Spain Travel Guide

Forget siestas, Madrid is all about fiestas - as it is the ultimate colourful, vibrant town with many fun annual events taking place year-round. While some Spanish cities have their specific bustling times of the year, followed by a quiet lull (or burn-out period), Madrid continues the celebrations throughout, barely pausing for a breath.

In Madrid you can be guaranteed that there is always something exciting going on - from traditional festivals to more modern extravaganzas - and there is many an excuse to let your hair down and don your finest party frock. During February, when most of the world is sleeping off the last chills of winter, Madrid is throwing itself into Holy Week - an annual celebration that takes place before lent - where people parade through the streets in fancy dress, enjoying the celebrations into the small hours. This is followed by a week of Easter celebrations, before the month of May erupts in a sea of fiestas - including Fiesta Del Dos de Mayo; with live bands and general revelry, this time celebrating the ousting of Napoleon from Spain.

Madrid has become renowned for being the city that never sleeps, as they literally celebrate each new season, holiday period, commemorative event and historical occasion. However, Madrid should not be mistaken as solely being a partying capital; it manages to retain a relaxed vibe, with all the celebrating performed in a humble manner; it is as if fun just comes naturally to Madrid, gently flowing from each Mediterranean pore.

Perhaps the most interesting fiesta to evolve in recent years has been the Jazz Festival, held every November and accompanied by two smaller inner-city festivals. There is an up-beat, inclusive feel to the whole event - with music spilling from various venues, drawing everyone in with its infectious jazz beats. In the history of the festival, many famous jazz musicians have been attracted to Madrid, including Harry Connick Jr and Ornette Coleman.

As if all these festivities weren't enough of a draw, the city of Madrid is also picture-perfect, providing a beautiful backdrop for all this fun - dotted as it is with ancient buildings, beautiful cathedrals and tree-lined walkways. There's a clear reason why Madrid holidays prove to be such an all-round winner time and time again.

With a plethora of events and attractions to become immersed in, Madrid is a city where the visitor will most certainly not come away bored nor without a story to tell. Indeed, when you place so many exciting cultural events in such a scenic city, it is easy to see why it is one of the most enjoyable places to spend a few days. Forget sun, sea and sand, Madrid is all about fun, festivals and flamboyance.

A mecca for sun worshippers heading to Spain's Costa Blanca, the beaches of Benidorm offer an idyllic coastal setting where golden sands set amidst the cool waters of the Mediterranean are a reality and not just something one would find on a travel brochure! Made up of the Blue Flag beaches of Levante, Poniente and Mal Pas, Benidorm boasts of around six kilometres of coastline that provide countless hours of fun in the sun for young and old alike.

Visitors wanting a more active holiday can also take part in a variety of water sports such as jet skiing, waterskiing and paragliding. The main Levante and Poniente beaches have lifeguard patrols during summer and winter and are equipped with facilities that cater to the differently-abled as well.

Since these coastal areas are a popular draw amongst holidaymakers, there are a wide variety of Benidorm apartments and hotels near by that cater to couples and families as well as individual travellers. Here is a quick look at the different beaches of Benidorm and what one can expect when visiting them.

Known as sunrise beach, Playa Levante is a much loved seaside hotspot in Benidorm that is a perfect place for just lazing about in the sun or taking a refreshing dip in the clear ocean waters. Due to the beach's popularity it can get crowded during the summer months, though there is plenty of beach space to go around along with over 5,000 sun beds! Children will also enjoy a visit to Levante beach which has shallow sections for kids to paddle in, play areas as well as soft sand for budding sandcastle architects.

Located within easy reach of many Benidorm hotels, the Levante beach also has a seaside promenade which is a great place to soak up the resort's lively coastal atmosphere. Overlooking the bay, this coastal walkway is ideal for a leisurely stroll with loved ones and is home to a variety of bars and restaurants. Levante beach comes alive again at night when the surrounding area and promenade play host to some of Benidorm's hottest clubs and bars such as the Ku Beach Club and Penelope's. Those looking to escape from the masses that head to Levante beach can alternatively visit Poniente beach. Known as sunset beach, Playa Poniente spans over three kilometres in length and is the largest of Benidorm's beaches. Equipped with numerous sun beds as well, this laidback coastal area provides visitors with a relatively crowd free environment where one can get tanned, swim in the ocean and just spend the day basking in the sun. While the Poniente beach area is not known for having a happening nightlife it does present visitors with stunning sunsets that are well worth the wait.

