1. La Palau de la Musica Catalana
This is a concert hall in Barcelona. Designed in the Catalan modernista style by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. It was built between 1905 and 1908 for the Orfeó Català, a choral society founded in 1891 that was a leading force in the Catalan cultural movement that came to be known as the Renaixença (Catalan Rebirth). The decoration and lacaish interior creates an idyllic setting for concerts.

2. Picasso museum
The museum opened to the public on March 9 in 1963. The original idea for the museum came from Picasso’s lifelong friend and secretary, Jaume Sabartés. At the moment you can find more than 3,800 works, which make up the permanent collection. The permanent collection is organized into three sections: painting and drawing, engraving, and ceramics. These cover principally the early years of Picasso’s artistic life, such as his Blue Period from 1901 to 1904, but Picasso, his family, and his friends would bequest or loan other later pieces as well.

3. The Passeig del Born
Barcelona’s Passeig del Born is a boulevard surrounded by cocktail bars, tapas bars, boutique stores and cafes. It is also one of the most fashionable spots in the city. Most people think they will find the exclusive shops at Passeig de Garcia, but in the small street of El Born you will find even more exclusive things. A nice thing to do also is just sit on one of the stone benches and watch the people walk by.

4. Medieval Palaces on carrer Montcada
Threading through the centre of the Born this street is where many of the richest nobles lived in medieval times, and that’s reflected in the impressive architecture of the palaces lining it. The atmosphere here is great. The palaces now house cafes, museums and souvenir shops.

5. Cocktail bars of El Born
In El Born you will find many bars where you can get the best cocktails, for low prices. Because you are not in a big street of in the middle of the centre, bars offer lower prices. Here you will get a cocktail for €5 of many cheaper. They also have happy hours when the cocktails are cheaper than they already are.

6. Chocolate museum
The museum exhibits chocolate sculptures of many sights in Barcelona including the Sagrada Familia, Glories monument, a replica of Nou Camp (including barça team), reproductions of statues at Park Guell and much more. The museum is open every day of the week. You need to pay €4,50 for the entrance. This is another way to sightsee Barcelona.

7. Baños Arabes
Baños Arabes is a very luxurious spa in Arabic style. This is very relaxing after a busy day. You will find this spa in the basement of a beautiful 18th-century building overlooking Ciutadela Park.

8. Seafood at La Paradeta
This restaurant is located just behind the Mercat del Born. You will find there fresh fish. You just point what kind of fish you want and they prepare it. You only need to wait at your table.

9. Santa Caterina market
This market is quite new. It opened in 2005. You can compare this market with La Boqueria. Although it is not that touristic, but you will find the same products. There are stalls selling fresh fish, embutidos (cured meats), cheeses and fruit and vegetables, as well as bakers, olive oil specialists, florists, butchers and cookware shops.

10. Santa Maria del Mar
This basilica is an imposing church in the Ribera district of Barcelona, built between 1329 and 1383. From the outside, Santa Maria gives an impression of massive severity that belies the interior. In contrast with the exterior, the interior gives an impression of light and spaciousness. In 1428 an earthquake caused several casualties and destroyed a window. The windows are very special so it took a while before they were replaced.

This article was written by Silvie, a travel writer and blogger for apartime.com, providers of holiday rentals in Barcelona and apartments for sale in Barcelona.

The northwest coast of Spain is home to luxurious landscapes that are lacking nothing but a frame to be titled picturesque. When you are traveling along this corner of the country it would be a shame to spend your time indoors. There are campsites scattered along the coastline that provide visitors with an opportunity to sit down and appreciate the fresh air without separating themselves from the environmental bliss that Spain can offer.

