Beautiful beaches of Barcelona
Posted by: blissholidays on: July 2, 2009
Barcelona has a lot more than just city too…which is what I actually ended up appreciating more than anything. Couples on vacation can enjoy magnificent monuments, paintings, parks, restaurants, nightclubs and beaches…but then there are also beaches in Barcelona for those who want the city life and a tan!
The one closest to the city is San Sebastia, one of the oldest and longest beaches in Barcelona whose main attraction is the water activities. Due to its location, getting to San Sebastia is fairly easy with public transport that drops you off right next door…this is why San Sabastia sees the greatest number of tourists. Barceloneta Beach is another favourite among tourists, especially with younger people since there is easy access (metro station and bus services nearby) and offers volleyball courts, a childrens play area, ping pong tables, a gym, skating and a beach library for peaceful and quiet readers…yeah…a far cry from the Jersey shore or Miami Beach, huh? 
Guided tours around Barcelona´s gardens
Posted by: blissholidays on: June 29, 2009
Barcelona’s green side is also fantastic with so many gardens that are extremely well-maintained and draw so many visitors every year! These gardens fall into different categories; such as, thematic gardens, urban parks, wooden areas and historic gardens. Besides admiring the beauty of the gardens…you can take a walk, read the paper, play a leisure sport and just enjoy the nature…it is SO peaceful.
There are around 50 parks in Barcelona and each one has its story and botanical secrets. The 3 most important parks/gardens are: Parc Guelle, la Ciutadella and de Laberint d´Horta. You can plan to spend a whole day visiting these places if you want to…probably more. For a morning stroll, head down to Laberitn d´Horta, which at this time of the day is isolated and you can enjoy the sound of nature with your significant other in peace and quiet. J Then, you can head for Parc Guelle and enjoy watching people and walking around the beautiful gardens. Parc de la Ciutadella will be your final destination as you can sit under a tree and take a nap…this park is very close to a neighbourhood called Born which livens up in the evening, so stick around for sure. The greatest thing about these parks is that you can have a guided tour by phone, every park has a specific telephone number which you can dial from your cell phone and listen to the history behind these beautiful places. I love the idea!
A tour around Barri Gotic, Barcelona
Posted by: blissholidays on: June 26, 2009
A few blocks from Las Ramblas you will come across medieval Gothic Buildings, the center of Old Barcelona. It is a net of interconnecting dark streets that lead you to bars, restaurants, and cafes…and to some of the less expensive accommodations in town. Most of the buildings in this area date from the 14th and 15th century, which to me is just amazing to have lasted this long.
The Adjuntament Building and the Palau de la Generalita are two of the most important in the city and absolutely worth checking out. The Placa de Sant Jaume is a spacious square where you can find a flea market. Much like any flea market, you’ll see all sorts of stuff, from foods, to flowers, to traditional Spanish ingredients…you name it! This square is also a venue where people dance la Sardana, a beautiful, traditional dance primarily performed on Sundays…it’s a fantastic cultural experience and you should see it if you are there. There are also museums of Art and Culture as well as a lake where you can rent a boat and spend a nice day sailing. You will also be able to enjoy a very famous park called Park de la Ciudadella, there are gardens and fountains designed by Gaudi too.
Didn’t I say there was a lot going on there?
Must-see sightseeing to truly see Barcelona
Posted by: blissholidays on: June 26, 2009
There are some truly fabulous places to check out in Barcelona…so much so that you might need at least 2 weeks to be able to go around and admire the main sights. Barcelona is a romantic city, full of life, traditions and fun. I always say that it is a perfect place for honeymooners and couples in general…so bring your honey! J The beauty of this city together with amazing beaches makes it a destination for romantics and culture lovers at heart.
One place you must not miss is “Las Ramblas”…it is a pedestrian boulevard filled with mimes, living statues and street vendors selling all kinds of things. There’s a bird market, which can be a noisy place (DUH!) that is worth visiting, it makes you feel as if you were in the jungle…def check that out! There’s also an 18th century rococo mansion with arts and entertainment, called “Palau de la Virreina”…call ahead for tickets on that though.
Another interesting sight is the market “Mercat de la Boqueria” market, which is well worth a long visit so you can admire all the culture, people and goods being sold. At Las Ramblas, you will also be able to visit the opera house called Gran Teatre de Liceu. Las Ramblas has a seedy side too, strip clubs and shows. Further down you will come across the Monument of Colom and a harbour where you will be able to enjoy the great Museu Maritim with maps, models, boats, paintings, ships, etc…that was pretty awesome too!
Barcelona…simply irresistible!
Posted by: blissholidays on: June 24, 2009
So check it out…I hit up Barcelona not long ago and thought it may be a good place to start with this blog…first, a little background, eh?
