Irose early on the morning of June 1, 2010 to leave for my drive to Madrid from Salamanca. I had lucked out with another gorgeous day and drove eastwards through the Spanish Meseta and over the Sierra de Guadarama Mountains into the capital Madrid. After a fairly easy search I was able to locate the airport and return my rental car shortly before noon. At the airport tourist information booth I asked about how to get to my hotel on the Gran Via and was given the explanation that I just had to catch the subway, change once at the Nuevos Ministerios subway stop and then exit at Plaza de Espana, one of Madrid’s most important squares. I was able to find my hotel quite easily: the Alcazar Regis is a simple 2-star property right on the Gran Via, Madrid’s most impressive grand boulevard. What surprised me is that the hotel was located on the fifth floor of a building as part of a former apartment. It features 14 bedrooms and mine was a simple, single room with ensuite bathroom, a perfect base for me two days in Madrid. After I had gotten settled I headed back out into the city and to get a lay of the land I embarked on one of the popular hop-on / hop-off double-decker bus tours called Madrid Vision. I figured this was one of the best ways of getting an overview of the city. Sure enough, our tour covered all of Madrid’s major sites: Plaza Espana, Palacio Real, Plaza Mayor, Puerto del Sol, Calle de Alcala, Gran Via, Paseo del Prado, Museum Row (Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, Museo …
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If you are planning to go on a vacation, you may wish to consider countries like Spain, France or Italy. In each of these countries, there are beautiful cities, towns and settlements. Each city has its own heritage, history, and story to tell. It’s easy to fall in love with the destinations once you get to know the place, the people, and the culture. Here are some highlights of the 3 countries.

Traveling in Spain.

Spain has many major cities that you can consider visiting. Some must see cities include Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville or Costa Blanca. Compared to other major cities, Madrid may not have the same beautiful architecture. However, it is rich in art culture, and is endowed with beautiful natural scenery. If you would like to visit magnificent churches and cathedrals, Barcelona would be a better option. This city started off as a tiny settlement surrounded by a defensive wall. It has evolved into a city that is bustling with activity.

Traveling in France.

When you think about France, you can’t help but think about Paris. Paris is the capital of France, and it’s also the largest city in France. This city is well known for the artwork that is produced by numerous famous artists. You must have heard of the famous landmarks – Eiffel Tower, the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Louvre Museum.

The Eiffel Tower is perhaps the most well known among the three. It is often seen in movies, magazines, and books. Everyone is saying that if you haven’t seen the Eiffel Tower, you haven’t been to Paris.

If you are into musical performances and plays, France has Moulin Rouge to offer. This is a world renowned venue for top class musical performances. Every night, two performances are scheduled. Be sure to book your tickets early so as to avoid disappointment!

Traveling in Italy

There are many cities in Italy that are worth visiting. Some examples are Venice, Rome and Florence. Powerful citizens once lived in Rome. In ancient times, it was a city that was without electricity or cars. Because many affluent families live in Rome, slaves were a common sight. Today, many of the magnificent manors, villas and sculptures still remain. The slaves are long gone though.

In Florence, the highlights are the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia. These places are usually flocked with visitors though. You may have to make reservations to ensure that you are granted permission to enter. Tourists visiting Florence like to visit the museums as well as the town center and markets.

Venice is relatively small compared with the other major cities. St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace are usually crowded by mid day. When in Venice, you can choose to explore the city in a tour boat.

To get around these cities and visit more destinations, you may wish to hire a car. Car rental services are available at the airport. You can hire a car way in advance so that upon arrival, a rented car would be waiting for you.

Best answer:

Answer by gary o
I would rent a car………that way you can take day trips to all those places…stay as long as you want and move on. I have done it that way many times…..Much better than busing around that part of the country….Especially when you want to go back into the hilly country.

