Steve's World Blog Information and articles on cities, towns and villages around the world.

July 30, 2010

Puerto Rico Gran Canaria

Filed under: Canary Islands,Holidays,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 11:59 am

For the best family holidays on Gran Canaria in the Spanish Canary Islands, you need look little further than the resort of Puerto Rico. Though at times Puerto Rico receives some negative press, it has everything needed for a splendid family beach style holiday with 2 calm and safe swimming beaches, with all the usual facilities, sun loungers, parasols, lifeguards, toilets, beach bars, restaurants etc. Puerto Rico has some excellent water sports facilities including jet-skiing, swimming, fishing, scuba diving and windsurfing. Puerto Rico, similar to all the southern resorts of Gran Canaria, benefits from a terrific all year round climate, with the weather in Puerto Rico comprising wall-to-wall sunshine throughout the year (actually more pleasant during the traditional winter months). Night time entertainment is second to none on the islands with a huge choice of bars, restaurants and clubs in which to wine, dine and while away the evening hours, in the daytime there are boat trips to be enjoyed, coach trips to the island’s attractions such as Palmitos Park or Holiday World, and beaches to laze on and enjoy the sun. What more could you want in a Family holiday?

Puerto Rico Gran Canaria Map.

Learn more about Puerto Rico here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/puerto-rico.html

And get the latest weather here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/puerto-rico-weather.html

Hotel Mandolay Guildford Surrey

Filed under: England,hotels,United Kingdom — Tags: , , — needahand @ 11:42 am
Mandolay Hotel Guildford

Mandolay Hotel Guildford

For your stay in Guildford, Surrey, you must certainly consider the beautiful 19th century Mandolay Hotel, one of the most popular and luxurious hotels in the town. Located centrally the Mandolay Hotel is only five minutes walk from the town centre of Guildford making it ideal for both business and pleasure guests, visiting the town or Surrey in general. Offering banqueting facilities, the Mandolay is also ideal for functions, weddings and parties as well as business conferences, having a ballroom for up to one hundred and eighty and dining for 150. The hotel also offers a fabulous fitness centre which you can make use of and is ideal when the weather is not so good. Guildford is a historic Surrey town, which is also the county town, it has many interesting attractions to visit. Rooms in the Mandolay Hotel Guildford are offered from 95 euros per night (about £80). Guildford can be reached from the A3, it is situated to the south-west of central London. Guildford Map.

BOOK MANDOLAY HOTEL

July 29, 2010

The Attractions of Rome Italy

Filed under: History,Italy,Travel — Tags: , , — needahand @ 2:44 pm

When visiting the city of Rome there is such a wide range of attractions that it can be a little confusing as to where exactly to start, this will of course also depend on individual choice so some planning is essential before setting out on your journey.

The capital city of Italy, Rome is a huge place with a population of around 3 million. The centre of ancient Rome is contained within an area bounded by the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill, the Capitoline Hill and the Imperial Forums, this area is a good place to see a selection of historic buildings and monuments, also some excellent museums.

To lighten the mood you might head for some of the many piazzas and fountains that are scattered throughout the city, the Trevi Fountain is one of the best known.

The Vatican City will of course be a must for most people and you should allow a day for this very special place. There are over 900 churches in Rome so you will need to be particular in your choices if you don’t wish it to take up too much of your time, among the best are St Peter’s Basilica, the Basilica of St John Lateran, the Basilica of Mary Major and the Basilica of St Paul.

If museums are your thing, then again you will be spoilt for choice in Rome, one of the best is the Vatican Museum, other excellent ones include the Museum of Roman Civilization and the Capitoline Museums.

If you are visiting Rome in the summer, it can get very hot, so you might want to take a day out to head for the coast, a fascinating place to visit is the city of Anzio, 57 kilometres south of Rome, another ancient city it is now a busy fishing port and popular ferry port for those heading to the Pontine Islands. In Anzio you can visit the Beachhead Museum which outlines the history of the Allied landings which took place during WW2.

Palma de Mallorca Part 2

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , — needahand @ 2:32 pm

In a previous post we looked at a little of the history of Palma de Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands, Spain, and visited some of the main attractions, this week we will look at what else Palma has to offer. A great place to start your day would be a morning stroll along Palma’s waterfront, with the city stirring for the day, the busy fish market bursts into life, the Es Moll de Pescadors hosts the Llotja del Peix (Fish Market), here you can pick up fresh prawns, sea-bass, mullet, sardines and much more, but you will need to be early as it opens at 6.00am.

