Congratulations to the Spanish basketball team who won the European basketball championship yesterday in Kaunas Lithuania.

Led by Los Angeles Lakers Pau Gasol, the Spanish team confirmed they are the best in Europe with a 98-85 win over France. Paul Gasol (Spain), Tony Parker (Spain), Juan Carlos Navarro (Spain), Bo McCalebb (Macedonia) and Andrei Kirilenko (Russia) were named as the top five players of the tournament.

The team now have their sights set on winning the gold medal at next years Olympics in London. The Spanish team came close to winning Olympic gold in Beijing when they narrowly lost to the USA 118-107.

Taking in a basketball game on your holiday deals to Spain is something not to be missed!

Though many tourists might visit Barcelona for its surrealist architecture or its beautiful beaches, there’s actually much more to the city—its people. As Spain’s second-largest city, Barcelona’s large and diverse population provides plenty of interesting characters. And with the Spanish proclivity for leisurely afternoons in a café or around town, people-watching couldn’t be easier in art friendly Barcelona.

Barcelona’s main shopping street, Las Ramblas, is one of the prime locations to be seen (and see others). The La Boqueria market, near the centre of Las Ramblas has a huge selection of fruit and juice vendors and can be a nice location to watch locals and tourists alike. Tourist hotels and holiday apartments in Barcelona line the boulevard, so for those lucky to have a balcony, sitting outside and watching the people walk by is a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Views from Parc Guell

While people-watching the high-class shoppers on Las Ramblas can be enjoyable, with Barcelona’s vast amount of city parks and public spaces, there are much better locations to sit and watch time fly by. Gaudi’s Park Guell has hundreds of hidden corners and park benches of every shape and size. Finding a spot that isn’t already taken can be challenging because it’s such a popular park. There are always interesting characters hanging out in the park—from families to tourists and picnickers, Park Guell attracts every type of person.

Alternatively, Montjuic Park on the mountain just on the edge of Barcelona is a great place for wandering around. With the occasional museum and some well-trodden paths (not to mention the former Olympic Stadium), spending the day outside rather than in can be a nice way to enjoy Barcelona. Plus, the views of Barcelona from Montjuic are unparalleled. Barcelona’s skyline features everything from large apartment buildings to La Sagrada Familia, and hundreds of pedestrian-friendly open spaces.  And with a downtown beach perfect for summer holidays, Barcelona attracts a wide variety of tourists, expats & locals alike. All mixed together in a city full of art and culture, history and inspiration.

La Sagrada Familia

With so many open spaces, pedestrian streets and public parks & beaches, Barcelona is a perfect city for people-watching.

Located on the east coast of Spain, Alicante is a popular holiday destination just 25 miles south of Benidorm. The city has miles of beautiful sandy beaches lined with palm-shaded promenades. Holidaying in Alicante gives visitors the chance to sample real Spanish life unlike the more commercialised neighbouring resorts. The city attracts sun lovers, families, water sports enthusiasts, golfers and naturists. The old town

Alicante

of Alicante attracts visitors to its narrow streets, Spanish tapas bars, restaurants with various types of paella on the menu, bars and excellent shopping facilities. Visitors interested in art and culture will love the displays of treasures including Roman and Moorish sculptures, medieval tapestries and works of art by Dali and Picasso which are housed in the museums and buildings of the city. Alicante is well known for its great shopping opportunities with a huge central market selling just about everything. The streets of the town offer excellent bargain and souvenir hunting at the traditional craft shops, markets stalls, upmarket stores and designer outlets.

Playa del Postiguet Beach

Playa del Postiguet is Alicantes main beach and is a long stretch of fine pale sand. After a dip in the beautiful waters here you can enjoy a tasty al fresco lunch in one of the many beachside cafes. Other popular sandy beaches in the area include Albufereta Beach and San Juan Beach which stretches from Cabo de Huertas to Campello. At Cabo de Huertas there are secluded rugged coves and the beach of Playa del Coco are popular with those looking for quieter beaches. Local buses and trams run an excellent service which links all of the Alicante beaches.

