Holiday Hotels and Villas » Spain

Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 02:56:38 +0000

Puerto del Carmen is the jewel in the crown of Lanzarote´s tourist industry. Boasting wonderful beaches, excellent nightlife and high standards of accommodation. All of which have just been further enhanced by a massive cash injection of over €16 million from the local tourist board. Who are keen to keep the resort in tip top condition in order to beat off competition fro newer destinations around Europe and the Near East – such as Turkey, Egypt and Dubai.

Tourism in Puerto del Carmen certainly predates all of these newcomers – and this is in fact that place where package holidays first started being taken on Lanzarote during the late 1960´s and early 1970´s. At that time Lanzarote was considered a novel, even fashionable, destination. With VIP visitors such as Peter Sellers and Omar Sharif enjoying holidays here. Despite the fact that at this time there were no roads on Lanzarote and just one hotel – the Los Fariones, which remains open to this day.

As the cost of air travel and holidays abroad fell during the 1980´s Lanzarote and Puerto del Carmen become synonymous with package tourism. And during this period the resort really exploded from its original base in the Old Town Harbour area. Extending all the way along the beachfront in the direction of the airport at Arrecife. Creating two distinct areas – the Old Town and the New Town.

The Old Town remains the more atmospheric of the two, with the harbour at its heart. But the New Town is where most visitors will find themselves staying as this is where the majority of apartments and villas in Puerto del Carmen are located. Offering keenly priced accommodation that starts from as little as €180 per week for a basic studio on a centrally located complex.

The New Town also boasts the best beaches – most notably in the form of Playa Grande. Which is very aptly named as this is a sizeable stretch of sand that becomes packed with tourists during peak holiday seasons such as Christmas, Easter and the school summer holidays.

Puerto del Carmen makes an excellent base for tourists who want to visit the key sights on the island. As it is just a fifteen minute drive from the majestic volcanoes of the Timanfaya National Park and the many creations of the famous local artist Cesar Manrique. Holidaymakers can even visit the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura by signing up for a boat trip – all of which depart from the Old Town harbour area.

A Day Out At Terra Mitica Theme Park in Benidorm Spain

Travel Writer — Tue, 11 May 2010 14:55:38 +0000

Whether living or going on holiday on the Costa Blanca it is always a good idea to enjoy as much of the area as you can. Benidorm is accessible from so many of the top tourist resorts around the Costa Blanca which are within a ninety minute radius.

Benidorm has four very different theme parks on its doorstep. There is Terra Natura, Terra Mitica, Aqualandia and Mundomar (much in the style of Orlando on a mini scale of course).

Terra Mitica is an ancient world theme park with rides, roller coasters and live entertainment. There are many kind of ticket options that you can purchase. A one day ticket will cost an adult €27 and a child or pensioner €20.50. If you would like to come back the next day you can pay €8 and enjoy another day at Terra Mitica.

There is a new deal where you can pay €56 for a pass which will include an over night stay at a nearby hotel. Another interesting option is to purchase a season ticket or pase temporada which entitles you to visit the park every day between the months of May and December.

A season ticket for adults costs €63 for adults and €34 for children and pensioners. If you own a season ticket you can bring two friends who can enjoy all the park has to offer for €10 each.

Once inside the park there is something for everyone. As most people come to enjoy the roller coasters and the altitude rides where you can enjoy getting wet, there are also mini versions for the smaller younger visitors, indeed the little guests are measured before each ride. There is a special area designated for young visitors. Food and drink too are not on the cheap side €2.50 for a small drink although the waffles with cream or chocolate for €2.50 look delicious.

Visiting Terra Mitica gives you a break and makes a change from lying on the beaches of Benidorm. Although most people visit Benidorm to simply relax and soak up the sunshine by the pool there are many attractions and sights to see and things to do. We hope this guide on the Benidorm theme park of Terra Mitica has given you some ideas if considering a vacation or holiday to Benidorm.

