The city of Alicante with a history of over a thousand years has emerged as a modern cosmopolitan recently. Situated at the centre of the Spanish region of Alicante on the Costa Blanca in the southern part of the Valencian Community, the city has established itself as a centre of commerce as well as tourism. With its beautiful seafront promenade and famous palm tree lining, Alicante is frequented by Spanish as well as foreign visitors.
The famous Santa Barbara castle in the city is said to have witnessed the Moorish invasion of the Roman City of Lucentum (old name for Alicante) and the site draws hordes of visitors. Amongst other places to visit, there are the Port of Alicante and the Church of Alicante. You can also enjoy the scenic beauty of the El Palmeral Park that is one of the most frequented places in the region.
In addition to the historical significance and natural beauty, Alicante also has a vibrant nightlife. If you visit the city between June 19 and 24, you can even witness the Bonfires of Saint John, which is amongst the biggest festivities of the region. If you want to venture beyond the city, you can go visit many other places like the Tabarca Island, which is fast becoming a hot tourist spot in Spain.
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Costa del Azahar is the coast of the province of Castellon, situated in north most part of the Valencian Community. The name itself means ‘orange blossom coast’. Lying between the provinces of Catalonia and Castellon in the north with vague southern boundaries, the region includes some beautiful towns like Peniscola and Valencia.
The orange blossom coast offers you a number of reasons for spending your next vacation in this breathtakingly beautiful part of Spain. You can enjoy the excellent beaches, perfect climate, friendly people, and a wide range of fresh seafood here. Despite the commercialization of some of the areas, there are still a number of pristine beaches that attract thousands of visitors every year. The vast expanse of beaches giving way to the mountains presents a mesmerizing site.
The region is not just about the beaches but also about the great countryside. It has a rustic charm and you can go horse riding or cycling to enjoy it to the fullest. The local population is very friendly; however, it will be a good idea to learn a few words of Spanish before you travel to the beautiful Costa del Azahar.
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You might have seen a lot of beaches and mountains, but it is quite rare to come across a tourist destination that offers you a mesmerizing combination of both of them. The Spanish city of Santander is the perfect place if you want to experience these two elements of nature together.
Located between Asturias and Basque country, the city of Santander is the capital city of Cantabria, situated on the Coast of Cantabrian Sea. Historically the city served only Spanish royals, but today it attracts thousands of visitors from across the globe.
The peaceful and breathtaking city has as many as eleven pristine beaches in addition to the natural beauty spread across the region. It offers you more than mere site seeing as you can enjoy a wide range of activities including sports, theatres and art galleries.
Santander has many beautiful neighboring cities that you can cover on a trip to the city. These include Comillas, Santona, and Suances. You can also venture out to the beautiful natural parks of Oyambre and Saja Baseya.
Easily accessible by land, air and sea, Santander is a place like no other, and it would leave you with many unforgettable experiences.
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The historic city of León is the capital of León Province in Castile, situated in the Northwestern Part of Spain. With traces of Roman occupation, the city of León is not only the one of the most historically relevant cities in Old Castile but with its breathtaking castles and forts serves as the perfect vacation site for people from all over the world. The city of León is situated between Asturias and Galicia and is also adjacent to Palencia and Zamora.
Amongst the places of interest, there are the famous Gothic León Cathedral, Royal Pantheon – the shelter to the majestic paintings of the royals, and the new MUSAC that connects the past with the present with its collection of contemporary art.
León is also famous for its Easter fiestas as well as the San Juan Night that is celebrated with fireworks and festivities. If you plan your trip just before Easter, you might be able to catch the Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations that are marked by several processions through the centre of the city.
A perfect blend between the continental and Mediterranean climates, the City of León offers you the best of two worlds in its own unique and historical way.
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There is more to Tarifa than its mesmerizing and beautiful beaches. In the past, this Spanish city used to be a strategic military fortress and has now been converted into a remote fishing village. Today tourism is at its height in this melting pot of cultures.
The city has been influenced by many cultures all of which have left a mark on it. Traces of ancient Rome to modern water sports like windsurfing, all are present here. Although there is such a huge contrast, Tarifa’s Moorish style is still a major element that has influenced the design of its old city center also known as its Medina.
The modern transformation of this popular tourist destination has avoided many of the mistakes made by Spanish tourism during the 60’s. It has reinvented itself by blending its hotels and other facilities with its pristine coastline and within the old city walls.
If you’re an avid water sports lover then Tarifa has many things to offer. It is known as the Wind Capital of the world and there are many water sports available with wind and kite surfing being the most popular among them. At Tarifa, it is rare to have two consecutive non windy days. It is a surfer’s paradise as the wind, the huge swells and the great beaches all work together to give you the thrill of a lifetime.