The smallest of Benidorm's beaches, Mal Pas beach is situated near the port and makes for a relaxed setting where one can idle away under the summer sun. Home to soft sands, Playa del Mal Pas is popular amongst sunbathers and those looking for a change from the usual visits to the Levante and Poniente beaches.

These three beaches form one of resort's main attractions and it is little wonder that they are frequented by both local and foreign visitors during the summer season. Finding accommodation at Benidorm Hotels or apartment near these coastal areas should not be hard to do, though it is advised to book ahead especially if one is travelling in the summer and want to stay in a place right by the seaside. Those wanting more information on the different Benidorm beaches and what they offer can refer "A Beach Guide to the Benidorm Seaside!"

If you want to be able to travel freely around Malaga then you may want to consider hiring a car. This is much more convenient than using public transport, or other methods of getting around. You can visit everywhere you want without having to stick to the timetable of public transport.

Malaga airport is about six kilometers outside of the city. This makes hiring a car a very convenient service for tourists. It's possible to hire a car from the airport before you even leave, this makes it a very convenient option. These companies will allow you to pick the car up and then drop it back off at the end of your holiday.

How to Find the Best Value Malaga Car Hire

It's possible to find many car hire companies by talking to your travel agent, alternatively you could search online. You should compare the prices of these in person and by searching on the internet. This will allow you to find the best deal possible on the size of car that you want to hire. Many companies will hire people that can speak two languages to make communication much easier.

When you are looking to hire a car you should be prepared to shop around. All of the companies will advertise their lowest price, however there can be huge differences between these deals. Some companies offer a price for a basic car and then charge for the extra options such as insurance, airport taxes, unlimited mileage and roadside assistance. Other companies will offer all of these things in one package. Make sure you are comparing like for like.

Wherever possible it's best if you can arrange to pick up and return the car at the airport. This makes it much easier as you don't have to go anywhere special to return your car. This is very convenient, and you won't need to spend any more money to get to the airport.

If you are traveling with small children then make sure you also reserve a car seat so that your child is safe when travelling. Children have to use car seats in Spain. You can't just assume that a car seat will be available, you need to make sure that you reserve one. They can quite easily run out of car seats, especially in the summer periods. Make sure you reserve the right type of car seat for the age of your child.

Saving Money on a Malaga Car Hire

Normally, the earlier you book, the better price you should expect to get. Also by reserving the car early you will be able to get many more options when choosing your car. If you wait until just before the trip then you may not have as many choices.

Spend some time thinking about what you really need in terms of the size of the car, and the luxury. Bear in mind how many people you will be travelling with so that you have enough seats. If you are travelling in a large group then remember that you need a larger vehicle. You won't be spending that much time in your car and so normally a basic car is good enough, a compact car will also be much more efficient.

Many people like visiting Spain because it is completely different to what we are used to. However most of Spain has been spoilt because of the tourist industry. You will be pleased to learn about Mar Menor, this is a very beautiful and idyllic village which is on the east coast of Spain in the Murcia region.

Mar Menor actually means little sea. This is because it has a small salt water lake which offers something for the whole family. This location can offer a fun filled vacation for everyone! When you visit this destination you can look forward to some fantastic views, from the picturesque salt water lake, to the shore and beaches.

This isn't just a beautiful and wonderful place to visit, it also has a rich history and heritage which dates back hundreds of years. If you are interested in learning about the history of this area then there is plenty for you to do. There are even some Roman and Arabic things to look at. You will find a wealth of rich culture in these areas and plenty of interesting places to keep you busy.

Enjoy a host of pursuits in this area

You will find that taking a vacation in this area will be fun and exciting. Anybody who loves outdoor pursuit activities will be able to find plenty of activities to keep them busy. You could play some amazing golf courses when you visit here whilst enjoying taking in the surroundings.

The summer months in Mar Menor are brilliant, visitors will be able to participate in a number of water sport activities and other recreational activities by the shore. There are also a number of different towns which can be explored, which allows you to sample the rich cultural diversity. This location will be the best location for you and your family, no matter what you want from a vacation. It will allow you to relax, whilst also providing plenty of activities.

Keep yourself busy

There is plenty of things which you can do on this wonderful vacation. You probably won't have enough time to do everything. You can enjoy spending time in the lively environment.

You might also want to consider taking a short trip to Cartagena, this is fairly close and offers some amazing chances for historical investigation. There are lots of forts and castles in this area to keep you occupied. There are also a number of other interesting places which you might want to check out.

If you visit at certain times of the year you can also enjoy some exciting local events which take place throughout the year. This is another opportunity to learn more about the culture of the region.

