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Captivating Canaries: the magic of the seven islands

Published

10 years ago

November 29, 2014

It’s easy to forget that not all that long ago, the Canary Islands as a holiday destination were merely an afterthought to mainland Spain. The volcanic islands off the north-west coast of Africa are a hotbed of tourist activity, and it’s not hard to see why! They boast fantastic weather year-round, with temperatures of 18°C in winter and 24°C in summer.

During the hottest spells, the mercury in thermometers often rises to 30°C plus. These balmy conditions mean visitors can really make the most of the abundant beaches and other attractions on offer across the islands.

Canaries

Tenerife

Of course, each island has its own unique selling points. For example, if you’re planning holidays to Tenerife, the Teide National Park is well worth adding to your itinerary. Covering 189.9 square kilometres, this is Spain’s largest national park and it attracts around four million visitors a year. You can get there by bus and there are 21 walking tracks to be found across the area.

While there, look out for the unusual vegetation. The park contains 14 species of plant found nowhere else on Earth. If you’re feeling energetic, you can make a four-hour hike to the top. If not, simply climb aboard a cable car.

Whale and dolphin watching are also popular pursuits in Tenerife, and the south-west coast of the island is a great spot to catch these fascinating mammals in action. Up to 21 different species can be seen in the waters around the island, including the magnificent blue whale.

Fuerteventura

If Fuerteventura’s your destination of choice, you can check out the Dunes of Corralejo. These dazzling sandy mounds are protected as a park and they are one of the island’s most distinctive features. Meanwhile, superb beaches line the coast and you can get stuck into a host of watersports.

For example, by donning a snorkel and diving beneath the waves, you can check out underwater volcanic landscapes, reefs and wrecks. There is also plenty of aquatic wildlife to see, including tuna, sea bream, pollock and parrotfish.

Canaries 2

La Palma

As well as its own selection of beaches, the island of La Palma is renowned for its Roque de los Muchachos Astrophysics Observatory. Located on the edge of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park at an altitude of 2,420 metres above sea level, it offers year-round viewing opportunities thanks to the consistently dark and cloudless skies. As a result of a public outreach campaign, it’s possible to book trips to the observatory.

Another of the island’s highlights is the laurel forest of Los Tiles. This lush, dense area of trees sits in stark contrast to the dry and lunar-like appearance of much of the Canaries.

Lanzarote

Lanzarote has lots to offer too, and is easily accessible from most UK airports; you can get flights to Lanzarote from Thomas Cook Airlines all year round, and from as little as £40. If you fancy testing your skills on the surf, you can make your way to Famara in the north-west of the island. Exposed to the Atlantic wind, this beach is perfect for surfing, windsurfing and kiteboarding and you can get equipment and tuition at the Surf School Lanzarote.

For something a little more relaxing, check out the small island of La Graciosa just of Lanzarote’s northern tip. This petite landmass is renowned for its beautiful beaches and, thanks to its lack of roads and traffic it’s perfect for cycling and hiking. If you simply want to chill out, head to one of the waterside fish restaurants.

Canaries 3

Gran Canaria

With its varied terrain, Gran Canaria is another tourist favourite. Here, you can explore the arid, sandy south, the green and lush north and the rugged interior. A great way to experience Gran Canaria is on horseback.

Meanwhile, no holiday to the island is complete without a trip to the capital Las Palmas. In the port town, you can shop ‘til you drop and dine in style. For something a little more cultural, set off on trips to the many museums, historic towns and churches that dot the island.

El Hierro and La Gomera

The two least well known Canary Islands are El Hierro and La Gomera. However, the fact that they are less popular than their neighbours does not mean they lack appeal. For example, with its clear waters, El Hierro is a diver’s paradise. Meanwhile, its natural swimming pool, called the Charco Azul or Blue Lagoon, is a wonder to behold.

On La Gomera, you can take a trip to the old town of San Sebastián. Founded in 1450, it is steeped in history and it is home to a number of monuments to Christopher Columbus, who stayed there before setting off to discover America.

These are just some of the attractions on offer in the Canaries. One thing’s for sure, whichever island you choose to visit, you won’t be bored!

Images by cortto, Emmanuel Debrand and Thomas Tolkien used under creative commons license.