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Girona and the “Dali Triangle” are destinations known to the lucky few who travel Spain. This area in Catalonia is one of the undiscovered gems of Spain. Girona is about 100 km from Barcelona, but no one who chooses to travel Spain should miss this lovely area. Easily accessible by train, bus or even automobile from Barcelona, this destination recalls some of spain’s most interesting history and one of its greatest artistic minds.

Girona is an beautiful, quaint town with an long history. The town was inhabited by Romans, Jews and Moors at different times in Spain’s history, and traces of each group can be seen in this lovely city. The local dialect is Catalan, not Spanish, but the language of the lovely sights will speak to all visitors.

The Old Quarter is the center of the town’s historic district, filled with medieval arches and dark, winding passageways that recall a different era. Filled with churches, lovely old houses and cobblestone drives, this picturesque section of town has homes dating from the middle ages and several lovely cathedrals.

The old Jewish neighborhood, called El Call is particularly interesting to explore. An old roman tower and the Jewish History Museum are of interest to many, as is the town’s art museum featuring over 1000 years of artworks.

A promenade similar to the one in Barcelona, “La Rambla” will bring to mind a simpler time. This lovely street with overhanging trees, shops, little cafes and great restaurants has changed a little since medieval times, but it’s charm hasn’t lessened.

Nearby, visitors can explore “Dali’s Triangle,” a region just north of Girona and continuing to several destinations important in the life of this controversial artist. In Figueres, visitors can tour the third most visited museum, the Dali designed Museum-Theater. Fancifully designed by the artist himself, this building features large white eggs on the roof, a bright red color and loaves of bread made of glazed ceramics on the outside walls. Inside, visitors can view several of Dali’s most famous works, including “Rainy Taxi.” Dali is buried on site.

In the fishing village of Port Lligat visitors can view Dali’s home. In this isolated hamlet, Dali built several homes together for himself and his wife, Gala. Some of the original décor is intact, including one of his famous “lip sofas.” Of course, the nearby Club Med was not built in Dali’s time, but it could make for an enjoyable stopover.

After visiting the home and Museum that Dali built, visitors touring the Dali triangle will want to stop by the castle in Pubol. Dali purchased the 11th century structure in the 1960′s for his wife, although she banned him from the residence for almost a decade in the 1970‘s. The golden throne that he installed for Gala is still there, and several unusual statues including elephants and other animals are in the gardens. A stuffed hourse guards the door, and several stuffed swans are installed inside.

If you are planning a visit to Spain, travel to Girona and the Dali Triangle for some truly beautiful and inspirational sights. This little-known area of Spain offers its tourists some of the most unique and controversial experiences that the region has to offer.

Groups of individuals looking for a wonderful destination for all purposes should travel Spain Barcelona. As one of the world’s oldest, most beautiful cities, Barcelona offers everything that one could possibly hope for in a vacation. Even above the leisure time, groups love to travel Spain Barcelona for the wonderful accommodations that are offered there in the form of conference facilities and other amenities. In short, it is a city that has something to offer for everyone.

Travel Spain Barcelona if you are looking for a place to hold a group meeting or corporate training courses. Not only are there a number of excellent hotel options in the city, but there are also resorts that cater especially to corporate groups. Holding company seminars in Barcelona has become a popular idea for many companies, as they are finding that resorts offer meeting space, good food, and all of the comforts that their employees demand. On top of that, nerves will be calmed by staying in one of the world’s most beautiful locations for an extended stay.

In business, one of the most important things to consider is how you treat your people. When you are holding an event that they are required to attend, it helps to put on a nice show. With some of the fantastic corporate venues in the city, Barcelona has become a haven for these types of events. Companies have figured out that they can hold corporate hospitality events for their potential clients in the nice resorts of Spain. Not only does that allow the companies to get their message across to the potential clients, but it also gives the companies an opportunity to provide their clients with the best amenities anywhere in the world. By making the clients feel at home, these businesses are able to land the big contracts and move forward with their operations.