Little is left of the Arab occupation of Palma, but well worth a look are the Banys Árabs (Arab Baths), which date from the 10th century and would have originally been part of a nobleman’s house. The domed horseshoe arches, are supported by a dozen columns in various styles. Possible salvaged from an earlier Roman building, the steam room had underfloor heating, with a separate ‘cooling off’ room, next door. The Arab Baths are located in Carrer Can Serra and are behind the Museu de Mallorca, which is the most significant museum in Mallorca, covering over 3,000 years of the island’s history, from the early Talaotic Period, through the Roman and Arab occupations, up to the present day, with exhibitions by modern day Mallorcan artists.

To take a break from the ancient and historical, you might fancy a trip to the market, in the Plaça Olivar you will find the vibrant Mercat Olivar, a covered market offering a huge range of consumables, most notably fruit and seafood which are displayed in mind boggling quantities and varieties. While you are there try out one of the tapas bars, where the market workers eat, here you can taste some real Mallorcan tapas.

If you wish to do a little shopping whilst in Mallorca then Palma is the place to do it, the main shopping area is in the Plaça Juan Carlos I, which is located beside the cathedral, here you will find numerous big stores such as El Corte Ingles, interspersed with smaller shops. Shops generally open at 10.00am and close at about 1.30pm, the evening session is from 5.00pm to 8.00pm.

When you are all spent out you could take a look at the Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village), a sort of Spanish theme park, where you can see reproductions of famous buildings from Madrid, Toledo and Cordoba, visit handicraft workshops, eat traditional Spanish food and get a lesson in Spanish architecture through the ages.

Getting back to culture one of the many churches worth a visit is the impressive Basilica de Sant Francesc, originally from the 13th century, the façade was rebuilt in the 17th century. The church houses the tomb of Mallorca’s most famous citizen Ramón Llull (1235-1316) a wealthy courtier from Palma, who later became a hermit after a failed seduction attempt, he was later stoned to death in Tunisia, for attempting to convert Muslims to Christianity.

While there is still plenty to see in Palma, you could perhaps wind down your visit with an evening stroll up the Passeig des Born, a tree-lined promenade, which has long been the centre of city life in Palma. Have a coffee in one of the al fresco cafés and relax after a busy day in the beautiful Palma de Mallorca.

Palma de Mallorca Map.

Whitstable Marine Hotel Kent

Filed under: England,hotels,Travel,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 1:18 pm
Marine Hotel Whitstable Kent

Marine Hotel Whitstable Kent

You can discover all the delights that Whitstable in Kent has to offer by staying at the delightful Marine Hotel, which overlooks the sea at the top of Tankerton Slopes. Within easy reach of Herne Bay, Canterbury and Ramsgate, the Marine Hotel Whitstable offers good value accommodation in its 31 rooms which all have en-suite bathrooms and television, 20 of the rooms also offer sea views for those who like this facility. The Marine Hotel is also available for functions, parties and weddings and its ballroom has space for 180 guests, with meals for up to 150. The hotel facilities also include a comfortable restaurant, bar and lounge. Whitstable is located on the north coast of Kent and has for many centuries been famous for its oysters which are a delicacy in local and national restaurants, other shellfish and seafood are also freely available in the town throughout the year, whatever the weather. So for your stay in Whitstable why not try out the Marine Hotel, with rooms offered from 87 euros per night. Kent Map.

BOOK MARINE HOTEL WHITSTABLE

July 28, 2010

Funchal Cliff Bay Hotel Madeira

Filed under: Holidays,hotels,Portugal — Tags: , — needahand @ 6:21 pm
Cliff Bay Hotel Funchal

Cliff Bay Hotel Funchal

A good choice for your accommodation in Funchal on the island of Madeira, the 5 Star Cliff Bay Hotel is located on a picturesque headland looking out on the Atlantic Ocean. The Cliff Bay has over 200 rooms all with bathroom, balcony, TV, safe, internet, air-con, and tea/coffee machine. The hotel has a fantastic range of facilities including 3 bars, 3 restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools for swimming whatever the weather, gymnasium, steam rooms, Jacuzzi etc, it also provides a shuttle bus to and from Madeira airport if you are not using a car hire vehicle. Funchal is the capital city of Madeira and has everything you would need for a perfect holiday on this popular Portuguese island. Rooms are offered in the Cliff Bay Hotel Funchal from around 94 euros per night. Funchal is situated on the south coast of Madeira and is also the location of the island’s airport.

Funchal Map.

