Nice Holiday - relaxing Holiday
The Magic of Barcelona’s Modernist Art
Temple de la Sagrada Familia
Perhaps the most famous of his works is the Temple de la Sagrada Familia (Temple of the Sacred Family). This magnificent construction was first built using the vision of the architects Martorell and De Villar. Antoni Gaudí then took over the project, but unfortunately passed away before the work was complete. Construction still continues and should you visit. This will be the first time you have paid to visit a construction site! Your contribution will help towards the ongoing work to complete this fascinating building.
Casa Battló
Next on your tour of Barcelona is Casa Battló in the L'Eixample neighbourhood. Originally Gaudí was commissioned to demolish the building and rebuild it from scratch, but he convinced the owner to let him completely redesign the existing structure.
This was back in the days when the Paseo de Gracia was undergoing a "keep up with the Jones'" battle with everyone trying to outdo each other with their architecture. Gaudí did an incredible job using tiles and scales on the exterior of the building, unique and beautiful interior design, and with his famous chimneys on the roof top. The balconies of this building appear to be made from large bones, giving an eerie effect when viewing the house.
Casa Milà
Nearby in the L’Eixample neighbourhood is another astonishing piece of architecture, Casa Milà (also known as La Pedrera). Antoni Gaudí was commissioned by the industrialist, Pere Milà, to construct a building on the boundary of Barcelona and Gràcia, both as a family residence and also to be leased as separate dwellings or apartments.
Owing to the way its facade appears to be carved out of rock, the Casa Milà was nicknamed "La Pedrera", which means stone quarry. The house has amazing interior architecture, as well as the famous and fascinating chimneys on the rooftop.
As an interesting side note, the fascinating chimneys and roof features apparently inspired George Lucas when designing the costumes for the "Star Wars" movies.
Parque Güell (Güell Park)
Ideal for a restful stroll after your busy days in Barcelona, the park was originally planned to be a residential area. It is now a beautiful park with many wonderful Gaudí creations in tile work and stone. The views over Barcelona to the sea are simply beautiful.
Enjoy a rest on the “wavy benches,” or have lunch at the cafeteria, surrounded by wonders.
The park also contains the house of Antoni Gaudí, which is now a museum. Gaudí lived in the house from 1906 to 1925, one year before his death. The house was bought in 1963 by the "Association of Gaudí friends" and converted into "Casa Museu Gaudí," an interesting museum displaying unique furniture, drawings and decor designed by Gaudí himself in conjunction with Josep María Jujol.
So, pack the camera and plenty of batteries, and put on some comfortable walking shoes while you see the sights. For more information please visit All Barcelona Accommodation
Isola d’Elba – the jewel of Tuscany
There is no doubt the island is any adventure seeker’s playground, the ragged coastline makes it any water sports enthusiasts’ haven, you’ll find many beaches offer water sports classes or tours such as windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing. (It’s also possible to hire all of this equipment privately).If you’re looking to sail the seven seas you can arrange to go on a boat tour or hire out your very own private speedboat. Often highlights include being taken to see the pirate shipwreck just off the island’s coast.
If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on solid ground, the Island you may be pleasantly surprised on the range of land activities available on such a small island. Apart from the obvious, such as shopping, discovering the local villages and eating out you may find a trying out one of the following activities will make for an unforgettable holiday.
For those who have a need for speed, the local go karting track provides the perfect opportunity in a family friendly environment. The café area beside the track is designed around an old yellow school bus, the table games (such as table football and air hockey) the high rise tables all give the place the feel of an American dinner - all in all it’s a guaranteed winner!
The islanders of Elba are very proud that the island was once a refuge for no other than Napoleon Bonaparte when he was exiled by….. As a result a popular attraction is Napoleon’s island estate which is open to the public. Beware – if you’re only visiting his humble abode to escape the rain, you won’t be alone. During the summer months, the number of visitors quadruples when bored beach goers are forced to find other ways to entertain themselves.
Finally if you’re a keen hiker or cyclist, Elba won’t disappoint. Popular routes include the beach trail and the steep climb up Monte Capanne. Don’t fancy braving the hike, but still want to witness the spectacular views across the island? Luckily there is also a cable car service which operates in high season so you won’t have to put in any of the leg work!
Day trips from Barcelona
Montserrat
Situated roughly an hour away from Barcelona, the mystical monastery of Montserrat feels worlds away. Getting there is simple enough, hop on the ferrocarril (train) from Sants train station and from there you will have two options of how to get up the mountain. You can either go up via cable car, or you can opt for the funicular. Once you’ve made it to the top you’ll immediately appreciate the spectacular views and fresh mountain air. You can pay a visit to the Montserrat monastery and if you’re lucky you may be just in time to hear the choir boys sing. A trip to Montserrat will always be an unforgettable adventure.
Montserrat – by lukasz dzierzanowski
Sitges
Sitges is a typical Spanish fishing village, and unlike many seaside resorts around the Costa Dorada, it hasn’t been spoilt by ugly hotels or flattened by golf courses. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the charming white-washed walls and narrow authentic streets. Sitges is also especially known for hosting the Sitges film festival and Sitges carnival. It’s also a popular gay destination (especially around the time of the carnival). During the summer Sitges is very popular amongst Barcelonans who go to take advantage of its beautiful beaches.