It doesn’t have to be a formal business outing to work well in Barcelona, though. Many families travel Spain Barcelona to hold wonderful parties. From weddings to other large social gatherings, no event goes unnoticed in this city. When you travel Spain Barcelona, you allow guests to experience fine service at a nice resort and give them the opportunity to explore Spain’s crown jewel of cities. Even if you just need to find a great place to throw an award ceremony, there is a perfect resort in Barcelona. With so many different accommodations and resorts to choose from, there is bound to be one perfect choice that has everything you are looking for.

With the Mediterranean Sea sitting right by its side, Barcelona is also quite the social hub. When there is no business obligation for your guests or employees, they will enjoy the lively culture and fun times in Barcelona’s downtown. There, people of young age and old age join together in the name of fun and camaraderie. This will ensure that all of your guests, be they clients or employees, always have something to do when there’s a little bit of down time from the PR events, training courses, seminars, awards ceremonies, conferences, meetings and sales events they may be attending.

One of the other major reasons to travel Spain Barcelona for your business outing is the fact that it is highly accessible. If your clients are coming from somewhere in Spain or a surrounding European country, there are plenty of highways that lead into Barcelona. For those coming from afar, the city has one of Spain’s largest international airports, which services a number of different airlines. This helps to keep the cost of airfare down for those traveling to the beautiful city. There are also other options, such as train service or even arriving by boat.

Barcelona is one of the most interesting cities in the world, in that it combines the new with the old. There, you can experience some old Spain feel with the old harbour, but you will never be too far away from the modern conveniences that business meetings require. As the economic center of Spain and one of the leading economic cities in all of Europe, Barcelona has much experience with handling large numbers of business people who come for various different reasons. Simply put, it is a city that is well suited for any of your functions.

Travel Spain Barcelona with the family or with the corporate office. Because of the relatively high accessibility, it is a city that’s never too far away from anyone. The accommodations and resorts are perfect for hosting any type of business event that you can think of, including corporate hospitality events and conferences, and the city’s culture and nightlife is sure to be a great draw for employees and clients. There are few cities in the world that have the great spots featured in Barcelona, as everyone can enjoy the beaches, the shopping, and the beautiful accommodations. For the business traveler, there is not a destination in the world that can match what Barcelona brings to the table.

Transportation

Various airports are found in many cities of Spain such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Bilbao, Murcia, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca. Madrid and Bilbao boast of their modern and stunning airports designed by prominent architects. If you are a little tight with your budget you can try some of their low cost carriers such as ClickAir, easyJet, Blue Air, Sterling Airlines, Vueling and RyanAir.

The RENFE, Spain’s official rail carrier, and FEVE are rail systems connecting major cities of the country. They are considered to be the some of Europe’s finest because of its modern design and amenities, reliability and punctuality.

Buses, boats and car renting are also common for most people traveling and touring Spain. They are highly recommended if you want to avoid the volume of people using the train systems. You can also enjoy more the view and sceneries of the cities when riding in one these transport vehicles.

Lodging

There are various types of accommodations you can choose from when traveling Spain. Small villages located near the coasts are popular because of the warm welcome and friendly environment they give to tourists. Casa Rural or the counterpart of B&Bs in other countries is also a recommended option since it is strictly regulated by authorities, plus quality and price varies greatly. The Parador, a prominent state-owned hotel chain in Spain, can make your stay a unique since its locations are mostly found in historical places such as Moorish castles, convents, and haciendas.

Food and Dining

Spaniards are known for their exquisite taste in food and wine. They usually eat light with a lot of vegetables with a mixture of meat and fish. Lunchtime normally starts between 1:30pm to 2pm and ends before 9pm. Dinner is served at 8:30pm or 9pm. Between these times, nearly all restaurants and cafes are closed except for big cities that serve until midnight. To make your travel a memorable one, you could try one theses Spanish dishes: Mariscos (popular shellfish in Pontevedra); Pescaíto frito (mouth-watering fried fish served in southern Spain); Paella (rice dish that can be served with seafood, chicken, or rabbit); and Tortilla de patatas (egg omelet mized with fried potato).

