Meet the Gipsy Kings

I discovered the Gipsy Kings early in the 1990s and fell in love with their acoustic sounds of Spanish flamenco and salsa. The Gipsy Kings are made up of two families of brothers. They started out as a Gipsy band travelling about playing at weddings, festivals and busking in the streets. Hence, their name the “Gipsy Kings’. They were enormously popular throughout the North Africa, Middle East and Europe. They live anything but the gipsy life now being very well known internationally but they have not forgotten their humble beginning.

Bamboleo – Gipsy Kings

The Best of the Gipsy Kings

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Where is Ibiza?

Ibiza’s size – just 45km by 25km – belies its diversity. Famed for its party scene, many imagine the entire island to resemble San Antonio; capital of nightclub culture and home to the bulk of large Ibiza hotels and bars. But a short boat ride out of San Antonio harbour takes you to a different world and the peaceful Cala d’Hort.  This romantic little bay offers spectacular views of towering cliffs behind and the mystical island of Es Vedrá just across the sea.  Few islands have as many legends attached to them as this volcanic rock, which is claimed to be the birthplace of Hannibal, the tip of Atlantis and a sacrificial altar for the goddess Tanit.

Head east from here and you reach Ibiza town, the island’s capital.  The town is home to the ancient Punic necropolis Puig des Molins, which has been listed by UNESCO for its historical importance.  Criss-crossed by winding cobbled streets that are lined with quaint little restaurants, Dalt Vila – the old town – offers some superb dining and is the perfect place to sample local seafood.  This is particularly handy if you’re making the long climb to the 14^th century cathedral of Santa Maria d’Eivissa at the top of the hill.

Figueretas, just outside Ibiza town, is home to some of the quietest coastal hotels in Ibiza, making it an ideal base for a relaxing stay. On Wednesday mornings, a boat arrives at a small jetty jutting out from the town’s beach and transports passengers up Ibiza’s east coast to Es Cana.  Here you get to experience the island’s original hippy market, Punta Arabi, where you can browse stalls to the sound of tabla drums and sitars, and perhaps leave with a henna tattoo to commemorate your visit.

It’s easy to dodge Ibiza’s revelry in favour of a peaceful sight-seeing break on this gorgeous Balearic Island if you want to relax and unwind.  But one of the most exciting things about Ibiza is its diversity, from pretty beaches in the south to leafy almond groves in the north, with world-famous nightclubs in between.  So if you’re looking for a holiday that offers everything, this pint-sized Balearic gem really is the perfect destination.

This post is part of a monthly Spanish Series sponsored by www.hotels4u.com, where you’ll find plenty of Ibiza hotels, suitable for all tastes and budgets.

Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

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One Great Reason to Visit Ibiza

One great reason to visit this travel destination is it really has something for everyone!

Ibiza!

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Where is Menorca?

Menorca, the smaller neighbour of the Balearic island of Majorca, lies off the coast of Spain and draws in thousands of visitors seeking sun, sea and sand every year. It is a great place for a traditional beach holiday – many of the most popular hotels in Menorca are dotted along the coastline – but for the more adventurous traveller who wants to do more than dip their toes in the water, this island is home to some of the best snorkelling hot spots in the Mediterranean.

In 1991, Menorca became a UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) designated Biosphere Reserve, which means Menorca has been recognised as an area of natural beauty and conservation and is now protected as such. This is great news for visitors, as the landscapes, ecosystems and features which helped Menorca gain its reserve status have been protected during the surge in tourism over the years.

The lagoons, marshes, wetlands, caves, dunes and islets are just some of the features which have been preserved, and it is here where snorkelers and divers will find real the gems. Some of the top snorkelling spots are Cales Coves, Es Grau, Macarella and Cala Galdana and it’s these areas which are home to hundreds of exotic fish and sea life.

Whether you’re an amateur snorkeler or avid diver, you will find the underwater wildlife surrounding Menorca incredible. Damsel-fish, Perch, Sea Bass, Cardinal fish, Barracuda and Octopus are just some of the species which call these waters home and with sea temperatures barely dropping below 20c in the summer months, you can swim with these fish in just your swimsuit or speedos – no wetsuit required!

If it is beaches which float your boat, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Cala Pregonda. This bay, which lies completely unspoilt, is surrounded by woodland and can be quite difficult to get to. For those that do venture to this part of the island however, why not pack a picnic of local delicacies and make a day of it? Sparkling blue waters and pristine sands are your reward and it would be a shame not to make the most of them.

This post is part of a monthly Spanish Series sponsored by www.hotels4u.com, where you’ll find plenty of Menorca hotels suitable for all tastes and budgets.

The Rough Guide to Mallorca & Menorca

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One Great Reason to Visit Menorca

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for snorkeling and diving the hideaway inlets of the island offer.

Menorca Holiday Guide – My Travel

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Where is Barcelona?

Barcelona

Barcelona is one of Spain’s most versatile tourist destinations: one minute you can be touring architectural masterpieces and the next lying on a beach and topping up your tan. There are obvious choices when it comes to what to see and do whilst in Barcelona, but why not explore the area in a bit more depth and seek out some hidden gems? You’re likely to discover a new and exciting side to this Catalan city.

To really get a taste of Barcelonan life, take a leaf out of the mature residents of the Gothic Barrio’s book. Come two o’clock, when most locals are settling down for a siesta, don’t follow the other tourists returning to their Barcelona hotels . Instead, take a trip to Fira Nautumismo and browse the wide range of collectables on offer in the street market set up by the elderly residents. You can get anything from stamps and coins to crafts and jewellery here and will discover some real gems that cannot be found on the main shopping strip.

If you want to hang out with the coolest Barcelonans then head to the (not so) secret bar, El Mariachi. Tucked away in the Barrio Gotico and identifiable only by the painting of a snake-entwined woman sitting below the legend of El Mariachi on the ‘shop front’, this bar is the most popular hangout for musicians such as Manu Chao. Take in the mismatched furniture whilst supping on a random array of spirits and beers. If you dare to venture into this muso den, you should make sure you sample the interesting cocktails on offer, such as the Mariachi – made with Pacharan, or hydro-miel – the house speciality liqueur blended with honey.

Whether you’re looking for an ideal souvenir for your stay in Barcelona or wanting to feast your eyes on some local art, then take a walk from the Ramblas to Escudellers. Here you will find Art Escudellers, a pottery shop selling pieces from all over Spain. Navigating the shop is easy as the products are divided by their region of origin. Expect prices to increase as you head downstairs and if you do find yourself making an extortionate purchase, ease your soul with a swig from the fabulous wine cellar in the basement.

It’s also worth heading out on foot and making the most of the beautiful landscape surrounding Barcelona. Pack your own picnic and watch the world go by on a trip to the Botanical Gardens at Montjuïc Mountain, situated near the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. These beautiful gardens showcase the Mediterranean’s most extraordinary plant and wildlife and are a great place to relax and spend an afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre and beaches.

This post is part of a monthly Spanish Series sponsored by www.hotels4u.com, where you’ll find plenty of Barcelona hotels suitable for all tastes and budgets.

Fodor’s Barcelona

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One Great Reason to Visit Barcelona

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the numerous landmarks and monuments.

Barcelona

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