Malaga, Spain

Málaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. It is the southernmost large city in Europe and is on the Costa del Sol of the Mediterranean Sea, about 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar and 80 miles north of Africa. It has a subtropical climate with mild winters and comfortable summers. Málaga averages about 300 days of sunshine and only about 50 days of precipitation each year.

Malagia is one of the oldest cities in the world, around 2,700 years old. It was founded by Phoenecians and then inhabited and ruled by Roman’s, Arab’s and Christians. As such, there is a sort of “Open Museum” of archeology and rich history to explore in Malagia. The oldest architectural remains in the city is the Roman theater which dates from the 1st century BC. The Alcazaba of Málaga was built in the 11th century and is on mount Gibralfaro. The church of Santiago incorporate elements from both Christian and Islamic tradition. Tourists also visit here to see the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and the Museum of Picasso.

While in Malaga, check out the bullfighting ring which dates back to 1874 and has a total capacity of about 14,000 people.

Malagia has about a dozen beautiful beaches on the Costa del Sol. Amazingly, some of the beaches are serene and peaceful, unlike other beaches on the Costa del Sol. Esteponia beaches are great for kids as the water is shallow waters. Puerto Banus and Mujas beaches offer lots of water sports.

If you’re looking for nightlife, there is plenty in Malaga. From Tapas Bars to nightclubs and discos to terraces along the Promenade. Some places to check are the Malaga City Centre, the Plaza de la Merced and be sure to take in a Flamenco Show.

Málaga is also famous for its wine, having some some of the best vineyards on the Coast. The wine is made from the grapes of Antequera, La Axarquía, in the mountains of Málaga.

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Historic Avila, Spain

Avila is located approximately 70 miles northwest of Madrid in the province of Castile-Léon. It is 1130 meters above sea level, making it a cool respite from the heat and humidity of Southern Spain. Avila is a great place to visit if you want to take in some history. Old town Avila is designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Why? Well, read on…

Avila has one of the best kept, medieval walled enclosures in Europe. It is over 2 kilometers long and has almost 2,500 crenellations, a hundred towers, six gates and three openings – all of which encircles the older section of Avila. These walls were constructed in the 11th century by the Arab Moor prisoners after Christians recaptured the territory. Adding to the medieval feel of the town is a Romanesque cathedral and medieval churches. If you want to take a walk on the top of the wall, you must pay a small fee. **One of the best places to view the medieval wall and the enclosed city is the Cuatro Postes. It is breathtaking!

Within the walls of old town Avila is the amazing Cathedral which was erected sometime between the 12th and 14th centuries. It was begun in the Romanesque style in the 12th century and later continued in the Gothic style, resulting in intriguing combination of styles and materials. The Diocesan Museum is another great place to visit as it has numerous art pieces, including work by Juan de Arfe. Other highlights include the Mansion of Velada, the Palace of Valderrábano and the Palace of Núñez Vela. Most noteworthy is the Palace of Dávila, which is a fortress made up of four houses which date back to the 13th century. The 16th century Tower of Guzmanes currently houses the City Council. The square of Mercado Chico, the place where the ancient Roman forum stood, is now the city centre.

Another very popular site in Avila is the convent of St. Teresa, the patron saint of Spain. Teresa was a 16th-century Carmelite nun who reformed her order, had many ecstatic visions, and wrote several books. She is the first woman in Catholic history to receive the title, Doctor of the Church,” which was given to her by Pope Paul VI in 1970. The convent in Avila was built over the house where St. Teresa was born. The convent is an active one but you can visit the site of her birthplace – which is a chapel within a church and decorated with scenes of her demonstrating her powers of levitation. You can also view relics of St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross at the Sala de Reliquias, which include a finger from her right hand, the sole of one of her sandals, her rosary beads and a cord she used to flagellate herself. The Monasterio de la Encarnacion, is a Carmelite convent where St. Teresa of Ávila lived, wrote and had many of her mystical experiences.

Some noteworthy places to visit outside the walls of Avila include the Basilica de San Vicente which is a Romanesque basilica which marks the site of the martyrdom of St. Vincent by the Romans. The church of San Pedro dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries.

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6 of the Wackiest Hotels in the World

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Not sure I would actually choose to stay but it’s pretty interesting to watch…My favorite is the Giraffe Hotel! check it out!