The coastal roads winding through northwest Spain are friendly to bicyclers, equestrians and drivers who are hoping for a more sedentary experience with nature. Between the mountain climbing, sea bathing and traveling you are bound to be exhausted every night, so it is wise to find a campsite ahead of time that you can travel towards during the day. Many of the campsites in northwest Spain will take reservations ahead of time, which can leave you with the assurance that you have a place to lay your head every night after a long day on the road.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you love being close to the ocean than a trip along the coastal roads is likely perfect for you. With each turn that the road takes you will be exposed to more extraordinary coastal views that are outright breath taking. In the humdrum of the urban environment it can be hard to believe that such stunning views haven’t been filled in with skyscrapers and resorts but in the coastal corner of Spain so much is still left untouched. Instead of traveling through streets lined with bars and other tourists you may stumble across a vacation town, a cluster of homes that are only lived in for part of the year. The low population in this area makes it a blissful and quiet trip. 

Here are a few of the best beaches in northwest Spain:
• Islas Cies, Pontavedra
• Playa de San Francisco, La Coruna
• Playa de Estorde
• Xivares, Asturias
• Playa de Longosteria 

If the coast line doesn’t excite you too much, then you may be happier traveling through the hills. The hills will take you into much more contact with nature and wildlife but you will not have the same stunning views of the rocky coastline or the background noise of Atlantic waves crashing against the shore.

If you don’t prefer to do much traveling after you have reached your vacation destination then you can find one spot along the coast and stay happy for a few days. There are plenty of sites in the area that are worth setting up camp at for a good portion of your trip. Resort-like campsites feature swimming pools, beach access, bars and shopping—much like a resort hotel would. But these campsites offer the advantage of leaving you in touch with nature all through the night. You can explore the campsites on foot by hiking or on bicycle. Some campsites have bikes to rent, and if it isn’t too much trouble you can always bring your own too. 

This post was published on behalf of Al Fresco Holidays – Providers of Spanish Camping Holidays

La Gomera is a small island that is part of the chain of Canary Islands. Located just off the coast of Morocco, La Gomera is a Spanish destination that is known around the world for its incredible natural scenery. Compared to some of the larger nearby islands like Gran Canaria and Tenerife, La Gomera is small and relatively uncrowded. With a warm climate year round, plenty of recreational activities and stunning beaches, the island is the ideal destination for any traveller. Use this guide to learn more about travelling to La Gomera, visiting the top attractions and finding the perfect accommodations while on the island.

Travel in and Around La Gomera

There is just one small airport on the island that accepts flights from the nearby island of Tenerife. International visitors will have to fly to another of the Canary Islands before making their way to La Gomera. Ferries are typically an easier and cheaper choice than flying. You can catch a local ferry from any of the nearby islands in just an hour or less. Once you arrive on the island, car rental is a great idea. Petrol is half the price on La Gomera as it is in Europe, making it quite affordable and far more efficient that trying to rely on the local buses which can have irregular schedules. Taxis are also an option and prices are always negotiable.

Garajonay National Park

This is the biggest attraction on La Gomera and is the primary reason why most people visit the island. The incredible forest is home to indigenous flora and fauna and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a popular place for hiking and mountain biking thanks to the diverse terrain, incredible views and fascinating natural landmarks along the way. The highest peak on the island, Alto de Garajonay, is found within the park and offers amazing vistas of the landscape below. While exploring the park you will also want to stop and see the waterfalls, Benchijigua Valley the numerous rock formations along the paths. Make sure you hike with a local guide on a tour or bring along a map in order to stay safe since some of the trails can be quite isolated.

Mountains scenery in La Gomera.

Image Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Lavaschlote.jpg/640px-Lavaschlote.jpg

The Beaches of Valle Gran Rey

Although La Gomera is far less crowded and touristy than the other Canary Islands, Valle Gran Rey is more of a resort town. There are a number of hotels and villas along some of the beachfront property in the area that brings in tourists from around the world. If you are searching for beach holiday without crowds, then the beaches of Valle Gran Rey are your best bet. Vueltas is a beautiful port that has some old authentic local buildings as well as a stretch of sand and a place to swim. There is an old charm around Vueltas that brings a lot of repeat visitors to the area. El Charco is slightly larger and has plenty of sandy coastlines to spread out and enjoy the warm weather with friends or family.

Whale or Dolphin Boat Trips

One of the top attractions on La Gomera is the opportunity to take a small boat trip out to sea and watch for dolphins and whales. Most trips take three to four hours and the operators use radios to contact other ships in the area to locate the marine life. Costs run upwards of forty Euros per person for the trip.