Festivities

Since more than 75% of Spain’s populations are Catholics it is no surprise that many of its local and national festivals are celebrated in Catholicism to the religion such as the Holy Week, Fiesta de San Isidro (May 15 in Madrid), and Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos (parade for the 3 Kings, celebrated in the 5th of January). Other local celebrations you should watch out for are the Festival de Patios (2-week event when some locals open their houses to visitors to show their old Patios), Fallas (held in March in Valencia), Seville’s April Fair (consist of flamenco dancing, drinking of sherry and bullfighting), and the world-famous La Tomatina (a massive tomato fight in Buñol.

Shopping

For people who love shopping while traveling, you can find designer brands such Zara, Mango, Camper and Bershka in major cities and it could save you some cash. Popular department and specialty stores in Spain include the El Corte Ingles, Casas, Camper and For. The Kukuxumusu t-shirt is a favorite souvenir for many tourists that have funny designs and various subjects about Spain.

Madrid, Spain has a long and complicated history. For centuries it ruled half the world as the center of the monarchy power, but it is now a one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. One central to the Spanish Inquisition, Madrid is now known for its vibrant nightclubs, incredible shopping and abundance of art.

A trip to Madrid rewards the traveler with first-rate soccer and bullfighting, and shopping third in Europe to only Paris and London. The traveler also experiences the best and most beautiful art museums, parks equal to those in Manhattan, New York. A trip to Madrid is surely not a quick pass through. Visitors should anticipate spending some time in the city.

Art lovers will surely want to visit the Prado, but the Museu Thyseen-Bornemisza is a recent addition that should definitely not be missed. It was founded by the family of wealthy industrialist Baron Thyssen and his wife, a former Miss Spain, housing over seven hundred of Europe’s beautiful treasures from the thirteen to the twentieth centuries. The Queen Sofia is home to an abundant amount of twentieth century art, enough to satisfy fans of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

However, there is more to Madrid than the art museums. You can take a walk in Madrid’s sunny climate and visit the beautiful Parque del Buene Retiro. Though this park is smaller than Manhattan’s Central Park and even smaller than London’s Hyde Park, it is no less beautiful with lakes, sculptures, lovely grounds and Crystal Place.

At nearby Plaza Mayor, travelers can enjoy a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants or cafes. Or, they can simply sit under the shade and “people-watch.” The Plaza Mayor square is nearly 100m on each side and is surrounded by buildings that have watched many things throughout the years, from beheadings to bullfighting.

Be sure to allow time for a visit to the Royal Palace, or Palacio Real. It was home to Spain’s monarchs and still contains the Royal Armory, throne room and Royal Pharmacy. Visitors can stand in some of the 2,800 rooms and imagine what it was like for the royal families and monarchs ruling half the world from that very room. It is not a difficult thing to imagine, though, when you are looking at displays of El Cid’s sword, porcelain vases and hundreds of jewels.

Of course, leave time to shop. Gran Via is Madrid’s most well known shopping area. You can find anything form the popular El Rastro flea market to department stores, such as the El Core Inglés. In addition to these, Madrid’s shopping offers much more, including Calle Montera, Calle Alcala, Calle Princesa and so many terrific stores and boutiques.

For anyone planning to visit Madrid, you will want to plan to spend some time in the beautiful city. There are many great packages available offering fabulous accommodations and great travel deals. Take a look and make your way to Madrid to experience its art, history, attractions and fabulous shopping!

Vacation packages are marketed as your best option for enjoying a good holiday.  Why?  (1) It saves you money.  Vacation packages are usually a combination of the best “deals” in hotels, airfare, land transportation, and attractions.  Thus, you are guaranteed of a good deal.  (2) Vacation packages save you the hassle of having to book different entities with different websites or agents.  Imagine having to book a plane ticket with an airline, reserve a hotel with a travel agent, and so on.  Time and effort can definitely be saved when you opt to take advantage of vacation packages.   (2) Everybody needs a holiday!  In today’s hard times, vacation packages are perfect for people, as people don’t really have the time to plan a complete holiday, and they want to have a holiday without spending too much money.

