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Modernista Movement in BCN

Barcelona’s famous architect Antoni Gaudi i Cornet is often thought to be where we get the word “gaudy” in English, but gaudy the word predates the architect by at least three centuries. If you have seen pictures of his buildings, or better, his building in person; the coincidence is hard to believe. Even more than forth years after his death, Gaudi continues to keep Barcelona’s construction workers employed.

His unfinished masterpiece the Sagrada Familia is creeping toward completion. If only he had been a bit more gaudy in his later years, Gaudi might have added quite a bit more to the project.. In his later years, he abandoned his dandy persona for the homeless look. A tram accident proved fatal when Gaudi was struck by one in 1926. The police did not rush Gaudi to the hospital believing his was a beggar unable to afford treatment. Sagrada Familia is projected to be completed on the hundredth anniversary of Gaudi’s death in 2026.

Barcelona is the only city to receive the RIBA Royal Gold Medal for architecture in 1999. The only time it has been given to a city, not an individual architect. Like the police in the tram accident, Barcelona again failed to recognize Gaudi for all he has given the city’s landscape. From the Wizard of Ozish Sagrada Familia to the Park and Palau Guell, Gaudi’s main works define Barcelona’s unique architectural look.

Any tour of Barcelona should include taking in Gaudi’s vision. The Sagrada Familia is dependent on tourists touring the finished areas to fund the unfinished areas, money will spent. Along with the Park and Palau Guell; Casa Vicens, Casa Ballto and Casa Mila (La Pedrera) make up the important modernista buildings designed by Gaudi. All seven are listed with the United Nations as World Heritage sites. The modernista was the decorative style that took hold in Barcelona in 1890. It continued on without Gaudi until World War II, but never the same without the modernista master.

Franck Anais is sub-director of ShBarcelona and shares his passion for the wonderful city of Barcelona.

A Traveller’s Guide to Ireland

When going to Ireland, it’s important to give yourself enough time to see as many important attractions as you can; given that it’s relatively straightforward to get around the country, you can experience a lot of what Ireland has to offer over the course of a week or even a long weekend if you time things right. It’s important to note, though, that Ireland here refers to the Republic of Ireland, rather than Northern Ireland, although both share a combination of great cities and rural retreats.

In terms of the Republic, you can have a great time in Ireland just by visiting the capital city of Dublin. As well as taking in historical sights like the Trinity College campus and the Book of Kells, you can visit the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Chester Beatty Library, just a few of the many galleries and museums available in the compact city centre. Moreover, Dublin has a thriving nightlife around the Temple Bar area, and is ideal for a weekend, albeit if you enjoy going out in areas that tend to attract a lot of people during the evenings.

Heading to the West of Ireland and its more rural counties and areas, the Shannon Region is particularly recommended for exploring Ireland’s cottages and small towns, as well as sights such as the Blarney Castle. To the West, you’ll find the rich cultural city of Galway, as well as Burren National Park and the Aran Islands, which are excellent choices if you want to get to grips with Ireland’s natural attractions.

You can explore rural Ireland by car, or by using one of Ireland’s many bus services and tours of specific regions and cities. You can also find an extensive range of self catering cottages and boutique hotels and resorts across Ireland, as well as places where you can take caravans and tents to enjoy the Irish coast – sailing is also popular around the Western and Southern coasts of the country.

Other places to explore include the city of Limerick, home to the historic grounds of the University of Limerick, St. Mary’s Cathedral, and the surrounding Ballyhoura Walking Trails; the Treaty Stone is worth visiting if you want to learn more about Ireland’s 17th century history, while you can spend a day wandering around Curraghchase Forest Park, or golfing and horse riding in the lands close to Limerick.

There are many different ways to explore Ireland, from a quick city break to an extended romantic holiday, where you can enjoy the high life in Dublin and other cities, or find a secluded spot to spend together off the beaten track. In terms of boutique hotels and other forms of accommodation, it’s worth checking out the Clarence Hotel on the River Liffey, as well as Dunbrody House in County Wexford, as well as some of the many lodges and rural retreats that can be around the country.

Author Bio: Piter Thomas considers Ireland to be one of her favourite travel destinations. He recently visited Dublin for her anniversary, and recommends couples try Room For Romance to book their hotel.

