On July 4, the HOTEL INTERCONTINENTAL plans a true American Independence Day
celebration.
Special decoration with flags, traditional American cuisine and loads of surprises
The celebration will be held at the Garden Terrace Restaurant with chef Joseph Luque who is preparing a varied buffet of typical hot and cold dishes for a July 4 celebration. The highlight will the the hamburgers, hotdogs and roast veal just like at home!!!
Desserts include Carrot cake, brownies and apple pie.
Planned as a family affair, starts at 8 PM to midnite.
Price: 45 € VAT and drinks (not included)
Children (4 to 12 years): 27 € VAT and drinks (not included)
Paseo de la Castellana, 49 28046 Madrid
917 00 73 00
Showing posts with label travel in Spain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel in Spain. Show all posts
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Monday, May 16, 2011
A trip to Cabo de Gata
This Easter break, we escaped Madrid for a few days and headed south to Cabo de Gata, the most south-western tip of Spain and near the city of Almería.
Cabo de Gata is a stretch of wild coastline located at Spain's most south western point, and due to the uniqueness of its flora and fauna, has been designated a National Park. It's a very arid part of the world and it receives the highest amount of sunshine in Europe. Unlike a lot of the Spanish coast, Cabo de Gata remains very unspoilt with plenty of undiscovered beaches and still very little development. Luckily for many of the region's former fishing villages, the arrival of tourism has given the area a much needed boost after the fall of more traditional industries and the migration of many of its inhabitants.
We stayed at Las Negras, a picturesque town, which whilst one of the main towns on the coast, still mantains a laid-back atmosphere. The town offers a couple of coved beaches, which never seem to get crowded and are perfect for swimming and sunbathing. There's also a good range of watersports such as diving on offer. Unfortunately for us, the weather at Easter was not very warm and it was too windy, so we didn't get to do much sunbathing. There is good accommodation available here, including camping and bungalows. No ATM in town, but a good number of restaurants, guesthouses and a supermarket.
From Las Negras it's pretty easy to get around the region, although you will need a car as the Cabo de Gata region has very few public transport links. Distances between places are not too big and the following itinery can easily be done in a day. You can take the pretty coastal road towards San José (the biggest and most developed town on Cabo de Gata), making stops at Los Escullos and La Isleta del Moro- a very small town which still is a fishing village, before ending up at San José. San José has a very good beach and an excellent choice of restaurants, and plenty serving fish. If you really want to get off the beaten track, you can take the unpaved road from San José to the beaches of Playa de Los Genoveses, Playa Monsul and Punta Negra. From Punta Negra, if you're up to it you can walk around the cliff face to the lighthouse at Vela Blanca, however in hot weather it would be very hard going, and it's not accessible by car from this side. Another must-see is the stretch of coast from the town of Cabo de Gata to the other side of the Vela Blanca lighthouse, where is is accessible to cars. You will have to head inland and back out towards the coast to get here. Here the coastal road is very dramatic with plenty of hairpin bends and in some places only one car can pass at a time, which means it can get a bit hairy driving during the main holidays! As you approach Cabo de Gata town, you will see the salinas or salt flats. These are home to a rich variety of wildlife, including flamingos. The town of Cabo de Gata, didn't look like it had much to offer and seemed partly abandoned. Past the town, the road has a couple viewpoints where you can make a stop for photos and to admire the views. One of these is on the cliffs above the Las Sirenas rocks, a dramatic outcrop where many ships became wrecked. If you've got the guts and you're not afraid of dizzying bends, take the trip up to the Vela Blanca lighthouse. Atop it's very windy, but the views are fantastic.
Although we didn't explore much of the northern part of the coast, if you are prepared to walk (quite far!), there are plenty of small coves inaccessible by car, such as Agua Amarga. The National Park, almost stretches up towards the popular resort of Mojácar, which although now a package holiday destination, is a lively beachtown.
