Steve's World Blog » Travel

Plasencia Extremadura Spain

needahand — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:46:25 +0000

Plasencia – An ancient walled city in the Extremadura region of Spain, Plasencia has an interesting history as a garrison town, being for centuries in a significant position on the much disputed Silver Route, on the River Jerte. The city walls which comprise a double line, with sixty eight towers and 6 gateways was begun in the late 12^th century. Plasencia strangely enough, has 2 cathedrals, the first took so long to build, that it was out of date by the time it was completed, so a new, more modern one was constructed though this also took some 200 years to build. One of the gems of the Extremadura region, Plasencia is a must visit place if you are passing by the area.

Spain Map.

Waterfall Picture of Fuentes de Algar

needahand — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:27:50 +0000

Fuentes de Algar Waterfall Picture

Waterfall Picture – On the left is a great picture of the main waterfall at Fuentes de Algar, located near to Callosa d’en Sarria on the northern Costa Blanca, Spain.

A popular spot to visit during the summer time, when visitors cool down in the freezing cold water, which remains such despite the high air temperatures experienced in this part of Spain during July and August.

Attracting many visitors from nearby resorts such as Benidorm, Calpe, Altea, Finestrat and Altea, the Fuentes de Algar should be on your list of places to visit if you are in the area.

The Fuentes de Algar can be reached from the motorway near to Benidorm, head towards Callosa D’En Sarria and follow signposts.

Terra Natura Benidorm

needahand — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 08:04:06 +0000

Terra Natura Benidorm – Whilst visiting the Costa Blanca region, be sure to take your family along to Benidorm for a visit to one or more of its amazing theme parks. One very special place is the Terra Natura wildlife park which is one of the most popular attractions in the region. Set in 320,000m2 of parkland the Terra Natura offers the opportunity to view many different species of animals, and you can also interact with some, for instance you can swim with the sea lions. The park has four themed areas, the Europe area, the Asia area, the America area and the Pangea area. In surrounding resorts you can often find discount tickets for the Terra Natura and in summer 2011 there is a promotion offering tickets from just 10 euro, with the option to call back the next day free. So get yourselves along to the Terra Natura in Benidorm and have a great time. Other great attractions in Benidorm include Aqualandia, Terra Mitica and the Mundomar Marine Animal Park.

Benidorm Map.

Rio Safari Park Elche

needahand — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 06:55:17 +0000

Rio Safari Park Elche

Whilst traveling around the Costa Blanca region this year make sure you take a day out to visit the wonderful Rio Safari Elche, a unique and enjoyable animal park with a ‘train’ ride and some entertaining animal shows to enjoy, including an elephant show a parrot show and a sea lion show. Feeding the animals is allowed, with monkey nuts and carrots for sale in the park shop, and the kids love feeding the giraffes and the hippo especially. You can also take a ride on a camel or a donkey and visit the farm animals section with cows, pigs, goats, horses and sheep. Afterwards why not head into the city of Elche which is especially famous for its palm tree forest, containing hundreds of thousands of palm trees.

Cabo Roig Marina

needahand — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:09:13 +0000

Cabo Roig Marina

Cabo Roig Marina – Boating fans visiting the Costa Blanca in the near future, should consider mooring up at the fantastic Cabo Roig marina – one of the best regarded marinas on this popular coastline. Located in an attractive area it has over two hundred mooring spaces, a restaurant and some other good facilities. The marine is right beside Cala Caleta beach and meandering above the marina is the pretty Cabo Roig to La Zenia cliff walk. The exact co-ordinates for the marina are 37º 54’ 04’’ N 0º 43’ 5’’ W. Access Cabo Roig marina from the N332 or exit the AP-7 motoway at La Zenia.

Lighthouse Picture at La Manga

needahand — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:38:39 +0000

Lighthouse Picture La Manga

Lighthouse Picture at La Manga – Beautiful picture of a lighthouse, located at Cabo de Palos close to La Manga, in the Murcia region of Spain.

A lovely spot to visit if you are in the Costa Calida region, make sure you go and enjoy a coffee in the pretty harbour nearby.

Cabo de Palos is at the start of the La Manga strip.

