The Prado Museum in Madrid houses paintings that give an eye-pleasing overview of Spain’s rich history from its golden age to its slow fade. Highlights include multiple works by Titian, Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights, Velazquez’s Las Meninas, and Goya’s Second of May. For more information on the Rick Steves’ Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

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by gapysphoto

Spain As A Shopping Travel Destination

It may not be on the top of your list when you think of shopping travel destinations, but Madrid has the best of Spain to offer in its shops. If you are looking for upscale chic shopping experiences, there are a number of exclusive shops available in the city. If more organic shopping is your style, there are flea market atmospheres or a number of quaint antique shops available for perusing.

The main shopping area in Madrid is the Gran Via. This street is full of shops that seemingly never close. Even when the night life kicks up, there is still shopping to be done in this area in many of the stalls around the Plaza Mayor. A word of caution, make sure you know how to bargain. Some of these booths are just looking to make a buck off those in the tourism market and are selling the same tourist junk you can buy at any airport kiosk. Look around, and look for a good deal.

photo credit: Francisco Antunes

If you love the idea of shopping in the open air visit El Rastro, the massive outdoor flea market in Madrid. In addition to the same touristy things you expect to find everywhere, there are treasures to be found including jewelry, old books, clothes and antiques that need new homes. If you are in the area on a Sunday there is also a coin and stamp fair nearby.

Check out the La Latina Metro Stop. This is located between the Ronda De Toledo and the Plaza de Cascorro and Ronda de Toledo. You will know you are there when you see the massive Eloy Gonzalo statue in the center of Cascorro Square.

This place is packed on the weekends, as it is a travel destination, but while the crowds are big, so are the deals to be had! There are many, many shopping opportunities. There is also some shopping potential during the week, but not nearly as lively an experience as on the weekend.

Want the latest in style and fashion? Then you want the Alcalá area. You will be able to roam from boutique to boutique filled with dresses, shoes, and all the latest accessories. If you are using the metro as your transport, get off at the Sol or Sevilla.

Another fancy shopping destination is Calle Serrano. This street is full of the finest in shopping including art, gifts and a variety of designer clothing items. You can find a precious gift for yourself, and don’t forget to get something for those back at home that were not lucky enough to be vacationing in Madrid.

The high fashion shopping in Madrid is not just for women. Both genders of the tourism market are appreciated where fashion is concerned. The Calle Princessa, which can be accessed by the Argüelles and Ventura Rodríguez metro stops, is lined with a number of men’s boutiques selling suits, accessories and shoes for the classiest of men.

For a quaint shopping experience, try the Calle Preciados. It is a shopping area that is only accessible by walking. To get there, take the Metro to Sol.

Finally get a real feel of Spain at the Mercado de San Miguel. This was once just a fish market, but now it offers a wide variety of foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and other delectable items to experience.

Find More Travel Destinations Articles

From TravelersTipsNPics.com:

Train travel is certainly the most convenient and relaxing way to get around Italy, especially if you want to avoid driving while figuring out road directions, lining up to pay highway tolls, and parking in Italy’s big cities. Trenitalia trains cover Italy’s rail network spanning over 16,000 km, with an excellent range of services from high speed trains, to Intercity services, to International routes. An Italy rail pass allows visitors to easily access trains throughout Italy, while enjoying the high level of comfort, service and flexibility Italian train travel has to offer.

Italy Rail Passes

For International Travelers:

Eurail France & Italy Pass

Eurail Greece & Italy Pass

Eurail Italy & Spain Pass

Eurail Global Pass

Eurail Select Pass

Eurail Italy Pass

For European Residents:

InterRail Italy Pass

InterRail Global Pass

A Regional Rail Pass, such as a Eurail France & Italy Pass, Eurail Greece & Italy Pass or Eurail Italy & Spain Pass is perfect for travel itineraries that include these popular country combinations.

For visitors who would like to explore multiple countries including Italy, count on the Eurail Global Pass, providing rail travel throughout 21 countries, or the Eurail Select Pass for travel in your choice of 3, 4 or 5 bordering countries.

If your focus falls on beautiful Italy with no other distractions, then the Eurail Italy Pass will surely give you the time to discover all its vibrant cities with validities from 3 to 10 rail travel days within 2 months.

As the Eurail product range is only available to international travelers, European residents can also enjoy an Italy rail pass by selecting either an InterRail Global Pass or InterRail Italy Pass.

Please also note that rail pass and ticket holders are required to pay a supplement for high speed trains and seat or sleeper reservations. All of these pass can be found at most Eurail distributors.

