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Travel Tips
Summer in Mallorca
Mallorca packs a bit everything in a single landmass. Be it on a family trip with the kids, on a romantic adventure with your love interest, or by yourself… you’ll never run out of things to do! From outdoor activities and sports to underwater fun, Mallorca has a little bit of everything: museums, beaches, festivals, fiestas and concerts, all with a stunning Mediterranean backdrop to it. Mallorca is the perfect island to spend the summer holidays with the kids. And there are endless activities to keep the little ones -and yourselves- fully entertained. Views You Can’t Do Without Although many come to Mallorca looking to rest, the truth is that the island is bursting with cultural activities that you can’t miss out on. For instance, the gallery of Joan Mirò, the famous Majorcan painter is located in Palma. The Foundation houses the full collection of the artist’s works, comprising paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, etchings, and drawings from all the different periods of Mirò’s life. Definitely worth a visit to get better acquainted with Majorcan culture! Palma Aquarium is a very good option for a day. Submerge yourself in a journey through the world’s oceans without leaving the island. Discover what secrets dwell down at the seabed in this amazing journey with over 8,000 specimens, including ten giant sharks lurking in the deep. You’ll live new experiences and make your acquaintance with the living corals of the aquarium. And if you are a daredevil, you’ll be able to dive with sharks… they kids will love it but so will you – don’t miss out! Marineland Mallorca is another good option...
AC/DC in Barcelona and Madrid: Rock and Metal Pub Crawl
The legendary hard rock band, AC/DC is coming back to Spain. The Australian band will present their new album, Rock or Bust, which has debuted at number 1 on the charts of 10 countries, namely Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden, and Germany. In the latter, it also became the fastest-selling international album in almost ten years. The last time AC/DC came to Spain was back in 2009, at which time they played five concerts in the country, three in indoor venues in Bilbao, Madrid and Barcelona, and right before summer, they announced another two gigs in outdoor arenas that took place at the Montjuic Olympic Stadium and at the Vicente Calderon Stadium. The tour will feature the awaited return of Chris Slade on the drums. Catch them at Barcelona’s Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium this coming May 29th, or at Madrid’s Vicente Calderón Stadium on May 31st and June 2nd. We’d like to recommend some local rock venues so you can party on with the metal crowd. Rock on! In Barcelona Bollocks Rock Bar The Bollocks Rock Bar is a well decorated rock bar. It combines very affordable beer with a selection of music that takes one back to the Guns’n’Roses years. You’ll find a mannequin of Iron Maiden’s Eddie sat at the toilet hanging on the wall. It is never quiet at The Bollocks, and you are better off making a reservation if you want to find a table. Valhalla Club de Rock Barcelona’s Valhalla Club de Rock is a rock club in the Ciutat Vella, the part of town with the highest density of...
The Best Hot Air Balloon Rides
Going around the world is the dream of any traveler. And when it comes to expert travelers, there is none like Willy Fog. Hot-air balloons are the oldest mode of air transport (we’ve been riding them since 1783). Unforgettable views such as those over the Serengeti National Park (Tanzania), the Loire Valley (France), Angkor Wat (Cambodia), or the Napa Valley (California) await us. Or unbeatable experiences such as the ones we suggest below: the moonscapes of Cappadocia (Turkey), the sharp contrasts of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), and the white slopes of the Three Valleys (France). The Alps from a Hot Air Balloon If looking for unique experiences, don’t miss out on the French Alps, but that from the heights. It is one of the most popular activities in Courchevel. Seen from above, the ski slopes are even more impressive. The mountains will be at your feet and you’ll have access to remote areas where you will surely spot some of the resident wildlife. Deer, wolves, mountain goats… you name it. You can access the hot-air balloons from Courchevel, the chicest resort in The Three Valleys, and specifically from the altiport by the slopes, at a height of 1850 meters. Due to the rugged topography of the terrain, the hot-air balloons are small with a maximum capacity of 4 people. In any case, if you finally decide to visit, make sure the weather is on your side, as all flights are suspended for safety reasons when weather conditions are unfavorable. The price is 280 euros per head, and 1.400 euros if you want to go up by yourselves. Hot Air...
