The Cheap Cruise

We were on the Radiance of the Seas for the western Caribbean cruise on November 28/04. This was our second cruise with Royal Caribbean with our first last year on the larger Adventure of the Seas. After one cruise with RCI, I expected roughly the same standards with the Radiance and in general, I wasn’t disappointed.

Staterooms:

Our stateroom was an inside aft cabin and we were not disappointed. It was roomy enough and the lighting was adequate. Closet space and drawers were also sufficient for our use. We noticed that the double beds here were actually a bit better than the one we had on the Adventure since we couldn’t really feel the split between the two separate beds like we did last time. If there’s one thing that can be improved is the shower curtain. The one installed was not adequate in keeping in all the water from the shower. The shower on the Adventure utilized a double glass door system which was far superior. Otherwise, the cabin was nice and dark for sleeping at night. Although we heard a little noise from the cabins next to us, it was minimal. We didn’t miss having any window or balcony at all since we were hardly ever in our stateroom. We were either at port or elsewhere on the ship and went back to our cabins just to relax or sleep. We would definitely book an inside cabin again with RCI unless we had a free upgrade.

Dining:

The main Cascades dining room was nice and meals were good. Breakfasts had the same menu every morning. Lunch at the dining room was okay. The dinners were good but not every meal item was a winner. There was the odd appetizer and dessert that was not up to par. One thing that my partner noticed was that the portions of the main courses seemed to be smaller than those served on the Adventure. We usually went upstairs to the Windjammer to get more food after dining at the Cascades. In some parts of the Cascades room, the tables were placed too cramp so walking to out own table was tricky at times. The self serve Windjammer was good. It usually had more variety of food than served downstairs at the Cascades. Breakfast and lunch were busy at the Windjammer but during evenings, most people chose to dine at the Cascades. The two other optional restaurants onboard Portafino and Choppe House were available at $20 US per person but we never tried them since the meals already included at the Cascades and Windjammer were fine by us. Other passengers who did go to these optional rooms told us that they were nothing special. There was another cafe available during late evenings called the Seaview and they provided fare such as sandwiches, salads and burgers. This was a nice feature. One thing we did object to was that they charged for the coffee and tea there. There was also a specialty coffee place on the main centrum of the ship and they also charged. We had more availability of free beverages on the Adventure.

Service:

The service by the stateroom attendants and dining room staff was top notch as expected.

Entertainment:

The evening shows at the Aurora Theatre were a mix of the ship’s own crew of dancers and singers plus some outside comics and singers. In general, the shows were quite good. We would have liked them to mix up the entertainment each night rather than allocate music, comedy and magic into different evenings. Rather than an entire show of magic, we would have preferred each night featuring a variety of entertainment. Live music around the ship was a nice added touch.

Amenities:

Although smaller than the Adventure, the Radiance had fine amenities including the gym/spa, mini golf, pools and the shops. There was internet access but at 50 cents per minute, the service is a bit steep. There were things to do during the days at sea such as art auctions, cooking demos and dance classes. However, we felt that there was more offered on the Adventure. As for embarking and disembarking, there was no problem on the Radiance. The 6th level contained the casino and for non-smokers, this was a problem. The ventilation in the casino was not great and as a result, cigarette smoke travelled to adjacent areas near the casino. My partner wanted to avoid going on the 6th level whenever possible.

In summary, we enjoyed our cruise on the Radiance of the Seas. However, comparing it to the larger Adventure of the Seas, we would rate the larger ship a bit higher. We liked the huge promenade on the Adventure which was not available on a smaller ship like the Radiance. Given a choice in the future, we would opt for the larger ship. For first time cruisers, the Radiance would still be a good ship to vacation on. This is simply the case of where veteran cruisers would expect more especially if they have been on higher end ships.

Dubai’s traffic congestion continues to remain one of the most prime concerns for its planners and administrators. A very significant number of freak collisions taking place, daily occurrences of traffic jams and an ill-educated mass of drivers making one’s life difficult on Dubai’s roads, is how you could describe Dubai’s traffic in few words. The administration on its own part has done all it could to check this existing malice out by building flyovers and underpasses, however the ever-growing population forces the problem to continue on. Several measures are being introduced now to get the things on roads sorted out, among these being the proposed introduction of additional water buses in the Dubai Creek area from July later this year (2007).