Italy’s High Speed Trains

Two of Italy’s trains, Frecciarossa and Frecciargento, will surely impress travelers with their superior catering services and high speed service featuring multiple daily departures and connections to popular city centers. Frecciarossa trains connect Turin to Salerno via Milan, Bologna, Rome and Naples with speeds up to 360 km/h. In fact this train boasts 72 daily connections from Milan to Rome, some non-stop, delivering passengers in less than three hours. Other popular routes, also with numerous daily connections, include Milan to Naples, Turin to Rome, Bologna to Florence and Rome to Naples.

Frecciargento trains connect Rome to Venice, Verona, Bari and beyond with speeds up to 250 km/h. With 26 daily departures, planning a trip from Rome to Venice is a breeze and the trip only takes 3 hours and 30 minutes. Other popular high speed routes on Frecciargento trains include Rome to Verona in 3 hours and Rome to Bari in 4 hours.

International Trains

International trains facilitate connections from popular Italian cities to neighboring countries, including Milan to Barcelona, Nice, Paris, Amsterdam, Zürich, Munich, Frankfurt and Vienna; Rome to Paris, Munich and Vienna; and Venice to Paris, Zürich, Munich, Vienna, Prague, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Belgrade, Budapest and Bucharest.

Italy Rail Pass Benefits

Many Italy rail passes offer pass holder benefits including discounted ferry crossings and more. For example, a Eurail Pass valid in Italy and Greece or an InterRail Global Pass provides free passage on Superfast Ferries on select routes, and a Eurail or InterRail Pass valid in Italy or Greece offers a 30% discount on these same routes. As Superfast Ferries offer great value for crossing the Adriatic Sea to Greece, it’s also a great compliment to any Italian point to point rail ticket.

Angela Guezen is a travel professional who has explored the likes of Australia, Japan, and Europe. With a love for beautiful landscapes she has great appreciation for train travel and shares this passion with fellow travelers by writing for www.ACPRail.com and wwwBritRail.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angela_Guezen

From OffToEurope.com

Italy’s Amalfi Coast is one of Europe’s most scenic drives – Photo: Dew Drop

One of the biggest attractions of traveling to Europe is the fact that one can drive from one country to another – at least most of the countries. With the formation of the European Union, travel by motor vehicle has become so much easier, giving a new meaning to the phrase “road trip.” While ease of moving from one European country to another is definitely not an issue, the differences in laws of the road can be quite a feat to face. If you are considering traveling Europe by car – with you behind the wheel – here are some things that you may want to know.

In London, you will have to pay $16 if you enter the “congestion zone.” This law has been in effect for some years now, in an effort to lessen the amount of traffic in the area. These zones are easily recognizable by the red signs with a white C in a circle. Some rental car agencies include this in the cost, so ask beforehand.

If you’re driving in France, make sure that you do not have children below 10 years old sitting up front. The law requires that they sit in the back seat, safely buckled up. Crossing over to Germany, make sure that you can drive fast on the autobahn. More than that, make sure that you have enough gas to get you through. Obstructing traffic – for any reason – can get you fined.

Over in Italy, you cannot enter certain areas unless your car is authorized. Many hotels are located in these areas, so you have to have this information beforehand. Your hotel can help you with this. If you enter these areas, which are marked with white signs with an open red circle, and you are not authorized, you will be fined. Going farther south, in Spain, make sure that you have a spare pair of eyeglasses if you drive with one. The law requires that you have the spare pair in the car with you.

Bottom line: know the rules of the road before even considering driving in a foreign country.

From OffToEurope.com

Who needs Valentine’s Day to take their loved one away for the weekend? You shouldn’t need one special day to want to take him or her away to a romantic city. At any time of year these cities are some of the most romantic destinations in Europe.

1. Paris, France

Paris is one of Europe’s most popular romantic cities – Photo: Vincent Montibus

A great city to spend some quality time with the one you love. Take them up the Eiffel Tower and watch the sunset, walk through Tuileries Garden, the oldest in Paris on the bank of River Seine created in the 16th century, sit to have a picnic or stop for a coffee and croissant in one of the many café’s.

You may also want to take a walk up the Sacre-Coeur Basilica Steps, also visit the Notre Dame de Paris and a must is The Louvre museum, one of the largest in the world and the most visited, houses the Mona Lisa. Don’t forget to go the Paris Opera which shows classic ballets and operas.

2. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague Castle – Photo: Franz St.

This beautiful city is one of my favourites, possibly because my partner took me there for a weekend away. We walked up to Prague castle and admired the view of the city, then walked through the royal gardens and sat for a while. Also at the top with the castle is St Vitus Cathedral, which is so beautiful! Within the city we walked through Wenceslas Square, stopped to pick up a coffee and carried on up to the National Museum Steps. It was wonderful just sitting there, talking and watching the people go by.