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Top 5 Historical Landmarks of Portugal

Published

3 years ago

April 17, 2022

Guest Author

Portugal is a hive of culture, history, and architecture and is home to fifteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you plan a holiday to Portugal to discover some of its glorious histories, look through our top five Portuguese historical landmarks.

Alcobaça Monastery

This beautiful monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaça is a prime example of early Gothic architecture. The sanctuary is home to the ornate tombs of Ines de Castro and King Pedro I. There is a tragic love story associated with the burials. Ines de Castro was assassinated in 1355, and the king ordered his tomb to be placed next to hers so that he could face the woman he loved on the day of resurrection. They are considered to be the most beautiful medieval tombs in Portugal. There are also living quarters, including a refectory, dormitory, kitchen, and cloisters that have been inhabited by monks for 800 years.

Convent of Christ

The Convent of Christ is a beautiful roman catholic building located in Tomar. It was initially a stronghold for the Order of the Knights Templar. The building houses impressive art and examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance architecture. The walls inside are exquisitely decorated with paintings, carved stone sculptures, and a window depicting symbols and motifs. This site has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983.

Évora

Évora is a Portuguese city home to several historical sights, some over two thousand years old. The Cathedral of Évora is considered one of Portugal’s most important gothic monuments. Moorish palaces and courtyards, a renaissance fountain built-in 1559, and a one-of-a-kind Roman temple have become the city’s most famous landmarks. It is not surprising that Évorahas is classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Belém Tower

Belém Tower was built to be a fortress in 1515 to guard the entrance to Lisbon’s harbor. The tower is constructed from lioz limestone that is local to Lisbon. It is considered one of the prominent examples of the late gothic Manueline style. There is a drawbridge, spaces for cannons, turrets, and arches that have been decorated with images of animals, plants, and royal coats of arms. Inside there are statues, pillars, and gargoyle facets. UNESCO has listed the tower as a World Heritage monument.   

Jerónimos Monastery

Jerónimos Monastery is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries in Portugal and Europe. Located in Lisbon, the monastery has various entrances that have been decorated with carved figures, gables, and pinnacles. There is a 16th Century Portuguese sculpture of Our Lady of Belém in the central doorway, a figure of Prince Henry the Navigator in the center of the monastery, and a statue of King Manuel I. The monastery has been classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

We hope this has inspired you to start planning your trip to Portugal today.

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Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Find out why Sand boarding, Diving and Safaris through the desert are included in the Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar.

Published

3 years ago

April 8, 2022

Guest Author

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Qatar is a country of reinvention. Shimmering towerblocks rise against a desert horizon, and maze-like souks thrive next to 21st-century shopping palaces. It’s also one of the more accessible countries of the Arab Gulf, with a welcoming reputation towards visitors and plenty of attractions to keep them coming. Some of the best holiday activities you’ll find in Qatar are the adventurous kind. And these are the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar.

Sunset in Qatar – Photo by wj2012

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Diving expeditions

The Gulf Sea is famed for its crystal waters and the exuberant marine life which lurks just beneath the surface. Messaid is a good jumping-off point where you’ll find angelfish and barracuda, while those intrigued by underwater wrecks will love the Hall Island dive site at Al-Sharqi, where bright clownfish circle the abandoned boat.

Sand Adventures

Many of the sports here have been adapted from colder climates, so instead of skiing down a mountain piste, try Khor Al Adaid beach to glide down the impressive dunes on a sand-board. Alternatively, race your blo-kart along the sands of Al Wakrah, south of capital Doha, to experience the thrill of wind-sailing on dry land.

Sand Boarding – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by ground zero

Al Jassasiya

The ancient carvings of Al Jassasiya lie to the north near Al Shamal, amid a truly remote landscape of village ruins and limestone. Hire a 4×4 of your own and make the journey to see the 900 petroglyphs which riddle the rocks here. The carvings denote flowers, animals, fleets of shows, or traditional Arab boats, and to this day, their origins remain a mystery.

Sunset Cruise

When the time comes for a more relaxed excursion, you can do no better than a sunset cruise onboard a wooden dhow as you drift past the super-modern Doha seafront of Al-Corniche and the old harbor at Al Khor. If you’re still hankering after some adventure, rent a smaller vessel and go for a fishing trip the following day.