The Interesting Sports In Alicante

Travel Writer — Tue, 11 May 2010 08:21:18 +0000

When you visit Alicante Spain you will be surprised with the the sheer volume of activities that you can partake in. This is a real outdoor country because of the fabulous weather that it receives throughout the year. Your only real drawback is that there is a real lack of public transportation throughout the province so you have no choice but to organize your own. Generally this comes in the form of a car rental which is usually picked up from the airport. If you book your car early, car hire in Alicante is normally relatively in expensive in comparison to other European countries.

Alicante is a perfect venue for sports enthusiast as myriads of sports events are happening every year from football to golf. You will definitely be entertained with the immense sports and talented teams that are testing their skills and endurance in every game.

Football
Football is the way of life of Spain Whenever there’s a football game; the crowd goes wild as they cheer for their favorite football team. The excitement is filled with great intensity regardless if you’re watching the game in a foot ball arena or in a bar. The level of intensity is still the same. The bars are jam-packed and the energetic fans are cheering for their team while grabbing a bottle or a mug of beer.

Bull fights
Bullfights have been a part of Spain’s interesting culture. Bullfights aficionados gather in one venue to witness the antagonists and protagonists of bullfighting. The oldest and yet one of the most popular bullrings in Alcante is Plaza de Toros. Bullfighting is said to more of a cultural event than a sport but it never fails to bring excitement to its spectators for so many years.

Balonmano
Balonmano or hand ball has been made known due to Alcante’s excellence in the game of Balonmano in the late 1970’s. From then on, balonmano has been one of the sought after sports in Alicante.

Basketball
The game of basketball still reigns supreme in Alicante as sports enthusiasts, handicappers and basketball aficionados considered basketball as the number one sports topic. If you want to watch basketball you can head to the Centro de Tecnificación de Alicante and cheer for Alicante’s home team which goes for a head to head battle with 17 other teams.

Golf
The internationally acclaimed Spanish golfers Sergio Garcia and with Spanish golfers like Sergio García and José María Olazabal have attracted lots of golf hobbyist in Spain. There are lots of pristine golf courses in Alicante that golf one of Spain’s preferred sports. Alicante golf and El Plantio are two of the most popular golf courses in Alicante which have all the finest amenities.

Holidays to Playa Blanca

Sun, 09 May 2010 22:47:34 +0000

There are three main holiday resorts on the Canary Island of Lanzarote and Playa Blanca, located at the southern tip is the fastest growing. Thanks to the fact that it offers tourists a wonderful selection of beaches and the best microclimate on the island.

Lanzarote has been welcoming tourists for well over forty years but the second most popular resort on the island, Playa Blanca, remains relatively new. Having only been developed during the 1990´s long after its resort rivals to the north. In many ways it is surprising it took so long for this former fishing village to have been transformed into the modern resort of today. As it boasts two main advantages over Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise in the form of fantastic beaches and excellent weather. Factors that attracted the attentions of developers eventually.
Today Playa Blanca has become a bustling and popular holiday destination. And is essentially divided into three small bays – each with an excellent beach at is heart. Whilst the all natural sands of Papagayo – widely regarded as the best on the island – is a short stroll away from the resort centre.

There are plenty of accommodation options available for tourists visiting the resort. With an abundance of privately owned villas in Playa Blanca available for rent. Often at prices much cheaper than elsewhere on the island. Whilst those who prefer to leave the cooking to someone else when they are on holiday will find that there´s also a big range of hotels in Playa Blanca to choose from too. With four star establishments lining the shoreline and the five star luxury of the Gran Melia Volcan located in the Rubicon Marina.

The resort is united by a promenade that ruins from Papagayo in the west through to the Faro de Pechugera lighthouse in the east. Enabling visitors to enjoy a stroll from one end of Playa Blanca to the other. This promenade is also home to many of the resort’s best restaurants – such as El Almacen del Sal. Which is located in a former salt warehouse right on the seafront.