Lo Pagan Mud Baths

needahand — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:15:57 +0000

Lo Pagan Mud Baths

Great places to visit – the healing mud baths of Lo Pagan. If you are visiting the Costa Calida, in the Murcia region of Spain this year you should take time out to visit the famous healing mud baths at Lo Pagan – completely free for visitors to use, these well laid-out mud baths include wooden platform areas with steps for elderly and disabled visitors. The hot healing mud is renowned for its healing properties and can be very helpful for a variety of ailments and skin complaints. To get to Lo Pagan follow the N-332 from Torevieja or the Orihuela Costa and turn off just before San Pedro del Pinatar, by the roundabout with the little boat, Lo Pagan is clearly signposted. Get there early to get parking nearby, it can get pretty busy in summer time and parking spaces are limited close to the beach, though there is plenty of parking before you get to the beach.

Lo Pagan Map.

Sticklepath Dartmoor Devon

needahand — Sun, 08 May 2011 18:07:24 +0000

A tiny village situated in Devon, on the northern edge of the Dartmoor National Park, Sticklepath is in an area of picturesque countryside, challenging walking country and historic monuments. Location of the National Trust’s Finch Foundry, Sticklepath attracts its fair share of visitors, who come to enjoy the peace and quiet, the walking, the fishing, the pony trekking, and to enjoy the Tarka Trail which runs through the village. Another attraction is the Lady Well, a historic well which never dries up and has provided drinking water for people passing Sticklepath for many centuries. Located close to Okehampton and midway between Exeter and Launceston, Sticklepath is well worth a visit if you are in the Dartmoor region.

Rouen Notre-Dame Cathedral

needahand — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:21:52 +0000

One of the main tourist attractions in the French city of Rouen is the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was the site of a church as far back as the 4^th century AD. This great cathedral which attracts millions of visitors from all over the world is huge and awe inspiring, with an amazing history which features characters like Charlemagne, Rollo, and Richard I. The cathedral which contains the tomb of Richard the Lionheart, reaches a height of 151 metres, and was at one time the tallest spire in the world.

Map of France.

Lyme Regis Dorset

needahand — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:12:55 +0000

A charming little coastal resort on Lyme Bay in West Dorset, Lyme Regis was a significant medieval port which became a holiday resort during the eighteenth century. It was awarded it royal title “Regis” by Edward I in the late 13^th century. The harbour, which became a haven for vessels in stormy weather, it protected by a wall called “The Cobb”, which also allowed the port to build and launch ships. The ill-fated Monmouth Rebellion to overthrow James I, began here in 1685, after the Duke of Monmouth landed there. Lyme Regis was a popular area for smugglers during centuries past and later featured in two books, Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” and John Fowls “The French Lieutenant’s Woman” (later made into a film starring Jeremy Irons and Meryl Streep. Lyme Regis and neighbouring Charmouth are two of the best areas for fossils, this being part of the Jurassic Coast Heritage Coast of Dorset.

St Lucia Windward Islands Caribbean

needahand — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 16:57:31 +0000

An island country situated in the Windward Islands, Lesser Antilles, in the Caribbean Sea, St Lucia covers an area of about two hundred and thirty eight square miles, it has a resident population of just over one hundred and seventy three thousand. The first settlers in St Lucia came from France, and they found the native Carib people already on the island, control of St Lucia changed continually between France and England, until 1814, when the British finally took over total control of the island. St Lucia is a popular holiday destination and the most poplar time to visit is between January and April when the weather is at its best (this being the dry season). The capital of St Lucia is Castries.

Ibiza Resorts Santa Eulalia

needahand — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:31:02 +0000

One of the largest towns and resorts on the island of Ibiza, in the Spanish Balearics, Santa Eulalia des Riu has a pretty palm tree peppered town square, typical of Ibiza (and Spain for that matter), and this is an ideal spot to order a coffee in one of the surrounding bars, and simply watch the world go by. The beach at Santa Eulalia is, of course, the main attraction, and THE place for enjoying the sunny Ibiza weather, relaxing, or maybe even taking part in some water sports. At night don’t expect the vibrant nightclub scene that youmight find in San Antonio or Ibiza Town, but Santa Eulalia is still buzzing, with plenty going on for those who like a bit of nightlife, and entertainment. When you have a spare day, pop along to Es Cana and visit the Hippy Market, the best place to buy gifts for those left at home.

