Tag: Spain

5 reasons to take a cruise to the Canary Islands

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The Canary Islands have a long history of friendship with the sea. The Canary Islands are basically a volcano chain of islands. As a fun fact, there’s even a restaurant that has a hole cut down to the volcano and the grill is powered by the heat from below. They never have to use any electricity or gas to run it. How cool is it that you can have your meal cooked by a volcano? There’s a lot of good history on the island and they were colonized at the same time as the Americas. The Canary Islands are also not named after the canary bird, as would seem obvious. The highest held belief is that it was named after the Latin word Canaria, which means dog. Seals were often called sea dogs so the locals believe that this is why the islands are called what they are. Here are some of the reasons to go to the Canary Islands on a cruise.

Great sailing 365

The Canary Islands are said to have the best climate and temperatures in the world. There is no real change of seasons, and the temperatures stay at a fair constant throughout the year. Sailing these islands is a joy as there are always reliable winds coming from the Gulf Stream. You can rent a sailboat locally and spend the time sailing the waves as others have hundreds of years before you did. It is just beautiful and peaceful.

Eco de version

With volcanoes and a 2-mile high mountain in the middle of beautiful water and landscapes, there are some very diverse eco-systems. In fact, there can even be snow on top of the mountain. Making this one of the few places in the world where you can go play in the snow and come down the mountain and get a suntan while lying on the beach, all in the same day. There are green jungle like areas as well as there are desert areas. There is just a diversity that has to be seen to be believed.

Ports of call

The 7 main Canary Islands boast 36 ports, each port having its own feel. You can take an island hopping cruise and visit multiple ports and get a feel for the diversity of the whole area. You can travel through the various ports, and it will take you a long time to see them all and pick your favorite.

Volcano

One of the most amazing and often scary things to see is a volcano. If you visit Fire Mountain in the Canary Islands you can learn all about the volcanoes in this chain. There is still enough heat near the surface to turn areas into a desolate moonscape.

Beaches

The Canary Islands have a mix of beaches. There are regular beaches with the normal sand that you can see on most beaches, and as it is a volcanic chain, there are also beaches with volcanic sand. These are the black beaches, similar to the black beaches in Hawaii. It’s just a sight to see.

You really should come see the Canary Islands; it’s an experience that you take with you for life. If you love to sail or even would like to learn how to sail, there is not a better place in the world that you can do that. We hope that these travel tips helped you. Come visit us and become an honorary Canary Island sailor. May your winds be fair and your seas as smooth as they always are here.

What to do in Lanzarote!

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Wondering what to do in Lanzarote? Jameos del Agua is a good option!

For those that delight in taking regular breaks from life in the modern world, the Canary Islands have long been an option for rest and relaxation. While many choose to spend their time of the partying hotspot of Tenerife (and in the past, so have you), this time around, you decided to give one of the other isles in the archipelago a whirl.

So recently, you have been looking at flights to Lanzarote and with good reason, as this island has just as many unique attractions that Tenerife does. What can one do during an active holiday in Lanzarote, where one does more than simply cook under the Spanish sun? Below, we will profile what to do in Lanzarote so you can mix it up on your vacation with nature, culture, and new experiences.

1) Tour Timanfaya National Park

Lanzarote was created by the processes of volcanism millions of years ago in the same manner that the other islands in the Canaries, and those in the rest of Macaronesia were molded. These processes are still at work today, and have influenced the look of the landscape throughout much of Lanzarote. Timanfaya National Park protects this portion of Lanzarote, covering a quarter of its total land area.

Free exploration of this park is not possible due to safety hazards caused by active volcanic processes and due to extremely fragile flora that clings to the edge of existence in this hostile but starkly beautiful environment. Taking the official tour is still well worth it though, as guides will show you steaming geysers, rusty hills, and even roast meat over exposed hole in the ground, where the heat reaches hundreds of degrees Celsius only a few metres down.

2) Appreciate the arts at Los Jameos del Agua

The next can’t miss attraction in Lanzarote is also related to the island’s rampant volcanism, but this point of interest has more to do with the arts then with any active volcanic features. A tube of an extinct volcano that had a stunning lake within it was converted to a performance space many years ago, being named Los Jameos del Agua for the presence of that central water feature.

Seating 600 smartly dressed patrons (no beachwear folks!), musical performances are often held here, and if you feel like having dinner and a drink afterwards, a restaurant and bar will fill those needs handsomely.