Practicalities: the Cabo de Gata region is still quite underdeveloped and rather isolated. For example there are very few cash machines- only San José and Níjar (an unsightly town inland) have ATMs, and lots of places don't take cards. In San José the ATMs often run out of cash and can charge you quite high commission, so come with lots of cash as it can be a bit of a nightmare. Supermarkets can be found in San José, Las Negras and the town of Cabo de Gata. As mentioned, Cabo de Gata is very arid and hot, so take care in the scorching summer months. For more information, here's a link to the Cabo de Gata tourism page in English.
Other suggestions: you could make the most of the region by combining it with a visit to Granada (city of the Alhambra). Also the spectacular white-washed Alpujarra villages, and the mountains of the Sierra Nevada are not to be missed if you have the chance. These places are no more than a couple of hours from Cabo de Gata.
Getting there: if you don't fancy the long drive down south, on public transport from Madrid you can take the train or plane to Almería and hire a car there. There is a bus but it takes 12 hours, which is pointless as you can go cheaper and quicker on the train.
Cabo de Gata is a stretch of wild coastline located at Spain's most south western point, and due to the uniqueness of its flora and fauna, has been designated a National Park. It's a very arid part of the world and it receives the highest amount of sunshine in Europe. Unlike a lot of the Spanish coast, Cabo de Gata remains very unspoilt with plenty of undiscovered beaches and still very little development. Luckily for many of the region's former fishing villages, the arrival of tourism has given the area a much needed boost after the fall of more traditional industries and the migration of many of its inhabitants.
We stayed at Las Negras, a picturesque town, which whilst one of the main towns on the coast, still mantains a laid-back atmosphere. The town offers a couple of coved beaches, which never seem to get crowded and are perfect for swimming and sunbathing. There's also a good range of watersports such as diving on offer. Unfortunately for us, the weather at Easter was not very warm and it was too windy, so we didn't get to do much sunbathing. There is good accommodation available here, including camping and bungalows. No ATM in town, but a good number of restaurants, guesthouses and a supermarket.
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| Las Negras |
From Las Negras it's pretty easy to get around the region, although you will need a car as the Cabo de Gata region has very few public transport links. Distances between places are not too big and the following itinery can easily be done in a day. You can take the pretty coastal road towards San José (the biggest and most developed town on Cabo de Gata), making stops at Los Escullos and La Isleta del Moro- a very small town which still is a fishing village, before ending up at San José. San José has a very good beach and an excellent choice of restaurants, and plenty serving fish. If you really want to get off the beaten track, you can take the unpaved road from San José to the beaches of Playa de Los Genoveses, Playa Monsul and Punta Negra. From Punta Negra, if you're up to it you can walk around the cliff face to the lighthouse at Vela Blanca, however in hot weather it would be very hard going, and it's not accessible by car from this side. Another must-see is the stretch of coast from the town of Cabo de Gata to the other side of the Vela Blanca lighthouse, where is is accessible to cars. You will have to head inland and back out towards the coast to get here. Here the coastal road is very dramatic with plenty of hairpin bends and in some places only one car can pass at a time, which means it can get a bit hairy driving during the main holidays! As you approach Cabo de Gata town, you will see the salinas or salt flats. These are home to a rich variety of wildlife, including flamingos. The town of Cabo de Gata, didn't look like it had much to offer and seemed partly abandoned. Past the town, the road has a couple viewpoints where you can make a stop for photos and to admire the views. One of these is on the cliffs above the Las Sirenas rocks, a dramatic outcrop where many ships became wrecked. If you've got the guts and you're not afraid of dizzying bends, take the trip up to the Vela Blanca lighthouse. Atop it's very windy, but the views are fantastic.
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| San José |
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| The rocks at Las Sirenas |
Although we didn't explore much of the northern part of the coast, if you are prepared to walk (quite far!), there are plenty of small coves inaccessible by car, such as Agua Amarga. The National Park, almost stretches up towards the popular resort of Mojácar, which although now a package holiday destination, is a lively beachtown.
