Archive for 'Pretty Views in Spain'

The sunny Balearic Islands, made up of the islands of Mallorca, Menorca and Cabrera, to the north, and Ibiza and Formentera, to the south-west, make for incredible holiday destinations. Beautiful and idyllic getaway destinations that offer fantastic weather almost year-round, these sun holiday vacation spots are varied and lovely and have perfect beaches, rich cultures and friendly locals. Ibiza, for example, is ideal for those who want to party and is the most famous clubbing spot in the Mediterranean and Mallorca is a scenic beauty famous amongst celebrities and tourists alike. Whether you're looking to lay out on the beach, discover stunning landscapes, live it up, blow off steam in a nightclub or get active, the Balearic Islands have everything you could need.

Additionally, some of our most stunning rentals are on these Spanish Islands so why not browse our picks of five of the best of the best among the many wonderful vacation rentals in the Balearic Islands that you can choose from...

If you book a vacation rental in Málaga and are exploring the city, then a visit to the Alcazaba of Málaga is a must. A fortress-palace and an Arabic citadel, it is a beloved historical monument in the city and one of the best places to take in a wonderful view over Málaga. An architectural gem, steeped in history, and utterly beautiful, it is an inexpensive attraction to visit but provides an incredible bang for its buck.

One enters the grounds next to the Roman amphitheatre and then takes a meandering path uphill, wandering past lush greenery, rich red bougainvillea, palm trees high overhead, fragrant jasmine bushes and rows of orange trees. Then there is the building itself; light-coloured stone, thick walls, imposing and, yet, beautiful at the same time, with delicately pointed ogive arches, patios taking in wonderful views and little gardens and pools dotted around.

Continuing from our last post and in this, the last post in this week's Barcelona special, we are counting down just ten great reasons to immediately find a vacation rental in Barcelona and get planning a trip to this beautiful city.

We have discussed the incredible architecture of Gaudí's city, the amazing beaches of this seaside gem, and the truly excellent food, nightlife and museums.

If you somehow haven't already been convinced by now, here are five more reasons to visit Barcelona ASAP...

6. The Unique Culture: Spain has a rich and diverse culture and, as Catalan habits are very rooted, and locals feel very proud about them, Barcelona is particularly fascinating with all sorts of performances, foods and experiences that are unique to the city.

Lanzarote is an extraordinary destination that is often underestimated. It is not just a destination for resort holidays during which one never strays far from the villa, for lazing endlessly on the beach or hanging out in touristy bars and restaurants. Of course, you can do all of those things, if you want to, but there is more to this island. Its landscape, in particular, is extraordinary. Volcanic and alien-like plains and mountains meet scrubby coasts with perfect beaches, to present starkly beautiful and fascinating vistas. Once you find a vacation rental in the Canary Islands and are spending time on Lanzarote, make sure to venture beyond the towns and you will be greatly rewarded...

Parc de la Ciutadella is a 19th century park located at the heart of Barcelona that is known as the city's “green lung”. Composed of a small lake, large areas of greenery and plenty of surprises and little gems along the way, it is the perfect place to spend some time and take a breather from running between tourist attractions. If you have found a vacation rental in Barcelona, be sure to pencil in some time relaxing in this lovely park.

In 1869, the military citadel at the heart of the city was demolished and a park was planned as Barcelona made a bid to host the 1888 Universal Exhibition. Designed by architect Josep Fontseré to fit the needs of the world fair, it is still littered with reminders of this times, such as the Castell dels Tres Dragons, home to the original restaurant designed for the exhibition by Domènech i Montaner, the waterfall and lake that were designed by Fontseré, the beautiful plant house, and the glass house. The park is also home to Barcelona's Zoo, which was established in 1892.