The Creek is an inlet of the Arabian Gulf that runs across the center where Dubai has been populated upon. People would benefit from any water bus service across this watery passage, since the usual road journeys demand extra time and efforts both. The road traffic will also have a sigh of relief, since part of the daily commuting, however small in entity it may be, will get dispensed elsewhere. However, there are two significant aspects to be taken care of by the authorities and people both. One among these being the kind of boats that will get introduced, as the hot and humid weather of Gulf area can be truly scorching in summers. Secondly, the objective of maintaining Dubai’s cultural heritage has also to be kept in mind while introducing any new kind of boats.

Boats previously running across Dubai Creek lacked in terms of advancement, but they did have an ethnic Arabian outlook to be proud of. The latest announcement raises some concerns therefore, as the fresh boats to be inducted are going to have an advanced capacity, and therefore some compromises will have to be made out in its existing design. The traditional form of boat design, called Abra, has been followed in this region for years now. The new boat designs to be introduced will draw their outlook both from Abra and modern techniques in equal terms. This deviation from Dubai’s heritage will have to be made acceptable to the all concerned, so as to see the planned bus service smoothly running.

Currently, there are several bridges and a solitary tunnel apart from Abra boats, which could be used to cross Dubai Creek on any usual occasion. However, boats provide a very conducive atmosphere for making out the journeys as compared to the other methods. Structurally, Abras are open-air wooden ferries that could carry up to 20 passengers sitting across the length of boats on back-to-back benches. This leads to discomfort in the summers however, as temperatures can reach up to 50C and humidity in the range of 90-percent. The improvised fleet of water buses will now have a sitting capacity of 35 passengers, and they will be made fully air-conditioned.

The latest boats will be pressed into a loop water-bus service in the very first phase, with two stops on either side of the Creek receiving and sending buses on every 10 minutes from 6am in the morning to 12 at night. Gradually, these buses will be extended up to New Dubai along the coastline, which includes Palm Islands and The World. This new introduction of water-bus service is part of the extended public transport system for Dubai’s commuters, which aims at reducing the city’s road congestion. The planned Metro Railways will also be playing a crucial role in achieving these objectives apart from the existing Abras and the just mentioned water-bus service.

The city of Houston is America’s fourth-largest city and although a spreading location, much of the appeal is concentrated in the city center, between the downtown district and the Galleria Mall. Houston is a young and vibrant city, with a host of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Close to the Gulf Coast Cities, Houston is also home to a number of exceptional museums, popular festivals and regular well-attended sporting events at the city’s stadium.

Houston is a large and important city, incorporating a number of local communities and historical neighborhoods. Amongst these districts are Downtown – the center of Houston, full of entertainment, shops and restaurants; Midtown – easily reached by the city’s light railway; and Uptown – one of the liveliest and most animated areas of the city, featuring the enormous cosmopolitan Galleria shopping mall.

Other notable areas of Houston include the Museum District – home to an unusual concentration of exceptional museums and art galleries; the Theater District – one of America’s most notable clusters of top theaters, in central downtown; and also the Heights – on the northwest side of downtown, with many historic buildings and specialty shops.

Houston Tourism:
Tourist attractions in Houston are plentiful, making Houston a particularly enjoyable place to visit. Facilities include many striking buildings and monuments, historical museums and traditional art galleries, must-see sights and numerous recreational activities, which are particularly popular in the city’s many parklands, such as Hermann Park, Memorial Park and Sam Houston Park.

Top attractions include Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, Downtown Aquarium, Houston Zoo, Space Center Houston and Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum, Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) and the JP Morgan Chase Tower Observation Deck. Museums worth a visit include Houston’s Lawndale Art Center, Museum of Fine Arts, Contemporary Arts Museum and the Rice University Art Gallery. There are also a number of seasonal theater productions that are always popular with visitors to Houston.