Sitges by Nicole Lerner
Port Aventura / Illa Fantasia
Ok, so perhaps these aren’t places you’d go for a relaxing escape from the city… but, having said that an adrenaline rush never hurt anyone! Port Aventura is a huge theme park where you’ll be able to travel from Mexico, through the wild Wild West all the way to China and back to the Mediterranean.
Illa Fantasia is a fantastic water park, a perfect escape for a hot summer’s day. As you could probably guess the park is only open during the summer months (April – September). With endless pools, slides, floats and more, get ready to get wet!
Port Aventura - by Gnislew
Make the Perfect Gingerbread Man
Make the perfect gingerbread man
One of the best things about Christmas is that’s it’s a time to give into temptation and indulge in all the Christmas sweet treats! A European classic, the gingerbread man is always the perfect festive biscuit. This year why not try making some for yourselves with our simple gingerbread recipe?!
Ingredients check list:
- 4 tsp ground ginger
- 7 tbsp golden syrup
- 200g brown sugar
- 250g butter
- 600g plain flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
Method:
1) Preheat the oven to 200C.
2) Sieve the flour into a bowl and mix in the baking soda.
3) Melt the butter in a saucepan and add syrup, brown sugar and ginger. Stir until the mixture forms a thick syrup.
4) Mix the dry and the wet mixtures together to form a sturdy dough. If the dough is too wet, roll in some more flour, one tablespoon at a time. If the dough is too dry add a teaspoon of water at a time. Do this until the dough is moist and easy to handle and shape.
5) Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to cut out gingerbread man shapes.
6) Bake for 10 - 15 minutes.
7) Leave to cool and decorate!
If your feeling really creative you could also try and make gingerbread Christmas trees, reindeer, snowmen, even a whole gingerbread house! The possibilities are endless…
New Years Eve in Berlin, come and join us!
Do you have plans for New Years Eve? Berlin is one of the top European cities to celebrate New Years Eve in. When we think of Berlin the first thing that crosses our mind is the famous love parade. Although Berlin has so much more to offer to people that can’t stop partying!
A Berlin New Years Eve is of course celebrated in different clubs across Berlin. It is handy to keep up with the programming of the hotspot like; Kulturbrauerei, Club Watergate and the Magnet Club.
If you find yourself searching for an outdoor event that has everything, then why not try the huge Brandenburger Tor party! This is a big event with various performers live on stage. They use a big clock for the crowd to count the seconds until the 1st of January.
Another possible place you don’t want to miss is the Kreuzberg area. The bars here organise great parties and also provide an enjoyable fireworks display in the Viktoria park.
It is impossible to go to all the events but you can pick one that is above, or go exploring and see if you can find a highlight of your own!
Have you already been in Berlin!? Tell us your story we would like to hear from you.
Saludos!
Best British Holidays
Personally, when I think about holidays, I can’t help but picturing paradise. You know, sun, palm trees, sandy beaches, cocktails, secluded ocean view villas… the works. Being a realist though, I understand that for many, including myself, this is just a pipe dream, and one that isn’t happening any time soon. But who’s to say you have to splash the cash and whisk away to exotic destinations to have a good time? As a Brit, I often forget about the beauty that exists on my very own doorstep. Rather, I spend hours stressing, working up a budget and fretting over this year’s holiday destination. I mean, even places like France and Spain, which are relatively close by, can be expensive. Come to think of it, anywhere you go can be expensive. So, why not stay put? Britain may not be everyone’s holiday of choice, but it’s full of gems that I truly believe match even the best of destinations. Here is a pick of some of the best bits of Britain:
Stonehenge- Ok, the obvious one to begin with but really a must-see. This mysterious prehistoric stone circle is believed to have been constructed around 3100BC- yet nobody knows for sure exactly when, by whom or what purpose it served.
Lake District- This stunning rural area in the North-West of England is one of the most beautiful and tranquil spots in England. Stretching over miles of countryside, this is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here, you will also find Lake Windermere (Cumbria), the largest natural lake in the country (2 miles long, 1 mile wide and 220 feet deep).
The Giant’s Causeway- This is a World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland. It is a stunning picture. This natural structure is made up of around 40,000 basalt columns, created by a volcanic eruption and is really something to behold as the tide of the sea lash against it.
Bath- Another gem in the South West of England. Few other towns can yield such elegance, charm and fantastic architectural riches. Here you’ll find the famous Roman Baths, Circus and Royal Crescent.
York- This beautiful historic town in the North of England is another must see. It is home to York Minster, one of the country’s most impressive cathedral’s and, incidentally, the largest in Northern Europe.
Edinburgh- The Scottish capital is a cultural treat- full of galleries, museums, regular arts festivals and dominated by the impressive Edinburgh Castle. It’s also got some fantastic nightlife on offer, and is home to one of the largest New Year’s celebrations in the world, the Hogmanay
London- Finally we come to the UK’s largest city and England’s capital, London. There is so much to see and do here, the list is endless. Historic monuments, museums, parks, buzzing night life. What’s more, the city will be playing host to the 2012 Olympic Games!
So there you have it. Obviously not a complete list, I’ve only just brushed the surface when talking about what Britain has to offer. But this should be enough to get you started!