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, located on the NE coast of the Iberian Peninsula. It’s the capital of Catalonia, one of the seventeen communities that make up Spain. Barcelona is SO much more than a simple city, however…it’s like a collection of many cities in one. You can find rich architecture, outstanding Spanish cuisine, exquisite culture and (usually) fantastic weather that make Barcelona a fantastic city and an irresistible vacation destination.
When you’re on the ground and enjoying the city, the fastest way to go around the city is by underground/subway…and hey, everyone loves mass-trans now right?? J Going around by bus is another option, and gives you the opportunity to admire some of the sights. Taxis are also available in case you want to avoid the crowds in the subway. They are secure and have fixed rates…so maybe a good option for those new to travel. As for the weather, Barcelona enjoys pretty warm weather all year round, there are miles and miles of beaches, well-maintained and ready for locals and tourists. You can eat in open-air cafes and restaurants or have a drink admiring the Mediterranean Sea. I mean, this is Barcelona, there are a million things to do.
A Changing of the Guard…
Posted by: blissholidays on: June 24, 2009
Hey everyone! My name is Kevin and I am going to be taking over this here blog…sharing my travelling experiences with you all and hopefully starting some quality discussion. Our friend was lucky to find a fantastic new job in his beloved London and does not have the time to run this blog anymore, so I was lucky enough to be chosen to run it from this point on.
I am married and have two children…our vacation numerous experiences have been lots of fun (with some low points, but who hasn’t had those, right?) always a good time. I have a membership with a vacation club called Royal Holiday, where we have been members for 10 years now and look forward to many more. This club has some fantastic travelling options with a ton of destinations, including cruises. We have been able to enjoy many US, Mexican and European Resorts…but have yet to hit up Asia, South America and the Caribbean. Although, as new destinations are added to the Royal Holiday repertoire, we’ll be visiting those places as well…I hope!
With this club we are able to travel 3 times a year…we could travel more, but we have jobs and the kids have school…life is life, right? The membership lasts 30 years, so we are in no rush…and once the kids leave home for college, we will be able to travel a whole lot more and VERY much look forward to it! J Nice making your acquaintance and I hope you all enjoy reading as much as I do writing…please share any and all thought with me whenever you’d like!
Travelling experiences
Posted by: blissholidays on: June 23, 2009
Hi everyone, my name is Kevin and I will be glad to share my travelling experiences, plans and findings with you. Our friend was lucky to find a nice job in his beloved London and I was the lucky one to follow up on this blog. I am married and have two children, our vacation experiences have been numerous; lots of fun, some disappointment but overall we have always had a good time. I have a membership with a vacation club called Royal Holiday, we have been members for 10 years now and we look forward to many more. This vacation club has fantastic travelling options, many destinations to enjoy including cruises. We have been able to enjoy many US, Mexican and European Resorts, we are still to travel to Asia, South America, the Caribbean and as many new destinations that Royal Holiday acquires. With this club we are able to travel 3 times a year, we could travel many more times, but we have jobs and schools to attend. This membership lasts 30 years, so we are in no rush, once the kids leave home we will be able to travel more, we look forward to it! Ok let me start sharing some exciting plans that I have coming! Nice to meet you!
Great experiences in Vallartas jungles
Posted by: blissholidays on: June 13, 2009
Vallarta is surrounded by mountains, rivers, forest and jungles! So much for a great adventure. Have you imagined yourself glidding over rivers, tree tops, forest, jungles and waterfalls??? Well, be prepared when you spend holidays in Vallarta, you have many options you wont be able to resist. This ecological adventure must no be missed.The flora and fauna of these places is simply enormous. The experience to be able to glide, the views you can enjoy…second to none! Vallarta is full of places to discover in order to make your holidays more versatile.
I personally think this is awesome. Yes, the beach is nice but one might get tired of it therefore having many options is great! The good thing about this tour is also meeting new people, enoying experiences with others is good specially if it is your first time in Vallarta, You can exchange stories, party with them, make friends, go dancing together, sharing!
Punta de Mita
Posted by: blissholidays on: June 12, 2009
Located just 40 minutes away from Vallarta, this enchanting town which enjoys 345 days of sunshine, subtropical climate just like Hawaii and many activities to enjoy, is a real Pacific jewel that you must not miss visiting! There are a vast assortment of activities for all ages. Any of you who enjoy the Pacific Ocean will be able to experience surfing, fishing, snorkeling and of course, swimming in hidden and not so hidden beautiful beaches. Other activity around the area could be mountain biking in the jungle or hiking! Shopping here is a must, there are many cute shops that sell handycrafts from all over Mexico. Art galleries, golf courses, a tennis center, a yatch pier, and a variety of dinning options. You can also take a trip to the Marietas Islands full of underwater caves and friendly villages. It is a great option for a day trip while you are in Vallarta. It is a luxurious holiday destination that must be enjoyed!
blissholidays
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