15 Top Things to do in Madrid Spain

Buen Retiro Park, Madrid (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Author: Austin Ortiz
With attractions aplenty, it takes weeks to explore every nook and corner of Madrid. The stunning capital city of Spain boasts of gorgeous monuments, world famous art museums, vibrant plazas and a scintillating nightlife. The sightseeing tours to this lovely city offer an insight into the lively Spanish culture and its delicious cuisine.

Top things to do in Madrid

Barcelona and its Hidden Holiday Gems

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Author: Porsche Klinger

If you are up for a bit of history then schedule a HOLIDAY IN BARCELONA, more so to Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. The narrow cobblestone streets are lined with ancient buildings which vary in style but for the most part they are Moorish in origin. This area is also well known for the famous personalities that once called this place their home such as Picasso and Joan Miro.
If you are familiar with the old Roman Colony of Barcino, you will find that it is about the same size as the Gothic Quarter. The Gothic Quarter is the oldest part of Barcelona but it has a mixture of architecture from different periods that sit well with each other. Although changed to some extent, the Gothic Quarter remains almost intact as compared to other European cities' old sections.

Guide to a Romantic Weekend in Barcelona, Spain

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By Allen S. Border


If you are considering a romantic weekend with your partner this Valentines then might as well consider Barcelona, Spain. It is great for all those who have not been there before. Even if you have been there before, it is sure that you have already fallen in love with the city.
Barcelona, Spain is popular for its culture and history, romance began with Romeo and Juliet, and they along with Barcelona can combine result in a great Barcelona weekend. If you want to visit Barcelona from UK, then you have bundles of cheap flight options. Once you reach Barcelona, it has several places to visit. Honestly, a weekend or two days is not enough for the city, you might not be able to visit everywhere and see everything in the city.

Madrid Daytrip Adventures

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Author: Albert Gonzalez

Madrid is the capital of Spain. But there are many interesting sights outside of Madrid. Day trips in Madrid can be undertaken using public transport, rented cars or excursion tours by professional tour operators. You can also opt for guided tours which give you the best of both worlds: good sights and comfort, as you are driven around with a tour guide to explain many interesting sights along the way. Hence, you should opt for many interesting combined guided tours that will take you around Madrid if you are in a rush. This way, you will be able to see more than what you bargain for. Most places listed below can be enjoyed within a day although there are longer stays if you have the time.

Dance The Sardana In Barcelona

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Author: Mathieu Quintart

There is lots of dancing to be experienced in Barcelona and one in particular you really should try to at least watch, if not try yourself, is the Sardana, the national dance of Catalunya and an important part of Catalan culture as it's seen as a representation of their identity and pride.
The Catalans were viewed as a threat by the dictator Franco who ruled the country from the end of the 40's to '75, he hated them for their strong independence and refusal to submit to his rule, as a result he banned many of their local customs and traditions including the Catalan language and the Sardana in an attempt to beak their spirit. This is partly why the dance is so popular these days, loyal and proud the Catalans are keen to keep their traditions alive and teach the younger generations about who they are, as well as providing a sense of unity.

Nightlife in Barcelona

Author: Asif Khan

Barcelona is well known for its fantastic shopping, beaches and of course Gaudi, But the nightlife in Barcelona is also amazing hanks to the mix of students, foreigners, and tourists all looking for a good night out. There are lots of different styles of bars and clubs all located in the centre, with some of these even having proper restaurants, rather than just bar snacks. And like any major city in Spain, there are also some fantastic nightclubs and late night entertainment venues right through from hip hop and R&B to live Funky House DJ's, all of which make you wish there were more hours in the day!
The streets of Barcelona are studded with world-class clubs and bars. There is a pub at every turn and curve of the road, where you can enjoy different music and ambience. Barcelona nightlife is also famous for its live music and you can dance the night away to the songs played by some highly promising bands.
It seems Barcelona never really wanted to offer the cheap 2 week holiday and instead opted for the more reputable tourist. However this all changed after the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, and it is safe to say Barcelona is now one of the most visited European cities visited by tourists looking for some serious fiesta.
For many people, the nightlife of a city begins with its restaurants - and, here again, Barcelona loses nothing in comparison with any other European city. Being an international port has always meant that there are many different nationalities in the Catalan capital city and so most international cuisines are represented here. Whether your tastes are Oriental, Middle Eastern, American or European, you will be sure to find good restaurants to satisfy them. In addition, Catalan cuisine itself - the food of the sea and mountains, as it is often known - goes back to the thirteenth century and is Mediterranean cooking at its absolute finest.
Containing a good number of types of cheap Barcelona hotel, Port Vell is located in the east of Barcelona. Diners will be treated to picturesque ocean views from the windows and terraces of the restaurants here, while there are also a good number of nightclubs and bars to choose from
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/nightlife-in-barcelona-3700211.html
About the Author

Log on to http://www.mybarcelona.net and you'll find everything that you need for Barcelona city breaks.

