts one of the longest ski seasons in Europe, usually starting in late November and running all the way until early May, with the Alpine meadows of the mountain resort transformed by a blanket of snow for almost half of the year. It also offers almost guaranteed sunshine and night skiing on Saturday nights, weather permitting. All of this means that you can easily plan a trip to the area and that you have lots of options and wiggle room for when you can go on your ski holiday in the Sierra Nevada. This is a great reason to choose it as your next ski trip destination!