Houston Transport:
Around Houston, public transport is well organized and a number of major freeways and interstates are nearby. The city contains a large train station along Washington Avenue, with regular Amtrak trains arriving and departing each day, traveling to a range of cities, including Los Angeles. Further transport options include Greyhound buses, the local METRO bus network, the METRORail tram service, car rental and taxicabs.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston (IAH) stands around 22 miles / 33 km on the north side of the city center and is an important transport hub. With four terminals and many passengers arriving each day from all over the world, Houston Airport provides a range of convenient ground transport, which includes shuttle buses, taxis and car rental options. Also nearby, the William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is a smaller airport with mainly domestic airlines, located to the southeast of the city’s downtown district.

Houston Hotels:
Being a modern, important and large cosmopolitan city, Houston’s accommodation more than meets expectations. With a simply vast selection of well-placed hotels, there is plenty to suit visitors, although advance reservations are sensible. Hotels can be found close to both airports, along nearby highways and throughout the city center, with all main brands well represented. Camping grounds are also available for holidaymakers with RVs, and the Houston International Hostel along Crawford Street is popular with budget travelers.

Houston Restaurants:
Dining in Houston is massive and there are around 5,000 restaurants and eateries to choose from in Houston, with a wide range of different cuisines readily available for all palates. Many of the city’s most popular restaurants can be found in the downtown area, the Richmond Entertainment district, and in the uptown district particularly along Richmond Avenue. International cuisine on offer in Houston includes French, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Spanish and Thai, together with traditional Texan dishes and American diners. Chinatown is the place to head for authentic Chinese restaurants and shopping malls have become a popular place to eat in Houston and often include large, open-plan food courts, with a number of options, including fast food.

Houston Shopping:
Houston is an impressive, vibrant shopping destination offering a large selection of shops and stores. Facilities include many popular designer outlets and fashion boutiques, together with well-known department stores and enormous shopping malls. Popular shopping areas include Chinatown, Main Street, Westheimer, Uptown Park Boulevard and Rice Village close to the Museum District. Worth a visit are the River Oaks Center between Woodhead and Shepherd, Alabama and Westheimer, and the University Village, close to Rice University.

Houston Weather:
The city has a subtropical and fairly humid climate, with sunny, hot summer weather and cooler winters. Temperatures during July and August are at their hottest and can peak at highs of around 35C / 95F. Spring in Houston is a mild season and a busy time of the year, when many visitors arrive in Houston. Winters in Houston are cool, although the temperatures stay well above freezing. January is the coldest month when daytime temperatures average around 16C / 61F, although lows of less than 10C / 50F may be experienced.

Just accross the Lake Worth Lagoon from Palm Beach sits the city of West Palm Beach, Florida, a 55 square mile city with a population in excess of 82,000 situated on the Intercoastal Waterway.

Staying in West Palm Beach puts you right in the middle of things but costs less than staying in Palm Beach. You are right next door to Palm Beach with it’s luxurious resorts and beaches, minutes from Boca Raton and just over a one and one half hour drive north of Miami Beach.

Stay at the West Palm Beach Marriott, 1001 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, (561) 833-1234, or the Crowne Plaza West Palm Beach Hotel, 1601 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33406, (561) 689-6400 (Note: At this time the Crown Plaza is closed due to damage from Hurricane Frances, but will be reopening soon.), or the Courtyard By Marriott West Palm Beach, 600 Northpoint Parkway, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407, (561) 640-9000, or the Hilton Palm Beach Airport (A 100% non smoking hotel.), 150 Australian Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida, 33406, (561) 684-9400, or the Radisson Hotel Palm Beach Airport, 1808 S. Australian Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33409, (561) 689-6888. There are also a large number of even less expensive hotels in and around the city.

Play tennis on one of the thirty six tennis courts throughout the city, play golf at some of the best golf courses in the country (There are dozens of clubs and courses in the area.), visit the Palm Beach Zoo, 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach, Florida 33405, (561) 547-9453 with it’s Over 23 acres of lush, tropical landscaped habitats that are home to over 900 animals from Florida, Central and South America, Asia and Australia, visit the Norton Museum of Art, 1451 S Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, (561) 832-5196 with it’s distinguished permanent collection featuring 19th and 20th century European and American art, Chinese, contemporary art and photography, or visit the South Florida Science Museum, 4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach, FL 33405, (561) 832-1988 with its dozens of fun, hands-on interactive exhibits, natural history exhibits and it’s Planetarium. Dine in one of West Palm Beach’s or Palm Beach’s fine dining establishments. Shop at West Palm Beach’s trendy boutiques or shop in Palm Beach at some of the finest shops in the world. Cruise the Intercoastal Waterway or go saltwater or freshwater fishing. If you just want to laze around on the beach and soak up the sun or play in the warm clear waters, you will find miles of beautiful public beaches in the area. Take in the Clematis by Night, free fountainside concert series, where visitors and locals mingle among arts and crafts vendors while enjoying live entertainment. Check out SunFest, Florida’s largest waterfront music and art festival, which takes place in West Palm Beach each May. If you like night life you will find numerous night clubs and dance clubs right in West Palm Beach.