Desert Safaris

Much of the inland desert in Qatar remains inaccessible on foot, but fortunately, that’s where a 4×4 comes in very handy for a safari trip you won’t easily forget. There are numerous options available from Doha, including day-long excursions, bumping, and rolling to the inland sea at Khor Al Adaid. Or make the trip at dusk for a spot of star-gazing before you settle in Bedouin-style tents for the night.

Desert Safari – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by robertpaulyoung

Most activities can be arranged via a tour company. Although cash has been the predominant payment method in Qatar, this is beginning to change, which is good news for tourists since HSBC offers protection against loss or theft. If you’re planning on taking part in several activities, it can be handy to have some plastic on you to avoid expensive traveler’s cheques, plus credit cards from HSBC and other familiar providers also enable easy access to money at the ATMs. However, it’s wise to exercise caution, using only official bank machines here and sticking with local currency at the market and in smaller shops.

There’s no doubt that Qatar offers some world-class cultural attractions beyond the more energetic highlights, and while you’re in the country, set aside some time for the historic Al Zubarah fort or browse the recreated 19th-century Souk-Waqif, in Doha.

This country has been undervalued in the past but is now coming to the world’s attention. With its desert adventures, ancient sites, and thriving culture, this attention is thoroughly deserved.

This is a travel feature by world traveler, Jose Capelo. He loves exploring the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar and has spent many trips exploring the wild deserts of Qatar.

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Boys will be Boys – Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

Published

3 years ago

April 1, 2022

Guest Author

Barcelona has a lot to offer to the quintessential all-boys travel group for a stag weekend in Barcelona. This sunny Spanish city is known for its gorgeous Mediterranean beaches complemented by turquoise waters. In addition to this, this city offers the ideal environment for an all-male party hotspot, considering its vibrant nightlife, football culture, flamenco dance clubs, tattoo parlors, and its delicious sangrias and tapas.

Paella cooking class Barcelona

Barcelona is a widespread consideration for a quick all-boys getaway during the summer. With a variety of heart-thumping activities that can make your trip a memorable one, make sure you take out time to pursue the following –

LTW Tattoo:

If you are looking for a real adventure that will stick with you all your life, there is no better way to commemorate this epic trip than heading to Barcelona’s best tattoo parlor.
Barna Paintball:

Take on your best buddies in a battle of agility by visiting the Barna Paintball. With four thematic areas to choose from, your experience here can be genuinely adventurous.
Bar Crawl Barcelona:

Considered one of the most famous pub crawls globally and the biggest in Europe, the original Bar Crawl Barcelona is a great way to explore the city in its nocturnal state. You and your buddies can visit four bars and then finish at one of the best clubs in Barcelona. Complete with some of the craziest drinking games, this memorable experience costs all but 15 Euros.
FC’s Camp Nou:

If you are a group of football fans visiting the city, you cannot leave without making a trip to Camp Nou, the city’s football ground. With a ticket for the stadium tour, you will have access to the changing rooms, benches, press rooms, and stands. If you are fortunate enough to have a match coinciding with your travel dates, make sure you book your tickets for the game well in advance.
Circuit de Catalunya Racing Track:
If you and your crew are into racing, consider heading to the Circuit de Catalunya, host to various Formula 1 and Moto GP races. Here, you can get a detailed tour of the briefing room, pits, and podium.
Comedy Nights:

Comedy nights are often an option that everybody loves. Especially as a group of single boys, you may love to attend an event organized by the Giggling Guiri program that consists of English-speaking shows.
Al Fresco Drinking on Las Ramblas:

The heart of tourist activity in Barcelona, Las Ramblas, offers unique casual outdoor ambiances for groups of boys to spend hours finishing pitchers of sangria or chugging down buckets of beer bottles. Vibrant as ever, this street located off the Gothic Quarters is a great place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.

Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

As a group of boys, you can also research options for day trips to beaches outside of Barcelona that offers relaxing and laid-back environments for your holiday. Many options are available in Barcelona for hiring a car to explore this scenic and exciting city with your friends, such as Thrifty Car Rentals. So when you are in Barcelona with your amigos, nothing stops you from having a great time!