Short finned Pilot Whales spotted not far off the coast of La Gomera.

Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hisgett/400628655/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Many people who want to get away from it all opt for Canary Island villas on La Gomera. You can find some very affordable and secluded homes, villas and apartments for rent on the island. Hotels are also available in places like Valle Gran Rey, San Sebastian de la Gomera and Playa de Santiago.

Being the top European holiday destination for over twenty years Spain must be doing something right. Here a few little helpers for those who are interested in or going to visit the home of the straw donkey.

The Weather

Many a song and many a tale have been shared about the beauty of Spanish weather. In fact quiz any ex-pat who has chosen to live there and they will tell you that it’s because of the “beautiful sunshine”. If you go at the right time, which is about 9 months of the year then you’ll come back more bronze than a sun tanned camel.

Tapas Treats

Whether going to the mountainous northern parts of Spain or the dark sanded beaches of the southern plains then the local food is something that must be indulged upon. Paella, the rice dish of the gods is a detailed stir fry consisting of chicken, pork, mussels, and vegetables and just about anything else they can find to lob in there. Buy it from an ex-pat, it could be hit and miss, buy it from most local eateries and the satisfaction of your digestive system may just cause you to shed a tear.

Tapas is another side of Spanish culinary that must be sampled. They are small little appetizers served in most local bars designed to keep the hunger monster at bay. Common tapas are chorizo in spicy sauce, meatballs, mixed olives and cheese and my favourite, marinated fish with lemon and spices.

Sangria Is Better Than Beer

Quite obviously, being a tourist destination there is plenty of alcohol to choose from. Well known beers such as San Miguel and Estrella are in abundance but look out for some of the smaller local companies as their home-made brew is definitely worth a sip.

However, the drink I would go for isn’t beer isn’t some blow your head off white spirit, and it’s a refreshing fruity tasty beverage called Sangria. Sangria is a traditional Spanish punch which contains wine, fresh fruit and a little bit of sugar. Once made, and it’s pretty easy to make, pop it in the fridge for a couple of hours,  then just before serving add some ice and plonk yourself down on the balcony and realise just how lucky you are.

Irish and British

Whether after a full English breakfast or a wee leprechaun you’re certain to find British and Irish pubs dotted all over the Costas de España. Most are pretty decent but there is the occasional (as I found out in Ibiza) establishment which should be given a wide birth due to its rip off prices and their under par services. However if the craving for a meat stew or a bite of black pudding gets a bit too much then my rule of thumb is, if it looks clean give it a whirl.

The Sunrise of 3 Countries

If you are planning on holidaying in the deep south of the Costa del Sol then there is something I must recommend. During your stay find an early morning sky and head to the nearest beach. As the light transforms the darkness you will witness two continents, two time zones and three countries become one as the sun begins its day. Gibraltar, Morocco and Spain are a stone’s throw away from each other and viewing all at the same time astounds me. No matter how different countries may be, no matter what cultural differences we may have there are some things we all share. How beautiful it is that these come from nature.

“I Would Walk Five Hundred Miles”

If you fancy working out those calves after a night out on the town then I’d suggest a mountain hike. Due to the amount of ex-pats who have chosen to set up shop or retire in Spain, leisure activities of all kinds have sprouted up. One in particular I enjoy is the hiking clubs. These normally run on Sundays and most are completely free. You will get to walk the plains with locals and foreign residents which is a great way to discover and learn about the parts of Spain you might just miss on the strips.

There really is so much to do in Spain. Famous football stadiums to visit, partying like its 1999, chowing down on some fantastic grub and perhaps top of the list for many of us milky looking people, catching a golden tan. As long as you keep your eyes open, keep a rough idea of what you want and a big enough beach towel then I’m sure you will have a great time.

This article was written by blogger Ethan Hickey on behalf of Travel Republic Limited. Travel Republic customers are able to create tailor made holidays to Spain and many other destinations at the best prices guaranteed.

The largest of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria is a great escape for every type of traveller looking for laidback beach holidays on a budget. Whether you’re taking the kids on a family trip, going on a romantic retreat or clubbing the night away, there are plenty of package holidays to choose from.