West Palm Beach, Florida has everything you could want and more, except high prices.

For more information about the city of West Palm Beach, Florida see: http://westpalmbeachfl.usacitydirectories.com, a directory of links to the city of West Palm Beach, Florida guides and directories listing hotels, restaurants, attorneys, real estate brokers, information, resources, services, things to do, places to go and more.

Ninty some miles north west of Los Angeles lies the lovely beach city of Santa Barbara, California where you will find some of the cleanest and best tended beaches on the west coast.

The city of Santa Barbara which includes Hope Ranch and Montecito has a population of approximately 90,000 (not counting the students who reside at UC Santa Barbara.) yet it hosts millions of visitors each year. The residents of the city are, for the most part, friendly, courteous and helpful, the city is clean and thanks to a well enforced anti graffiti department, virtually free of graffiti. Crime rates are low and the police are courteous and willing to assist you in whatever you need. Whether you are a single traveler, traveling with a friend or spouse or taking the whole family, Santa Barbara is a great destination.

There is something for everyone in or near Santa Barbara. Relax on the beaches, enjoy the night life on State Street or in next door Isla Vista, drive past multi million dollar homes in Montecito or Hope Ranch, take in a symphony at the Arlington Theater, visit the Museum of Art, tour the Mission, go to the Zoo or enjoy the Botanic Gardens or the Natural History Museum, fish off Stearns Wharf, go sport fishing or whale watching, dine at one of the numerous excellant restaurants (many with outside patio dining), visit the outdoor Farmer’s Market and buy organically grown fruits, vegetables, flowers and plants, buy arts and crafts at the sidewalk art show which is right along the beach, rent a bicycle or a bicycle built for two and ride on the bike paths along the ocean, dine at one of the seafood restaurants or at the open air fish market on Stearn’s Wharf or shop at the Paseo Nuevo Shopping Mall.

There are accomidations in every price range, from inexpensive motels to bed and breakfasts to luxury hotels like the Four Seasons Biltmore and the Bacara Resort and Spa.

If the foregoing is not enough, take a wine tasting tour of the botique wineries in the Santa Barbara wine region, go boating and fishing at Lake Cachuma, visit and play poker, blackjack, bingo, keno or slot machines at the Chumash Resort And Casino, visit Solvang “the Danish Capital of America”, go skydiving or take flying lessons at the Santa Inez Airport, see the historic old west town of Santa Ynez, visit Pea Soup Andersen’s in Buellton or just take a long relaxing drive up the coast and enjoy the fantastic weather while viewing the beautiful scenery.

For more information about the city of Santa Barbara, California see http://santabarbara.usacitydirectories.com, a directory of links to city of Santa Barbara, California guides and directories listing hotels, attorneys, information, resources, services, things to do, places to go and more.

By: David G. Hallstrom, Sr.

World famous Hollywood, California is one of the best known cities in the world, however it not a city, it’s mayor is honorary, it has no city council or other city officers. It is part of the city of Los Angeles and as such is governed by the Los Angeles city council and mayor and it’s security is maintained by the Los Angeles Police Department.

What Hollywood does have is the Kodak Theatre which since opening in November 2001, has hosted a range of prestigious artists and events including the Academy Awards Ceremonies, Celine Dion, Prince, Elvis Costello, Barry Manilow, American Ballet Theatre, Moscow Stanislavsky Ballet, AFI Life Achievement Award to Tom Hanks, ESPY Awards, American Idol finals, GREASE starring Frankie Avalon and more, the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, Graumans Chinese Theatre with it’s movie premieres, it’s cement handprints and footprints which immortalize some of entertainment’s brightest stars, the Egyptian Theatre, a 40,000-square-foot- theater complex, located at 6712 (& 6708 which is the address of retail space on the property) Hollywood Boulevard, currently consists of an operational 618-seat theater, a 6,700-square-foot tiled courtyard and a 3,080-square-foot retail building
and the Pantages Theatre, which has become one of the greatest landmarks of Hollywood, signifying both the glorious past and adventuresome future of the world’s entertainment capital.

