Archive for 'Tourist Attractions in Spain'

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.

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.

This week, we were talking about the beautiful Catalonian city of Tarragona and one of her Medieval architectural gems. However, the city has much older roots than that and, therefore, there are some more ancient architectural gems that are also worth mentioning. One of these is the Amphitheatre. Located right by the coast and often home to recreation events of the gladiatorial games that once took place in the venue during Roman times, it is a fascinating monument to the city’s ancient past and a must-see for anyone who has found a vacation rental in Catalonia and is spending time exploring Tarragona.