Watersports
With ocean temperatures hovering around 20C throughout the year, Gran Canaria offers a variety of aquatic activities to try out. Home to some of the world’s most famous wind surfing spots, the best locations are on the east and south side of the island with the strongest winds in Poza Izquierdo, where the PWA windsurfing tour final is held every year. For scuba diving, the El Cabrón Reserve is a mariner’s mecca with plenty of tropical sea life to check out including sea horses and angel sharks. Experienced divers should explore the shipwrecks down in the deep waters of Puerto de Mogan. If you’re not keen on diving, other sports are available all over the island including water-skiing, body boarding, snorkelling and sailing.

Nightlife
When it comes to clubbing, Playa del Inglés on the southernmost tip of the island takes the cake. One of the largest resorts in Europe, it’s known throughout the Canaries for its mix of nightlife, from live music to salsa dancing and techno clubs. Go to the Kasbah Centre in the heart of the city for plenty of places to let loose no matter what your party preferences, including the Yumbo Centre, which has more than 30 gay-friendly hotspots.

Landscape
A volcanic island, there are a variety of rock formations worth a visit for the geologically inclined; The Roque Nublo, an ancient point of worship for the native islanders, being the most renowned. With paths all over the island, you can climb many of these cliffs for views of nearby northern Africa, or hire a jeep and drive through the dirt trails. Those on family holidays should go on a safari, and see the famous sand dunes of Maspalomas along the southern coastline from the comfort of a camel. But it’s not all desert in Gran Canaria, there’s also tropical valleys with reservoirs, plantations and fruit and palm trees scattered throughout the middle of the island, easily accessible by car.

Shopping
Stop by the street markets where you’ll find everything from souvenirs to home-grown produce and knock-off designer labels. For traditional Canarian dishes, go further inland to one of the smaller villages where local farmers sell stock like goat meat, indigenous vegetables and fresh cheeses. For a more upmarket shopping experience, Las Palmas is the high street hub with commercial chains throughout the three main shopping areas of Las Arenas, La Ballena and Avenida Mesa y López. Although the stores stay open until 8pm, don’t forget they shut for the Spanish siesta from 1:30-4:30pm every day.

Europe has been a top tourist destination for as long as people have been traveling. Some people choose to backpack their way through Europe and either camp or stay at a hostel and others choose to stay in boarding-houses or guest-houses. Tour packages are still another way to see Europe without breaking the bank and some people travel with a group because sharing hotels and tours is a good way to share the expense.

Whichever way you choose to travel matters less than what you choose to see and with Co-op Travel you book to visit Europe cheaply. There are many fabulous attractions in Europe that are free or low cost. That is not to say that you should skip seeing the Vatican if that has been a life-long dream of yours. See the Vatican and then see attractions that are free or low cost. The following are just a few note-worthy attractions to mention.

A wonderful place to visit to start your holiday is Budapest, Hungary because they have always been the most Westernized country in Eastern Europe, because a huge portion of the country (more than any other in Europe) speaks English and because they have lots of free or low cost attractions. Margaret Island is in the middle of Budapest, free to get to and includes medieval ruins, meandering pathways, a musical fountain and a zoo. History enthusiasts will appreciate the many museums (100 in Budapest alone) such as the Budapest Museum of Fine Arts with art from masters such as Raphael, Rembrandt and Goya. This one offers free tours on certain days.

Throw some coins into the Trevi Fountain, one of the most famous (if not THE most famous) fountain in the world. It stands over 85 feet high and over 65 feet wide and depicts Neptune riding a chariot pulled by seahorses. Legend says that if you throw 3 coins into the fountain you will return to Rome. The Pantheon was built in 126 AD as a temple to the Gods of Ancient Rome. The dome of the Pantheon was the world’s largest dome until 1436 and today it is free to visitors. For the people with the Vatican dream; the Vatican is free the last Sunday of every month.