You will find plenty of choices with regards to accommodation which should make it easy for you to find the perfect place to stay. There should be accommodation to suit all budgets. There is also a wide range of food which will be enough to satisfy even the pickiest of children!

Barcelona has got to be one of the favourite Spanish destinations for travellers from the world over. Children also tend to choose this charming city as their favourite place when they get older. If you want to enjoy one of the best family holidays ever, a quaint city such as Barcelona has a fantastic choice for both parents and children. Also, you will appreciate that Barcelona has an ideal climate all year round, with mild temperatures in winter and warmer temperatures in summer. This is great because children can go to the parks and to the beaches throughout the year which is a bonus.

Travelling with children nowadays is not a problem. In fact it is quite the opposite! Children will not have time to get bored and both you the parents along with your children will enjoy the city as a whole family. In addition to the many things to see and do, Barcelona has some fine beaches and mountain ranges. Can there be any other reason why you need to bring your children to Barcelona? You will all have a wonderful time!

One of the best ways to start the day and get the ball rolling is a visit to Poble Espanyol, where the children can have fun while they discover the streets and the plazas all over Spain. Poble Espanyol is a place where some of the most enchanting buildings and monuments from around Spain are reproduced. Its narrow streets also hide a whole world full of life: small shops, interesting museums, workshops, restaurants and even greenery reserved for playing on.

After touring around the different parts of Spain without even leaving Barcelona, our next stop would be to take the children to the Aquàrium. There you can take a walk under a 80 metre glass tunnel to see the sharks being fed. This particular Aquarium is one of the largest in the world: it holds around 11,000 animals from 450 different marine species. Recently a section for the Humboldt penguins aka Peruvian Penguin, or Patranca has been open. In addition, the children might like to play in Explora which is an interactive leisure and educational section of the Aquarium, with more than 50 interactive things to touch, look at, listen to, investigate and discover nature with. This can be a wonderful experience for both children and adults alike!

And talking about animals - the next stop should definitely be the Zoo. Barcelona's Zoo is one of the oldest in Spain. It was inaugurated in 1940. Unfortunately, the main attraction of the zoo, Copito de Nieve - a beautiful and unique albino gorilla died in 2004, but there are many other animals to be enjoyed such as the dolphins, the lions, the tigers and many more.

The Zoo is located in one of the most beautiful and charming parks in Barcelona, The Ciutadella. It is one of the largest open spaces in the city and a must for both you and your children. Walking among its many avenues and gardens is a real joy. Inside the park, there is a lake where children can sail in a small boat. After, you can visit the Geology and the Zoology Museums in the park, too.

After strolling lazily around The Ciutadella Park, why not take your children to the Imax Cinema. It is a large-format cinema located in Port Vell - not too far from the park. Projections take place on a special 600 square metre screen. You will also need to wear the special 3D glasses so you can fully experience the magic of an Imax cinema.

Do you want your children to have a culturally refreshing afternoon? If so, why not take them to Cosmocaixa. This is the Science Museum in Barcelona. Visitors are invited to interact and participate with the many scientific experiments. This is a firm favourite with many schools in Barcelona and just makes the whole experience richer and more entertaining, particularly for the young ones.

The Camp Nou is a must especially if you are a football fan. The Camp Nou Tour is the best way to experience Barcelona F.C from the inside. This tour takes you through the past and present of an emblematic stadium and includes a visit to the Barcelona F.C Museum. The array of silverware on display is literally mind boggling!

If you and your children are lovers of amusement parks then you need to take at least a day trip. You can go to the Tibidabo Park, a beautiful and charming theme park, which has the most stunning views of the city. The theme park has around 100 years of history and the goal of Tibidabo Amusement Park is to ensure that your expectations are exceeded. If you are feeling more adventurous you can travel down to Port Aventura. It is located in Tarragona which is outside Barcelona and an hour and a half by car will get you there. It is a theme park full of action-packed adventures from the four corners of the globe: the Far West, Imperial China, Exotic Polynesia, Aztec Mexico and the laid back Mediterrania.

Finally, you and your children have to go to Las Ramblas, the most famous street in Barcelona. It starts at Plaza Catalunya and goes all the way up to the statue of Columbus. Your children will surely have a great time there looking at the newspaper stands with their many souvenirs, the flower and animal stalls, and all sorts of street artists that paint themselves and appear to be statues - great fun.

Travel to Barcelona with your children and rent an apartment in Barcelona - it is a lot cheaper than a hotel and you will enjoy more privacy and freedom and making both you and your children feel at home in this enchanting city.