Hotel Cap Negret Altea

Filed under: Costa Blanca,hotels,Spain — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 2:43 pm

If you are planning a visit to the beautiful coastal resort of Altea on the Costa Blanca, Spain, you may be looking for a suitable hotel for your stay. You should certainly consider the beachside Negret Hotel Altea, as this is one of the most popular hotels in this fine resort. A fine 3 Star establishment the Negret Cap Hotel offers a great range of facilities and 250 rooms, all with balconies and private bathrooms. The hotel has a super outside swimming pool with spacious sun terrace for taking in the sun and enjoying the fabulous Altea weather which is mostly sunny throughout the year. Excellent meals are served up in the buffet restaurant, and outside drinks can be enjoyed in the poolside terrace bar. Altea is perfectly located for visiting the attractions of the northern Costa Blanca, especially Benidorm which is just a little south of Altea. The town is about 60 kilometres drive from the airport at Alicante and can also be reached from Valencia is this is your choice.

Tavira Algarve

Filed under: Algarve,History,Portugal — Tags: , , — needahand @ 12:25 pm

Located in the eastern section of the Algarve in Portugal, the historic city of Tavira is one of the oldest in the region. Established by the Phoenicians in the eighth century BC it developed into a significant trading port. In the 8th century AD, Tavira came under the control of the Moors and the current name is derived from the Arabic Tabira (“hidden”). Conquered by the Christians in 1242 much of Tavira was rebuilt only to be later destroyed by the great Lisbon earthquake of 1755. Present day Tavira is a popular holiday destination with some fine facilities, nice sandy beaches and superb golf courses. The region enjoys a super climate with Tavira weather being especially pleasant between May and October. Easily accessible from Faro airport, which is about 35 kilometres to the west, Tavira can also be reached from southern Spain.

The Hotel Calypso Salou

Filed under: Costa Dorada,hotels,Spain,Travel — Tags: , — needahand @ 12:05 pm
Salou Hotel Calypso

Salou Hotel Calypso

For your visit to Salou on the Costa Dorada this year, you will probably be looking for a hotel. One of the popular hotels which you might consider in the resort is the Salou Hotel Calypso, a very large hotel with in excess of five hundred rooms, and well situated close to the town centre and around 700 metres from the sandy beach. The well equipped rooms of the Calypso Hotel offer all you would expect of a modern hotel including air-conditioning, bathroom, balcony, satellite TV, telephone and minibar. The facilities of the hotel as a whole include swimming pool, games room, restaurant, bar, lounge, laundry, shop, currency exchange, luggage room, and a 24 hour reception. Salou is the best known resorts of the Costa Dorada and also attracts the most visitors, having a decent beach, good weather conditions, wide range of bars and restaurants and vibrant nightlife scene. Rooms in the Salou Hotel Calypso are offered from 41 euros per night. Salou and the hotel Calypso are located just 12 miles from Reus airport, from where you can easily get a taxi or airport transfer.

July 27, 2010

Hotel Kaktus Albir Costa Blanca

Filed under: Costa Blanca,hotels,Spain — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 1:14 pm
Hotel Kaktus Albir

Hotel Kaktus Albir Alfaz del Pi

You can enjoy a sun filled holiday in the Costa Blanca coastal resort of Albir by booking a stay at the comfortable Hotel Kaktus Albir. Benefitting from its seafront location this fine establishment offers 203 stylish bedrooms in tranquil pleasant surroundings, while still being handy for Albir town centre and for the massive resort of Benidorm which is just 5 miles away from the hotel. In the Hotel Kaktus Albir you will find rooms with air-con, private bathrooms and TV, with hotel amenities including swimming pool, night club, conference centre, cafeteria, bar and buffet restaurant, and outside the hotel, you will of course find the excellent facilities of Albir Playa and seafront, the liveliest part of the resort. One of Albir’s more popular hotels, the Kaktus offers rooms from just 72 euros per night. Albir is about sixty kilometres from the airport at Alicante a trip which should take you about forty five minutes.

Find out about the resort of Albir here: http://www.albir.my-costa-blanca.co.uk/

July 26, 2010

Albir Garden Apartments

Filed under: Costa Blanca,hotels,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 3:46 pm
Albir Garden Apartments

Albir Garden Apartments

Located just 1,300 metres from the main Albir beach, the Albir Garden Apartments are in a large complex of some 426 apartments, spread over 11 blocks, in the area known as Alfaz del Pi, the complex has a wide range of facilities including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, gym, sauna, tennis courts, sun terrace, loungers, safety deposit boxes, restaurant, bar, pool bar, washing machines, landscaped gardens etc. Rooms have lounge with sofa bed, kitchenette, balcony, TV, air-conditioning etc. Albir (Alfaz del Pi) is a popular beach resort to the north of Benidorm, it has fine sandy Blue Flag beaches, water sports, golf and plenty of shops, bars and restaurants, it enjoys splendid weather conditions and is perfect for holiday right through the year although of course summer time (May to September) is the most popular. Albir is about 6 kilometres from Benidorm and about 40 minutes drive from Alicante airport.