Walking Along Charles Bridge was great fun, about half way along there are steps down to a small square, and just a short distance away is a water wheel. Heading over here you will find a bar fence with hundreds of padlocks on it, with initials and names of people “locking their love” for eternity. It was so romantic! Just around the corner from here you will find the most beautiful sight, John Lennon Wall, you will be able to spend hours reading what people have written.

3. Venice, Italy

Venice is a perfect city for a romantic weekend getaway – Photo: bekahpaige

This 117 small islands city just oozes with romance. On leaving the airport you can walk over to the docks and catch a water taxi to anywhere, for which you can actually buy a three day pass. My personal recommendation would be Murano Island as it is much quieter for romantic getaway.

A definite must see is the Rialto Bridge, the oldest bridge which offers great views over the Grand Canal, then stop at one of the many small café’s along the river and watch the gondolas go by. One of the best Cathedrals to see if you only have time for one is the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. This huge cathedral has magnificent paintings and statues of angels and other religious figures. Head over to St Mark’s Square and see Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark, which has beautiful marble floors with animals and geometric designs. The upper order is made of gold, bronze and a large variety of stones with mosaic designs.

Behind the church is Doge’s Palace with beautiful rooms and décor, and you can also walk across the Bridge of Sighs into the prison cells and see carvings of the people that were kept here.

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam’s Singel Canal – Photo: joiseyshowaa

A great city to walk around, Amsterdam has many sights to offer lovers. Visit one of the many museums including the Van Gogh Museum which specialises in the artists work, the NEMO Science museum who’s building looks like a sinking ship and also Anne Frank’s House where she hid from the Nazi persecution at the rear of the building.

Walk across the Magere Brug Bridge, the most famous draw bridge in Amsterdam, which looks beautiful at night and walk along the bank of the river Amstel and stop off in one of the cosy coffee shops or restaurants for some romantic time together.

5. Berlin, Germany

The view from Berlin’s Kollhoff Tower – Photo: manganite

Being Germany’s largest city there are many attractions for you and your loved one to casually stroll through. Here you can enjoy a vibrant and diverse night life, going to some of the many bars and clubs here and dance the night away with your partner close to you.

Make sure you go to Museum Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the dedicated art and antiquities district. A must see is the most visited zoo in Europe, the Zoologischer Garten Berlin, founded in 1844 and home to some of the most diverse species in the world.

6. Rome, Italy

The beautiful view from Basilica di San Pietro – Photo: Giampaolo Macorig

Rome is definitely in the romantic destination category. It’s one of those cities that is bursting with love. There are so many things to do and see that you will have a very fun packed weekend. Visit the Trevi Fountain where legend has it that if you throw three coins into the fountain it will lead to divorce or marriage! (I hope for the latter!). It is also wonderful to visit the fountain at night as it lights up and looks beautiful. You can also walk through the side streets and discover many small unique shops and maybe stop for some lunch or a cup of coffee while watching the people go by.

Stroll to the Colosseum and take a tour inside one of the greatest works of Roman architecture then admire the Arch of Constantine while making your way to Palatine Hill. The centre-most of the Seven Hills of Rome, according to the Roman Mythology, it was here where Romulus and Remus were found by the she-wolf that had kept them alive. Enjoy a typical Roman dish, Spaghetti Carbonara and play Lady and the Tramp, share some spaghetti and give your partner a cheeky kiss!

7. Bruges, Belgium

A lovely morning in Bruges – Photo: Wolfgang Staudt

The city centre is a World Heritage Site and when you visit you will see why. Most of the medieval architecture in intact so when travelling around the city you will feel like a part of history. Visit the Belfry of Bruges, the city’s most prominent symbol which was formerly a treasury. You can climb to the top and admire views of Bruges.

If you choose to go at the right time, you many be able to have a weekend at one of Bruges many festivals such as September Jazz, BAB-bierfestival (Beer Festival), Summer End Festival or Feest In’t Park, that would be a great weekend for you both to spend together.

8. Barcelona, Spain

Park Güell – Photo: Franz St.

Barcelona offers a wide variety of things to do for all lovers, from lazing on the beach watching the sunset with some champagne to wild water sports. You will always find something to do in Barcelona. Go on a sailing trip along the Costa Dourrada from Barcelona to Sitges and admire the beautiful views from the water.

Once back on dry land there are many delicious restaurants to eat in. Why not take some time to do a spot of shopping? Or why not go to Aqualeon, a safari and water park where you can see many animals such as tigers, elephants, lions and gazelles; and you can enjoy the dolphin shows, stroll through and admire tropical birds and even take a dip in one the many large swimming pools.

9. Budapest, Hungry

Budapest’s Buda Castle – Photo: march25/AnnaZ

Regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Budapest is definitely one to see with your loved one. It has some of the World’s most beautiful Heritage Sites including Buda Castle which was completed in 1265, on the southern tip of Castle Hill.

