Travel to Barcelona, in Spain, for a unique cultural and historical experience. It is a burning, energetic city at once powerfully grounded in its abundant heritage and looking to the future. A tour to The catalonian capital claims an eclectic palette.
The second biggest town in Spain, Barcelona is located in the north-eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
As you take a trip to Barcelona, it is fascinating to note that the city has its origins in a Roman colony modelled way back in the 2nd century B.C.
If you are a music fanatic, Music Palace certainly awaits your voyage. An elegant vibrant structure, this Music Palace is one of the world’s most extraordinary music halls and an epitome of Modernistic Buildings. When you travel to The catalonian capital in Spain, allow music be your Muse. The Sonar 2010 festival and the Primavera music festivals are treats for the ears.
But the crème la crème of your travel to Barcelona in Spain has to be a tour to Gaudi’s masterpiece, the unfinished “La Sagrada Familia”. Its towering spires shape one of the most established international attractions. “La Pedrera”, a joint apartment and office block is another Gaudi phenomenon with its distinctive crimped pattern and multihued pipe pots.
There are also plenty of apartments and hotels to enjoy your stay in the heart of the city, from places like Oh-Barcelona
It is true that The catalonian capital merits a trip by point of its incredible architecture only. However its parks are worth a trip too. The Pedralbes Royal Palace gardens is an haven of beauty with its superb plants, as are the “Jardins Mossèn Costa i Llobera” and the “Jardins Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer”, atop the Montjuïc hill and the “Park de la Ciudadella”.
“Park Güell”, created by Gaudi, is then again the pick of the lot. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this park has earned the tags of surrealistic, expressionist and modernist and can certainly create one of the highpoints of your journey to Barcelona in Spain.
After you have soaked in the architectural splendours throughout your travel to Barcelona, try to the other Barcelona sights. Couple popular beaches about the city border are “Nova Icaria”, “Bogatell”, “Barceloneta” and the “Mar Bella”, Barcelona’s single naturist beach. There are several hotels to rest in about the area.
Metropolitan Park of Collserola, the “Sant Llorenç” and the Montseny natural parks will request to all nature lovers with their rare flora specimens, wildlife and stunning scenery. There are two medieval Benedictine monasteries, one of them created by the first sovereign count of Catalonia.
These Barcelona attractions remain on the suburbs of the city but are worth a journey while you are touring Barcelona.
The largest aquarium in Europe, “L’Aquàrium” and “Universal’s Mediterranea”, an unmatched amusement park on the Impressionist design are the other Barcelona attractions of note.
For a football extremist, a tour to the “Barcelona FC”, base for the “La Liga” team is almost an obligation while on a trip to Barcelona.
With the plethoraof things to do in Barcelona, you will find your days go hasty stores selling the lot from designer wear to art and antiques, bars dishing out the choicest tapas and a lively night life.
The Barcelona evidence point to a city that is a unique blend of the old and the new. Amidstthe splendid buildings, glittering natural beauty and an array of tourist activities, time will take off when you travel to Barcelona.

There are vacation rentals available at every possible  location . One of this destinations is Florida, in the US. Vacationers visiting Orlando , Disney prefer booking Florida vacation rentals homes . Cheap Florida villas offer all the conveniences of your own home while you’re on vacation. Fully equipped kitchens, pools, spa, game rooms, living rooms, and dining rooms, and even a room for each member of the family, enable you to vacation without sacrificing anything.

Direct holiday lettings are very popular in UK, where  locals are more familiar with cottage rentals, and self catering accommodation than in America. Europe is an first-class choice for a vacation destination because it has such a wide variety of things to offer. Its a good idea to plan on staying in vacation villasor condos for at least part of your stay in order to make the most of your experience. When you stay in Europe vacation rentals, whether in UK, Spain or Paris,  you’ll be able to take advantage of the fact that doing so allows you to set your own schedule according to your needs and desires.

It is very easy renting Florida vacation rentals homes or direct holiday lettings . Directories supply the most relevant information and then you communicate directly with the owners to get your best deal. Unlike  when you order through a travel agent, you will never pay  a pronounced up rate or other agency fee when you book .

