Travel tips, news and luxury accommodation-Barcelona and Madrid, Spain

Monthly Archives: April 2012

The Olympic Port in Barcelona

Posted by Craig on April 23, 2012 None comments

The Olympic Port in Barcelona is a fantastic place to spend time on holiday. It is a bustling part of the city, close to Barceloneta and Icaria Beach too.

Frank Gehry's sculpture-Whale or soldier's hat?

Frank Gehry's sculpture-Whale or soldier's hat?

The Olympic Port underwent a huge regeneration project for the Olympic games held in 1992 and the area is thriving. There are restaurants, bars, live music and plenty more besides to keep everyone entertained. In the middle of the Port is a world class casino that offers everything from slot machines to poker. The famous World Poker Tour has a stop at this casino in Barcelona as does the European Poker Tour and World Heads Up Poker Championship.

Getting to this area of Barcelona is easy. Simply take the yellow line on the metro to Ciutadella/Vila Olimpica and the port is just ten minutes on foot from there. There are plenty of places to eat or enjoy a cup of coffee at the port. Why not enjoy a cool, crisp drink while watching the boats and yachts in the harbour? There are restaurants serving everything from local tapas and delicacies to all the best dishes from around the world. Whatever you feel like eating and whatever budget you have to spend can be accommodated at the Port.

Make sure you don’t miss out on the enormous bronze whale that is located there too. The incredible monument was created by Franck Gehry and greets you as you arrive. It is quite hard to miss. Make sure you have your camera ready because it provides a great backdrop for a photograph. There is no doubt that the Olympic Port offers a great day out for the whole family in Barcelona. It is perfectly situated close to some of the main beaches of the city and within easy distance of the city centre.

The path along the beach is full of cyclists, skaters, families with kids and dogs so you need to take a bit of care, but it is a great break from the hustle of the city proper and has great views all the way back to the W hotel.

Thrill Seeking in Madrid

Posted by Craig on April 18, 2012 None comments

Anyone thrill seekers visiting Madrid may well want to know about the skydiving centre located just 50 minutes outside the city centre. Here it is possible to jump out of plane travelling at 4000 meters above sea level.

Skydiving in Madrid. OK, maybe it's not for everyone!

Skydiving in Madrid. OK, maybe it's not for everyone!

Skydiving is a once in a lifetime experience that many people have firmly placed on their bucket list. If that sounds like you then why not do it in Madrid over the stunning Spanish landscape? There is no previous experience or any skills needed to do a skydive. You will be attached to a skydiving instructor when you do it so all you have to do is relax and enjoy the incredible experience.

If you like the idea of free falling for a minute or so before gliding softly down to earth then a skydive will be just your thing. There is nowhere better to do it than in Madrid and then you can cross it off your life list for good!

You can find out more information here: http://www.skydivelillo.com/

Madrid Tours

Posted by Craig on April 16, 2012 None comments

There is no better way to see Madrid than by going on a tour. A tour around Madrid these days however doesn’t necessarily mean having to follow a tour guide around who is holding a stick with a flag on the end.

Getting around Madrid

Getting around Madrid

Here are just some of the different types of tours available in Madrid:

Tour By Kickbike

A kickbike is a bit like a bicycle that you stand up on. It is a very fun way to see the city and suitable for all ages. They are fast, safe and easy to manoeuvre and provide easy access to the whole city. If you enjoy outdoor activities like cycling then you will love this unique and novel way to see the city.

Tour By Segway

Segways are huge amounts of fun. They are self-balancing machines that allow you to glide effortlessly from A to B. Madrid is ideal for touring around on a segway and this form of transport prevents legs from getting tired too!

Tour by Rickshaw

For those wanting to relax completely while seeing everything the Spanish capital has to offer then a guided tour in a rickshaw may be ideal. Rickshaws are eco friendly and comfortable and a great way to get around. Having a tour guide with you at all times will mean you get to benefit from their wealth of local knowledge too.

There are also cycling tours and walking tours available in Madrid so all preferences are well catered for. Most hotels, hostals and pensiones have brochures from the local tour providers check or check Google.