Archive for 'Pretty Views 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.

A few years back, a friend moved to Madrid for a girl and while he might have fallen out of love with her, he quickly fell for the city. He told all of us that we had to visit, that he had so much to show us, so many places to eat, views to take in. When an artist I liked planned a stop in Madrid along their European tour and none for Ireland, I took it as an opportunity to see him play, explore the city, and visit my friend. He had, indeed put together a rather intense itinerary and rushed me around from place to place in order to see it all. I grew frustrated at being dragged around in the heat and not being allowed to rest for more than five minutes (during our flying visit to the city’s famous El Retiro Park) but, we did eventually get a chance to rest. The place he deemed worth sitting with a cold beer, some jamón, and other snacks? It was the beautiful Plaza Mayor.

Popular among tourists and locals alike – something that is no mean feat in any city – the Plaza Mayor is a town square at the centre of the city and is a perfectly symmetrical and satisfying architectural gem filled with history, some great eateries, and some wonderful little stores. If you have found a vacation rental in Madrid and are planning on spending time exploring the city, it is likely that you may end up there anyway, pulled by the seemingly innate tide of the crowds that are to be found wandering the winding streets of the historic centre of the city on any given day but, if not, be sure to make a point to plan a pit-stop here.

Villajoyosa, or La Vila Joiosa, is a picture-perfect seaside city, often simply known as “La Vila” to locals, in the Province of Alicante in Spain. With the most idyllic of beaches – picture fluffy white crescents of sand meeting crystal clear cerulean water – and a town populated by pretty little streets lined in a veritable rainbow of crayon-box-coloured buildings, there is no doubt that it has all of the visual appeal that one could hope for from a town on the Mediterranean Sea. However, there is also plenty to see and do. If you have found a vacation rental in Valencia and you’re looking for somewhere to spend the day, you could not even dream of more perfect place to do so.

Literally meaning “joyful town”, Villajoyosa is a pretty extraordinary spot along the famous Costa Blanca that boasts 3km of beaches, including La Platja Centre, right by the city centre. It is also famous for its chocolate industry and tourism and has an exceptionally pretty Old Town, all of which amounts to plenty of reasons to be joyful and joyful experiences for visitors who find themselves in the city.

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.

Granada is a stunning and historic city in the Andalusia region of the south of Spain. Positioned at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, it is famous for its striking architectural character, which largely reflects Moorish occupation during the Middle Ages. While the most famous attraction in the city is, no doubt, the Alhambra palace complex, there are plenty of other things to see and do. Many make a day trip to see the Alhambra or just spend a couple of days in the area but if you find a vacation rental in Granada you'll find that there will be lots to keep you occupied. Or find a vacation rental in Andalusia and take a few trips to the charming city. Whatever route you decide on, be sure to pencil in these excellent activities...

Here's what to see and do in Granada.