Practicalities: the Cabo de Gata region is still quite underdeveloped and rather isolated. For example there are very few cash machines- only San José and Níjar (an unsightly town inland) have ATMs, and lots of places don't take cards. In San José the ATMs often run out of cash and can charge you quite high commission, so come with lots of cash as it can be a bit of a nightmare. Supermarkets can be found in San José, Las Negras and the town of Cabo de Gata. As mentioned, Cabo de Gata is very arid and hot, so take care in the scorching summer months. For more information, here's a link to the Cabo de Gata tourism page in English.
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| The beach at Los Muertos |
Other suggestions: you could make the most of the region by combining it with a visit to Granada (city of the Alhambra). Also the spectacular white-washed Alpujarra villages, and the mountains of the Sierra Nevada are not to be missed if you have the chance. These places are no more than a couple of hours from Cabo de Gata.
Getting there: if you don't fancy the long drive down south, on public transport from Madrid you can take the train or plane to Almería and hire a car there. There is a bus but it takes 12 hours, which is pointless as you can go cheaper and quicker on the train.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Chinchón- 40 minutes and 500 years from Madrid
A very charming town around 40 minutes bus ride from Madrid, which will seem like a world (and many centuries!) away from bustling Madrid. Chinchón is not big and you can easily see it in a couple of hours, but it makes a great place to come for lunch and a stroll around its winding ancient streets. The main square is bursting with appeal; most of the buildings date from the 15th or 16th century and have beautiful galleries and balconies. The town also produces an anis which takes the same name as the town. Be sure to try it!
Getting there: buses leave half hourly from Conde de Casal bus station (metro Conde de Casal, line 6). Return trip around 6€.
Getting there: buses leave half hourly from Conde de Casal bus station (metro Conde de Casal, line 6). Return trip around 6€.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Day trip ideas: Cuenca
With the arrival of the high speed AVE service between Madrid and Valencia, it has never been so easy to visit Cuenca, a beautiful medieval town with UNESCO world heritage status dramatically perched above a gorge. The city lies some 140km south west of Madrid and makes a pleasant day trip or overnight stay.
The main attraction is the hanging houses, which have become a symbol for the city. These date from the middle ages and hang precariously over the side of a steep ravine, in fact it almost looks as if they are part of the cliff face. One of the houses contains an excellent abstract art museum, which is considered one of the most important collections of its kind in Spain. If you decide to visit it, make sure you step onto the balconies to get a spectacutar view of the gorge.
For a great view of the city and to get a good shot of the hanging houses, make sure you cross the San Pedro bridge, which lies at the entrance to the city. From here you can really appreciate the size of the gorge and you are surrounded by spectacular views. Other sights in the city include the ruined cathedral (built in the 12th century, but fell down in 1902- so far only the façade has been rebuilt), the churches of San Pedro and San Miguel, and the charming Plaza Mayor. If you like museums, there's an archeological museum and the Museo Diocesano.
Getting there: Cuenca is served by both regional and high speed trains, but the prices and journey times vary greatly. If you take the high speed AVE, you can be there in less than one hour, however expect to pay around 38€ one way (very overpriced we know!!!). The cheaper regional train takes three hours, but costs 12,30€ one way. See Renfe.com for more information. The other option is to take the Avanza bus from the Estación Sur bus station (Metro Mendez Álvaro L6), where the return trip can cost as little 11,25€! There are many departures each day and the journey takes 2- 2 1/2 hours. The Avanza buses are very comfortable and modern. If you choose to go by car, you can take the N400 or the N320 from Madrid.
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| View of Cuenca |
The main attraction is the hanging houses, which have become a symbol for the city. These date from the middle ages and hang precariously over the side of a steep ravine, in fact it almost looks as if they are part of the cliff face. One of the houses contains an excellent abstract art museum, which is considered one of the most important collections of its kind in Spain. If you decide to visit it, make sure you step onto the balconies to get a spectacutar view of the gorge.