If you are a vacation rental  owner , you can make money by taking advantage of this trend and using your house as a vacation rental homes.Then relax and savour having a home away from home in some location you’ve always wanted to go.

Mothers day is about giving your mum a break from everyday life and making her feel special but it’s not just about gifts, for a lot of mum’s spending quality time with her children is the best gift.

Whatever kind of mum you have, from creative mum to foodie mum, GoLearnTo.com can help you find the perfect course that you’ll both enjoy doing together.

Perfect for Foodies

Cooking holiday in Tuscany
Spend 3 nights in the pretty village of Cortona in Tuscany on this gourmet cooking holiday. Stay in a former monastery with stunning views over the rolling hills and meander through the cobbled streets discovering the local shops and cafes and then spend 3 evenings learning the secrets of Italian cooking from a professional Chef who is passionate about all things Italian.

£420 per person
Including 3 nights accommodation, meals, 3 cooking lessons with wine

For Chilled Out Mum’s

Yoga & Pliates holiday in Fuerteventura
Go learn to practice pilates and yoga on this unique wellbeing holiday set amongst dramatic and energising volcanic scenery, deserted beaches under the warm soothing Fuerteventura sunshine and return home feeling relaxed and revitalised.

£463 per person
Including 7 nights accommodation, breakfast, daily yoga & pilates sessions

For Creative Mum’s
Unleash the creative within on a fabulous painting weekend in Spain where you and your mum will spend 3 nights at an amazing eco-chic retreat in the Andalucian countryside learning to paint and draw the dramatic scenery all around. Enjoy healthy, organic and locally sourced food all cooked by your hosts and indulge your passion for art on this painting holiday with a conscience.

£297 per person
Including 3 nights accommodation, meals, painting lessons and equipment daily

For Sporty Mum’s
Discover the breathtaking activity of Hill Walking in the tranquil Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland on this 3 day, 2 night beginners learn to hill walk course. With the aid of expert instructors you’ll be given guided trips of the area to develop your skills and get the most out of your course.

£245 per person
Including 2 nights accommodation, hill walking guides and survival instruction

To book: www.GoLearnTo.com
Tel: 08445 020 445

Due to popular demand, award-winning low fares airline Monarch has added additional flights to Tenerife this Easter.

On 02, 09 and 16 April 2010 Monarch will be operating additional flights between Gatwick and Tenerife, bringing the total number of flights operated each Friday to five. In addition, on these dates, larger aircraft will be used to operate flights between Manchester and Tenerife, increasing the number of seats available by 46%.

The new flights and extra seats are available to book now via www.monarch.co.uk with fares starting from just £62.99 one way including taxes and charges.

Commenting on the additional flights to Tenerife this Easter, managing director of Monarch Flights and Holidays, Tim Jeans said, “We have seen continued demand for flights to Tenerife this Easter and the introduction of these additional services means an extra 3,000 seats will be available during this popular travel period. Our customers continue to choose our low fares and high quality service and these additional seats provide an even greater choice of low fare flights for those that haven’t yet booked their Easter get-away.”

Monarch operates scheduled flights from Birmingham, Gatwick, Luton and Manchester to a number of destinations throughout Mainland Spain, the Balearic and Canary Islands, Portugal, Gibraltar, Cyprus and Turkey. In addition to year-round low fares, Monarch also offers a unique range of tasty hot and cold meals that can be pre-booked or purchased onboard with prices from £2.00. Seats can be pre-booked from £7.50 per one-way flight to avoid the last minute free-for-all experienced on some other airlines, or from only £15, extra-legroom seats are available, which offer up to six inches of extra space.

Passengers travelling on scheduled flights can also avoid the queues at the airport and take advantage of online check-in, which is available between seven days and 4.5 hours prior to departure.

In addition to flights, Monarch also now offers a huge range of great value holidays, accommodation options, car hire and travel insurance.

For further information or to book Monarch Flights, Monarch Holidays or Monarch Hotels, please visit www.monarch.co.uk.

The campaign has been organised by three european aquariums: the Genoa Aquarium, the Aquarium Finisterrae from A Coruña, Spain, and NAUSICAA and is backed by the European Commission.

