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

August 31, 2010

The Imperial Hotel Torquay

Filed under: England,hotels,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 11:12 am
Imperial Hotel Torquay

Imperial Hotel Torquay Devon

If you are planning a trip to the Devon coastal town of Torquay, you may well be looking for hotel accommodation for your stay in the town, a hotel which comes highly recommended is the Imperial Hotel which stands on a cliff overlooking the beautiful Torbay offering stunning views of the coast around Torquay. The hotel which was built in 1886 is in a Mediterranean style and many of its 153 rooms have fantastic sea views, as do its conservatory and restaurant. Handy for Torquay railway station and within a short stroll of the marina, beaches and shops the Imperial Hotel Torquay is ideal for both business and holiday visitors. The hotel has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, so you can take a dip whatever the weather, it also offers fine restaurant, fitness centre, games room, hairdressing salon and beauty salon. Rooms in the Imperial Hotel are currently offered from around 44 euros per night (about £37). Formerly a fishing town, Torquay has developed into one of Devon’s most popular seaside resorts, located on what is often called the “English Riviera”, due to the fine weather that it experiences, with average temperatures several degree higher than most of Britain. Torquay is easily reached by road and rail, and is only sixteen miles from Exeter and its airport. Devon Map.

BOOK IMPERIAL HOTEL TORQUAY

August 30, 2010

Hotel Playacanela Isla Canela

Filed under: hotels,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 11:51 am
Playacanela Hotel Isla Canela

Playacanela Hotel Isla Canela Spain

For your accommodation in the Costa de la Luz resort of Isla Canela, you cannot go far wrong by choosing the Playacanela Hotel, a popular 4 Star Hotel located near to the beach and golf course. One of the best loved Isla Canela hotels, the Playacanela has 306 double rooms, all with balcony, bathroom, TV, air-conditioning, safe, min-bar and telephone. Built in an Arabian architectural style the Playacanela Hotel has a beautiful themed pool area, with swimming pool, whirlpool and water slides, all set amongst palm trees and shrubs, making this the ideal spot for a relaxing holiday. As yet mostly undiscovered by Brits and north Europeans, the Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light) is a mostly unspoilt region, with some tranquil, uncrowded resorts, Isla Canela is a built for tourism resort which basically serves the border town of Ayamonte, which sits beside the River Guadiana on the border with Portugal. Rooms in the Playacanela Hotel are offered from around 148 euros per night, but this is luxury accommodation, so heh, why not enjoy it. Costa de la Luz Map.

BOOK PLAYACANELA HOTEL

August 29, 2010

Hotel la Vida de Antes Consuegra

Filed under: hotels,Spain — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 5:26 pm
Hotel la Vida de Antes Consuegra

Hotel la Vida de Antes Consuegra

Offering comfortable accommodation in the town of Consuegra in the Castilla-La Mancha region of Spain, the Hotel la Vida de Antes is handily situated near to the main town square, and close to local facilities and attractions. Housed in a 19th century mansion, this charming hotel offers dining room, reading lounge, café/bar, terrace, meeting room, free wireless internet access etc. Consuegra is famous for its castle and row of traditional windmills which stand on a hill above the town, making it one of the most photogenic places in the Castilla-La Mancha region, the windmills all have names and are used for such things as the tourist information office for the town, some are still in working order. Consuegra lies to the south-east of Toledo and Madrid and is a popular day excursion for visitors to both cities, but if you prefer to stay overnight then the Hotel la Vide de Antes could be the ideal stopping off point for you with rooms offered from around 67 euros per night. Consuegra can be accessed via the CM-42, it is around 136km from Spain’s capital city, Madrid.

August 28, 2010

Guadalajara Spain

Filed under: History,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , — needahand @ 11:47 am

A city, municipality and province, located to the north-east of Madrid, Guadalajara was once greater than its illustrious neighbour, which is of course now capital of Spain. Many centuries of conflict and wars brought Guadalajara to its knees, and rendered it a mere shadow of its former self. Sitting beside the River Henares, present day Guadalajara has a population of 75,493 inhabitants, with its history, which stretches back to the times of the Romans, lost in its modern day look, though some gems can still be found by its visitors. Once a favourite base of the Mendoza family, Guadalajara still boasts the former palace of this rich family (now restored), in the form of the Palacio de los Duques del Infantado, well worth a visit if you are in the area.