3) Try surfing at Caleta de Famara

When was the last time you learned a new skill? If it’s been a while, then may we be as bold to suggest that you try surfing? If you’re up for the challenge, the best place on Lanzarote to take this on is in Caleta de Famara. Here, some of the most forgiving surf breaks in Europe and the presence of dedicated surf bums make this peaceful seaside village both an excellent place to learn how to carve up the waves, and chill out in a place largely unspoiled by mass commercial tourism.

Europe’s top natural views

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The Lycian Way in Turkey boasts many of Europe’s top natural views

Europe has some amazing natural attractions and there are outstanding views on several of the top walking trails in the continent. We’re going to give you a rundown of a few of the best places to go if you want to enjoy amazing vistas while you’re hiking. Get out there and enjoy some of Europe’s top natural views!

Balcony Walk, Madeira

Madeira has long been renowned for being a hiking paradise, with a host of trails around the island’s coast and through its mountainous interior. Because of these peaks, many of the inland treks boast stunning views as they run around the mountains’ slopes.

One of the best is the Balcony Walk, which is among Madeira’s most famous hikes. It begins at Pico do Ariero, which is at an altitude of 1,818 m, and continues over some of the island’s high mountain passes, promising fantastic views throughout – provided the weather is clear.

It can be stunning to see the clouds drifting across the mountain slopes as you hike, revealing breathtaking panoramas when they pass. At certain points, the path runs close to the edge of steep cliffs, allowing you to look straight down at the valley below. This is just one of Madeira’s wonderful treks – for more ideas, visit this website.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

There are some amazing walks in Croatia, with the country boasting a variety of stunning landscapes both along its coast and further inland. One of the best places for hiking and wonderful views is the Plitvice Lakes National Park.

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s home to a range of lakes, waterfalls and caves that all work together to make the scenery absolutely spectacular. There’s an outstanding trail here that takes you to a vantage point where you can look out over the forest-covered slopes of the hills, spot waterfalls as they tumble down cliffs and look at the tranquil blue lakes that are nestled among the valleys.

You should keep your eyes open for the wide variety of creatures that inhabit the national park, too, with more than 100 species of bird found here, as well as enchanting animals like wolves and bears.

Lycian Way, Turkey

The Lycian Way is a long-distance walking trail in Turkey that covers over 500 km and skirts along the country’s south-western coastline. Its name comes from the fact that there are a number of ruins and archaeological sites dating from the Lycian era along the route.

While there are many picturesque stretches on this hike, one of the most striking has to be near the starting point of Oludeniz. This beach and its lagoon is renowned for being one of Turkey’s most stunning seaside spots and you can have a wonderful view of it as you walk from the village of Ovacik up the slopes of Baba Dagi, a 1,989 m-high mountain.

Further along on this walk, you’ll be rewarded with another beautiful panorama from the head of Butterfly Valley, which runs down to a secluded beach that’s only accessible on foot or by boat. From the village of Faralya, you can look out over the sheer limestone cliffs that tower over the valley and end in the sea. If you find yourself in Istanbul, be sure to take a Bosphorus dinner cruise

This is just a snapshot of the amazing views you can find in Europe on a walking holiday – there are stunning vistas just waiting to be discovered all over the continent. For hassle free travel, you can apply for Turkish visa online before you take your trip to save you time.

Exploring the Serra de Tramuntana

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The Serra de Tramuntana has many gasp-inducing vistas in store for you, such as this one...

Adventurous types who love the great outdoors and venturing into unknown landscapes will feel right at home exploring the Serra de Tramuntana, Majorca’s famous mountain range and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Spanning almost the entirety of the island’s northern region, it is no easy feat taking on the spectacular slopes and forested hills that make up the Serra de Tramuntana. Once your flights are booked (click here if you haven’t done this yet), you’ll need to start planning how you want to explore the area, as there are various ways to choose from, each offering different perspectives of the awe-inspiring mountains.

Hiking

There are so many fantastic routes to take through the mountains that you are spoilt for choice, but only commit to hiking if you are an experienced walker and can handle sharp inclines and traversing across rocky terrain. You may feel the burn, but if you’re a proper hiker, you’ll love every minute of it!

This form of travel allows you to stop and admire the various magnificent ravines and valleys you’ll encounter during your journey, and take photographs for your loved ones back home to marvel at. You’ll also stumble upon the homes of wealthy families and some quaint little towns.