The aim of the Mr Goodfsih campaign is to encourage good practice along the entire supply chain, from fishermen to consumers. It will also promote sustainable marine resources and the world’s fishing industry.

The Mr Goodfish campaign is based on the pooling of industry and consumer knowledge and experience with a shared objective of spreading good practice as widely as possible including seasonal fishing. The campaign will generate new activities and tools for the promotion of sustainable, seasonal seafood consumption.

At present the fishing industry and private sector such as restaurants are showing more interest in this subject than the public authorities.

Please RSVP to Greg Dawson if you and/or your colleagues would like to attend the Mr Goodfish launch and use the opportunity to visit Nausicaa. You will be hosted to lunch at Nausicaa, see www.nausicaa.fr

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• Brussels to mull ‘European IMF’ (news.bbc.co.uk)

The popular Lady Taverners Charity Celeb-Am will be returning to La Manga Club’s fairways for its ninth outing from May 24-28.

Hosted by the charity’s president and former England women’s cricket captain, Rachael Heyhoe-Flint – who represented Staffordshire in her early golfing days – the event gives golfers the chance to enjoy some sunshine golf alongside famous faces, while raising money for youngsters with special needs in the UK.

The five-day event includes a welcome reception and optional practice round, followed by two days of fun but competitive mixed team golf. A gala dinner and presentation supper are also part of the package.

Among the competitors will be legendary golf commentator Alex Hay and TV and cabaret star Dillie Keane, with other celebrities expected to sign up in the coming weeks.

Over the years the Lady Taverners fundraising efforts at La Manga Club has seen more than £75,000 contributed to worthy causes including the sponsorship of specially adapted minibuses for special-needs schools in the UK and a sensory playground for a school in North Humberside.

Competitor packages are available from £799 per person, and include four nights in the five-star Hotel La Manga Club Principe Felipe, three rounds of golf, the gala dinner and prize giving, a welcome buffet and dinner after the first competition round.

Non-golfers can attend and support all the fundraising social events for as little as £589. Anyone interested in booking or more information should contact Barwell Travel on 0333 444 3011.

Rambling needn’t be ‘taxing’ with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, in Spain’s unspoiled El Rompido – a traditional fishing village on the Costa de la Luz.

This is a relaxing holiday which combines easy walking with sightseeing, history, flora and fauna – all rounded off with the comfort and luxury of recently-built, five star ‘El Rompido Golf and Beach Resort Hotel’.

This property – located near the quaint coastal village – offers a wide range of facilities including, two swimming pools, Jacuzzi, solarium, sauna, beauty treatments, gym and superb restaurants.

Highlights of this tour include some of the best swimming beaches in Spain, fifteen natural park areas including the Sierra de Aracena, Picos de Aroche and the Parque Nacional de Doñana – a renowned protected region of ecosystems, where dunes, scrubland, forests and marshland abound and are home to Iberian Lynx, Mongoose, Genet, Wild Boar, Red and Fallow Deer and a profusion of birdlife which makes this particularly appealing to Birdwatchers

Price from £746 per person includes return flights, transfers, one week half-board accommodation and the services of a dedicated tour leader.

• Award-winning Ramblers Worldwide Holidays have been established since 1946 and are now the leading guided walks holidays operator in the UK
• The company now operates to over 250 destinations in 90 countries.
• It offers a range of graded walks from leisurely to challenging.
• The operator contributes monies to the Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust which supports environmental projects in the UK and community projects overseas.
• Their portfolio also includes specialist holidays linked to walking like, cooking, cruising, birdwatching, rail journeys and flora.
• Ramblers Worldwide Holidays provide a fully protected service as members of ABTA and AITO.

RamblersHolidays.co.uk

Spend the longest day of the year- 21 June- onboard Royal Caribbean International’s (www.royalcaribbean.co.uk 0844 493 2061) Adventure of the Seas from just £760 per person for a five-night Western Mediterranean cruise (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

Boasting 15 decks of activity including an ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, miniature golf course, shopping street and a huge range of restaurants and bars, Adventure of the Seas has plenty to keep guests entertained for all 17 hours of daylight on the longest day of the year, as well as the remaining seven evening hours.