Visit the Prado Museum, one of Spain’s most popular attractions, and see paintings by Goya, El Greco and Diego Velázquez as well as Greek sculptures – call ahead for free days and hours. Madrid’s Royal Palace is free on most days and visitors can see things like works by Caravaggio and Goya, the Royal Armoury, the Royal Pharmacy and the Sabatini Gardens.

There are many more attractions in Europe, which are free or low cost, so make sure you read up on the country you are going to before you go. Europe does not need to cost an arm and a leg as long as you know where to go.

As a major tourist destination and a bustling city in its own right, Spain’s Barcelona has plenty of restaurants scattered throughout. Like any tourist hotspot, or indeed any major city, there will be a diversity of quality when it comes to these establishments, but luckily, top-draw restaurants can easily be found.

Below, we look at 5 of the best restaurants in Barcelona:

El Racó d’en Cesc, for example, is found at Diputació 201 and is run by Francesc Cánovas. Cánovas opened the establishment in 1986 and has developed his restaurant since then. The establishment offers private dining facilities as well as areas in which to hold business meetings or larger events.

The El Racó d’en Cesc has earned a mention in the Michelin guide and the establishment is also noted as having been awarded the best sommelier for three different years.

The restaurant is known for its reasonable prices and for dishes that combine Catalan traditions with modern innovations. A typical meal will set the customer back around 60€. Typical dishes found here include chickpeas served with langoustine and grilled pig’s feet.

Located at number 8 on the Placa del Olles, Cal Pep is run by the Pep of its title and specializes in tapas-style dishes that typically follow in the traditions of Mediterranean cooking. This place is popular with both tourists and locals alike and tends to get very busy during the evenings.

The restaurant is divided up into a busier front section and a back area that’s quieter and contains the restaurant’s wine section.

Many of the offerings at Cal Pep are either seafood or otherwise traditional Spanish foods and most are brought out as small portions for diners to enjoy. At any one time, there are around 70 or more tapas dishes to enjoy, as well as house specialities that vary from day to day. A typical meal here costs between 30€ and 50€, with individual tapas dishes selling for somewhere between 5€ and 15€ a piece.

A restaurant with an unusual name, Moo is one of the pricier options in the city, but its food and wine are of great quality. The place is managed by head chef Felip Llufriu and can be found at Hotel Omm, on Rosselló 265. The restaurant offers Catalan cooking with a twist, with many dishes taking traditional food and planting a modern interpretation on it. As a result, the food at Moo feels modern and original but without missing some of the Spanish standards people have come to expect.

While a typical main course dish at Moo will cost a customer between 16€ and 20€, more expensive tasting menus, accompanied by specially chosen wine, are available. These tend to cost between 90€ and 140€.

It’s no surprise that Moo has become popular, as it is an establishment that has been widely recognised for providing excellence in terms of service and in its food and wine selection. The restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in 2006 and was acclaimed as Restaurant Magazine’s Best Spanish Restaurant in 2008. Meanwhile, Business Traveller Magazine gave the establishment their Best Hotel Restaurant award in 2005 and Moo won the Sanchez Cotan award in 2004 for its splendid wine list.

Found at Plaça Reial 6, Les Quinze Nits is known for getting pretty busy during certain times of the evening, with large queues forming up outside and rightly so. This place isn’t about luxury dining, but about understated and excellent eating experiences.

With its white linen-covered tables and value-for-money prices, the restaurant concentrates on the food itself. Customers should expect dishes such as squid and black rice, duck confit served with caramelised apples and gilthead fillet. In general, many of the dishes on offer at Les Quinze Nits can be classed as Spanish cuisine, with influences from other Mediterranean countries.

This restaurant, as mentioned, gets very busy, so customers are advised to get there and grab a table before 10 in the evening to stand the best chance of avoiding disappointment. The establishment is also highly suitable for visitors who want a place to eat that offers some sightseeing opportunities, since an upstairs table at this two-storey restaurant provides ample views of the nearby square below.

Situated at number 1 on the Avinguda Del Tibidabo, ABac offers an innovative and often inspiring take on Spanish cuisine. The head chef here, Jordi Cruz, doesn’t offer a huge menu, but what he does serve is well-thought out and designed to please.