Hero’s Square which is dedicated to the Seven tribes that founded Hungary and is surrounded by the Museum of Fine are and the Palace of Art, which are also worth a visit. Enjoy the largest thermal water cave system in the world, Szechenyi Thermal Bath, which can be found in City Park, built in 1913, see the second largest synagogue in the world named Dohany Street Synagogue, which seats 3000 people and the third largest parliament in the world. The Hungarian Parliament building is one the oldest buildings and a notable landmark in Hungary, it is beautiful at night so you must go and take a look.

10. Copenhagen, Denmark

Nyhavn is a canal and entertainment district in Copenhagen – Photo: CGoulao

There are some wonderful romantic sights to see in Copenhagen. Visit the Winter garden at Glyptoteket, which houses one of the most extensive collections of sculputres from Danish, French and ancient art. Spend a night at the Opera, by having a romantic dinner and watching the sun set and city light up.

Head to Tivoli Gardens, which is the heart of Copenhagen and has many flowers of all colours of the rainbow and many benches for you to sit down and share a kiss. The final recommendation is to go to The Baroque Park, where you can stroll among the fruit trees and fountains and every Sunday afternoon, live jazz and classical music is played. The perfect end to the weekend.

So you have no excuse to not take your loved one away when there are so many attractions throughout Europe.

What do you think Europe’s most romantic cities or destinations are? Make a comment and let us and everybody know.

This guest post was written by Seetal Udeshi. Seetal is a budding author who is Editor of the Blog for Auto Europe Car Hire UK. When not writing, you’ll probably find her on a beach somewhere sipping a cocktail or five.

From OffToEurope.com:

Many people think the best way to see the great cities of Europe is through their museums, their fairytale castles, and their historical monuments. Personally though, I think a lot can be understood about a cities character by seeking out their public parks. I think you can tell a lot about a culture from how they spend their leisure time.

After a day of battling the urban jungle, it is refreshing to visit the parks. Europeans love their green space. In addition to being free, these public spaces offer an insight into the tastes, styles and history of a community.

Here are ten great public parks worth seeking out.

Parque de Retiro – Madrid, Spain

The Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace) in Madrid’s beautiful Parque del Retiro

Located in the heart of downtown Madrid, Retiro is a beautifully landscaped recreation spot for the city’s workers. Scattered through the greenery are gems like the elegant rose garden, the fragile Palacio de Cristal and the only known statue of Satan in Europe. The centerpiece is the imperial Monument to Alfonso XII, which overlooks a lake of rented paddleboats.

Photo: Danny VB

Hampstead Heath – London, UK

A Viaduct pond in Hampstead Heath

The Heath, as the locals call it, is more than just a park; it’s a piece of wilderness just outside of central London. Unlike the rich manicured parks downtown, Hampstead Heath is a sprawling, ramshackle spread of field and forests. Locals come here to let their dogs run free, take in the fresh air and enjoy spectacular views of downtown from Parliament Hill.

Photo: CAWG

Villa Borghese – Rome, Italy

The Temple of Aesculapius in Rome’s Villa Borghese gardens

Originally the well manicured English gardens of a palace of the same name; the Villa Borghese is now a pretty public park (the palace is now an art gallery). Strolling the gardens is like walking through an 18th century landscape painting, with ponds, fountains and neoclassical temples.

Photo: rickymor

StadtPark – Vienna, Austria

A peaceful day at Stadtpark, Vienna

StadtPark is home to the most photographed monument in Vienna, the golden Johann Strauss Monument. Parts of the park are thick with vegetation while other spots are carefully landscaped with nods to the art-nouveau style. Other attractions are the Renaissance style Kursalon building and the Mierei milk-drinking hall.

Photo: jmenard48

City Park – Budapest, Hungary

Winter in Budapest’s stunning City Park

In addition to having the first metro system in continental Europe, Budapest has the distinction of creating the first public park in the world. Long a center of recreation for the city, the park is full of interesting sites including Heroes Square (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the stunning art nouveau zoo, and the Széchenyi thermal bathhouse.

Photo: sweetal

Kalemegdan – Belgrade, Serbia

Kalemegdan Park, Serbia

City Park may be the oldest public park, but Kalemegdan has what must be one of the oldest attractions. The park surrounds Kalemegdan fortress, which has existed in one incarnation or another for over 1000 years. The castle, which was captured a staggering 45 times, is now over run with locals who make out in the grass, play chess in the shade or jog through the old ruins.

Photo: donlandes

Jardin du Luxembourg – Paris, France

Jardin du Luxembourg is a great park to visit in the Springtime

The carefully planned Jardin de Luxembourg features wide gravel paths and well-manicured expanses of grass, dotted with over a hundred statues, monuments and fountains. Most beautiful is the baroque Medici Fountain, designed in 1630. There is a playground for children, as well as frequent puppet shows and a lake where they can rent toy boats.