For a great view of the city and to get a good shot of the hanging houses, make sure you cross the San Pedro bridge, which lies at the entrance to the city. From here you can really appreciate the size of the gorge and you are surrounded by spectacular views. Other sights in the city include the ruined cathedral (built in the 12th century, but fell down in 1902- so far only the façade has been rebuilt), the churches of San Pedro and San Miguel, and the charming Plaza Mayor. If you like museums, there's an archeological museum and the Museo Diocesano.
Getting there: Cuenca is served by both regional and high speed trains, but the prices and journey times vary greatly. If you take the high speed AVE, you can be there in less than one hour, however expect to pay around 38€ one way (very overpriced we know!!!). The cheaper regional train takes three hours, but costs 12,30€ one way. See Renfe.com for more information. The other option is to take the Avanza bus from the Estación Sur bus station (Metro Mendez Álvaro L6), where the return trip can cost as little 11,25€! There are many departures each day and the journey takes 2- 2 1/2 hours. The Avanza buses are very comfortable and modern. If you choose to go by car, you can take the N400 or the N320 from Madrid.
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| The balconies of the Hanging Houses |
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| The Hanging Houses |
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| Church of San Pedro |
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| The façade of the cathedral |
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| The main strret in Cuenca, Calle Alfonso XII |
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Beautiful and sunny Boxing day in Madrid
Serrano Street today... the reason for Madrid... to enjoy these beautiful sunny days in winter!
Monday, December 20, 2010
New AVE between Madrid and Valencia
Yesterday RENFE launched the new high speed AVE serivce between Madrid and Valencia, shaving around 2 1/2 hours off the journey time to around 90 minutes. The new service travels at almost 300km/h. However the journey is not cheap with return tickets in second class costing around 126€. From what we've heard, the service is excellent and the trains are very comfortable, with first class passengers having onboard meals included in with the price of their ticket. Visitors to Madrid can also use this service to make a day trip the UNESCO city of Cuenca, home of the hanging houses, which used to be a little too far to do in just one day. With the opening of this new line, Atocha station in Madrid has been extended and a stunning new terminal opened.
For more details about the Madrid-Valencia AVE service and for tickets, visit www.renfe.com
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| The AVE running between Madrid and Valencia |
For more details about the Madrid-Valencia AVE service and for tickets, visit www.renfe.com
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Day trip ideas near Madrid
Many people coming to Madrid make a day trip to Segovia or Toledo, but the area around Madrid is rich in historical towns and sites, many of them with UNESCO status and feel a world away from bustling Madrid. These places can be easily reached in less than an hour and a half on public transport. If you have a spare day or two (although we're sure you'll find plenty to do in Madrid!), here are ten places worth discovering:
1. Segovia- a beautiful sleepy city with a Disney like castle, Roman aqueduct and excellent food. One of our favourite cities in Spain!
The castle at Segovia
2. Toledo- former capital of Spain and rich in medieval history. This city was once an important religious centre in Europe for Christians, Jews and Muslims.
3. Aranjuez- charming UNESCO town with many former royal residences and elegant gardens. In the summer, a stream train runs between here and Madrid.
4. Alcalá de Henares- birthplace of Miguel Cervantes (writer of Don Quixote) and home to one of Spain's oldest universities.
5. Cuenca- slightly further away, but can be reached by high speed train. Cuenca is famous for its 'hanging houses' which are perched dramatically over a cliff face. It also has an excellent modern art museum.
The hanging houses of Cuenca
6. Ávila- home to perhaps the most famous walls in Spain! The town has impressive medieval architecture and is known for its restaurants. From the city you can enjoy breathtaking mountain views.
7. Chinchón- ideal for a half day visit. Chinchón will transport you back to medieval times. The main square is very pretty and lined with many ancient houses with overhanging galleries. A great place to visit for lunch and a stroll. We also recommend trying the local Chinchón tipple!
8. Manzanares el Real- if you're here in the summer months, Manzanares makes a great escape from the heat of Madrid. It's an attractive small town in the Sierra de Guadarrama located next to a lake. The town has a picturesque castle, which kids will love.