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The Alhambra is a towering presence in the skyline of the Spanish city of Granada. Its beauty is perhaps rivaled only by the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which give it a breathtaking backdrop.
Alhambra is considered as one of the most beautiful Arabian palaces anywhere in the world. Its name literally means “The Red One” and comes from the color of the walls of the fortress. The place has a lot of mystery attached to it based on folklore.
Alhambra’s first palace was constructed in the 11th century. It was only around the 13th and 14th centuries that it was converted into a fortress too and The Palacio Nazaries was added to it. It was only after 1870, when Alhambra was acknowledged as a national monument that the place started drawing international visitors.
The Alhambra is famous for its landscape architecture that is quite unique. Its design combines architecture with nature by using flowing water and sprawling gardens, which sets it apart from most other monuments of the era.
The Alhambra is one of Spain’s most popular tourist attractions. A tour of the palace includes the spectacularly decorated Emirs Palace, the Palacio Nazaries and the Generalife, which was the summer palace of Granada’s rulers.
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The Picos de Europa is a mountain range made of limestone rocks located between Asturias and Cantabria in northern Spain. It is a popular tourist destination and offers you the opportunity to view nature at its best.
With a wide variety of flora and fauna, it is a great place where you can go trekking or hiking with your friends and family. The area is a bird watchers paradise and you would also see many animals in the region. There are over 14000 different species of plants and over 150 types of butterflies that can be found in the Picos de Europa.
The great landscape makes you want to go out and reach it. You could spend hours ambling through shady woods or flower-strewn meadows or go trekking the Scottish Highland like Cordillera Cantabrica. You can even go scrambling up the high limestone peaks. There are several mountain refuges along the way to help climbers and mountain walkers. There are many caves too, with some as deep as 1500 meters.
The Picos De Europa is a great destination with plenty of fun activities that you can indulge in. It has something in store for everyone and you would have a memorable holiday in the region.
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Many sports enthusiasts relate with Madrid because of the popular football club Real Madrid. However, this city has a lot more to offer to travelers. Madrid is the capital of Spain and it is the largest city in the country. It is located on the banks of the River Manzanares and it is a combination of an urban part as well as suburbs and villages.
Madrid has a Mediterranean climate and the temperatures range from 3 degrees Celsius to 34 degrees Celsius. The winds are dry and the nights are much colder than the days.
You will see a combination of modern infrastructure and ancient monuments in the city. The Royal Palace of Madrid is a major landmark that attracts tourists from across the globe. The Teatro Real was the ancient ruin that was restored and is now the famous Opera house.
While in Madrid, you should also visit the Prado Museum to view one of the finest art collections that you could set your eyes upon. The museum of modern art in Madrid, known as the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, is another great place to visit.
Madrid also has an active nightlife. It has several pubs and music cafes where you can unwind with your family and friends.
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The city of Granada is the capital of the Granada province of Spain. It is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada range, but is just a few meters above sea level.
The architecture of the city lures tourists to this place throughout the year. Some of the important Moorish and Christian architectural sites in Granada include the palace of Charles V, which lies in the famous complex of Alhambra.
The Charterhouse is a Carthusian monastery and it is an architectural marvel. Some of the popular churches in the region include the Santa Ana church, San Salvador church, and Santo Domingo church.
There are some stunningly beautiful gardens in the city of Granada. The botanical garden, located in the Granada University, is a favourite among tourists. Other gardens in the city include the garden of Alhambra and Generalife, the garden of Fuente Nueva, and the garden of Carmen de los Martires.
As the Sierra Nevada Mountains are right next to Granada, there are many beautiful sites that you can visit just outside the city. There are some very popular skiing destinations, the National Park of Sierra Nevada, and a lot of forest land with thriving ecosystems in its vicinity.
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Sierra Nevada is a mountain range in southern Spain. The Mulhacen is the highest peak in Spain and it falls in this region. It is a popular ski destination as it is the second highest range in Europe. The rivers, gorges, lakes, peaks and snowy slopes make it a great place to visit.
The cities of Grenada, Almeria, and Malaga are at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range, and they draw hordes of tourists and skiing enthusiasts. Local guides will assist you along the mountain trails for a trek or just a leisurely walk and give you all the details about the region. The fresh mountain air will give you a sense of calm and it will ease your stress.
Sierra Nevada also has a beautiful national park that has a wide variety of ecosystems thriving in it. The region consists of snow capped mountains, dense forests, and medicinal waters. The national park is easily accessible from both Granada and Almeria and offers some stunning landscapes.
You will find a host of bakeries, bars and restaurants in the region. At night you can enjoy yourself at a music bar or a club. There are many spas as well that offer different kinds of relaxing treatments.
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