Santa Eulalia Map.

Coventry West Midlands

needahand — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:00:35 +0000

Previously part of Warwickshire, but, since the 1974 counties shake up, one of the cities of the West Midlands, Coventry is a large city with over 300,000 residents. It has a proud history of industry, first in weaving, then coal mining and finally car manufacture. The history of the city however goes back beyond any of these industries, to Saxon times, when it grew up around a Saxon nunnery during the seventh century. The modern history of Coventry is more brutal, with its almost total destruction by German bombing during World War 2. Due to this damage the city appears mostly modern, though a surprising number of old buildings survived, including Bird’s Hospital, the Charterhouse, the Golden Cross Inn and the St Mary’s Guild Hall. Many may not realise that a river runs under Coventry city centre, the River Sherbourne was mostly paved over, during the rebuilding work that took place after the War, outside the city the river is a nice place to take a stroll when the weather is fine. Coventry is approximately ninety seven miles from central London.

Figueres Costa Brava Catalonia

needahand — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:03:58 +0000

A Spanish town in the Catalonia region of northern Spain, Figueres is mostly famous as the birthplace of Spanish artist Salvador Dali, and as such attracts thousands of holidaymakers and art fanatics, who visit to view a big museum which is dedicated to his work and called the Teatre-Museu Gala Salvador Dali. Figueres is actually a sizeable town in its own right, and has a population of over 40,000 residents, the towns name is thought to derive from the Visigothic language. A popular day trip from many of the coastal resorts on the Costa Brava coastline, Figueres shold certainly be on your hot list of places to visit whilst in the area. It lies in the north-eastern section of Catalonia, and is just 40 kilometres from the provincial capital Girona, some close by coastal resorts include Roses, Empuriabrava, Cadaques, L’Escala and Llança, so if you are visiting any of these resorts, this could be a good idea for a day trip, especially if you are an art fan, in which case it will be a real treat. Pick a day when the weather is not so hot,then you can take your time and walk around Figueres in comfort, not missing a good beach day in the process.

Warwickshire Towns

needahand — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 21:41:36 +0000

Located in the West Midlands region of England in the United Kingdom, Warwickshire comprises some famous towns and popular tourist destinations. Its worldwide fame as the birthplace of William Shakespeare gives it its nickname “Shakespeare’s county” though of course it has much more to offer, such as Warwick Castle, located in the county town of Warwick, a Norman castle built on the foundations of a former Anglo-Saxon burg. The county also boasts a famous spa town in the form of Leamington Spa, known to the Romans but mostly developed much later, in the 19^th century. One of the counties largest towns, located in the heart of coal mining country, Nuneaton was actually better known for its textiles, it too goes back to Saxon times but grew mostly later around a Benedictine nunnery. The town with which William Shakespeare is inextricably linked is, of course, Stratford-Upon-Avon, and life in this pretty town seems to revolve around the Bard and everything connected to him.

Upwey Weymouth Dorset

needahand — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:05:43 +0000

A charming little village which is close to Weymouth in Dorset, Upwey is well known for its Upwey Wishing Well, which is at the source of the River Wey in the South Dorset Downs. The Wishing Well which has been a tourist attraction in Upwey since Victorian times, it now actually a tea room, set amongst some delightful water gardens. Close by is a water mill, originally built in the eighteenth century it was remodelled in 1802. The water mill even featured in a book by the famous author Thomas Hardy. Upwey’s parish church of Saint Lawrence dates from the thirteenth century. Upwey is a good spot for your stay in Dorset and there are a number of self-catering cottages available in the village. Just a short way (5 miles) from Upway is the ever popular seaside resort of Weymouth, well loved and well visited even in these awkward times for the British coastal resort. Weymouth has plenty of sandy beaches, perfect for a family trip when the weather is fine. Easily accessible is the Jurassic Coast a beautiful world heritage site.