Hollywood is also home to the Hollywood Bowl, The Greek Theatre which offers top quality entertainment under the stars, the Whisky A Go-Go, the Troubadour, the Hollywood Wax Museum which takes visitors of all ages on a personal stroll down memory lane, recapturing special moments with old friends from movies, television, music, sports and history, the Hollywood Entertainment Museum which features technologically advanced, interactive exhibits, memorabilia, special exhibitions, a six-minute multi-screen video presentation and a studio backlot tour and the El Capitan Theatre, an exclusive first run theatre for Walt Disney Pictures with live stage shows and world premieres.

While Hollywood does not have much in the way of hotels it does have the recently renovated (at a cost of $35,000,000.00) Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, a Hollywood landmark since 1927, which is right across the street from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Celebrities stay there frequently, especially during premiers and other special functions. There is also the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel by Marriott with it’s 637 rooms and suites, roof-top pool, fitness room, full business center and more.

Hollywood, which had been in decline since the late 1950s has lately been undergoing it’s own renovation and while it is not yet like it was in it’s heyday, it is again, a fun and interesting place to visit.

Stroll down Hollywood Blvd., take in the sights, visit the Wax Museum, the Entertainment Museum, and the Kodak Theatre, have your picture taken with one or more of the many celebrity look-alikes hanging around, go shopping at Frederick’s Of Hollywood or at one of the many specialty shops, dine at one of the many restaurants, go dancing at Wiskey A Go-Go, take in a concert at the Greek Theatre or take in a movie at one of Hollywood’s famous theatres.

For more information about Hollywood, California see http://hollywood.usacitydirectories.com, a directory of links to Hollywood, California guides and directories listing resources, services, things to do, places to go and more.

The city of Boca Raton, Florida, with it’s more than five miles of publicly owned beachfront property and it’s approximately 1,080 acres of parks is situated in Palm Beach County, almost midway between the cities of Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale.

Stay at the famous Boca Raton Resort And Club, 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432, (561) 447-3000, with it’s five distinct styles of deluxe guestrooms and suites, The Cloister which is the most classic of the Resort’s five accommodation choices, the Tower which is a dramatic contrast, the Boca Beach Club, the Yacht Club and the Boca Bungalows. The Boca Raton Resort & Club offers its guests an unmatched variety of sports and leisure activities, all of which can be found on the Resort’s 356-acre property. If that is too much for you, try the Marriott Boca Raton at Boca Center, 5150 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, Fl. 33486, (561) 392-4600, with it’s marble bathrooms, rainfall showers, solid walnut highlights, and deluxe aromatherapy amenities, or the Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel, 2000 NW 19th Street, Boca Raton, Fl. 33431, (561) 368-5252, with it’s Mediterranean ambience, tropical pool and lush grounds or any one of a number of other excellent hotels in the city.

Play golf at the Boca Raton Resort And Club Resort Course on the Resort grounds, a 6,253 yard par 71 course highlighted with a variety of elevation changes and 12 surface acres of water including a signature water feature designed by Hugh Hughes, or the Boca Raton Municipal Golf Course, Golf Course Road, (561) 483-6317 with it’s 18-hole regulation, 6,115-yard, par-72 course, nine-hole, 1,877-yard, par-30 executive course, driving range and putting green, or at the Red Reef Executive Golf Course, 1111 N. Ocean Blvd., (561) 391-5014, with it’s nine-hole, 1,628-yard, par-32 course on the ocean, or at the Southwinds County Golf Course, 9557 Lyons Road, (561) 483-1305, with it’s 18-hole, 72-par course.

Check out the Royal Palm Polo Sports Complex, 18000 Jog Road, Boca Raton, Fl., (561) 994-1876, the oldest existing club in South Florida, Boca Raton’s Royal Palm Polo Club is known as the sport’s winter capital.