August 27, 2010

Torremendo

Filed under: Costa Blanca,Spain,Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 10:30 am
Embalse de Pedrera Torremendo

Embalse de Pedrera Torremendo

Shown in the picture on the left is the large Embalse de Pedrera reservoir which is located close to the village of Torremendo just back from the coastline of the southern Costa Blanca. The reservoir is used, among other things to feed water to local golf courses such as Villamartin, it is also a popular area for fishing and the fact that it is free to fish makes it even more attractive though recent rises in water levels have made it more difficult to catch. Ideal for a spot of carp fishing, you may also be lucky to catch a Black Bass, the fish are not huge but make good sport. The village of Torremendo itself is small and typically Spanish, though it is increasingly attracting the British and other nationalities. Those looking to settle in the area will find some decent Torremendo properties on offer, most enjoy super views over the lake and would be especially attractive to fishing fans, who could just take a short walk to enjoy their sport.  Torremendo has a limited choice of facilties mostly revolving around cafes and bars, for better shopping and more choice you can always head for nearby San Miguel de Salinas.

August 20, 2010

Valdepenas Castilla-La Mancha

Filed under: Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 2:48 pm

Located in the Ciudad Real province in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha, the city of Valdepenas is best known for its wine industry which has taken place since the times of the ancient Iberians. Its 47 vineyards produce some 50 million litres of wine each year, both for local consumption and for export. Valdepenas itself has little to commend it being a mostly modern city though you might want to visit the Iglesia de la Asunción if you are especially interested in churches. A good reason to visit is however to visit the local Bodegas (especially on the road to Madrid) to taste some of the famous wines and also learn a little of how the wines are produced, if you are a wine fanatic then you should visit during September when the wine festival is in full swing. One of the larger cities of the Castilla-La Mancha region, Valdepenas has a population of around 32,000 and a municipal area of 487 square kilometres. Nearby towns and villages include Moral de Calatrava, Santa Cruz de Mudela, Villanueva de los Infantes and Manzanares. Castilla-La Mancha Map.

The Sol Calas de Mallorca Resort

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,hotels,Spain — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 9:05 am
Sol Calas de Mallorca Resort

Sol Calas de Mallorca Resort

One of the most attractive and popular holiday destinations on the island of Mallorca, the Sol Calas de Mallorca Resort would be an ideal choice for your stay on the island. Set in twenty five thousand square metres of landscaped gardens and offering 875 rooms in either of three accommodation blocks (Sol Mastines, Sol Chihuahuas and Sol Balmoral), the Sol Calas de Mallorca is certainly a beautiful place to enjoy the wonderful Mallorca weather and atmosphere. Overlooking 2 of the three beaches of Calas de Mallorca on the east coast of the island this hotel resort has several swimming pools and children’s play areas, each of the hotel blocks has its own restaurant, lounge and pool, and stages for both daytime and night time entertainment. The resort of Calas de Mallorca itself has some excellent facilities and is a tranquil place away from the hustle and bustle of Mallorca’s major resorts, it is situated in the Manacor district, and is around sixty seven kilometres from the airport at Palma de Mallorca. Rooms in the Sol Calas de Mallorca Resort are offered from around 38 euros per night (£32) a great price for a desirable location. Calas de Mallorca is on Mallorca’s east coast, between the resorts of Porto Colom and Porto Cristo.

