April 30, 2008 at 4:03 am · Filed under europe
Mallorca - the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands - offers a wide range of scenery, from fertile plains to mountain peaks plus culture. Great shopping and gorgeous beaches complete the picture. It is easy to see why it is such a very popular European holiday destination. Mallorca airport is modern, efficient and huge - it is a long way from the gate to the baggage claim!
So how do you get away from the typical tourist bustle and enjoy a quiet relaxing
time, yet be close to the center of things in Mallorca? - Stay at the Bon Sol Hotel.
This hotel, highly recommended by close friends, is located in Illetas just five
kilometers from downtown Palma. Illetas was once a small town on it’s own but has
now been enveloped by growing Palma urbanization. The hotel is spread into many
sections over seven levels that are serviced by pretty pathways and an excellent
system of elevators. The common areas are endless and outstanding with unique
eclectic decorations that date from medieval to modern times and provide a warm
and friendly environment that effectively encourages relaxation. There are several
Knights in Armor posted at strategic locations on guard for the guests.
The hotel is family owned and run by Lorraine and Martin Xamena, who represent
the second generation. They are hands on managers and are always guiding the
hotel with friendly efficiency, complemented by an attentive staff, most of who have
been at the Bon Sol for many years. The web site is located at: www.ila-
chateau.com/bon_sol/
The Bon Sol is nestled into a hillside in a small cove giving it wonderful privacy with
a very small but cozy private beach. The beach is complemented by four pools at
various levels from the beach to the main hotel. There is also more than adequate
sun worshipping equipment and tons of shade for those who prefer it. The
architecture is best appreciated from the sea and gently blends the hotel into its
landscape without attempting to dominate it.
There are two active bars and two restaurants - one pair by the beach and one up
the hill at the main hotel level. The food is excellent and there is lots of it! We chose
the modified American plan - breakfast is buffet style with an excellent egg station,
plenty of fruit and a good selection of breads and pastries. Dinner offers a different
menu each night and they will accommodate your wishes if you prefer ordering off
the menu.
The 92 rooms are each unique, but all are large, have good bathrooms, excellent
views, with a balcony or terrace. There are 28 villas for families or more extended
stays.
Most of the guests are frequent visitors - in fact, the opening line when you meet
someone new in one of the elevators, or in line for a breakfast omelet is ‘Have you
been here before?” The answer is usually yes. This is the best recommendation of
all!
For something completely different take a drive into the mountains - the roads are
good and the views are outstanding. Visit Valldemosa, Deia, Port de Soller and
Andratx - it is a fun and easy day trip.
Tags: balearic islands, european holiday, mallorca, spain, travelbalearic islands, european holiday, mallorca, spain, travelShare This
April 29, 2008 at 2:02 am · Filed under europe
Stockholm is not as big and famous as Paris, London or New York. Still it is regarded as one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. The Swedish city captures the heart of every visitor.
Arriving in Stockholm is already something special. From your plane you will see the water, the immense green areas, the fourteen islands with the colorful buildings that make up Stockholm ….. You are in a holiday mood even before you set your first step on Swedish ground.
Located between the lake M
Tags: city trips, europe, scandinavia, stockholm, sweden, tourism, travelcity trips, europe, scandinavia, stockholm, sweden, tourism, travelShare This
April 28, 2008 at 3:03 am · Filed under europe
Most people would arrive in Amsterdam via the central train station, either from a train from Schipol airport, other European destinations or one of the many coaches that bring daily visitors from many of the North Sea Ferries.
The first thing you will see on the exit doors of the station will be the now famous Amsterdam trams, boat tours a bit further on and to the right, a cycle park that must contain a half a million bikes. Three things associated with Amsterdam.
Amsterdam is in the process of building an underground train system to make travelling around the city even easier. This does mean that that on main streets and in front of the central station, building is in process, which spoils some of the first impressions at this point, but in a few years time when it is finished I am sure it will be worth it.
Carrying on up the main street from the station you will arrive at the Dam. Many years ago, it used to hold ships that came directly up the canals to trade with the city. But now it is more like a city square with the town hall and Madame Tussaud’s on one side and a the main city statue on the other. In front of the town hall you will often see street entertainers and if you wish to see the city on a horse and cart, this is the starting place for the tours. The dam seems to be a magnet for people during the summer months especially in the early evening. During the winter months an ice rink is built just in front of the town hall.
The dam is also a turning point for tourists, if you turn left you can start exploring the canal system, turn right and you can walk to Anne Frank’s house or if you continue on you will eventually come to the flower market next to the clock tower.
Anne Franks
If I had to select one place to visit whilst in Amsterdam it would be Anne Franks house. Her story has been well documented in her books and the films that have recreated her life’s story during the Second World War. However being in the house, where she and her family hid from the Nazi’s is quite an experience. A lot of the house is the same as it was then, one room still has here writing on the walls and is a grim reminder of the horrors of that time apposed on the Jews. Because the attic room is pretty much as it was, there are steep steps; those in a wheelchair are unlikely to see the entire house.
Flower Market
During certain months of the year this is a colourful spectacle, with what appears every type of tulip and bulb available. The shops are actually boats or floating platforms on the canal, which you can clearly see on the other side of the canal but au you walk the market would just assume they were normal shops.
The Canal System
It doesn’t matter where you walk in Amsterdam you going to be near a canal, but in my opinion you don’t see how pretty the canals are until you have walked 15 minutes or so away from the central station. Here you will have countless opportunities to take photos of small bridges all with cycles chained to them over narrow pretty canals. As well as the canal boat tours at the central station you will come across some more tours boats along the system but beware of the canal bus. You will see bus stops for the canal bus, but you cannot buy a ticket on board you must prepay your ticket at their main depot for the day.
Museums
Most of the art museums are together in the museum quarter. Unless you like walking it is probably a bit far on foot from the station, so a tram may be the order of the day. The canal bus that I mentioned earlier also does a canal bus ticket to take you there via the canals. The Rijksmuseum and Van Gough Museums and others have some of the world’s most famous paintings in from artists such as Monet, Rembrandt and Van Gough who are all Ditch Masters. Try and pre-book your tickets online, as it is hit and miss whether you will get in just by arriving.
You can’t really talk about Amsterdam and not mention some of the other aspects it is famous for and that is its tolerance to sex and low class drugs.
Red Light District
This is the only red light district I have walked through so I can’t compare it to anywhere else except to say it isn’t as sleazy as I thought it would be. You see normal people just going to work, elderly people carrying their shopping, businessmen and women coming in and out of the offices nearby. I am sure this place comes alive at night but during the day, it is more peaceful than I thought it would be. There are tours that will take you and around 30 other visitors around the area and explain the history of the district. In the tours you will see people from all ages including children. The sex shops have everything they sell in the window and seem to be frequented by groups of girls on their hen night having a laugh rather than sleazy men in raincoats. I think only those with extreme views would find this area offensive and if so stay away as it confined to one area of the city and you would not know it was there should you choose not to.
Coffer Shops.
This is where it is legal to buy certain grown substances to be consumed in the area known as a coffee shop. If you want to know where they are, just follow the smell.
It is illegal to buy any drugs on the street though.
I have been to Amsterdam many times now, mainly because of the relaxed atmosphere of the city and its street caf
Tags: amsterdam, destination, europe, guide, holiday, holland, netherlands, travel, vacationamsterdam, destination, europe, guide, holiday, holland, netherlands, travel, vacationShare This