If you are interested in taking advantage of a vacation package, take note of these tips to make sure you’re getting the best deals:

•    As with almost everything else, time is of the essence.  You get things cheaper the sooner you book your vacation package.  You can be more or less assured of higher rates and limited choices once you opt to book when your intended travel date draws nearer.

•    The best deals are usually online.  That’s because online deals are more updated.  What’s more, you can easily compare which websites offer better deals.  This is such a taxing task when you have to call one travel agent, then another, and then go back to the first travel agent, then a new one.  Save yourself the nightmare and go online and experience booking vacation packages when you want, where you want.

•    Travel expos also offer good deals.  In a travel expo, airlines, hotels, and travel agents come together in one roof and offer their best services to “show off”.  As a costumer, you have to definitely take advantage of this opportunity to choose a good vac pac deal.

•    Off season rates are the best rates you can find in a vacation package.  Of course, you need to consider where you are going.  A vacation package to Spain in the summer will definitely cost more than it will be in winter, as millions of Northern Europeans and Americans flock to Mediterranean countries to enjoy the cold and escape the heat.   A “summer” vac pac in Australia may actually be a good idea as typical American summer months – June, July, and August, are actually winter months in Australia.  

•    Group travel is definitely a good idea.  Vacation packages, which are already  available in low rates, will go lower if there are many people in a group taking advantage of the same package.  Why?  This sudden demand for the same package will allow travel operators to ask and actually get discounts from their sources – hotels and airlines.

As mentioned above, you can definitely take advantage of vacation packages through a good website comparison.  Websites such as like http://www.asianairfares.com offer the cheapest packages.  This is definitely something worth considering and going online for, fast!

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There is nothing quite as free and exciting as traveling to a new place that you have never visited before. Spain is a wonderful place to see and experience. Touring Spain by car is a great idea. It makes it so much easier to be part of the scenery rather than simply viewing it. Many travelers find that driving through Spain allows them to experience it on a personal level and makes them feel less like typical tourists. Make the most of your trip to Spain by touring around on your own schedule and agenda.

Driving in Spain doesn’t have to be difficult. Equip yourself with all that you will need to find your way to where you want to be. Make a list of certain landmarks or locations that you wish to visit. Map them out in advance so when the time comes to find it, you will have no problems. This is also a great time to consider investing in a GPS system. If you are a first time visitor to Spain then a GPS unit could make your driving experience a total breeze.

You are more than welcome to bring your own personal car into Spain if you choose not to rent one. If you do drive it in though then you must be sure to have all of the legal papers needed for that car. Insurance and registration must be up to date and you will have to show that you have a valid driver’s license in your own country. All of the passengers in your car should make sure to have their proper identification present as well in case it is asked for.

There may be some differing traffic laws in Spain than what you are used to. Drivers in Spain are required to carry certain items in their vehicle at all times. Extra light bulbs for your car must be inside the vehicle at all times in case one of yours goes out. You must also have a spare tire and the necessary tools to service your car in a situation that requires a tire or light bulb change. If you do not have these things in your car you could end up being fined.

If you do visit Spain, you can only stay for six months as a visitor. If you stay any longer then you must become an actual resident. If you plan to work in Spain then you must look into all related information to the legal aspects of that choice. You must also be at least eighteen years of age to legally drive a vehicle in Spain. This information is easy to find online so there is no excuse not to have it in advance.

Keep a checklist of this type of information so that you do not enter Spain unprepared. Lack of proper preparation could easily ruin a trip you have been planning for a long time. Touring Spain by car is a beautiful opportunity that not many receive. Make it the best it can be by following the laws and respecting life in a foreign place.

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