Photo: zorroz

Hyde Park – London, England

A view of Serpentine Lake in London’s Hyde Park

London is home to many beautiful green spaces but Hyde Park is a favorite. The man-made Serpentine Lake, which winds its way through the park, is home to an abundance of swan and other birds. Hyde Park is a popular spot for protestors (particularly at Speaker’s Corner) and open-air rock concerts.

Photo: joebelle

Vondelpark – Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Lovers embrace in Amsterdam’s popular Vondelpark

Amsterdam actually has 30 parks, but Vondelpark is the largest and most popular. It is a sprawling green space full of dog walkers, joggers and sunbathers. Recently Vondelpark made headlines when the government considered de-criminalizing public sex within its boundaries, making it a sanctuary for nature and people lovers alike!

Photo: siebe

Englischer Garten – Munich, Germany

Locals and tourists enjoy Munich’s Englischer Garten

At 3.6 square KM, Englischer Garten is one of the largest public parks in the world. Not unexpectedly, the huge park contains a large variety of attractions. There is a Japanese teahouse, a Greek temple and an enormous Chinese pagoda. There is an open-air theater, a flock of sheep and a manmade lake. The Schönfeldwiese meadow is a popular spot for nude sunbathers.

Photo: Harald HAEUSLER

While similar in intent, all of these parks have a different character and design that reflects the personality of their city. So next time you are in a new place be sure to check out it’s park, you may see a side of the city you never knew was there!

This guest post was written by Stephanie Yoder.  Stephanie runs Twenty-Something Travel, a travel blog dedicated to assisting new or young travelers with the skills, resources and opportunities available to them for travel abroad. When not traveling the world she lives in Washington DC.

From itravelnet.com:

Fiona Hilliard usually writes about Alicante car hire for ArgusCarHire.com. On a recent trip to the popular Spanish city, she decided to see what the surrounding Costa Blanca had to offer. Here she shares her favourite day-trip drives with us.

Alicante Day Trips

Cynical holidaymakers will forever typecast Alicante as a "stuffed donkey in a sombrero" destination, but those savvy enough to rent a car and embrace their spirit of adventure will be richly rewarded.

Alicante is the gateway to the Costa Blanca, a 200km stretch of coastline that winds its way from Denia in the north to San Pedro del Pinatar in the south. Scenic drives abound in this area.

Benidorm

A pleasant 45km drive north of Alicante will take you to Benidorm City. Benidorm first exploded onto the holiday scene in the 1960s when mass tourism and package deals were in their infancy.

By the 1990s however it had lost its gloss and began to fall out of favour with discerning holidaymakers who longed for more sophisticated, unusual destinations.

Recent regeneration projects have seen Benidorm scrub up nicely. These days it is well worth a drive, if only to take a gander at the Old Port and two sweeping beaches.

While you’re in the neighbourhood, be sure to check out Terra Mitica – a major theme park located around 40 minutes from Benidorm. With enough attractions to rival Disney Land, Terra Mitica provides a fun family day-out alternative to buckets and spades.

Guadalest

Following on along the same route as Terra Mitica, make a pit stop at Guadalest. In recent years, it has earned something of a reputation for being Spain’s most visited "traditional" village.

With a stunning location 600m above sea level, it’s easy to see why this charming medieval village attracts such large numbers of visitors. If you’re planning a trip, try to set off as early as possible, as Guadalest fills up quickly in the afternoon, making parking spaces seem as scarce as hen’s teeth.

Be sure to bring a camera with you so you can make all your Facebook friends envious of the spectacular backdrop in your profile picture.

Jijona

Allergic to huge crowds of tourists? Then Jijona (or Xixona in Valenciano) is the town for you! Located 25km north of Alicante, in the foothills of the mountains, Jijona is a sleepy little town that is far too busy concentrating on churning out delicious ice-cream to worry about how to reel in coach loads of tourists.

Well, that’s in the summer anyway. If you visit in the winter months, you’ll find locals up to their eyes in sugary Túrron, the chewy Christmas treat made from honey, sugar, egg white and toasted almonds.

Cartagena

Cartagena is situated 123km to the south of Alicante and is home to sun-drenched beaches, shady palm trees, ancient archaeological sites and above all, jaw-droppingly beautiful scenery.

North Africa is situated just 120 miles across the Mediterranean. To give you some idea of its close proximity, basically if you were to travel due south, you’d hit Oran in Algeria dead on.

If you want to get the most out of your day-trip to Cartagena, make sure you include a walk to La Concepció Castle. Begin at Calle Gisbert next to the 18th century Autopsy Pavillion, before you ask, yep, it does what it says on the tin (it was built outside of the hospital to avoid upsetting sensitive patients).