Tourists looking to do more than just relax at the beach or by the pool will find that there’s plenty to do in Playa Blanca. As there are a number of good markets staged here throughout the week whilst there are also plenty of decent shops in the main Calle de Limones. The resort is also ideally situated for sightseeing – as Lanzarote´s number one tourist attraction of the Timanfaya National Park is located right on the doorstep.

Cheap Flights To Lanzarote

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:23:46 +0000

The cost of flying from the UK to the popular holiday island of Lanzarote has tumbled considerably over the last twelve months. Thanks to the decision taken last year by the Spanish government to waive airport taxes and charges – a move designed to help revive Spain´s flagging tourist industry and which has attracted the leading British budget airlines to the Lanzarote route.

Little more than a year ago the price of return flights to Lanzarote came in at around the £200 return mark outside peak periods and over £300 during the key holiday seasons such as Christmas, Easter and the school summer holidays. But all that has changed over the last twelve months. As now the leading low cost airlines easyJet and Ryanair are competing on this route. Along with more established players such as Thomas Cook and Monarch.
Ryanair started operating cheap flights to Lanzarote in late October 2009 – in direct response to the decision by the Spanish government and the national airport operator AENA to suspend airport taxes and charges. In order to take full advantage of these generous trading conditions Ryanair quickly established no less than 16 new services to the island from airports across the UK – and the by the end of November had established themselves as the leading volume carrier to Lanzarote. Accounting for well over 44,000 passengers that month alone.

Lanzarote is an ideal destination for anyone seeking a good value break – whatever the time of year. As the island boasts a semi tropical climate which means tourists can enjoy days on the beach even during December. The island also offers loads to do and see – such as the incredibly surreal sight of the volcanoes at the Timanfaya National Park and the many creations of the local artist César Manrique.

There are plenty of accommodation options too – ranging from luxury Lanzarote villas and hotels through to budget apartment accommodation. Making it possible to construct a cheap holiday direct online with ease.
All flights from the UK take approximately four hours and land at the island´s sole international airport, Arrecife. Which is located right in the centre of Lanzarote – around 4km outside the capital city of the same name. Arrivals should note that there is no shuttle bus service connecting the airport to the main resorts – so it is best to book Lanzarote car hire in advance and collect your vehicle at the airport. Or face a lengthy queue for taxis outside the main terminal building.

Hotels in Lanzarote

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:59:01 +0000

There are over 200 hotels in Lanzarote for visitors to choose from. Making this idyllic semi tropical island an ideal choice for anyone seeking a sunshine break at any time of the year.

Lanzarote is one of the seven Canary Islands – which are located just off the Atlantic coast of Africa. These seven specks of Spain are situated on the same line of longitude as parts of Mexico and the Bahamas and as a result boast great weather all year round. With the mercury touching the mid 20´s even during December and January.

Holidays here first took off in the early 1970´s as the package industry boomed and General Franco opened Spain up to foreign visitors. And today Lanzarote is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Spain – welcoming around 1.5 million foreign tourists very year, along with hundreds of thousands of visitors from the Spanish mainland.

There are six 5-star hotels on the island – the best known of which is the Sol Melia Group’s flagship, the Gran Melia Salinas. Which is located in Costa Teguise in the north of the island and which was developed under the aegis of a local artist called César Manrique. Who designed the hotel’s main showpiece of a plant packed central atrium garden and whose canvases still adorn the walls of the main public spaces.

The bulk of the best value four star hotels are located in the southern resort of Playa Blanca – at the other end of the island from Costa Teguise. Which has emerged from its former incarnation as a quaint little fishing village to become the fastest growing holiday destination on the island.

There´s a selection of seafront hotels in Playa Blanca hugging the coastline, all with great views across to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura and down to the Atlantic. Whilst the resort also boasts a high quality five star hotel in the form of the Gran Melia Volcan – which is located close to the new Rubicon Marina development.