BOOK THE SOL CALAS DE MALLORCA

August 14, 2010

Santo Tomas Hotel Menorca

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,hotels,Spain — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 1:51 pm
Santo Tomas Hotel Menorca

Santo Tomas Hotel Menorca

When visiting the beautiful holiday island of Menorca in the Spanish Balearic Islands, you will be looking for a nice resort for your stay. For a peaceful family holiday you might well consider the tranquil Santo Tomas, located between Son Bou and Cala Galdana on the south coast of the island. If you are needing a hotel for your stay you could book the Santo Tomas Hotel which is situated right beside the sea and beach and in an ideal spot for enjoying the sandy beaches, the clear waters, the fine hotel facilities and the wonderful Santo Tomas weather conditions, which should certainly help top up your tan if you visit between May and October. The Santo Tomas Hotel has all the facilities that you would need from a modern hotel including both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, so you can swim even in the cooler winter months when the weather is not so good. You can also relax in the Jacuzzi, or take a steam bath or sauna, afterwards enjoy a meal in the buffet restaurant offering International cuisines. Rooms in the Santo Tomas Hotel are offered from around 83 euros (£70), and the hotel is within a half hours drive of Mahon airport making the hotel easy to access.

BOOK SANTO TOMAS HOTEL

August 13, 2010

Cape Cornwall Golf and Leisure Resort St Just

Filed under: England,hotels,United Kingdom — Tags: , , — needahand @ 10:30 am

Visiting Cornwall this year? If you are staying in the St Just, Penzance area, then a nice spot for your accommodation could be the Cape Cornwall Golf and Leisure Resort which caters for both leisure and business guests and offers all the comforts required for your stay in St Just. Rooms are non-smoking with en-suites, hotel facilities include an 18 hole golf course, restaurant, bar, lounge, heated indoor swimming pool, so you can swim whatever the weather, sauna, gym, and spa bath. St Just is a charming little Cornish town, which is the most westerly in Britain, it is one of the oldest mining towns in Cornwall. The surrounding coastline is beautiful and ideal for walking and hiking, there are also some interesting places to visit including ancient tin mines and engine houses, and historic archaeological sites.

BOOK CAPE CORNWALL GOLF

August 10, 2010

Esmeralda Hotel and Spa Calpe

Filed under: Costa Blanca,hotels,Spain — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 3:28 pm
Esmeralda Hotel Calpe

Esmeralda Hotel Calpe

For your forthcoming trip to Calpe on the Costa Blanca, Spain, you could do little better than stay at the AR Roca Esmeralda Hotel and Spa, one of the many popular Calpe hotels on offer in this sought after coastal resort. Calpe, which is a little more laid back than nearby Benidorm is still pretty busy and has some decent facilities and fine sandy beaches to enjoy on your holiday. The facilities of Benidorm including the fabulous Terra Mitica theme park are all within a short drive of the resort. Rooms are offered in the Esmeralda Hotel Calpe from just 54 euros per night (£45) and all the usual hotel facilites will be found here including three swimming pools and two restaurants. The hotel is situated close to Levante Beach for those who prefer to sunbathe on the beach and enjoy the wonderful Calpe weather, which is mostly sunny right through the year. Calpe is within an hours drive of the closest airport at Alicante and is also within reach of Valencia airport, if you prefer this access point.

Get lots of information on the resort of Calpe here: http://www.calpe.my-costa-blanca.co.uk/

August 9, 2010

Siguenza Castilla-La Mancha

Filed under: Spain,Travel — Tags: , , — needahand @ 10:09 am
Parador de Siguenza

Parador de Siguenza

A small town located about 120 kilometres east of Madrid, Siguenza is dominated by its ancient castle, now a parador (hotel) which was restored in the 1970’s after being severely damaged during the Spanish Civil War. The town itself has a population of around 5,000, and among its many attractions are its cathedral, begun in the 12th century and built from the pinkish stone typical of the town’s buildings. Those interested in religious art can head for the Museo Diocesano del Arte. If you wish to stay overnight in Siguenza, you should consider the Parador de Siguenza Hotel, housed in the Moorish castle, overlooking the town, here you can soak in the history of this fascinating place.