Price includes return flights from London Heathrow to Barcelona, transfers and a five-night cruise departing Barcelona (Spain) and calling at Cannes (Montecarlo, France), Civitavecchia (Rome, Italy), Aiaccio (Corsica) and Malaga (Spain) before returning to Barcelona; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

Price is based on 21 June 2010 departure.

For more information or to book see www.royalcaribbean.co.uk, call 0844 493 2061 or talk to your travel agent.

Head to the hills and olive groves of Andalucia and treat your mum, wife or better half, to a relaxing weekend away at the exciting new boutique B&B, Casa Olea .

With the almond blossom out, wild flowers in the hills, the sun shining and comfortable day-time temperatures (15 – 20C), a green getaway to “Andalucia in Spring” is just what she deserves after such a long, cold winter…

Use Casa Olea as your comfortable base and visit the Moorish wonders of Granada and Córdoba (Alhambra and Mezquita); then explore the picturesque “white villages”, medieval hill-top castles and stunning mountains of the Sierras Subbéticas, with Casa Olea’s own self-guide walking and mountain biking routes.

Sample award-winning olive oils, tasty local goats cheeses and fino wines from Montilla-Moriles; marvel at Priego de Córdoba’s baroque churches and enjoy a steam, soak and a massage in their Arabic baths; then come back to tasty home-cooked evening meals, log fires and a warm welcome at Casa Olea.

* MOORISH MOTHER’S DAY escape to Andalucia…
- Price: double rooms from 85 euros/night including taxes and breakfast.
- How to Get There: Fly to Granada with Ryanair, or Malaga with most low-cost airlines.
- Car Hire: from Granada or Malaga airports, with all major companies.

www.casaolea.com

With the long, cold winter almost over and spring just around the corner, there is no better way for families to  enjoy a well-deserved Easter break than with self-catering specialist Mallorca Farmhouses. Mallorca offers quiet,   safe beaches, beautiful countryside and the perfect temperature to suit young children. What’s more, with flights  to Palma competitively priced from many UK airports, this beautiful, Balearic Island ticks the boxes for  cost-conscious families.

Mallorca Farmhouses has an extensive selection of luxury villas, country houses and charming cottages to choose  from and all come with a private pool, maid service and a starter pack. In addition, they can arrange car hire,
babysitting, a nanny service and a gourmet chef service on request to ensure parents can truly relax and not lift  a finger! Properties available include:

Ca’n Roig, a three-bedroom, two-bathroom villa is available on 10 April for £675 per week. This family-friendly  property is located just a short drive from the beaches of Puerto Pollenca and boasts delightful, traditional  features, including oak beamed ceilings, exposed interior stone walls, terracotta tiles throughout and hand  crafted, inlaid, cobblestone floors. Outside, the pretty gardens offer picturesque views to the Sierra de  Traumantana mountains. Sleeping six, the price equates to under £113 per person, per week.

Can Jaume, a four-bedroom, four-bathroom villa is available on 3 and 10 April for £725 per week. This newly-built  property is located in an enviable position, overlooking the yacht marina near central Cala d’Or; perfect for  families wanting to stay close to amenities, which include a choice of quayside restaurants, beautiful sandy coves  and a tennis club. Facilities include an upper sun terrace with fine views, piped music in all rooms, a private  floodlit pool, table tennis table and BBQ area. Sleeping seven the price equates tounder£104 per person, per week.

Carteras, a five-bedroom, five-bathroom farmhouse in Pollenca is available on 3 and 10 April for £1,451 per week.
With large grounds and fantastic views of mountains and the distant sea, this magnificent and spacious property  has cobbled stone walls, an oak studded front door, beamed ceilings throughout and a separate BBQ casita with  ornamental bread oven and food preparation area with washing facilities. It is great for holidaying with extended  family or teenagers, as two of the bedrooms are located in a separate annexe. Sleeping 10, the price equates to  under £146 per person, per week.

For further information and reservations please contact www.mallorca.co.uk .