Despite the fact that it is the largest resort on the island there are surprisingly few hotels in Puerto del Carmen for visitors to select from. With choice restricted to two four star establishments – the Los Fariones and the San Antonio. Both of which boast a beautiful beach front location.

Puerto del Carmen is the epicentre of tourism on the island and the oldest resort on Lanzarote. With fantastic beaches and excellent nightlife. Making it an ideal choice for anyone seeking a slightly more lively stay.

Lanzarote Villas

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:06:59 +0000

Lanzarote is an ideal destination for a villa holiday. As this small Canary Island boasts an abundance of good quality rental properties at prices that are far more affordable than comparable destinations such as the Balearics. Whilst also offering great weather all year round – with temperatures touching the mid 20´s even in December and January.

Lanzarote is a Spanish owned island but it is located much closer to Africa than the Iberian Peninsula. Around 80 miles off the coast of what used to be the Spanish Sahara on the West Coast of that continent.

The island is a very popular holiday destination with British holidaymakers – who account for well over 50% of the island’s annual arrivals. And thanks to the growth in internet usage over recent years in the UK many now eschew the services of travel agents and tour operators to book their own accommodation on the island direct online.

As a result demand for Lanzarote villas and apartments has grown – and there are now thousands of self catering properties available across the island.

The largest selection can be found in the southern most resort of Playa Blanca – formerly a quaint little fishing village before exploding into life some twenty years ago. And now the second largest resort on Lanzarote. Boasting some excellent beaches such as Playa Flamingo and Playa Dorada as well as a very favourable microclimate. Which usually ensures that visitors here enjoy the best weather the island has to offer – especially during the winter months.

Thanks to the fact that there is such as large pool of villas in Playa Blanca available for rent prices here are very reasonable. Especially by comparison with islands such as Mallorca and Ibiza. With a standard two bedroom property with private swimming pool available from as little £350 per week.

After Playa Blanca Puerto del Carmen is the second most popular spot for a villa break on Lanzarote. This is in fact the islands oldest resort, offering some spectacular rentals in areas such as Risco Prieto and Los Mojones. Which are both located in close proximity to the atmospheric Old Town harbour area.

Puerto del Carmen is the spot where tourism first really took off on Lanzarote some forty years ago. And the resort is now undergoing a facelift – as local authorities sink some €16 million into developing and improving the infrastructure here. In order to ensure that Puerto del Carmen remains competitive well into the 21st century.

Spain Villas

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:55:06 +0000

If you are looking for Villas in Spain for your holiday then you are going to find that you have plenty of choice. Once of the most popular tourist detinations in the world, Spain is frequented by people from all over Europe and beyond as it mixes excellent beaches, cultural sites and a favorable climate year round. You really are spoilt for choice in the places to go, and getting a self-catering villa for your trip is a fantastic way to explore the rich culture of this country.

There are many tourist regions to Spain, with the main concentration being near to the coast as people like to be near the sea for their holidays. Don’t let this put you off looking further inland as you may find you can get a better deal and a more authentic Spanish experience in some of the hilltop white villages of Andalucia for example.

Due to the demand, there is plenty of supply of great spain villas to suit most budgets. When considering getting a villa, remember that the more people that are on you holiday sharing the same villa then the per person cost will come down. Also, with a villa, you will be safe catering and cooking for yourself occasionally is a great way to make your holiday budget go further.

If you are looking for the best year round climate for you villa in spain then you want to consider the Andalucia region. This area covers the whole of the south of spain and take in the great cities of Sevilla and Granda as well as magnificent costal resorts such as Marbella and the Costas.

Getting the most for your money.
Sea view comes at a premium so it is worth considering looking a bit further inland when looking for your Spanish holiday villa. Aside from giving you more value for money, you may also find more striking views in the mountains. Away from the more touristy parts of the Costas will find a lower cost of living, a more genuine Spanish experience and a more relaxing holiday for your and your family.