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Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. It is situated on the Vltava River with the historical centre of Prague divided into five areas. These five areas span both banks of the river with the Charles Bridge as the main connection between the two. The lay out is as follows: On one side of the river is the Old Town (Stare Mesto), centred on the Old Town Square; the New Town (Nove Mesto), centred on Wenceslas Square; and the Jewish Quarter (Josefov). On the other side is the Lesser Town (Mala Strana); and high above this the Castle District (Hradcany), centred on Prague Castle. Of utmost convenience, these areas are closely situated to one another so that sightseeing can be done on foot if you want. Most attractions are within a 25 minute walking distance or less! Another good reason to visit Prague is that it is one of the most affordable cities to visit in all of Europe while also being number 6 on the top visited cities in Europe – meaning there is a lot to see and do while also being affordable!! Here are some of the highlights of this enchanting and cultural city, broken down by each section:

Old Town:

Astronomical Clock: “This is mounted on the Southern wall of the Old Town Hall in the Old Town Square and is one of the outstanding sights of Prague. The dial is poised with three main components: the astronomical dial that displays various astronomical details as well as representing the position of the Sun and Moon in the sky; “The Walk of the Apostles”, showcases the movement of the figures of Twelve Apostles passing along the two windows in every hour of daylight; and a calendar dial that rotates and gives the description of each and every day of the year with an indication of the current date at the top, the medallions with zodiac signs describing every month and a symbol of the Old Town in the centre.” -Prague.com

Some other popular sights in Old Town include The Old town Square, Municipal House, Museum of Czech Cubism and the Museum of Decorative Arts.

Josefov:

Jewish Museum: This museum has an amazing collection of Jewish art, textiles and silver. Included in the tour is a guided visit to the Old Jewish Cemetery, Ceremonial Hall, Old-New Synagogue, Meisel Synagogue, Pinkas Synagogue, Spanish Synagogue and the Klausen Synagogue.

New Town:

Wenceslas Square: Named after Saint Wenceslas, this square one of the typical places where demonstrations, celebrations and other events or gatherings take place. There is an abundance of nightlife and entertainment as well as international shops which make it a hot spot for shopping trips.

Other attractions in New Town include Lucerna Palace, Mucha Museum, National Theatre, National Museum and Prague City Museum.

Lesser Town:

Prague Castle: “Prague Castle is the biggest ancient castle in the world, being 570 meters in length and about 130 metres wide and was erected in the 9th century. It was replaced by a Romanesque palace in the 12th century and then in the 14th century was rebuilt in the Gothic style under the ruling of Charles IV. At the end of 15th century, a reconstruction of the palace took place under the Jagellons, the Vladislav Hall was further added by Benedikt Rejt. The Castle had to undergo further works in the 16th century. Today it serves as the historical and political centre for the city and the state, and it is also the place of the President of the Czech Republic. For the visitors, Prague Castle is a “must see”. The Saint Vitus Cathedral, the Monastery, Golden Lane, St. George’s Basilica and several other places along with the viewing towers and art galaries can be discovered by taking a walking tour of the Prague Castle.” -Prague.com

Other attractions in Lesser Town include Hradcany & Hradcany Square and Lennon Wall (yes, named after John Lennon).

Some of the best ways to see all of this is through guided tours or cruises, since may of the attractions are near the river. Just do some simple searching on the web and you will find these tours quite easily.

Also, Prague is a hub for the arts so be sure to check out a classical concert or a performance at one of the opera houses or theatres. Make sure to stop in at some of the art as it is amazing!

As for nightlife, Prague has it all. There are clubs, restaurants, bars and everything in between and much of it just minutes from your hotel or apartment if you stay within Prague centre.

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Costa del sol, Spain

The “Coast of the Sun” is situated in the southern region of Spain – in the autonomous community of Andalusia. The region consists of the city of Málaga and the towns of Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella, San Pedro de Alcántara, Estepona, Manilva, Vélez-Málaga, Rincon de la Victoria, Nerja, Torrox, the community of Sotogrande, San Roque and La Línea de la Concepción. This coast is a very popular tourist destination and is a hot spot for the rich and famous.

The Costa del sol averages 300 days of sun shine each year with both a moderate summer and winter, making it a fantastic place for sunbathing and outdoor activities. There are fabulous beaches but also beautiful and adventurous mountains in the background as well so you can sunbath one day and go climbing or hiking the next. With such a beautiful climate and diverse terrain, there is something for everybody! Here are a few ideas if you are considering a trip to Costa del sol.

What would a vacation be without a round of golf? There are about 70 golf courses on the Costa del sol. Marbella is one of the best places on the coast to play and has world class golf courses. Or, how about a dolphin safari? There are fantastic dolphin & Whale watching Safaris out in the Straits of Gibraltar with departures from La Linea, Gibraltar and Tarifa. Speaking about the Straits of Gibraltar, you can also take a 15 km trip across the Straits of Gibraltar on a catamaran to visit and go shopping in Tangier in Morocco. Of course you should really take in some bull fighting which is located all over the coast.

For family trips, take a trip to the interactive underwater park, which has almost three thousand species from different regions of the world. The park is devoted to marine life and one of the most amazing attractions is the dolphinarium. The zoo in Fuengirola is considered one of the best in world and the the crocodile park in Torremolinos has reptiles from Africa, Asia and America.