From here you’ll have to endure a bit of a steep climb, but sights such as the Roman gladiatorial arena and the old cathedral will help buoy you along. When you reach the summit, you’ll find a clever little visitor centre, where you can learn all about the local history.

Don’t miss the view from the castle’s mirador. On a clear day, the harbour is especially breath taking.

Valencia

For a longer day-trip, it’s difficult to find a destination that matches the charms of Valencia. A 177 km (110 mile drive) from Alicante will take you to the bustling university city that is currently being touted as the new Barcelona.

Photo: envision

Valencia deserves the hype too. Everyday, hundreds of day-trippers make the pilgrimage from Alicante, relishing the chance to reap the benefits of a big city.

You’ll understand once you get there, as world-class shopping, museums, galleries, shops and bars all vie for your attention.

If you’re planning a spot of sightseeing, it’s best to start at the old quarter. Here you’ll stumble across the impressive remains of the old Torres de Serranos and Torres de Quart.

More ancient footprints can be seen in the Seu and Xerea districts, where Roman and Arab remains lie hidden beneath modern churches and palaces. Of course, nobody should consider leaving Valencia without tasting the city’s signature dish, paella.

Puerto del Carmen

Lanzarote has been welcoming tourists for well over forty years. Ever since the country was opened up to the package holiday industry by General Franco in the 1970´s when he sought to attract much needed foreign currency to his ailing economy.

On Lanzarote the development of this new industry was carefully controlled. Thanks to the influence of a local artist called César Manrique. Manrique feared that his beloved birthplace might suffer the same sort of fate as some of the Spanish Costas, which were being buried beneath a sea of concrete during the late 1960´s.

Manrique successfully secured an outright ban on all high rise buildings on the island whilst also sowing the seeds for a coherent development plan, which was designed to ensure that the bulk of Lanzarote remained untouched by tourism. So ensuring that the three main resorts on the island were also built in a carefully self contained fashion to lessen their impact on the island’s unique volcanic terrain.

Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen is the oldest and largest resort on Lanzarote. This is the spot where the first package tourists stayed in apartments located in the Old Town harbour area. But since these early beginnings the resort has expanded enormously and now stretches some 8km in the direction of the airport at Arrecife. Largely absorbing the neighboring resorts of Los Pocillos and Matagorda into the bargain.

Puerto del Carmen today still revolves around the organic hub of the Old Town harbor, which is now home to a wealth of restaurants and bars. Whilst the best beaches can be found in the New Town, which essentially runs parallel with the largest of these stretches of sand, the aptly named Playa Grande, along the main thoroughfare of the Avenida de las Playas.

Despite its size and popularity Puerto del Carmen is only serviced by two four star hotels. As the bulk of the accommodation is comprised of budget holiday apartments and holiday villas.

Over the last year the local authorities have pumped around €16 million into revitalising the resort and improving the overall tourist offering. Creating a new marina in the Old Town harbour and a much improved beachfront promenade.

Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca lies at the southern tip of the island and was just sleepy little fishing village whilst Puerto del Carmen was expanding. All that has changed over the last decade as Playa Blanca has emerged to become the second most popular destination on the island. Aided by its clement microclimate and beautiful beaches and widely regarded as the best on Lanzarote.

Playa Blanca essentially comprises three small bays set within a larger cove and as such is very sheltered. With the whole resort united by a delightful seafront promenade.

Thanks to the fact that many of the hotels and villas in Playa Blanca have been built in just the last decade the facilities and amenities here are all virtually as good as new. Making it the ideal choice for families and couples seeking a good value break.

Costa Teguise
Costa Teguise is located towards the north of the island and was largely developed under the aegis of César Manrique in the 1980´s. As he sought to create a coastal sister resort to the former capital of Teguise located around 5km inland.

Costa Teguise was initially designed to be the upmarket relation to Puerto del Carmen. Anchored by the impressive five star Gran Melia Salinas hotel. And whilst initially this strategy paid off – with the resort attracting well heeled visitors from across Northern Europe – its appeal has faded a little in recent years. Not least as this part of the island can experience clouds and grey skies during the winter months whilst the south of the island is basking in sunshine.

This guest post was written by Nick Ball. Nick is the editor of Lanzarote Guidebook, the in-depth island information guide. Visit the site to download a free 96 page guidebook to the island and to book hotels, villas and apartments in Lanzarote.

Photo: World Marine Guide

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There is something about castles that inspires awe and at the same time touches a gentler, more romantic side in each of us. And if you want to visit some of the best castles in the world, then Europe should be your destination as this continent certainly has more than its share. Here are the top 25 castles in Europe, in no particular order.