Those enjoying fine dining at ABac can expect dishes such as baby octopus with mushrooms and calamari with lettuce. Customers can relax in areas such as the establishment’s lounge bar, with its controlled lighting features and nearby garden.

A gourmet experience at the ABac restaurant can cost as much as 290€ per person and includes hotel accommodation at the hotel the restaurant is attached to, along with two meals. The ABac restaurant has won awards such as a Michelin star.

Written by the TravelSupermarket holidays team

Paguera is situated west of Palma de Mallorca. It is one of the older resorts in Mallorca, but still very beautiful and very popular among especially German tourists. More and more British visitors are finding this vibrant resort because of its close proximity to the swish, jet set port of Andratx.

This tourist resort is sited on the skirts of Mountain Chain, the most important natural area in Mallorca, which protects Peguera from northern cold wind and it is also close to the sea. These facts favor a micro climate which gives Peguera slightly higher winter temperatures than in the rest of Mallorca. This fact also favors that the hotels and apartments receive tourists not only in summer but also many of them spend their holidays in winter, enjoying springtime temperatures.

The resort offers visitors a choice of 3 beaches, called “Playa Palmira”, “Playa Tora” and “Playa La Romana”, which are all joined by a fairly new pedestrian promenade. During the summer months all 3 beaches can become very busy, although in all fairness to the local council, they are usually kept very clean. They all consist of beautiful sun bleached sand lapped by crystal clear water. There are variety of water sports and entertainment facilities for the beachgoers. During the summer months all 3 beaches can become very busy, although in all fairness to the local council, they are usually kept very clean.
Spread out around the three sandy coves linked by a new palm fringed promenade which has some fabulous little restaurants and bars where you can enjoy a cold beer or freshly cooked fish and a smattering of souvenir shops. Despite most of the visitors to Paguera being German, there are also a small number of British owned bars and restaurants along this street.
Everything that you could need for a good vacation, you can find nearby. Shopping centers, supermarkets, car rentals, discos, spas, and pools, bus transportation and taxis, and much more. Activities allow you to enjoy biking, sailing, tennis, golf, and more. The beautiful pine-wooded forests behind the resort offer good trails for hiking.
The main activities of the resort are the Pirates Adventure. This very popular evening attraction is offered as a dinner and show combination. Having short dialogues of English throughout the evening, it runs from March through October, on Sunday and Monday nights. This would be a good family activity.
Boat trips leave out of Paguera, and some of them have glass bottoms for a wonderful view of the underwater-world. While some of them run along the coast, you may be able to take one over to the Dragonera Natural Park. Protected as a natural reserve, it is an island about 4 miles long. Here, there is a museum where you can see the remains of a Roman settlement at Cova de sa Font.
The environment in Paguera is great with great landscape, numerous restaurants, cafes, boutiques and shops. Also for golf lovers there are lots of opportunities. On the southwest coasts of Majorca, there are six golf championship courses. Arrangements can be made to play on these well-known greens.
In all fairness, Paguera gives the impression as being a busy, lively resort that always has something going on. Get ready to lose yourself in a world which offers a wealth of variety for every single weekend break visitor!

http://majorca-mallorca.org.uk/paguera-tourist-guide
http://www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/europe/spain/majorca/paguera/luxury-holidays-paguera.html

It is the United Kingdom which has the reputation for producing the clear, smooth, aromatic alcoholic spirit; and it is in the UK that it is still most popular. Yet gin has a much broader and older story: we all know about its popularity with the British Empire’s commanders in India, who combined it with Indian tonic water and lime (the former supposed to prevent malaria).

Made from juniper berries, gin is a northern European drink, most fashionably in Britain. But what of gin’s life in other countries? An intrepid holidaymaker might get more than they bargain for with some Menorca car hire, a map and a bit of thirst… Instead of taking a trip to this beautiful Balaeric island and whiling it all away in a resort, do Mallorca’s smaller sister a favour.

Menorca is the most unspoilt of the Balaerics, and with stunning beaches and small, clean roads, car hire Menorca style is a great way to explore. And whilst in larger areas this might be an expensive way of getting around, a quick search of cheap car hire Menorca will show you just how economical it can be. What is more, you can make a tasty discovery – of the variety hinted at earlier.

