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spain

The Breathtaking Rock Formations of Playa de las Catedrales

written by Marie

Europe is home to many breathtaking beaches, one of which is Playa de las Catedrales in the Eastern European region of Galicia, northwest of Spain. Officially, Playa de las Catedrales or “beach of the cathedrals” is called “Praia de Augas Santas” or Beach of the Holy Waters.

The regional Ministry for the Environment of the Xunta de Galicia has declared Playa de las Catedrales a Natural Monument. This recognition is due to the marvelous rock formations and cliffs that serve as the focal features of the beach. The natural arches and caves of the beach, which are best seen when the tide is low, remain the most characteristic feature of the place.

As Catedrais beach

Low tides will give you the best chance to appreciate the size of the magnificent cliffs. It’s also the best time to take snapshots of the sea caves. Imagine yourself creating your own picture story with the picturesque view as your subject. You could lose yourself taking pictures of caves that start out as small cracks on the rocks and leading to gigantic caves with collapsed roofs (the roofs eroded due to the giant waves of the beach).

June 30, 2017 15 comments

Beaches Europe Spain

Gandia Beach – Far from the Maddening Crowd

written by Marie

Spain is probably one of the most beautiful countries one can explore. It is a traveler’s haven, what with its awesome historical places, delightful scenic spots, and stunning beaches.

One area in Spain that is famous for its beaches is Gandia, also known as La Safor. This gorgeous area is located on the mid-eastern seaboard of Spain and just below Spain’s third largest city, Valencia. It’s on the cusp of northern Costa Blanca and southern Costa del Azahar, both long stretches of Mediterranean coastline. Hence, it’s not surprising that the delightful smaller towns, estates, and villages of Gandia extend inland and along a breathtaking coast of beaches that have earned their Blue Flags. (A Blue Flagged beach means that a beach or a marina has been certified by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) for meeting its rigorous standards).

Nevertheless, despite the seemingly attractive promises that Gandia holds, it’s quite odd that it doesn’t get as much attention from international travelers unlike other places in Spain. Imagine 11 kilometers of wide, golden, unsullied beaches left untapped by many tourists.

Ironically, it is those savvy locals who spend time in Gandia. Apparently, they have made it their alternate destination to get away from “rowdy” tourists (who may have had one drink too many) and just enjoy a blissful day at sea.

June 26, 2017 8 comments

Europe Spain

Wonderful Days While Vacationing in Culturally Diverse Spain

written by Marie

When you think about colorful festivals, diverse culture, and rich history, one of the countries that come to mind is Spain. This country in the Iberian Peninsula has a lot to offer to tourists.

Side-by-side with its cosmopolitan European neighbors, Spain is considered to be an exotic destination with a lot of the traditions and festivities still alive to this day. The sights to see include a number of beaches, lush forests, and lively festivals. There are also a lot of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that are located in this country. Of course, the islands around the peninsula are not to be missed. This is definitely a destination to include in your travel list.

Punta teno (Teno massif) in Tenerife

With the assortment of activities you can enjoy in Spain, you can plan your vacation as you wish. Your itinerary would, of course, depend on who you are travelling with. While you might think that a lot of the activities to do in Spain are for adults, there are actually places that cater to children’s interests as well. The beaches and the islands are always fun for kids and kids at heart. For those looking for outdoor adventure with the gang, hiking on the trails or camping in the forests is a great way to explore the islands. The not so adventurous can stay in the city or at the beach fronts to enjoy the bustling night life.

As you plan your vacation, check out these top three islands to visit in Spain:

1. Tenerife is a popular destination for people coming from the UK and Germany. This island is also frequented by locals. As with many other beaches around the world, this destination is known for diving and water sports. The difference is that you can dive into Tenerife’s waters anytime of the year. Diving tours can take you to Las Galletas where you can feed the stingrays and to the harbour wall in Puerto de la Cruz where you can marvel at the volcanic rock formations that have been sculpted by time and nature.

On dry land, you can immerse yourself in the community by visiting the markets, the old towns, and the historic sites in the island. There is a beautiful botanical garden to see just off Puerto dela Cruz. If you happen to schedule your travel in February, don’t miss the fancy dress parade held in the island by the locals. This parade is said to rival those held in Rio and Notting Hill.

Sunset at Ibiza

2. Ibiza is the island of choice for partygoers and holidaymakers. It is also an attraction for those who are planning to propose or to get married. There are studies that show an increase in the number of couples, usually from the UK and Germany, flying into the island to get married. There are a number of wedding planners and organizers in the island to make sure that this special day goes perfect for the couple. There is no need to fly out to another destination for the honeymoon as Ibiza offers a number of romantic places to visit. If you can find a local who knows where Atlantis is, you can visit this hidden cove. You can also choose to head out to, Cova de Can Marca, one of the island’s biggest natural caves located in Puerto de San Miguel. There’s also the mystical island rock Es Vedra just off the island’s west coast. What’s a honeymoon without time to lounge lazily at any one of the many beaches in Ibiza?

3. Majorca offers plenty of possibilities for groups of friends out on a budget getaway. There are plenty of beaches to enjoy at affordable prices. Even food and lodging can drop in terms of prices. It is no wonder that millions of tourists visit this island during the peak season alone. Exploring the island can be an adventure in itself with plenty of cultural sights to see in Palma, the island’s capital. Deeper into the mountains and forests are places where you can go hiking, camping, and birdwatching. For those looking for extreme activities, there is the psicobloc or deep water soloing for rock climbers.

There’s a whole lot more to Spain than these three islands. The internet is a wealth of information today. You can do a search of the most interesting places to visit in Spain or in any other place in the world. Get those fingertips working and start planning how to spend your dias felices in Spain.

Pollensa Bay, Majorca

May 28, 2017 5 comments