Away from the beach there is plenty to do on your family holidays to Alicante. A visit to the cathedral and Santa Barbara Castle, the harbour and the marina should not be missed. Santa Barbara Castle sits on a hillside and not only offers amazing panoramic views of the city and the coastline but also houses several exhibitions of Arabic and medieval art. The whole family will love a tram ride along the coast to picturesque Campello, a boat trip to the small island of Tabarca and of course a visit to Benidorm. There are also plenty of theme parks, water parks and zoos along the coast for family days out. Alicante is a spacious city with lots of green space with plenty of parks, gardens and woodland where you can take a picnic

Alicante harbour

and enjoy the surrounding flora and fauna. For the more energetic there is a leisure park which is located by the Tossal Mountain where a range of activities like mountain biking, skating, mini-golf and bowling can be enjoyed. Alicante is surrounded by some beautiful countryside with woodland, mountain paths and marshland waiting to be explored. Guided walks make a welcome escape from the beaches on your family holidays to the Costa Blanca. Carrascal De La Font Roja nature reserve has beautiful pine forests which are home to a multitude of different animals and birds, including badgers, wild boar and golden eagles.

Carrascal De La Font Roja

Alicante offers a wide range of different dining venues including traditional Spanish restaurants alongside restaurants serving cuisine from around the world, from Moroccan to Thai. The city also has plenty of cafes and bars for a quiet relaxing break.

Due to the city’s close proximity to the airport and great all-year-round mild climate Alicante is a popular destination for direct holidays during the summer and also during the winter season. From May to October Alicante enjoys fine sunny weather, especially in the peak months of July and August. Summer temperatures reach up to 29C with the height of the season seeing around 10 hours of sunshine every day. Winter temperatures rarely fall below 13C, often seeing 5 hours of sunshine a day.

The Spanish resort of Benalmadena is located about 12 miles from Malaga airport, between Torremolinos and Fuengirola. A popular destination with families and holiday makers of all ages the resort offers good affordable accommodation, plenty of facilities and a beautiful sandy beach.

Benalmadena

The beautiful beaches of Benalmadena stretch for six miles along the Costa del Sol coastline. This long wide sandy beach has shallow waters which ideal for safe swimming for the whole family on their holiday deals to this popular resort. Parents can relax on the beach knowing there are lifeguards on duty who are keeping a watchful eye on the children playing in the sea. The promenade behind the beach is lined with hotels, apartments, cafes, bars and small shops. For quieter, more secluded sunbathing there are rocky coves and inlets along this coastline.

Benalmadena Marina

Benalmadena is also home to an award-winning marina brimming with modern yachts and luxury cruisers. The marina is home to an aquarium, sailing centre and numerous cafes and bars. Scuba-diving and sailing are available from the marina, as well as boat hire, deep-sea fishing trips, catamaran cruises and excursions to Torremolinos and Fuengirola.

Away from the beach is the authentic Andalusian village of Benalmadena Pueblo. Sitting up in the mountains, this traditional Moorish village with its narrow streets, whitewashed houses, quaint shops and lookout castle, the Castillo de Colomares, is a must to visit on your cheap package holidays to Benalmadena. As with all the resorts on the Costa del Sol there are plenty of golf courses to choose from along with other activities including water sports such as scuba-diving, wakeboarding, water-skiing, sailing and kayaking, fishing, horse-riding and cycling. For the more adventurous there is quad biking, off-road buggy riding and paintballing. The whole family will enjoy Tivoli World

Benalmadena Cable Car

theme park, the Aquarium and a cable-car ride up the mountains. On the cable-car ride you will be taken 800m above sea level where you will see stunning views of the coastline and across the sea to Gibraltar and Africa. On reaching the summit visitors can take a donkey ride tour of the area and also visit the Bird Sanctuary. If you are feeling really energetic forget about coming back down in the cable-car and instead come down on foot or by mountain bike. Tivoli World is the largest theme park on the Costa del Sol with rides, attractions, concerts, shows and gardens with fountains, making a great day-out for all the family. If you are looking for a day out of history, culture, shopping and dining then a trip to the cities of Seville and Grenada will fit the bill.