July 23, 2010

Alabare House Salisbury Wiltshire

Filed under: England,hotels,United Kingdom — Tags: , , — needahand @ 7:57 am

For your next visit to Salisbury in southern Wiltshire, you might like to try out the Alabare House guest house, situated just off the Salisbury ring road in this ever popular destination. Within a short stroll of the famous Salisbury Cathedral, the Alabare House offers bed and breakfast accommodation in pleasant comfortable surroundings. After a day touring the city of Salisbury you can relax in the cosy guest lounge and catch up on the latest TV programmes. If the weather is fine, you could head out and visit Stonehenge or one of the many other great tourist attractions to be found in and around Salisbury. Bed and breakfast is available in the Alabare House from around 53 euros per night. Wiltshire Map.

BOOK THE ALABARE HOUSE

July 22, 2010

Vilamoura Tivoli Marinotel Algarve

Filed under: Algarve,hotels,Portugal — Tags: , — needahand @ 11:37 am
Hotel Vilamoura Tivoli Marinotel

Hotel Vilamoura Tivoli Marinotel

If you are looking for luxurious accommodation in the Algarve resort of Vilamoura, then you should certainly take a look at the Vilamoura Tivoli Marinotel, which is located right beside the superb marina and benefits from the use of its own beach, for the use of residents. Carrying a 5 Star rating this stunning hotel is the first word in luxury for your visit to Vilamoura, whether you just want to relax and enjoy the fabulous facilities of this wonderful hotel, join in the programme of entertainment, use the super spa facilities or just laze on the beach enjoying the terrific Algarve weather, and top up your tan, the Vilamoura Tivoli will not disappoint. If you are feeling a little more lively you might want to play a round of golf at one of the many fine courses in the area, visit some of the fine surrounding resorts or historic towns, or maybe head into Faro, the capital of the region, where there is plenty to see and do. Faro is also the location of the nearest airport, so this is likely to be your place of arrival into the region, and getting to Vilamoura couldn’t be easier, with the airport only around 20 kilometres from the hotel and resort. Prices in the Vilamoura Tivoli start at around 117 euros per night, not cheap, but hey this is luxury. Algarve Map.

July 21, 2010

The Marriott Hotel Swindon Wiltshire

Filed under: England,hotels,Travel,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 3:11 pm
Marriott Hotel Swindon Wiltshire

Marriott Hotel Swindon Wiltshire

For your accommodation in the Wiltshire town of Swindon, you would be well advised to consider the Marriott Hotel, one of the best in the area. Located in a peaceful wooded area in Swindon’s old town, the Marriott Hotel is ideal for both leisure and business visitors, and has some 156 superb rooms on offer. Perfect for visiting the northern parts of Wiltshire the Marriott is easily accessed by road and is also close to rail and bus links so getting to the hotel should not be a problem. You could also use it as a base for touring the entire are and with such fine attractions as the city of Salisbury, Stonehenge and much much more, you might need to stay for several nights. If you visit during the summer time when the weather is at its best, you should have a very enjoyable trip and certainly one to remember. The Marriott Hotel offers swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi, tennis, gymnasium, sauna, business centre and internet access, rooms are offered from just 58 euros per night. Wiltshire Map.

Port Denia Hotel Costa Blanca

Filed under: Costa Blanca,hotels,Spain — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 10:19 am
Port Denia Hotel

Port Denia Hotel Costa Blanca

If you are visiting the northern Costa Blanca coastal resort of Denia this year and are looking for a hotel for your accommodation in the town, you could do little better than to choose the Port Denia Hotel which is close to Playa Marianeta and just a short walk from Denia town centre. Ideal for a beach style holiday or just for a relaxing break in this ever popular resort the Port Denia has 280 bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms, TV, air-con and terrace. Hotel fascilities include bar, restaurant, outdoor and indoor pools, children’s play facilities, sun terrace and internet access. Denia is one of the most northerly of the Costa Blanca resorts and is certainly one of the most popular, enjoying wonderful weather conditions and having miles of sandy beaches and coves surrounding the resort, beautiful coastline and good road access for visiting beautiful National Parks and other resorts such as Javea, Calpe, Moraira and Benidorm. In Benidorm of course you will find plenty to do with some of the finest theme parks in Europe. There are of course plenty of other hotels to choose from in Denia and these include the Adsubia, the Racona, the Giralda and the Los Angeles. Denia can be easily accessed from the N-332 or from the AP-7 motorway, it is roughly halfway between Valencia and Alicante, both have airports, giving a good choice for flights to the area. Rooms in the Port Denia Hotel start at around 76 euros.

See a guide to Denia here: http://www.denia.my-costa-blanca.co.uk/

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