Pets and Traveling: Are the Two Compatible?
Can one be a dog lover and still be an avid traveler? How do you reconcile your wanderlust and your unconditional love for your pet? Many of us face a moral and emotional dilemma every time we get the chance to get away from our city for a few days. However, we can’t let our dog owner status become the load that keeps us tied down at home, and less so in this day and age, with the many options at our fingertips that guarantee our beloved pet will have as good a time -if not better- than if it were with us. Option # 1: Ask a Relative/Friend for Help Love for animals is passed down in the genes, and so you more than probably have a cousin, brother, uncle, or grandfather who would jump at the chance of “kidnapping” your little beast to spoil and enjoy it for a few days by themselves, without having to put up with your crazes regarding its care. Or you surely have a friend that is dying to have a dog but cannot keep one at home… this could be the time to make their wishes come true by letting them become temporary dog owners, putting their dog-sitting skills to the test. As a last option, you could always resort to that trusty neighbor: he can cover all of your pet’s basic needs, and the latter doesn’t have to leave the area it knows to be home. Option # 2: Find the Perfect Sitter If pet hotels seem like a cold option and you’d rather leave your four-legged friend sheltered under the...
Apartments for Moms
Mothers of the world: we know the dedication you put into taking care of us; we know how much you worry about our wellbeing; we know we often make you suffer, and that we sometimes exasperate you. And that is why today, on your day, we want you to let yourselves be taken care of. Mother’s Day is a great opportunity for us moms to give ourselves a little something, take a break from our busy daily routine, and celebrate the wonderful creatures we are. And, on the other hand, maternity is one of the maximum expressions of femininity, right? So what better way to celebrate your awesome family role than with a trip? You have two options: take the family along, or just take off with your best friends. The main point here is that you relax. This is your big day: you are the princess here, and should live as such. Get yourself a new dress for the occasion, and plan your escapade. You have worked hard, and it is now high time to make a little dream come true. And to help you choose your destination, we invite you to follow us on a tour of our apartments. We have hand-picked those we deemed worthy of delicate creatures like yourselves… Paris Chic et bourgeois. In this elegantly furnished apartment, you’ll feel as if in a different epoch, in a romantic movie, in a dream. Florence Delicate details, pink like your soul. Vast open spaces like first love’s sighs in this apartment. Budapest An explosion of color and energy. Pastel hues to transport you...
Tips to Make the Most of Your Business Trip
Business tourism is not only very much en vogue, but also gaining prominence as income source for any city. It is the apple of the eye of those just starting up in the sector of tourism, and the best ally of well-established giants used to organizing conferences and meetings to the highest of standards. But business trips are not always as comfortable as they should be. Getting into a new city, tired and briefcase in hand, and having to get to work or attend a meeting… Not all that glistens is gold, but if we learn to make the most of our time, we can get a full 100% out of our trip. And so here are some tips: Take out international travel insurance: If traveling abroad, don’t hesitate to ask your company to take out international travel insurance on your name. That way unexpected trips to the doctor or hospital won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Don’t risk it. Or at least we wouldn’t. And if your company refuses to cover the cost, take it out yourself. They tend to be inexpensive and the cost is calculated according to the number of days of your stay. If traveling around Europe, and if you are European, you can apply for a European Health Insurance Card in your home country. Visit a tourist office: Traveling alone is usually easier than it seems. Begin by figuring out the amount of time off available. Once you have that, it is best to visit the nearest tourist office to get a map of the city (so you are not wandering around...
