Monday, April 13, 2015

Santander

Being the capital city of Cantabria, part of Spain, Santander has a mosaic structure, tourism, commercial center, just by the Atlantic Ocean at the north of Spain. 




 Although it is easy to travel around the city by city buses, an economic way could be taking a public bike which doesn't cost anything for an hour. The train and bus stations could be other alternatives, as well, since they are very well located in the city.



















The Cathedral is pretty close to the train and bus stations. Following the seaside (the Paseo de Pereda) leads you to see the coastal parts and you will end up at Magdalena Park. This route gives you the opportunity to see some typical houses with "miradors" and gardens. This boulevard separates the coastal strip from the historic quarter of Santander.














On the other side of the road, there are so many cute streets that go to the Town Hall (Plaza del Generalísimo) which stands next to the popular market of la Esperanza.





Historic buildings; the Santander Bank and El Embarcadero are next to the Pereda gardens (Jardines de Pereda). The fishing port and the Puerto Chico are also next to the garden.



Santander has the beautiful beaches of Playa de la Concha, Playa del Sardinero (the most popular one), Playa El Camellolos Peligros, la Magdalena and Biquinis, El Sardinero. Gran Casino is near to El Sardinero beaches. Then the "Magdalena Park" and the royal palace are sited on top of a hill.



 Santander cuisine has the advantage of the city is situated halfway between the sea and the mountains. The gastronomy of Cantabria is famous, particularly with sausage (Spanish ham), pudding, "torreznos", stews and roasted, the stuffed red peppers, Sardinero.






Altamira Caves, World Heritage, are a few kilometers from this city. Besides there are several museums in Santander such as Bellas Artes, Maritimo.

It is also possible to see artistic studies around the city, as in all around Spain.




Thursday, April 2, 2015

Valencia

Valencia, is Spain's one of the biggest cities, although it is a cute relatively small city :)
The population ranges from 1.7 to 2.5 million. It is the capital of the Valencian autonomous community, 350 km away from Barcelona and Madrid.


The word Valencia reminds me of oranges, beaches, festivals, and of course Paella! 
Even though there are many festivals in Valencia, among them the Falles (Las Fallas) is the most famous one. It is an authentic fest. It is held from March 15 to March 19, there are many other events around these days, as well. If you are into noisy, crowded fests, this is just for you. 

 

Must be Seen 



-The Old Quarter of Valencia
- El Miguelet and the Cathedral - see the Holy Grail and enjoy the cafes and bars of this bohemian area.
- Barrio del Carmen is in the north of the Old Quarter as it's one of the most trendy and popular areas to go to at night.
- Valencia City of Arts and Sciences: The City of Arts and Sciences is a definitely must-be-seen place. It is located in the lovely Turia Gardens which are an essential and very beautiful part of Valencia. The center includes the largest aquarium in Europe, and an IMAX laser cinema, Palau de la Musica, and Palau de Les Arts.
- Valencia Beaches are also famous for miles and miles of white sand.


















There are so many trendy shops and popular stores in the downtown area, like Mango, Zara, and El Corte Ingles as in all parts of Spain, and all of them offer great fashion at affordable prices. Besides this, there is a Valencian effect in terms of fashion, that can be realized in the streets.






 Specialties of the city


The Special Drink: Horchata
Special Desserts: Arnadi & Tarta Cristina
The Special Meal: Paella (The birthplace of Paella is Valencia)
Hot Chocolate with orange; special @ Valor at Placa Reina
and famous wines.


More Tips


- Nightlife in Valencia, as in so many Spanish cities, begins late and is one of the best in Europe.
- There is a fantastic selection of clubs, bars, discos, and restaurants that you can enjoy.
- The Most Famous Festivals are Las Fallas, La Tomatina, Easter, and the Christmas.
- It is possible to reach three lovely Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca) or take the ferry to Barcelona, Tenerife, or Morroco.
- When you eat Paella, try to go local, stay away from touristic zones.