Benalmadena enjoys a lively nightlife, including a casino for those wanting to have a flutter. The resort has a wide range of evening entertainment including jazz and salsa clubs, discos, bars and restaurants, many of which are found in the marina area.

Benaldamena Beach

Enjoying a typically Mediterranean climate, Benalmadena has an annual average temperature of 21C and around 330 days of sunshine each year. The peak season sees average highs of 26C with up to 11 hours of sunshine a day but the coastal breezes help to make the heat less stifling. Water temperatures at this time are around a pleasant 22C. Spring and autumn temperatures average between 17c and 22C with 7 hours of sunshine a day and is a popular time for visitors wishing to partake in outdoor activities like walking, cycling and sightseeing. December and January are popular for golfing holidays as the temperature drops to around 15C, making perfect conditions for a round or two.

This year Madrid will play host to hundreds of thousands of young people from all over the world who will be attending World Youth Day (WYD) this August. World Youth Day kicks off at around 8pm on August 16th with a Mass in Madrid’s Cibeles Square which will be presided over by the Archbishop of Madrid and concelebrated by the bishops and priests who are taking part in WYD.

Plaza de Cibeles, in Madrid’s downtown area, will host three of the four main events during WYD. These events are the Opening Mass on the 16th August, the Papal Welcoming Ceremony on the 18th and the Stations of the Cross on the 19th. The Plaza de Cibeles provides an amazing backdrop for the centuries-old buildings that

Plaza de Cibeles

 surround it.

Pope Benedict XVI will arrive on the 18th August when he will be welcomed by the city council and the mayor of Madrid who will present him with the keys to the city. He will then travel with 50 young people representing every continent to the centuries old Puerta de Alcala. After passing through the Puerta de Alcala the Pope will be received with a performance by 6 Andalusian horses of Alvaro Domecq. After the performance the Pope will then travel in his popemobile through the streets lined with young people to the City Hall where a stage has been set up for the Welcoming Ceremony to be held.

On the 19th August the Stations of the Cross will tour the Paseo de Recoletos, from Plaza de Colon to Plaza de Cibeles, where the Pope will preside over the act. The event will feature 15 carvings from the Spanish Holy Week processions. The Pope will also visit the Monastery of El Escorial where he

Monastery of El Escorial

will meet with young religious sisters in ‘Patio de los Reyes’ and with young college professors in the Basilica.

Several events will take place on the 20th August including a Mass for seminarians in the Cathedral of La Almundena, a visit by the Pope to Fundacion Instituto San Jose which is a centre for the sick run by the Hospitaller Order of St John of God and a vigil with the Pope at the Cuatro Vientos aerodrome.

The final day will see the Pope celebrate Mass at Cuatro Vientos with thousands of bishops, priests and people of all ages. The Pope will have a short meeting with the WYD volunteers before attending a brief Farewell Ceremony at Barajas Airport.

Apart from the main WYD events there will be many more activities including exhibitions, concerts, plays and guided museum tours. To join this event last minute holidays are available to Spain throughout the year.

If you are looking for transport and accommodation during World Youth Day there are always lots of package holidays to Madrid available throughout the internet.

Held August 3rd-13th 2011 in the Market Building, La Union, Murcia.

Every August the small Murcian town La Union in the south-east of Spain plays host to the Cante de Las Minas Festival (Song of the Mines Festival), one of Spain’s premier flamenco festival. Flamenco dancers, singers and guitarists of all ages take part in the twelve day festival hoping to take away one of the coveted awards on offer. With more than €30,000 in prize money up for grabs it is no wonder that the the festival is so popular.

The festival first took place as a flamenco singing competition (the cante por mineras) in 1961 with the guitar (toque) competition being added in 1980 and the dance (baile) competition added in 1993.