Curiosities of the Cannes Film Festival
This year is the 68th edition of the Festival. And for the first time in its history, there will not be one president of the jury but two, the Coen brothers, Joel and Ethan, who were awarded the Palme d’Or in 1991. The Coen brothers are part of the history of cinema with Joel as director, Ethan as producer, and both brothers as screenwriters. In addition, 2015 marks the 120th anniversary of the invention of cinema by the Lumière brothers. The festival renders tribute to all brothers whose work has served to enrich the history of cinema. Besides the Coen brothers, other recipients of the Palme d’Or include the Taviani brothers in 1977, and the Dardenne brothers in 1999 and 2005. 1854 films were submitted to this edition of the festival, of which only 49 make up the festival’s official selection. The glamorous Cannes Film Festival has opened the door to great movie talents, and is considered a springboard to new fashion and social behavior trends. Over the years we’ve witnessed polemical, extravagant, and rebellious acts that are part of the legacy of the most prominent festival in the history of cinema. Let’s revisit some of the moments that marked the Cannes Film Festival: Borat’s Mankini Who could ever forget Sacha Baron Cohen’s 2007 walk down the red carpet in a mankini not unlike the one sported by the protagonist of his movie, Borat. He strolled around the city dressed in his extravagant one-piece swimsuit, and tried to lie on beachgoers. Claudia Cardinale’s Cheetah In 1963, Italian actress Claudia Cardinale let herself be seen in the company of a...
Copa del Rey: Barça vs. Athletic de Bilbao
The Barcelona FC and Athletic Bilbao face-off this coming May 30th at Camp Nou for the Copa del Rey title will no doubt be a sharp display of two markedly contrasting styles of play between the Catalans and the Basques. Two cultures that are distinctly different in their everyday lives. And this is the perfect chance for us to explore both cities through their gastronomy, art, scenery, and of course, football. And you? Who do you support? Gastronomy Bilbao: We couldn’t talk about Basque cuisine without mentioning its famous pintxos (small snacks typically eaten in bars). El poteo (a daytime bar crawl of sorts involving wine and small servings of food) is a very typical activity in the Basque Country, and you can follow a route through the streets of the old town in Bilbao. Bacalao a la vizcaína (a traditional codfish dish) is another of Bilbao’s classics. But are you still hungry? You can try some delicious Carolinas (small puff pastry tarts filled with custard and topped with a generous tuft of meringue and chocolate and egg yolk frosting. Barcelona: The famous Catalan pa amb tomàquet served in most of the city’s restaurants consists of sliced, toasted bread with fresh tomato, olive oil, and a touch of garlic… delicious! Calçots, a type of onion cooked over an open flame and eaten with romesco sauce are another typical Catalan plate. And to finish off on a sweet note, try the Crema Catalana, egg-yolk based custard cream topped with a thin layer of caramelized sugar. Monuments and Museums Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum: Inaugurated by King Juan Carlos I of Spain...
World Book Day – Writers We Have Travelled With
World Book Day is upon us, and we’d like to celebrate this literary event by revisiting some of the writers whose works have taken us on journeys to extraordinary worlds. They are no longer with us but their literary legacy still takes us to dream places, and we wanted to pay them tribute by exploring their most adventurous side, which served, no doubt, as source of inspiration for some of their most popular works. Buckle up because we are off on a journey with some of the main writers in world literature: Miguel De Cervantes is the textbook case of the term traveler. The maximum exponent of Spanish literature not only roamed about carefree in his masterpiece Don Quixote, but the latter is also the depiction of a life spent journeying through the Iberian Peninsula and the Mediterranean. In 1569, the young Cervantes became an outlaw and fled to Rome, only to continue his Italian wanderings through cities like Milan, Florence, Venice, or Palermo. Shortly thereafter he boarded the galley Marquesa under the direct command of Juan de Austria, and fought in the battle of Lepanto, where an arquebus blast severely injured his left hand. This event earned him the nickname by which he is popularly known in Spain, El manco de Lepanto (the one-handed man of Lepanto). After some time recovering from his war wounds in Messina, he returned to his warring exploits to defend Tunisia, Lisbon, Toledo, La Mancha, and Andalusia until death found him in Madrid in 1616, after a lengthy pilgrimage. Although it has never been verified whether William Shakespeare actually traveled to Italy, it...
