If travelling around the city of Dundee in Scotland this year, you should certainly consider a visit to Discovery Point, a major tourist attraction for the city. Discovery Point is where Captain Scott’s ship the RSS Discovery is on display, and there you can follow in the footsteps of Scott and his crew and get an idea of what life was like onboard this historic ship which sailed to Antarctica. With an audio / visual show, computer based multimedia, and guided tours, you will find plenty for the whole family to do at the Discovery Point adventure in Dundee. Discovery Point is located on Discovery Quay on the waterfront just before the Tay Road Bridge. Dundee Map.
September 2, 2009
Travel on the Costa Brava Spain
Boasting some of the most attractive coastline in the whole of the Spain, the Costa Brava region is located in the extreme north-east of the country within the region of Catalonia. The Costa Brava borders France to the north, Aragon to the west and Valencia to the south and was one of the first regions of Spain to attract mass tourism as cheaper package holidays and flights took off during the 1960’s, from then on Costa Brava travel was a popular option for those seeking a bit of guaranteed sunshine and a holiday abroad. Obviously the excellent summer time climate was one of the biggest draws for the region but the many beautiful Costa Brava beach resorts and the fine beaches which service them was an additional attraction. Amongst the best known resorts there are some real gems, and many have an interesting history along with their appeal as pure holiday resorts. Places such as Roses, Blanes and Estartit are among the best known while inland towns such as Girona, Figueres and Begur also have much to offer. Those wishing to get the most from a visit to the region should purchase a decent Costa Brava guide book, which will advice of the best and most interesting places to visit. Costa Brava Map.
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History of Denia Spain
Though today a popular and modern resort, Denia, located on the Costa Blanca, Spain has a long and turbulent history. Thought to be named after the Roman temple of Diana, remnants of which were unearthed near the town, Denia is overlooked by its 16th century castle, built on an earlier 11th century Moorish fortress. These days the castle serves a more peaceful purpose and acts as the Archaeological Museum for the town, well worth a visit in order to delve deeper into the area’s history. Denia is also a busy port and for centuries survived by its fishing industry, there are still parts of its old fishing quarter, and wandering its narrow streets and alleys, whisks one back to simpler times. Settled over the centuries by Greeks, Romans and Moors, it was the Moors who built the first castle and held on to the town from the 8th to the 13th century. Taken back by the Christians in 1244, Denia became a marquisate in the 15th century, it joined the losing side in the War of Succession, which resulted in great hardship for the town. A thriving grape and raisin industry developed during the late 18th and early 19th centuries brought wealth and prosperity to Denia once more, though this was ruined by an outbreak of Phylloxera, which destroyed this industry and caused the decline of the town once again. Only the arrival of tourism during the 20th century allowed Denia to once again become prosperous. Denia Map.
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Ciutadella Menorca
An attractive town with a picturesque port and a charming old quarter, Ciutadella was the former capital of Menorca until the British arrived in 1708. originally founded by the Carthaginians, Ciutadella later became an important trading centre for the Moors until they were ousted by the Christians in the late 13th century. Sacked by the Turks in 1558, all its citizens were sold into slavery in Constantinople. Largely rebuilt during the 17th and 18th centuries, Ciutadella is a typically Spanish town with some beautiful squares and some fine architecture, its 13th century cathedral was all that remained from the Turkish invasion, was built on the former site of an Arab mosque. Ciutadella was replaced as capital by Mahon, as its deepwater harbour was considered superior by the British, it did however remain as the religious capital of the island. Ciutadella Map.
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Crevillente Costa Blanca
One of the Costa Blanca’s inland towns, Crevillente is a modern industrial town which at first glance would seem not worthy of a visit. However on inspection visitors will find that Crevillente has a long and interesting history and was in fact occupied even before the arrival of the Romans in Spain some 2,000 years ago. Early settlements were established by the Iberians, and these were extended somewhat when the Romans arrived, though the town did not really develop until the Moorish occupation when agricultural methods enabled the area to be cultivated. During the 18th century a carpet industry emerged turning into a significant earner for the town, early carpets were made from esparto grass and were mostly exported. In the town today you can visit the old Town Hall and take a look at the oldest church the Nuestra Senora de Belen, nature lovers can visit the El Hondo Nature Reserve which is close to the town, some nearby villages which may be of interest are Cox, Albatera, Aspe, Callosa de Segura and Hondon de los Frailes, a trip into the city of Elche would also be well rewarded. Crevillente Map.
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Cordoba Andalucia
Located in northern Andalucia, the city of Cordoba was the former capital of Arabic Al Andalus and was the capital of the Moorish Empire in the west. During the tenth century, Cordoba was one of the most populated cities in the world, with around half a million people, an immense city for those times. These days Cordoba has a population of around 320,000 and is only the 10th largest city in Spain, it is now a major tourist attraction and the best sites can be found in the old Jewish quarter in the area of the famous Mezquita mosque, the largest and most beautiful mosque built by the Moors in Spain. The Mezquita originally dates from the 8th century and was remodelled and extended in subsequent centuries, some of the most lavish additions being built in the 10th century, during the cities golden years. There is lots more to see in this area including the Bishop’s Palace, the Roman Bridge, and the Alcazar Palace. When you are tired of visiting historic monuments you can wander the back streets and seek out a quiet plaza, order a coffee and enjoy the Cordoba weather in the heart of one of Europe’s greatest cities. Cordoba has its own airport but it used for domestic flights only, so if you are flying to the city you will need to go to Seville or Malaga, or from elsewhere in Spain, by road you can reach Cordoba by way of the A-4 from Seville or the A-45 from Malaga. Be sure to visit colourful Cordoba some time soon. Cordoba Map.
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