Northamptonshire England

needahand — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:56:03 +0000

A county of spires and squires located in the East Midlands region of England, Northamptonshire or Northants, is a landlocked county bordering Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire, Lincolnshire, and Cambridgeshire. Taking its name form the town of Northampton, the county has a population of over 600,000 and an area of some 2,364 square kilometres. The county town as you would expect is Northampton itself, and it has several largish towns namely Kettering, Daventry, Wellingborough, Corby and Rushden, to name but a few. Kettering is a market town dating back to Roman times when it was taken from a tribe called the Belgics. Daventry is another market town with Anglo-Saxon roots, it now has a population of over 20,000. Wellingborough another market town received its charter from King John, and is surrounded by five wells.

A Stroll Around Alicante

needahand — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 13:33:36 +0000

Located in a natural bay and sitting against the backdrop of the Monte Benacatil peak, the city of Alicante is a modern city with a chequered history leading it to where it lies today. Its strategic position has meant it has long been a major port but also a tourism centre, providing the city with much of its income. The 2nd largest city in Comunidad de Valencia, Alicante enjoys a booming economy, though this has declined somewhat due to the current financial constraints. The main shopping centre for the region Alicante attracts plenty of visitors just due to this one feature, with many of the surrounding, and popular, coastal resorts, having little in the way of retail outlets. It also has some great attractions and one of its most famous, the Santa Barbara Castle, looks proudly down on Alicante from its lofty position on Mount Benacatil. On the seafront you will find the beautiful Paseo de la Esplanada, a popular place to take an evening or weekend stroll. The Spanish just love to walk along the promenade, and Alicante is no exception, with thousands taking in the sea air, and enjoying the cooler evening weather conditions. Rows of palm trees line the promenade making this an attractive spot to sit and enjoy some lunch in one of the seafront restaurants. Easy to reach from the airport, which is just outside the city at El Altet, Alicante should be on your list of places to visit if you are heading to the Costa Blanca this year, or in fact any year. Alicante Map.

La Marina Costa Blanca

needahand — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:21:10 +0000

An extremely popular area for relocation and holidays on the Costa Blanca, especially with the Brits, La Marina is basically split into two distinct parts, the old coastal town and beach area, and the purpose built residential development, a short distance inland on the other side of the main coastal road the N-332. The coastal part of the town has some fantastic sandy beaches, which even in the peak season are so big that they never get packed, and you can always find a spot away from the crowds, to enjoy the sunny weather. The town itself has the usual rows of shops, banks, bars and restaurants, just a run of the mill coastal town. The residential development across the road has one of the largest concentrations of expats in Spain, it’s a bit like little Britain here, with a smattering of Germans and others, and even the odd Spanish person! The La Marina urbanization has all its own amenities, making it pretty much self sufficient, and of course there are a glut of rental properties in the area, though if you are thinking of renting there, you will certainly need a car to get to the beach. A good option is to rent a villa with pool, so that most day you can simply laze by the pool, cook on the barbeque and make the most of the superb weather conditions that are enjoyed here throughout the year. With a car you will be able to get out and about and visit the numerous coastal resorts, as well as attractions like the Rio Safari park, between Santa Pola and Elche, you can also get to local golf courses, of which there are plenty in the area. Don’t forget a trip into the city of Alicante, where the best shopping area can be found, and for culture maybe a visit to the Santa Barbara Castle. La Marina is surrounded by some charming little towns and villages such as Daya Vieja, Daya Nueva, Almoradi, Algorfa, Rojales, Formentera del Segura, San Fulgencio and Catral. All have been developed to a degree and if you are looking to buy property, there are plenty of villas and apartments for sale. Certainly worth a look if you are touring the Costa Blanca, La Marina will be waiting for your visit.

La Marina Map.

Cala Dor Majorca

needahand — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 17:17:33 +0000

A large, rather touristy resort built around a number of small coves and bays, Cala D’Or is situated on the east coast of Majorca, and developed as a holiday destination somewhat earlier than many of its counterparts. This former fishing village, is now barely recognisable as such, and styles itself as a rather upmarket resort, based around its chic marina. A quick look at the boats in the harbour at Cala D’Or, will tell you that this is a resort favoured by the well-heeled, though don’t let this put you off, if you are planning a visit, as there is plenty of affordable accommodation to be had in Cala D’or, with a choice of hotels and plenty of self-catering villas and apartments to rent. When the weather is good, the place to head is the beach, though in July and August, get there early to get a decent spot, when the weather is not so good, try visiting one of the local street markets, such as at Porto Colom or Felanitx.