Archive for 'Must See Attractions in Spain'

Architecture enthusiasts the world over most likely have it in their mind to visit Barcelona at least once in their lifetime. The beautiful city in Catalonia is already an attractive holiday destination due to her incredible beaches wonderful museums, foodie culture, and much more besides but if you love geeking out over some of the most striking and famous buildings ever designed then a vacation rental in Barcelona and a visit to the city of Gaudí is an absolute must.

Among the many examples of the great architect's works one of the lesser-known but truly spectacular examples has to be the Church of Colònia Güell, or Cripta de la Colònia Güell, in Santa Coloma de Cervello. It was conceived as part of an ambitious industrial complex in the province of Barcelona that, along with the textile factory in town and the workers' houses right next to it, would allow the village to join the economic and social lives of its inhabitants and to keep the workers from the city and its growing trade union movement. Already, cultural and sports facilities had been planned and, while a church was not originally considered, the growing population of the town meant that the pre-existing chapel quickly became too small and a new church became a necessity. The patron was the owner of the factory, Eusebi Güell, who was a great patron of Gaudí, in general.

Many people choose to find a vacation rental in Barcelona as the city has so much to offer as a holiday destination. It is the city of Gaudi and full of architectural gems that transform its streets into art galleries and in addition it also boasts lots of great actual museums full of artistic riches and educational treasures, excellent beaches, truly incredible restaurants, some exceedingly trendy bars, a soccer stadium that hosts regular matches for the sports fanatics among you, and much more besides. It is also home to Tibidabo, a hill that overlooks the city, and has been nicknamed the, “magic mountain,” by locals.

At first glance, that last attraction might not seem all that exceptional or interesting but Tibidabo is more than just a hill. It is somewhere to take in the most amazing views in Barcelona, to ride a funicular or to hike, to go to an amusement park, and to see some special architectural gems: all in one place!

It is a bit of a pain to get to the Cíes Islands in Galicia and yet they are reason enough to immediately go find a vacation rental in Galicia and plan a trip to this part of Spain. Often cited as the most beautiful islands in Europe, this archipelago is made up of three islands – Monteagudo (the "Sharp Mount" or North Island), do Faro (the Lighthouse Island, or Isla do Medio, meaning Middle Island) and San Martiño (Saint Martin or South Island) – that are located off the coast of Pontevedra in Galicia. Declared a Nature Reserve in 1980, they are a part of the Atlantic Islands of the Galicia National Park (Parque Nacional Marítimo-Terrestre das Illas Atlánticas de Galicia) that was created in 2002. It is an exceptionally peaceful and utterly stunning place with picture-perfect beaches, incredible scenery, and a complete absence of hotels, souvenir stores, and developments as well as no vehicles of any description (bar the odd maintenance vehicle). If you're looking for a place where the majesty and beauty of nature remains almost completely untouched by man then it is the destination for you.

However there are a few points to keep in mind:

1. You need authorisation to visit.

In saying that the islands are a pain to get to, it isn't actually that difficult. They are, however, highly protected in order to ensure they remain untouched and lovely and this means that there are restrictions for visitors. A total of just 2,000 people are allowed to visit per day and you must request permission in order to do so. Head to the park's official website and complete the form and then book your transport ticket. You can do so up to 45 days in advance of your visit although this period can be shorter during the low season. Be sure to get on this in advance or you might miss out! In order to book a ferry, you will need an authorisation code so there is no way around it and you will also only have two hours upon receiving your authorisation to book with any of the official ferry companies that offer services to the islands. If you want to visit this magical oasis, you will need to be organised and be ready to set aside a day during your trip and plan well ahead.

Art lovers who want to holiday in Spain are in luck as there are lots of incredible museums, architectural gems, churches, palaces, and more dotted all over the country that are stuffed with world-famous works of art. As the country has such a rich and complex history, there is a wide variety of different influences and styles that lend a diverse visual landscape to Spain and one of the most intriguing regions has to be the beautiful Basque Country in north-eastern Spain. This autonomous community has its own rich and distinct culture and traditions and is full of incredible artistic endeavours that are a treat to the senses. One of her cities, in particular, Bilbao, is a must-see if you have found a vacation rental in Basque Country.. It is a city famous for its art and two incredible museums: the Fine Art Museum and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

While the Museum of Fine Arts in Bilbao (Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao) is well worth a visit and is filled with a diverse range of works of art dating from all the way back to the 6th century BC to the present day and pieces by the likes of Albrecht Dürer, Rembrandt, Piranesi, Fortuny, Carlos de Haes, Cézanne, Picasso, Duchamp, Lipchitz, Utamaro, Hokusai, Rouault, Hockney, Allen Jones, Bacon, El Greco, and Francisco de Goya, it is the Guggenheim Bilbao that is the most visited and famous museum in the region and for good reason. The building itself is an architectural wonder and an iconic global landmark that was designed by the famous Canadian-American 20th century architect Frank Gehry. With its massive scale, curved exterior that appears random, and light-filled spaces wrought in stone, glass and titanium, it has been described as "a fantastic dream ship of undulating form in a cloak of titanium," by the critic Calvin Tomkins in The New Yorker.

The island of Gran Canaria is a popular holiday destination among lots of European travellers as it boasts warm and sunny weather throughout much of the year and is an established tourist centre with lots of family-friendly amenities and things to see and do. While anyone can enjoy the perfect beaches, winter sun, vibrant nightlife, and varied attractions, there are lots of things that are particular treats for kids, too. Take the Poema del Mar, the grand aquarium in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, for example. It is a magical place that adults will love and that any children that might be in your party will be absolutely mystified by. So, if you have found a vacation rental in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and you are looking for things to see and do in the area, whether you are a solo traveller, on a romantic getaway, with friends, or with the whole family, you’ll find that you have lots of options!

The Poema del Mar Aquarium is located in the harbour of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, on the island of Gran Canaria, and is one of the most spectacular aquariums of its kind in Europe. Only opened back in 2017, it is a modern and innovative model of an aquarium that was developed by the company Loro Parque and has a strong commitment to “innovation, the conservation of biodiversity, and excellence in sustainable tourism.” The well-being of the animals in the aquarium, the conservation of the biodiversity of the environment, and the protection of the environment are all integral to their operations, in addition to providing education and entertainment to the public.