9. El Escorial- a massive monastery and royal palace. This UNESCO site will amaze visitors with its elaborately decorated stately rooms by masters like Titian, El Greco and Velasquez. It's also the final resting place for Spanish monarchs.
10. The Sierra de Guadarrama- you don't have to go far out of Madrid to reach spectacular mountains and unspoilt nature. Although these mountains are best reached by car, from Cercedilla or El Coto (both accesible by cercanías train or bus) there are excellent walking and hiking opportunities with incredible views. In winter it's possible to ski at nearby Val de Esqui.
We have an excellent section on excursions which includes more about these places on our website. Visit it here
1. Segovia- a beautiful sleepy city with a Disney like castle, Roman aqueduct and excellent food. One of our favourite cities in Spain!
The castle at Segovia
3. Aranjuez- charming UNESCO town with many former royal residences and elegant gardens. In the summer, a stream train runs between here and Madrid.
4. Alcalá de Henares- birthplace of Miguel Cervantes (writer of Don Quixote) and home to one of Spain's oldest universities.
5. Cuenca- slightly further away, but can be reached by high speed train. Cuenca is famous for its 'hanging houses' which are perched dramatically over a cliff face. It also has an excellent modern art museum.
The hanging houses of Cuenca
6. Ávila- home to perhaps the most famous walls in Spain! The town has impressive medieval architecture and is known for its restaurants. From the city you can enjoy breathtaking mountain views.
7. Chinchón- ideal for a half day visit. Chinchón will transport you back to medieval times. The main square is very pretty and lined with many ancient houses with overhanging galleries. A great place to visit for lunch and a stroll. We also recommend trying the local Chinchón tipple!
Step back to the Middle Ages in Chinchón
8. Manzanares el Real- if you're here in the summer months, Manzanares makes a great escape from the heat of Madrid. It's an attractive small town in the Sierra de Guadarrama located next to a lake. The town has a picturesque castle, which kids will love.
9. El Escorial- a massive monastery and royal palace. This UNESCO site will amaze visitors with its elaborately decorated stately rooms by masters like Titian, El Greco and Velasquez. It's also the final resting place for Spanish monarchs.
10. The Sierra de Guadarrama- you don't have to go far out of Madrid to reach spectacular mountains and unspoilt nature. Although these mountains are best reached by car, from Cercedilla or El Coto (both accesible by cercanías train or bus) there are excellent walking and hiking opportunities with incredible views. In winter it's possible to ski at nearby Val de Esqui.
Walking in the Sierra
We have an excellent section on excursions which includes more about these places on our website. Visit it here
Saturday, October 9, 2010
CAVA organizes a day trip to the Cava vineyards
Every year, from the beginning of October, for about 10 days, the producers of Cava- Spanish sparkling wine or champagne- celebrates their harvest with a series of activities. This year they organized a day trip between Madrid and Barcelona. MUF went along and we thought it was a great idea. We left at 8 a.m from Atocha in Madrid and arrived at Sants station in Barcelona from where we bussed to visit the famous caves. Our group visited the traditional Gramona cavas, enjoyed a didactic trip to both their new caves and their original ones. We were offered a delicious pink cava and bussed to the Sol i Vi restaurant in the countryside. We came home from the train station at Tarragona. This trip is interesting because it is shorter than the Barcelona trip by twenty minutes and one avoids the traffic in the center of Barcelona. We noticed there were several rent a car companies at the Tarragona station. This is such a great day trip...but, you will have to buy at the bodegas and drink when you aren't driving!! You can spend the night at the Sol i Vi, which is very basic but the food is excellent!
During the Semana del Cava, it is worth a visit to San Sadurní d'Anoia and enjoy the Cava Tast, which lasts for three days, usually the second weekend of October. You can try all the different Cavas- meet their owners- and enjoy the different tapas they offer with their wines. Best to stay in a hotel in the centre of the town!
Here is a video of our visit. The footage is courtesy of the Cofraría del Cava.
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