Does this sound familiar? You
Torrevieja
This is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the southern part of Costa Blanca. It is located 40 minutes away from Alicante airport to the north, or 20 minutes away from the Murcia airport. Torrevieja is a busy tourist hub and has been so for many years now, thanks to the 2 large saltwater lagoons that continue to harvest salt. The lagoons are also home to flamingoes and other bird species, thus attracting all manner of tourists. Being a busy commercial centre, the town serves both the locals and tourists. Torrevieja town features a Spanish design evident in the living style of the locals as they reside in apartment blocks.
The town of Torrevieja is not lacking in terms of beaches as just recently, the main beach walkway was renovated to give a pleasant soothing stroll or an ideal spot for relaxation and unwinding as one sips a cup of coffee from a beachfront cafe. There are lots of beaches to choose from, and if you are a dare-devil, you can always go to the water parks. Along the beach promenade, most of the days you will find a small market equipped with collectibles and souvenirs while every Friday, there is a large open air market that sells all kinds of goods at unimaginable bargains.
Holiday accommodation in this part of Costa Blanca is not a problem as there is everything for everyone, from luxurious golf courses villas and beachfront villas, to apartments and townhouses.
Alicante
If you are like many people, you know the city of Alicante by your view through the window of an airplane as you arrive in the international airport in Costa Blanca, or through the windows of a rental car as you make your way to other destinations in Costa Blanca. However, if you took some little time in Alicante, you will be amazed by how much it really has in store for tourists.
Alicante is the capital city of Costa Blanca, dating back to the Roman times. As you make your way from the airport towards the town, you will be forgiven to think that it is a boring city as the first impressions are quite poor. However, just past the urban sprawl you will be greeted by a palm lined walkway on the front part of the town. Alicante further boasts a buzzing nightlife, irresistible restaurants serving mouthwatering delicacies and a great shopping avenue for an irresistible shopping experience. Southwards from the town the city’s coastline stretches for miles of stunning golden sandy beaches.
La Manga
La Manga del Mar Menor (Little Sea) is a resort town located near Murcia and boasts of beaches in a 40km stretch and various golf courses. The Little Sea is a covered salt water lake that forms part of the Costa Calida, a perfect resort for water sport activities. There are lots of coastal strips hotels, rental holiday apartments, houses, bars, and restaurants stretched along the Mar Menor. If time is on your side, you can always visit the nearby coastal towns of San Javier and Murcia and Cartagena or San Pedro del Pinatar, or if you are a fishing enthusiast, the old fishing village known as Los Alcazeras. Football fanatics will find the famous La Manga Club that is located close by irresistible, particularly during the winter months.
More free travel articles. M Gravlee is a retired newspaper publisher who spends several months a year traveling. http://akumalvacation.com/
Madrid is one of the cultural centers of Europe. The city comprimises centuries of history and have annual events that keep men and women from around the globe coming each year. If you are planning a vacation to Madrid this year, consider some of these exciting special events that will take place. Many of them are even free or very cheap. As you will notice, the football matches of Real Madrid and Athletico Madrid are not mentioned in this article, the reason for this is that the cheapest tickets can cost as much as 30 euros (almost $50).
Winter and Spring
Early in the year, you can enjoy the performances and religious ceremonies of Carnival, which starts on Fat Tuesday and finishes up on Ash Wednesday. Also in February sis ARCO – the modern art fair famous throughout the world for its displays and announcements of new talents. March sees the International Theater Festival, followed by the Jazz festival. The bullfighting season also starts in March, and lasts until October at the Plaza de Toros Monumental de Las Ventas.
Spring and Summer
In April, the Antique Music Week and Cumbre Flamenco showcase music and dance that are Spanish in nature. The FINART festival is a worldwide craft fair and the Mozart Festival kicks off, lasting through June. On May 2nd, Madrid Day is celebrated to commemorate the 1808 rebellion against Napoleon. The 15th of May is Dia de San Isidro, celebrating the patron saint of Madrid.
Jumping into June, the city’s largest street party takes place between June 9th-June 13th as Aan Antonio del la Florida.
Summer and Autumn
The summer months are rather quiet, as most people take to the nearby beaches to stay cool and relax, but you can enjoy the Verbanas celebration in August. Moving into September, there are a number of events, including Pasalera Cibeles, Musica en las Ventas, and Festival de Otono – which lasts until November as a performing arts festival with acts from around the world.
If you really need a beach to lay down on during the sizzling hot Madrid summer, you need to pack your bags and head for the southern coast of Spain, or alternatively, the eastern coast. Madrid is situated in the middle of the country, and either way you will need to calculate a travelling time of 3-4 hours by car, or 1 hour by plane. The fast train connections will get you to the coasts within 2 hours.
Autumn and Winter
November sees the Feast Day of Nuestra Senora del Almudena on the 9th, and the International Jazz Festival, which is celebrated throughout Spain, also takes place in November. December then sees a shift to the winter holidays, with Christmas Fair in Plaza Mayor and Feria de Artesenia taking place in Paseo de Recoletos.
Whatever you are interested in, you will find a wide array of activities to keep you busy throughout the year in Madrid, without having to pay a fortune to enjoy them. As long as you are smart and manages to research a bit before you arrive, you will enjoy a spectacular budget holiday in the Spanish capital.
Ken has a special relationship with Madrid. He often writes articles to support his living in Madrid budget. At his Madrid travel guide he has a list of typical Madrid drink prices in order for you to know how much to pay for your beverage when visiting the Spanish capital. Sand has also published a norwegian travel guide about Madrid.