So that there is some structure to your hike, there are a number of dedicated trails you can choose to venture down, or you can explore the landscape as you wish.

If you want to be able to take in all the sights and smells of the mountains and enjoy views of picturesque villages, then travelling around on foot is the best option for you.

Cycling

Thrillseekers who enjoy feeling the wind in their hair as they discover new territory may want to venture through the mountains by bike. The restless traveller is more suited to this method of transport, as it drastically shortens the amount of time it takes to see the range in its entirety.

You must be careful, however, as the roads can be rocky and therefore quite unsafe. Remember to wear protective clothing so that should you take a tumble, you’re less likely to sustain an injury.

There are plenty of places on Majorca to rent bicycles, and for decent prices as well, so if you want to admire stunning views within minutes then you’ll love a cycling adventure.

Driving

If you’ve got a hire car, then you can enjoy the glorious scenery of the Serra de Tramuntana from the driver’s seat as you make your way around the winding mountain roads. Again, some precaution must be taken here, as the landscape is beautiful but unforgiving and particularly during the peak months of July and August, the roads can be dangerous.

But if you must hit the open road, then take the R710 route from Andratx to Pollenca, which is undoubtedly the most scenic. Ensure you make plenty of stops so you can take in the fresh mountain air and marvel at the sight of the island below.

The drive from Palma to Inca is also worth taking and is great for getting a bird’s eye view of Majorca.

Being one of the more visually spectacular Balearic Islands, Majorca has much in store for the adventrous traveler.  Bring plenty of memory cards, pack your trekking boots, and be prepared to be wowed during your excursions on this stunning island!

Eating out in Menorca

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Sidewalk patio in Menorca

When it comes to eating out in Menorca, there are restaurants enough to suit every taste, budget and ‘sensitive palate’ (otherwise known as ‘picky sod’) under the sun. Whether you’re after a cheap lunch to get your metabolism started after a night on the town, or a more substantial meal to impress friends, family or that special someone, a veritable smorgasbord of restaurants awaits you – and we’re sure you won’t mind the food-related pun on ‘smorgasbord’.

Discover the best of them here on this idyllic Spanish island, and then book yourself a flight with Monarch Airways and get sampling the delightful eateries below.

Pan y Vino

Few nationalities put as much effort into their style, presentation and taste sensation as the French. It is an attitude Pan y Vino has made an almighty effort to imitate. Serving up Mediterranean cuisine – typically with a French twist – their menu is varied, exotic and above all, sumptuous. You can find Pan y Vino in Saint Lluis es.

El Castillo

A seafront bar/restaurant with superbly sweeping views all the way out to the horizon, this minx of a venue pulls no punches when it comes to serving up good quality cuisine for reasonable prices. If you are in Menorca for a special occasion, they openly invite you to tell them so that they can serve you up something particularly memorable. The menu features homemade tapas and what the owners describe as the ‘best pizzas in Menorca’. So far, we haven’t found reason to doubt this. El Castillo can be found in Avinguda del Port d’Addaia.

Smoix

The website, decor and presentation of Smoix can only be described as minimalist, but the taste of the meals is anything but. Big on flavour and bang on the money, it’s a great up-market eatery if you’re out to impress. Just be careful the person you’re trying to wow doesn’t walk off with the chef. The fig slices as a starter are particularly divine. Located on Carre Sant Isidre 33 in Ciutaedella de Menorca.

Bar Camacho

For authentic tapas, look no further than Bar Camacho. It’s often said that to find the best places, you need to follow the locals and that is certainly true of this little eatery. Good food, friendly service and wholesome tapas dishes. Camacho is located at La Calle Victori 19 in Es Castell.

Buddha Lounge Cafe

Remember to light a candle to the Buddha before you sit down in this unique cafe, bar and restaurant mix. A raised seating area straddles the nearby street, giving you a great vantage point from which to watch the passers-by. Service is excellent and the sheer variety of drinks on offer will give even the most cultured connoisseur of beverages pause for thought. You can find the Buddha Lounge Cafe on Centro Comercial Son Bou.

Alaska

Tapas is the name of the main meal here at Alaska. Go straight for the appropriate menu and choose your favourite dishes. The red peppers stuffed with cod are particularly delectable. But be sure to save some space for dessert as the lemon sorbet served with locally sourced gin is absolutely excellent.