Go shopping at the Town Center Mall, 6000 Glades Rd., Boca Raton 33431, (561) 368-6000, where you will find almost 200 exclusive stores including Bloomingdales, Burdines, Cartier, The Disney Store, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom’s and Tiffany’s, or try other area centers like the Royal Palm Plaza, Boca Center, Glades Plaza, the Fifth-Avenue Shops, Oaks Plaza, Shops at the Sanctuary, Polo Shops, Del Mar Shopping Village, Garden Shops of Boca, Palms Plaza, Point West Centre, Village Pointe, Mission Bay Plaza, Shadowood Square, Boca Lyons Plaza, Somerset Shops, Regency Court, Shops of Boca, Piccadilly Square, VPC Center, Lakeside Centre and West Boca Square

Lie on the beach, go swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving, go freshwater or saltwater fishing, dine in one of the many fine restaurants, play tennis, check out Lake Okeechobee, the second-largest freshwater lake in the United States or just lie around your hotel pool and relax. If you get tired of Boca Raton you are right near Palm Beach and you are within just over an hour’s drive from Miami Beach and all it has to offer.

For more information about the city of Boca Raton, Florida see: http://bocaratonfl.usacitydirectories.com, a directory of links to the city of Boca Raton, Florida guides and directories listing hotels, restaurants, attorneys, real estate brokers, information, resources, services, things to do, places to go and more.

Venice, the great Italian city built on the Po River delta, must be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Constructed around a network of canals rather than roads, this gem of old Europe is home to a dazzling array of palaces. Venice is around one and a half thousand years old and for many years was a city-state of great power and wealth after the models of Rome and Athens.

As well a center of political power Venice has always been hugely influential in the arts. There was even a distinct style of painting denoted by the name The Venice School”. This was mainly prevalent during the mid fifteenth to the beginning of the seventeenth centuries and included such luminaries as Vivarini, Bellini and Mantegna.

This tradition is maintained today with Venice still supporting a thriving community of artists and also more modern artistic arts event such as the world renowned Venice Film Festival. It also home to many great collections of both modern and classical art including the Peggy Guggenheim Collection of work by twentieth century artists working in Italy.

One aspect of the arts in which Venice can lay claim to occupy the premier position, is glass blowing. Although believed to have been originated by the Romans or Phoenicians, Venice has long been known as the home of glassblowing. Mainly centered on the Venetian island of Murano the glassblowers of Venice became famous for their intricate designs and also their secrecy to prevent the wholesale copying of their techniques.

Today you will find Venice a very busy and largely tourist friendly city. It can get crowded at the height of the season but the locals are generally helpful and friendly being used to the annual influx of tourists. Venice is one of the must see destinations in Europe and any time spent there will be richly rewarded with a feast of good food, great architecture and a fascinating artistic legacy.

Vacation Rentals and Holiday Homes in Spain for Perfect Recreation

The first point you will need to consider is where you want to spend your vacation in Spain? Are you someone who prefers to be in the heart of things, say living in a town, or are you someone who would prefer privacy and tranquility, therefore you may decide to rent a vacation home in the country you may even wish to rent a holiday house in the mountains, or villa by the lakes or on the Coast.

You next step should be what sort of property you would like to rent for your vacation? Do you want to rent an apartment, townhouse, villa or finca (country house with land). However, what you must remember is your budget (how much you are willing to spend on your dream vacation in Spain).

As third step, I would suggest that you go on to the internet and see what the various vacation rentals web sites and holiday home directories have to offer. There are so many interesting places in Spain where you can go. Chose some vacation properties and contact the owners of them. Ask for more pictures and information of the vacation home and maybe for some pictures and information about the district. Chose one of them and book it online. The most vacation rental owners accept credit card payments.

Book a cheap international plane tickets for your holidays and start your adventure.