August 7, 2010

The TRH Almagro Hotel Castilla-La Mancha

Filed under: hotels,Spain — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 9:25 am
TRH Almagro Hotel

TRH Almagro Hotel

If you are touring around the Castilla-La Mancha region of Spain, then a couple of the towns that you are most likely to visit are Toledo and Almagro. While Toledo is of course known to everyone, Almagro may be a place that not many have heard of. Over the centuries often playing second fiddle to Ciudad Real, Almagro is now perhaps a more interesting place to visit, its major attraction being the Corral de las Comedias, an outdoor theatre, holding performances of classic Spanish plays from long ago. If you choose to stay in Almagro, then you will need to find a decent hotel and a good choice would be the TRH Almagro Hotel which offers a good standard of accommodation at a reasonable price, with rooms available from just 29 euros (£24) per night. All of its 49 rooms have air-con, TV, bathroom etc, so why not choose the TRH Almagro for your stay in the town. Almagro is located about 106 kilometres from Toledo and just twenty kilometres east of Ciudad Real, in the Castilla-La Mancha region of Spain’s interior. Castilla-La Mancha Map.

BOOK TRH ALMAGRO HOTEL

August 6, 2010

Castilla-La Mancha Spain

Filed under: History,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 4:30 pm

A region immortalized by Spanish author Miguel Cervantes, Castilla-La Mancha was previously known as Castilla Nueva (New Castille), and comprises vast treeless plains, scenic mountain ranges, historic cities and two National Parks.

The best known city in the region is Toledo, the seat of the Catholic church in Spain for many centuries, after it was captured from the Moors in the 11th century. In Toledo you will find lots to see and do, with must visit places including the cathedral and the Alcazar (Charles V’s fortified palace).

Other interesting towns and cities which are worth seeing are Cuenca, Almagro, Consuegra, Albacete, Valdepeñas and Guadalajara. If you enjoy visiting castles, then Castilla-La Mancha could be just the place for you, with virtually any town of any consequence having an ancient fortification of some kind or another, this being the scene of much conflict between Christians and Moors in the early part of the Reconquest.

Castilla-La Mancha also has the largest expanse of vineyards in the world, producing huge amounts of red wine for both domestic consumption and export.

Castilla-La Mancha Map.

August 3, 2010

Casamar and Terramar Hotels Llafranc

Filed under: Costa Brava,hotels,Spain — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 2:50 pm
Terramar Hotel Llafranc

Terramar Hotel Llafranc

If you are planning a visit to the coastal resort of Llafranc, located between Calella de Palafrugell and Tamariu on the Costa Brava coastline of north-eastern Spain, you will perhaps need a hotel for your accommodation in the resort. While there are several hotels which you can choose from, two of the most popular, the Casamar Llafranc and the Terramar Hotel should provide all you need for a pleasant day in the area. The Casamar Llafranc is a small friendly hotel with just 20 rooms, ideal for a quiet holiday while providing all the facilities needed for a nice holiday. The three star Terramar Hotel has more rooms with 53, and has the benefit of being located right on the beach so you can enjoy the wonderful Llafranc weather and take in the rays, while staying close to your hotel and easy to pop back for meals. Llafranc is a tranquil resort, which has not yet been ruined by tourism, expect to meet plenty of Spanish nationals, as this is a favourite spot of theirs, while also bumping into various nationalities of those enlightened enough to visit this lovely resort. Rooms in the Casamar Hotel range from 140 euros per night, while the more affordable Terramar Hotel starts at just 52 euros per night. Llafranc Map.

BOOK CASAMAR LLAFRANC

BOOK TERRAMAR LLAFRANC

August 2, 2010

S Algar and Punta Prima Menorca

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 2:14 pm

The two most popular coastal resorts in the south-east of Menorca in the Balearic Islands of Spain, S’Algar and Punta Prima were also amongst the earliest resorts to be developed on the island. S’Algar in particular was one of the pioneers in Menorca travel accommodation and luckily was not spoilt by what was kept low-rise and low key, with mostly detached villa style properties and plenty of green areas. Punta Prima has a better beach than S’Algar and is thus more suitable for family holidays, unfortunately though, it does suffer from dangerous sea currents, so warnings must be heeded when swimming. Numerous ships have foundered off this part of the Menorca coast over the centuries making it good scuba diving territory, windsurfers are also attracted to this area which offers great conditions for their sport. Menorca Map.

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