1. Castle Neuschwanstein in Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle

For many of those that see this castle for the first time, they get a niggling feeling that Castle Neuschwanstein looks so familiar. The reason for this is that the castle looks so much like the Disney castle in Florida! Indeed, some have speculated that that castle was modeled after the “real thing” in Germany. One thing is for sure, this massive castle is quite breathtaking! Built in the 1800s, the castle can be found in Schwangau, in the Bavarian Alps.

Photo: visbeek

2. Peles Castle in Romania

Peles Castle

Known as one of the most beautiful castles in Europe, Peles Castle can be discovered in the majestic Carpathian Mountains, near the town of Sinaia, Romania. There are 168 rooms in the castle and only 35 are accessible to the public. Recommended rooms include Holul de Onoare, Sala Mare De Arme, Sala De Teatru and Salonul Turcesc . Unfortunately, guided tours are only available of the ground and first floors. Peles Castle is a must-see destination in Romania.

Photo: Nice2Beat

3. Bojnice Castle in Slovakia

Bojnice Castle

Bojnice Castle is located in Bojnice, Slovakia and is one of the most delightful romantic castles in Europe. The castle dates back to the 12th century and hosts one of the most popular museums in Slovakia. The castle also offers other interesting attractions and hosts many festivals. It is also possible to get married at Bojnice Castle.

Photo: gaga_hifi_nutter

4. Castle of Coco in Spain

Castillo de Coca

Built in the 15th century by the Archbishop of Seville, the incredible Castle of Coca or Castillo de Coca is considered to be one of the best castles in Spain. An excellent example of the Gothic and Mudéjar styles, Coca Castle can be found in the town of Coca in the Segovia province in Spain. Guided tours of the interior, exterior and museum are available and highly recommended.

Photo: karaco1971

5. Brodick Castle in Scotland

Brodick Castle

Situated in the Isle of Arran in Scotland, this castle is one of the oldest. Its roots can be traced back to the time of the Vikings and was in fact built as protection against them. It was the English Dukes of Hamilton that had the fortress built, and over the centuries, generations of the family added on the castle. In 1957, the last Hamilton heir gave up the castle, and visitors can now tour this historic site. Aside from the art collection, there is a rhododendron collection in the garden, which is famous worldwide.

Photo: ayrshireroots

6. Veliki Tabor Castle in Croatia

Veliki Tabor Castle

Built in the 12th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site member, Veliki Tabor Castle is located in beautiful region of Zagorje, Croatia. The castle was once owned by the noble Ratkaj family and the painter Oton Ivekovic. The castle is now owned by the state and is used as a tourist site, museum, the venue for the Tabor film festival and other cultural and leisure events.

Photo: Tracey & Doug

7. Ksiaz Castle in Poland

Ksiaz Castle

Also known as the Pearl of Lower Silesia, Ksiaz Castle was built in the 13th century by Bolko I the Strict. The castle has been destroyed and rebuilt many times over the years. It was once confiscated by the Nazis and then occupied by the Red army. Guided tours of the castle for tour groups and individual tourists are available in the spring and summer between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday.

Photo: ukaszSie^back

8. Bran Castle in Romania

Bran Castle

Originally built by the Knights of the Teutonic Order in 1212, Bran Castle is located just outside of Bran, in the Eastern European country of Romania. Set in the hills, this picturesque castle has close ties to the legend of Dracula, and has been converted into a museum popular with tourists visiting the area.

Photo: bugaboy00

9. Lincoln Castle in England

Lincoln Castle

Lincoln Castle is in Lincolnshire and was built in 1068. As with many other European castles, Lincoln Castle is steeped in history, but it has the additional distinction of being one of only two castles in the country that were originally built on two mottes. More than this, Lincoln Castle used to be the home of William the Conqueror.

Photo:  ricklus

10. Eltz Castle in Germany

Burg Eltz Castle

Eltz Castle is situated in the hills between Koblenz and Trier in West Germany.  It is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Germany and has been owned by the same branch of family for over 800 years. Guided tours of the castle are recommended and cost € 8.00 for adults and € 5.50 for children. Eltz Castle is open from April to November and can be visited daily between 9.30am and 5.30pm.

Photo: estebanl

11. Mont Saint-Michel in France

Mont Saint-Michel

Another striking European castle, Mont Saint-Michel near Normandy never fails to impress. It is actually considered to be a medieval wonder, because of the fact that it is built on a rocky peak. Mont Saint-Michel was originally an abbey and served as a popular destination for pilgrims. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in France.

Photo: mbell1975

12. Malbork Castle in Poland

Malbork Castle

Listed as a World Heritage Site in 1997, Malbork castle was founded in Prussia in 1274 by the Teutonic Order. Today, this beautiful Gothic brick castle complex can be visited by taking a short 60 minute trip from Gdansk, Poland. Malbork Castle offers excellent guided tours, permanent and temporary exhibitions as well as archival exhibits.