Barcelona – chose vacation rental in the Spain’s funkiest city -with plenty of restaurants and bars at reasonable prices. A typical Barcelona apartment has normally everything you would expect for a comfortable stay. Are you more likely to rent a modern apartment than a traditional? Barcelona has it all, including modernist architecture represented by Montaner, Domиnech, Cadafalch and Puig with famous buildings like the Pedrera, also known as “Casa Milа” and the Casa Batllт, located on the Passeig de Gracia, and internationally portrayed in just about every postcard of the city. Your accommodation in Barcelona also include many other benefits of a stay in Eastern Spain, such as lots of good beaches nearby, as well as amenities and activities rounding the so-called Spanish Mediterranean experience. In fact, there are many Barcelona apartments close to the beach and near to famous Las Ramblas, combining the fascination of the sea with the majestic historic heart of the city. Travelers to Barcelona will want to visit La Rambla and Barri Gтtic, a part of the city that has a medieval look which will take you back hundreds of years.

If you chose vacation home in the Guadalhorce valley, you’ll find that you’re never more than 25 minutes from the coast, which makes this area hugely popular among tourists.

Alhaurin – rent holiday home in area of outstanding natural beauty where life is lived in a traditional Spanish vein, with centuries of culture and tradition evident. Even though the town of Alhaurin has become very cosmopolitan, life maintains a Spanish feel. The town is famed for its many traditional celebrations, including the Feria de Mayo and El Dia de la Cruz in May, Dia de Jesus in June, and the Dia de la Virgin in August. In addition, the Easter week celebrations attract tourists from across Europe. Improvements are currently being made to the areas infrastructure. However, there are already two golf courses nearby, while the surrounding countryside offers plenty of hiking, cycling and climbing opportunities. Fans of outdoor activities will find that there are many leisure activities to pursue, while the beach is only 15 kilometres away. Alhaurin el Grande is a pretty town with whitewashed houses and colourful shutters. There are a number of attractions, including the 12th century Moorish Archway, the old Arabic fort and the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, with its Roman columns and town church.

There is no superior starting place for your travel to Spain than the grand and enchanting streets of Barcelona. There is never a dull moment in this city that literally never sleeps, especially in the summer months. Barcelona is studded with the unmistakable modernism of Antoni Gaudi, who single-handedly landed the city on the architectural map. A stroll down the grand avenue Passeig de Gracia will take you directly in front of both Casa Batllo and Casa Mila, which are incredible feats of art and design and fully accessible to the public. Make reservations to have cocktails and watch the sun set on the Alice In Wonderland-like rooftop of Casa Mila (only available for the summer season). Wind your way through the narrow passages of the Gothic Quarter, the oldest part of town, until you find the overwhelming and unmistakable Gothic Cathedral (just remember to watch your pockets!).

Just an hour north of Barcelona in the town of Figueres is Northern Spain’s most interesting and unique museum. The Dali museum is so extraordinary because it was designed and constructed by the artist himself and the collection of his works is unsurpassed anywhere else in the world. The coastline north of Barcelona, extending to the French border, is known as the Costa Brava and is one of the Mediterranean’s most exclusive and beautiful vacation destinations. Additionally, Catalonia’s countryside is spotted with superb Spanish wine vineyards and olive groves. Once you fall in love with Barcelona, it will be extremely difficult to leave; however, there are a few other gems in the north to explore in order to have really traveled Spain.

San Sebastian (Donostia)
A blend of cosmopolitan chic and sophisticated resort town, San Sebastian offers all the luxuries of a big city while providing the Atlantic coastline with its most popular beach getaway. San Sebastian, the heart and soul of the Basque region, is widely known for its world-class restaurants and irresistible tapas bars; its location just south of the French border has added a unique flare to the culture and cuisine found nowhere else in Spain. Just a short bus ride inland takes you to Bilbao, home of Frank O. Gehry’s spectacular architectural triumph, the Guggenheim Museum. This is one stop that must be made when you travel Spain!

Pamplona
The captivating words of Hemmingway and the dangerous art of bull running are inescapable symbols of this historic township. Another cultural staple of the Basque region, Pamplona should be a stop on as you travel Spain in July when La Fiesta de San Fermin (The Running of the Bulls) takes place over 14 days. The population of 250,000 explodes to over 1 million, so reserve a place to stay early or simply do what the locals do: eat, drink and dance in the streets until the sun comes up and the bulls begin to run!

Months would be needed to travel Spain’s diverse cultures and distinct regions. With more limited time, these fascinating destinations provide an intimate window into the authentic Spanish way of life.

For more information on travel to Spain and other destinations in Europe, and discount airfare to Spain, visit www.cfares.com.