Do your Research
It is worth doing plenty of searches on the internet to not only get to know the areas that you will be going to but to also get a better idea of the prices you will be expecting to pay. Set yourself a budget that includes allowance for food and siteseeing as well as car hire and transport if you need it. Some of the more remote places have less frequent public transport options so you may find yourself needing a car to really get about.

There are plenty of great optipons for Spain Villas and you will find that you will have a fantastic holiday in the fansinating part of the world.

Hotel Costa Del Sol

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:53:32 +0000

Finding the right hotel Costa Del Sol for your and your family means deciding which of the fantastic places along the coastline you want to stay on. The Costa Del Sol is the name to the stretch of beaches running from Gibraltar eastwards to Malaga. This is perhaps the most popular of all of the holiday destinations in Europe, and with good reasons. From the package holiday haven of Torremolinos to the yachts and Ferraris of Puerto Banus, there is something for everyone here in the sun.

Since the sixties tourism has been the main industry here. Capitalizing on the fantastic climate in this area that ensures most days of the year are bathed in Sunshine, this area has boomed in the last decade as the place to come and play. Many people return here every year either to their favorite hotels in Costa Del s
Sol or some Costa Del Sol property that they have bought.

The Costa Del Sol is the coastline, but if culture is your think then you are only a couple of hours drive to some of the most historic sites in Europe. Andalucía has a rich history from the habitation by the Moors, through to the Roman times. These great periods left this part of Spain covered in Monuments, Citadels and beautiful towns. You can visit the narrow streets of Cordoba and the fantastic cathedrals of Seville and Granada quite easily as day trips from your Costa Del Sol hotel.

Hotel Costa Del Sol
There whole coastline along the Costa Del Sol has been developed, some say to much. This means that you are quite likely to find a cheap hotel Costa Del Sol due to the competition. However, during the peak summer months, this is a very popular destination and places do get booked up.

There are certainly hotels to suit all tastes and budgets here. There are luxury hotels in Costa Del Sol such as some of the more exclusive establishments in Marbella and the surrounding areas. If you just want to relax, there are all inclusive hotels Costa Del Sol which can cater for your needs.

The Costa Del Sol continues to be a great place to take a holiday. Relax in the sun, enjoy the sea and the nightlife and you will be refreshed in no time. Find a hotel Costa Del Sol style means finding somewhere to unwind, relax and let the good times roll.

Hotels Malaga

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:51:34 +0000

The main way to fly to Andalucia is through the airport at Malaga, where over seven million passengers pass through each year. There are plenty of Hotels Malaga to cater for these people landing just 7km from the centre of Malaga.

Malaga offers the visitor lots to see and has many historical buildings of note. The birthplace of Antonia Banderas and Picasso, many people are just passing through as they land at the airport and then head out to their resorts along the coastline of Andalucia.

If you fly to Malaga then you will find that it is easy to get to the centre by either grabbing a taxi for €10-14, or you could go for the convenient train or buses that are just a few Euros. If you get the train you can easily get connections to other cities either on connecting trains or from the nearby bus station.

Hotels Malaga
Looking for Hotels in Malaga means deciding if you just want a cheap bed in one of the pensiones or something a bit more up market. Despite previously having a bit of a reputation for not many good hotel Malaga options. There are now more and more trendy places to spend your time. Some places to try include Hotel Malaga Centro, Hotel Monte Malaga and Hotel Zenit Malaga.

Malaga Weather
Malaga is fortunate to have favorable weather all year round with mild to warm winter temperatures and warm to hot summer temperatures. This is the main reason that people come to this area and the stunning Andalucía countryside with it’s white towns and the resorts of the nearby Costas mean that this remains perhaps the most popular destination in Europe.

So when you are visiting this area, you might want to consider a night or two is some cheap hotels Malaga offers you plenty of things to see such as the Picasso museum and the harbor and plenty of Spanish tapas and sunshine to be enjoyed.