A lovely way to spend the day – as an escape from the crowds – is to take a trip around this small island. It’s easy to cover the area in a few hours. You can browse car hire in Menorca options from home – Ritmo cars specialises in building links from the UK. Then get your map out and start explopring.

In the buzzy Menorcan town of Mahon (or Mao), you’ll find the Xoriguer distillery – which produces Menorcan gin! This isolated island – the most remote in its family – was a British asset for over a hundred years, back in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The soldiers posted there had developed a taste for the stuff, and Mahon merchants came up with a solution: to import juniper berries and use Mediterranean alcohol to distil their own gin.

Thus Gin Xoriguer was born – and is still going strong today. You can visit the distillery and see for yourself. What is more, an advantage of cheap car hire in Menorca is that you can easily speed to a more remote spot – a quiet beach, say – to enjoy the stuff, without expending unnecessary time or effort.

Dreary weather makes it easy to let one’s mind wander to a sunny beach where happiness comes in a warm, wet shade of turquoise blue water and worries are swept away by gentle Trade Winds.

On the lovely Spanish island of Lanzarote, this daydream is a reality complete with softly swaying palm trees and sun-kissed sands. Located off the northwest coast of Africa, Lanzarote is the easternmost of the Canary Islands and, like its counterparts, is volcanic in origin. Its climate is comfortably dry with temperatures averaging 23°C and an annual rainfall of just 140mm (5.5 inches), making it an ideal travel destination for anytime of the year.

Spectacular, unspoilt scenery serves as Lanzarote’s greatest asset and its natural wonders have been carefully protected by the island’s inhabitants, most notably by the local artist, César Manrique.

In the 1960s, Manrique recognised the tourist potential of Lanzarote and lobbied successfully towards preserving the island’s nature. Today, he should be thanked for his efforts, which have resulted in the conspicuous lack of high-rise hotels and advertising billboards as well as in the affordability of the island, which remains relatively undiscovered for much of the world.

Lack of overdevelopment allows visitors to enjoy Lanzarote’s wonders as nature intended them. The best known of the spectacular sights is the mountainous area called Timanfaya National Park. Created between 1730 and 1736 when more than 100 volcanoes rose up and devastated this part of the island, the Montañas del Fuego (Fire Mountains) present a fascinating lunar-like landscape, which provides a sense of what it might be like to walk on the surface of the moon.

Lanzarote is also home to the longest volcanic tunnel in the world – the Atlantida Tunnel – measuring over 7 km (over 4 miles) in length. It is within this tunnel system that the breathtaking Jameos del Agua can be found. A jameo is a volcanic cave with a collapsed roof. The natural jameos of “Jameos del Agua” were developed under the guidance of César Manrique into a spectacular entertainment venue, containing a bar, restaurant, swimming pool, and concert hall, which opened to the public in 1966 and remains a popular venue today.

In addition to the volcanic splendors of the island, Lanzarote is home to some of the world’s most beautiful white beaches, notably Playa Blanca and Papagayo. The Trade Winds encourage the adventurous traveller to partake in surfing, windsurfing, and parasailing, while those looking for relaxation can soak in the sun and explore other more leisurely water activities, such as snorkelling, scuba diving, and canoeing.

The Valley of 1000 Palms and the Cactus Garden highlight the island’s extensive flora and fauna. The former provides a real surprise to the otherwise volcanic backdrop of Lanzarote, displaying the local tradition for which two palms are planted for every newborn baby boy and one for every girl. Equally spectacular is the Cactus Garden, which hosts over 10,000 plants and is widely regarded as one of the finest collections in the world.

Encouraging tourism to the island while preserving its natural beauty as much as possible was a mission of César Manrique that remains important to this day. This delicate balancing act is what draws many to Lanzarote and keeps them coming back year after year. This post was written by Nadine Hallak, Travel Expert at leading flights deals website Cheapflights.co.uk where you can find great prices on flights to Lanzarote.

Photo Credits: patipoludniak | Robert~EOS~60D | der_peter | LisArt