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Our Top 6 Ways To Relax In Granada

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By Dave Wilkes


Granada is one of the top holiday destinations of Spain, and no matter whether you arrive as part of a tour around Europe, or whether you are spending the whole of your holiday there, you are bound to benefit from incorporating some planned relaxation into your schedule.
Most people know someone who rushes around all the day. Even when they are on holiday! And then when they want to relax they actually spend their time doing something useful.

It's almost as if they have a need to fill their time with usefulness and they hold no value for just simply doing nothing and relaxing.
But There Are Consequences Of Being Too Busy
The down-side of being busy-busy all the time is that we get "burned out" and lose our ability to function properly. Our bodies are just not designed to work day on day and without end. And so it makes sense to use holiday time to relax and recharge our "batteries".
One simple suggestion is to pre-plan your time to ensure that you enjoy yourself and get to see the attractions that appeal to you.
No matter what time of year you come, in one way or another every day in Granada is special. And with a bit of research you will soon find out that there are cultural festivals, events and religious celebrations most weeks throughout the year in Granada.
6 Things To Help You Relax
As part of your plan to enjoy the fiestas and events, consider these six points that will help put the relaxation back into your life again.

1. Stay in the city. There are lots of things to see in Granada city itself. By not having to chase all over the place going down to the coast and up to the nearby Sierra Nevada mountain tops you can wind down to relax and recharge your batteries... and create an experience that will provide you with memories of a lifetime!
2. Get some quality sleep. Your stress levels should be lower than normal once you "get into"your holiday, and you can easily catch some extra peace in places like the Alhambra, the Cathedral and La Cartuja, the Carthusian Monastery. And low stress levels and peaceful days all add up to helping with a restful night's sleep!
3. Enjoy some inspiration. Enjoying "ups" and "downs" will do you good, as well as being highly pleasurable. For some excitement of a different type, go see some flamenco in one of the many flamenco clubs. Working and keeping busy day in and day out will take "it" out of you. But sitting and enjoying the emotions of dance and song could well inspire you and help set you back on track again.
4. Get on the move. If you are normally desk or house bound, then visiting Granada will give you a good reason to get out and move. It is a "walkable city" where you don't have to drive or catch a taxi to get from here to there. Better to walk and /or catch one of the many mini buses and hop off and back on again as it suits you. Organise your visits properly and you will be walking longer distances and standing up instead of sitting down! All of this activity is bound to boost your circulation and help cleanse your whole system.
5. Look after Number One. One of the main reasons for going on holiday is to recharge your batteries and have a rest and a change of scenery. Whilst you are on holiday there should be fewer demands upon your time, and so why not use this opportunity to spoil yourself. Maybe your partner will help with this and you could return the compliment so you both benefit... but if that isn't practical, then treat yourself to some self-care products such as those for skin care and some bubbly for the bath. There is an excellent selection in many of the local shops, especially in El Cortes Ingles Department Store which is near Puerta Real in the centre of the city. Allow extra time each day to use these products and to just spoil and de-stress yourself. You will love yourself for it.
6. Have a massage. Having a professional massage will do you the world of good. Even better would be to have more than one! You will feel the difference within yourself almost immediately and you will be bound to return home calm, relaxed, at peace with yourself and raring to go again.

But more than that, you will have enjoyed our favourite city as well. And for me, that is one of the main purposes of a good holiday.
And for more of the best information about how to get the most out of yourself and live your life to the max, go to http://massagegranada.wordpress.com/
Dave Wilkes, the author, has been healing and helping people improve their health for almost 40 years. His massage practice is in Spain and his Granada website, http://www.bed-and-breakfast-granada.com/ is a mine of information for anyone wanting to get the best out of their time in this, his favourite city.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Wilkes
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