The whole town gets involved in the festival which not only includes the competitions but also includes performances from top flamenco stars, lively parties (juerga) and open-mike sessions. This year the festival will include artists like Antonio ‘Pitingo’, Estrella Morente, dancer Juan Manuel Fernandez ‘Farruquito’, guitarist Jose Fernandez Torres ‘Tomatito’, dancer and choregrapher Blanca del Rey and singer Ramon Jimenez Salazar, Diego ‘El Cigala’. On August 4th journalist Carlos Herrera will officially open festivities and on the same day last years winners Miguel Ortega (Mining Lamp), Francisco Moncayo (Mining Pilgrim’s Staff), Jesus Fernandez (Trowel Trophy) and Abdon Alcaraz (Instrumentalist Award) will perform.

To understand the history and culture of the area, La Union should be included for a day out on your direct holidays to Murcia. La Union was originally a mining town and fishing port in Roman times, transporting rich minerals all over the Mediterranean area. Known to the Romans as Porto Magnus, the town was named La Union when the small villages of Herrerias and El Garbunzal became united. After the First World War the mines fell into recession but a few decades later the mines were opened again, remaining open until 1991 when they were finally closed for good. The hills where the mines are located are dry and rugged but the old mine chimneys are clearly visible thanks to the hard work of the miners who have lovingly restored them. At the top of the hills, at the Hermitage of the Virgin del Rosario there is a look-out platform (Mirador) offering wonderful panoramic views. There is a mining museum in the old miners institute which has crystals and old semi-precious stones on display.

You will be amazed by the passion and spectacle of this Flamenco festival whilst on your cheap holidays to Spain’s Costa Calida.

Date 6th July – 14th July 2011

The annual San Fermin Festival takes place in July every year. Thousands of people celebrate this nine day action event which includes a wide range of events starting with the launch of a huge rocket (the Chupinazo) from the Plaza Consistorial at midday on the 6th July. The launching of the firework

San Fermin Festival

 marks the start of the festival. All morning crowds flock to the public square, getting into the party spirit by drinking cava and waving red neckerchiefs. There is something for everyone to enjoy at the festival including firework displays, sports competitions and traditional Basque music.

The first main event is The Day of San Fermin which takes place on the 7th July. The colourful procession which marks the day travels from the town hall, winding its way through the streets to the local cathedral and is an amazing sight.

The most famous part of the festival is the running of the bulls (encierro). Every day bulls are let loose in the city’s old town district, running along the streets until they reach the Plaza de Toros de Pamplona (local bullring) about half a mile away. On their journey to the bullring the animals are joined by brave and daring people who run alongside the bulls as they journey to the Plaza for the nightly bullfight. Before the bulls are released the gathering crowds and runners sing to the image of San Fermin, asking the Patron Saint of Fermin to guide them through the Bull Run and give them his blessing.

Pamplona, the capital of the Navarre region, is a modern yet traditional city.

Plaza Consistorial

The Plaza Consistorial is centrally located and it is here that you will find the town hall with its majestic Baroque facade. Pamplona is steeped in history and has many wonderful buildings and places of interest to visit. Holiday packages to Pamplova should include a visit to Santa Maria la Real Cathedral, the Gothic Church of San Saturnino, the Gothic Church of Santo Domingo, Camara de Comptos (the oldest building in the city), the Palace of Navarre (whre the Navarre government sits) and the Museum of Navarre. Visit the old town and sample the varied Navarre cuisine. Here you can enjoy traditional meals with some fine Navarra wine. In the area surrounding Pamplona there are some beautiful sites of natural beauty. To the west is Urbasa y Andia Nature Reserve and the Atlantic Pyrenees where you will find the Bertiz Nature Reserve. To the north of Pamplona are the Navarre Pyrenees where you will find beautiful little villages set in the valleys.

There is so much to include when booking your holiday deals to this amazing city, one thing is for certain, you will always have something to do or see.