Photo: Kittroid

13. Castle Frankenstein in Germany

Castle Frankenstein

This castle is so famous because of it’s the myths and stories surrounding in. More than these legends, Frankenstein’s Castle has its own real history. Discover this mysterious castle on your own, and enjoy Frankenstein come to real life.

Photo: fluffisch

14. Castle of Eger in Hungary

Castle of Eger

Castle Eger is one of Hungary’s most popular tourist attractions and is well worth a visit. The castle is about a 90 minute train ride from Budapest. The castle dates back to 13th century and is famous for fending off the massive Turkish army invasion in 1552.  There are four excellent museums in the castle as well as other interesting exhibitions for you to see.

Photo: Azulao

15. Windsor Castle in England

Windsor Castle

Who has not heard of Windsor Castle? Located in the English county of Berkshire, Windsor Castle is one of the most perfectly maintained castles in the world. Of course, the renowned guards who do not flinch are also present here. Even better, the castle is in a quaint little town with everything “English-quaint” to be found here.

Photo: gaga_hifi_nutter

16. Trakai Castle in Lithuania

Trakai Castle

Situated in the town of Trakai in Lithuania,  Trakai Castle is a brilliant example of Gothic architecture. There are actually two castles to see at Trakai – one on an island, and one on the shore of Lake Galve.  The castle hosts an excellent museum that is filled with Lithuanian artifacts and other interesting objects that were discovered on the castle grounds. A day trip from Vilnius to Trakai castle is recommended.

Photo: AnyMotion

17. Spis Castle in Slovakia

Spis Castle

Dating back to the 12th century, Spis Castle is one of largest medieval castles in the Central Europe and is situated above the town of Spišské Podhradie. The castle was declared a national monument in 1961 and was once owned by the Royal Family. Spis Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Photo: nikkaa

18. Hohensalzburg Castle in Austria

Hohensalzburg Castle

Built in 1077 by Archbishop Gebhard, Hohensalzburg Castle is located in the picturesque Austrian town of Salzburg and is Salzburg’s most popular tourist attraction. This massive fortress sits over the city on Festungsberg hill and is one of the largest medieval castles in Europe. Guided tours with audio in eight languages are available or you can tour the castle at your own leisure.

Photo: kjoch

19. Canterbury Castle in England

Canterbury Castle

Another really really old castle, the Canterbury Castle was built in the 3rd century. As with other castles, Canterbury Castle was added on to over the centuries. And while the castle is not intact anymore, it still is a wonder to behold.

Photo: john stanbridge

20. Predjama Castle in Slovenia

Predjama Castle

Built into a natural rock formation in Slovenia, Predjama Castle is a popular destination for visitors of the area. Now a museum showcasing the life of various medieval lords, Predjama Castle has been rebuilt twice, after experiencing war and natural disaster. This remarkable Renaissance castle is unassuming in its beauty, but is a must-see for enthusiasts

Photo: JumpinJack

21. Pembroke Castle in Wales

Pembroke Castle

Situated on the banks of the River Estuary, Pembroke Castle has tunnels, passageways, and stairways that one can explore. Tudor buffs will also love the fact that Henry Tudor was born here. Another plus: the castle is mostly intact.

Photo: richpix

22. Hunyad Castle  in Romania

Hunyad Castle

Said to be the home of lingering spirits, Hunyad Castle is a relic of the Hunyad dynasty, and situated in Romania. Also known as Hunedora Castle, this magnificent structure was built in the 14th Century in Gothic style, and is famous for supposedly being the home of imprisoned Vlad III for 7 years, before he was dethroned in 1462.

23. Chateau de Versailles in France

Chateau de Versailles

Chateau de Versailles was built as a hunting lodge by Louis the XIII. Soon after, the lodge was upgraded to a castle and became the official residence of the Court of France. Over the years, and many monarchs later, the castle evolved into what it is today.

Photo: Girardon

24. Kyrenia Castle  in Cyprus

Kyrenia Castle

Located on the picturesque northern coast of Cyprus, Kyrenia Castle was built on the eastern side of the village’s harbour. Surviving several small sieges, and a four year long war, this 16th Century castle is one of the main tourist attractions for the area, rich in diverse history.

Photo: Jungle_Boy

25. Prague Castle in the Czech Republic

Prague Castle

This castle is the pride of the Czech Republic’s capital.  Prague Castle has been at the center of the country’s history for the longest time, and continues to be a symbol of its struggles.  The castle, which is known as one of the largest in the world, was built in the ninth century and stands majestic till today.  You can take a guided tour of the Prague Castle every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Tours are offered in six languages: Czech, English, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish.

Photo: Captain Chaos

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Here’s some weekend wanderlust inspiration for you. Get out and explore.

Photo: CanvasOfLight

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