Don’t miss an amazing ride on a cable car that allows visitors to go to the top of the Calamorro peak in the Sierra de Mijas mountain range. At the top is the most amazing view of the whole coast. How about riding in an aerostatic balloon where you float over the Ronda highlands? There is also rock climbing at the El Chorro gorge – which is actually world renowned and a Mecca for those devoted to the sport.

Where to stay? Well, the most well known resorts lie west of Malaga – Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola and Mijas Costa. Down the coast lies Marbella with its famous marina at Puerto Banus, Estepona, Sotogrande as well as Gibraltar.

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The Beautiful Island of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands

How can an island that is only 32 miles long be so beautiful and packed with so much to do? Well, they do it! From sailing, snorkeling, diving, golfing, nightlife, shopping, and cultural and history! Here are a few things you shouldn’t miss when visiting this enchanting island.

Water Bliss: So when on an island, you obviously want to spend some time in the water and on the sand. Some of the recommended activities to take in include snorkeling around the goregous island, snuba tours, Windsurfing, Kiteboarding and parasailing, sailing, yachting, catamaran tours, sport fishing tours. There are a myriad of tours available for you to check out and sign up for prior to or during your vacation on the island.

Virgin Island Ecotours: Choose between a half or full day guided kayak & snorkel tours of St. Thomas Mangrove Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary & Marine Preserve. “Explore the Mangroves on two person easy to paddle sit-on-top kayaks. Explore crystal clear lagoons and a deserted tropical island with hermit crabs races and the famous Red Point Blow hole. Snorkel in an underwater paradise. No experience is necessary….And from the Professional guides that lead the tours, it’s also educational. Fun for the entire family! Morning and afternoon tours daily.” You will need to make reservations beforehand.

Skyride to Paradise Point: Take an amazing cable car ride and get an aerial view of St. Thomas. You will be lifted 700 feet above sea level and taken to Paradise Point where you can stay for as long as you want to enjoy the view of not only St. Thomas and the neighboring islands, have lunch check out the interesting shops or the cool bird show.

Coral World Ocean Park: This is one of St. Thomas’ Greatest Attractions. Check out the stunning Caribbean marine life, or the coral reef from the Undersea Observatory. You can pet a shark, hand feed a stingray or a rainbow lorikeet! Be sure to check out the three Sea Lion activities, Sea Trek Helmet Dive, Snuba, Shark and Turtle Encounters, and the Nautilus Semi-Submarine.

And if you’re interested in culture and history, don’t miss a visit to the second-oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere, the 1680-built Fort Christian or the childhood home French Impressionists, Camille Pissarro. Consider a trek to the Bluebeard’s Castle & Frederiksberg, Nisky Moravian Church, Drake’s Seat Mountain Top (which is the summit of St. Peter Mountain and the highest point on St. Thomas), Tillett Gardens, Frenchtown and Red Hook. All are great destinations if you are interested in learning more about the island’s history and culture.

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Awesome Vacation Gadgets! Very Cool Stuff!

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Île d’Oleron, France

Ile d’Oleron is an island off the Atlantic coast of France and on the southern side of the Pertuis d’Antioche strait. It is connected to the country of France by a bridge that is just under 2 miles long. The island is surrounded by 25 spectacular beaches where you can relax and soak in the sun or take part in some of the water activities available. The wind coming off the Atlantic makes this island an ideal spot for surfing. In fact, you can surf year round on this island. The opposite end of the island has calmer waters where you can take in some popular water activities include yachting, sailing, rowing and even fishing.

The island has two forests – the Saumonards forest and the Forest of Saint-Trojan where you can take in the breathtaking beauty of the natural island. You can stroll through these natural and well preserved areas or take a guided tour. Check out Marais aux Oiseaux, which is home to hundreds of rare and endangered birds. Moreover, the island has about 70 miles of bike trails that are simple trails and family friendly. Consider a trip to Saint-Denis-d’Oleron at Lighthouse Chassiron or biking through a forest to Saumonard Boyardville or to the southern marshes of the island or Chateau d’Oleron. There are a lot of places on these trails to stop of a picnic and fit in breathtaking views of the island. Another popular activity on the island is horseback riding. There are 13 equestrian centers on the island as well as some wonderful places to ride through the gorgeous flora and fauna of the island or even ride along the beach at sunset for a truly memorable experience. The island does have a natural golf course which incorporates the ocean in with the course along with spas to help you rejuvenate yourself.

We are talking about a French island so I wanted to include a piece on food and wine. The island of Oleron has produced its own wine for over 1,700 years. Be sure to make a stop at one of the wineries to sample the wine. There are a dozen winemakers and the wines include Pineau, country wines, brandy and liqueurs. As for the food, fish and seafood are the main foods of the island. Oléron is the first European oyster basin. You can go down to the local fish markets and either watch the auctions or buy your own. There are over 90 species of fish to include bass, lobster, sole, or the wedge sole. But the “ambassador” of the Oleron cuisine is Oysters. Check out the amazing oyster beds and sample some of them at the fantastic restaurants on the island.

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