The romantic city of Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and is an excellent base for mountain holidays. Served by Federico Garcia Lorca airport, Granada is just over 9 miles from the airport and has road and rail links to the rest of Andalusia. During the winter months visitors can ski and snow board in the mountains and hike, cycle and bird

Granada

watch in the summer. The Sierra Nevada Mountains are about 20 miles from the centre of Granada and has 38 miles of ski slopes over 45 pistes, with slopes suitable for all levels of experience. The Sierra Nevada National Park is a stunning beauty spot where you can hike, mountain bike, horse ride, paraglide, fish, canoe and raft. The park is so diverse it includes rivers, waterfalls, glcial lakes, gorges and snow covered peaks two miles high.

Often referred to as the jewel in the crown of Andalusia, Granada is home to the elegant Moorish Alhambra Palace.Built in the 14th century for the last Muslim emir, the palace is a fine example of intricate arabesque architecture and has beautiful gardens complete with amazing water features.

Alhama

 Surrounding the palace is the old Moorish medina, a maze of streets and alleyways called the Albaicin. These streets lead to the Plaza de San Nicolas where you will find amazing views of the Alhambra and the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Locals and tourists mingle at the plaza where you will often catch an impromptu flamenco concert by local performers using the Sierra Nevada mountain range backdrop as their stage.
Other cultural attractions in Granada include the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Encarnacion and the Museo Parque de las Ciencias.

Granada’s tropical coastline has over 60 miles of beaches including Malaga, Los Llanos and Montril. Most beaches offer water sports such as diving, snorkelling, swimming, windsurfing and sailing.

For golf enthusiasts there are three golf courses all within easy reach of the city, including the 18 hole courses at the Club de Golf Granada and the Medina Elvirs Golf. These courses are beautifully landscaped with lakes, pine trees and mountain views.

Dining out is an exciting experience on your last minute holiday deals to Granada. The centre of the city has a large array of restaurants and bars which serve a variety of Andalusian, Iberian and European cuisine.

Not to be missed is a visit to the Altiplano de Granada, a high plateau in the north with amazing cave dwellings set in a spectacular mountain setting. Also worthy of a visit is the Zaidin district of Granada which holds a huge outdoor market on Saturdays and the Sacromonte district which is known as the flamenco song and dance area.

With a fantastic reputation, Granada is a destination not to be missed when looking for travel deals for your next mountain holiday.

La Tomatina (the Tomato Party) is the name of the famous Tomato fight that happens every year in Bunol (Bunyol), Valencia, Spain. It occurs as part of the festival on that day, which takes place every year on the last Wednesday in August. The festival itself warms up during the week before the tomato fight with lots of partying and also a paella cooking contest the night before.

la tomatina

The festival starts with a “palo jabon” whereby a pole is greased and a ham is placed at the top. The aim is to climb the pole and knock the ham off, thereby signalling the start of the tomato festival and fight. The tomato fight usually starts at about 11am, once the ham has been knocked off and a shot is sounded or water cannon started. Crushed tomatoes are then thrown at the crowds of people waiting from large trucks. The trucks usually start in the Plaza del Pueblo area. The actual tomato fight usually only lasts about an hour and the end of the fight is signalled by a single shot into the air or the water cannons are switched back on, announcing the end.

Thousands of people line the streets to experience La Tomatina, with thousands of tourists visiting the area or taking escourted trips to the town of Bunol just to experience La Tomatina Festival, such has its popularity grown. There are so many people on the day of the festival that if you attend you may not actually get to see the trucks in the centre of the town throwing the tomatoes into the crowd. However, the streets all around are lined with partygoers and the atmosphere is lively and electric. Many people attending the festival wear goggles and gloves to help protect themselves from the tomatoes and tomato juice that covers every building and street in the area.  It’s advised if you plan to attend to take a set of clean clothes to change into afterwards!

After the tomato fight has ended, the streets are washed clean using fire trucks and hoses and they sparkle from the being cleaned by the acidity of the tomato juice.  The partying goes on into the night afterwards as the festival goers congregate in Bunol and Valencia.

La Tomatina is thought to have originated around the 1950′s although there is debate as to how the original festival and fight first started.  What is clear is that the town council tried to ban it a number of times, finally agreeing to the tomato fight in 1959 as long as the fight started and ended at agreed times with the sound of a shot/horn was sounded.  There are a number of rules now in place to ensure safety/security of the participants which are: 1) bottles or other items that could cause harm are not allowed 2) T-shirts must not be torn 3) you must stop when the second shot/horn/bang/water cannon is sounded 4) the tomatoes must be crushed before being thrown 5) you must carefully avoid the lorries carrying the tomatoes so as to ensure you don’t get run over/hurt.

As the town of Bunol (Bunyol) only houses about 9000 people there is limited accommodation for the tens of thousands of people attending the tomato fight.  Many tourists book cheap package holidays to Valencia instead and then make their way to Bunol via train, bus or car in the morning of the festival.  Some tour operators even offer La Tomatina short break holiday packages to the festival with hotels and transfers included plus souvenir t-shirts.

Top Tips:
1) Wear old clothes that you don’t mind never wearing again
2) Bring a change of clothes (there are public showers in Bunyol)
3) Check out the timetable of local trains/buses beforehand and plan ahead as it will be very busy!
4) Book your accommodation early especially if you want to stay in Bunol as it gets booked up very quickly.
5) Wear shoes or trainers that you don’t mind getting covered in tomato juice and that have a good grip.
6) Wear goggles and gloves to protect your eyes and hands from the acidic tomato juice and to help you grip.

Barcelona, Spain has recently been voted ninth in the Traveller’s Choice World Destinations top ten, re-inforcing why millions of travellers continue to visit this vibrant city visit each year.  Famed for its architecture, buzzing atmosphere, culture and cosmopolitan attitude, Barcelona is also well known as a centerpiece for the late architect Antonio Gaudi Cornet – considered by many as one of the greatest architects of the last two centuries.

When visiting Barcelona it is essential to try to see at least one of the many offerings from Gaudi dotted around this fabulous city, as he had such a profound effect on the architecture in this city and some of the buildings are just magnificent.  There are many flight companies and holiday operators offering travel deals to Barcelona all year round so it should be easy to find a weekend break.

The Sagrada Familia (Holy Family)

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain

This amazing cathedral is still a work in progress and is undoubtedly one of Gaudi’s greatest monuments.  He began work on the project in 1884, living and working within the building whilst the project was underway.  Gaudi supervised the building of the Apse, Crypt and the Nativity Facade on the outside of this enourmous building.  After his death in 1926, the rest of the construction has been supervised by his colleagues.  The work is expected to be finished in 2026.  The Sagrada Familia is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was recently (Nov 2010) consecrated as a minor basilica by the Pope Benedict, despite it being unfinished.

Eight of the eighteen enourmous spires have currently been built, corresponding to eight of the planned twelve apostles.  The other 6 spires will signify four evangelists, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ.  The Sagrada Familia is located at Plaça de la Sagrada Família, Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona.  There are tube stations nearby and also many companies run coach trips to see this amazing building.  It gets busy quickly especially in the peak summer season so get there early and expect to have to queue.

Parc Guell
Parc Guell is a very popular garden city built by Gaudi originally as a park for the Barcelona aristocracy and commissioned by Don Esebio Guell. 

Dragon at entrance to Parc Guell

The parc is situated on a large hill (be prepared for a steep walk up if you plan to visit here) and is enclosed by a wall, with two entrance lodges.  There are two houses in the park, one is now the Gaudi Museum where Gaudi lived from 1906.  At the entrance to the park is the famous dragon statue situated on the central flight of steps.  Many tourists stop to have their photo taken here as it’s also the main entrance to the park and is situated near to the Museum.  The park has a magnificent view across overlooking Barcelona city from its situation high up on the hill on where it’s built and the park is worth visiting just for the view.

Parc Guell view across Barcelona

Gaudi created many projects and buildings of wonder across Barcelona and made a stamp on the architecture there. Although The Sagrada Familia and the Parc Guell are perhaps two of the most popular pieces of his work in Barcelona, there are many more to choose from in and around the city. Take time to visit these amazing architectural pieces when you visit.