Why You Should Consider a Timeshare in Branson, Missouri

When you think about timeshares you may envision the Caribbean Ocean or a costal beach house. However, don’t let these stereotypes of timeshares throw you off. If you only stick to beach houses, you are going to miss out on some of the most beautiful, wonderful places to vacation. If you are in search of a timeshare, Branson, Missouri is the place. Vacation rentals in Branson provide vacations to remember.

Missouri is full of activities to do in the great outdoors. It is the home to America’s longest rail-to-trail hiking/biking trail. In Missouri you can have a vacation full of horseback rides, bike rides, canoeing, rafting and boating. Here are a few other Missouri attractions that will keep you entertained while enjoying your vacation rentals in Branson.

Branson

The city of Branson is a welcoming place. Right in the city you will find Table Rock Lake. You can enjoy boating, fishing and other water activities. The Branson night life is equally entertaining. As the Live Music Show Capital of the world, you will find a huge number of entertaining performances. You can find just about any type of performance you want in this town – musicians, magicians, acrobats and comedians.

St. Louis

St. Louis may be a little bit of a drive from Branson, but it is worth spending the day there. Visiting the Gateway arch is a tourist must. Not only is it an amazing sight to see, there are activities to accompany your trip to see the famous arch. There is a movie playing at the Odyssey Theatre and Gateway Arch riverboat cruises to help you make a day out of the trip.

Titanic Museum

New in 2013 Titanic will open a new gallery with The Children of the Titanic. This museum will help give you a taste of what it was like to board the ship. To make the experience real, you will be given a ‘boarding pass’ with the name of a real Titanic passenger. In this museum you will get to see over 400 real artifacts from the Titanic. The tour of this museum takes approximately 90 minutes. Admission for people 13 and over is $25, 5-12 is $12 and children 4 and under are free.

White Water

Branson is the home of an amazing water park that the whole family will love. With an entire park of slides and swimming activities this is something you won’t want to miss. Ticket prices are about $45 for those 12 and over and $38 for kids ages 4-11. Children under 3 are free. This water park just may be somewhere your family returns to time after time to have fun and soak up some rays.

Hollywood Wax Museum

You can get a close up look at celebrities while in Branson. You can see replicas of stars that have made film history as well as celebrities who currently walk the red carpet. At $20 for adults and $10 for children, this is a great place to satisfy your dreams of celebrity sighting. There are a few other attractions at the Hollywood Entertainment Complex, such as mini golf and Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors.

Branson Auto Museum

If you love old cars, this place is for you. Make your way to Highway 76 in Branson to view this great selection of old cars. Inside the museum are over 100 cars to make you ‘ohh’ and ‘ahh’. The gift shop also won’t disappoint. You can also find great trinkets that every car lover will enjoy.

Top 10 things to see in Havana, Cuba

Here are the 10 things you must see if you visit Havana, the capital of Cuba. During a full day trip you can explore the treasures of this Caribbean city and try the most popular Cuban products, the rum and the cigar.

Nr. 1.: Capitolio
Start your day by learning about Cuban history at the former house of legislation of the country. The building itself looks very similar to the Capitolium in Washington; it is one of the most imposing buildings in Latin – America. It was the home of legislation until 1959. /Address: Paseo del Prado/

Nr. 2.: Cathedral Square and Saint Christopher Cathedral
An amazing square with charming cafes and women walking around in dresses reminding to the colonial times. The spectacular Cathedral named after Christopher Columbus is like ’music composed in stone’ as the Cuban writer, Alejo Carpentier once wrote. It was built between 1748 and 1796. The remains of Christopher Columbus were kept here also until 1898. /Address: San Ignacio y Empedrado/

Nr. 3.: Parque Central
In the middle of the nice park surrounded by luxurious hotels and historical buildings stands the statute of José Martí, national hero of Cuba. Locals like to get together here and talk about big things of life like baseball and politics.

Nr. 4.: Old Havana / Habana Vieja
It is the beautiful colonial part of Havana with cobbled streets and interesting sights at every corner of it. You will see nicely restored houses, restaurants with cool inner yards (patio) and you can definitely touch history in this district of the Cuban capital.

Nr. 5.: Malecón
The 7-km-long beach promenade is a symbol of the capital, also very popular among locals. Some of the buildings along the Malecón are beautifully renovated, but many of them still shows their age. Try to come at sunset, the view is breath-taking.

Nr. 6.: Floridita Bar and Restaurant
The chair of Hemingway in the corner is still waiting for him, a good restaurant with imposing decoration. Also declared to be home of daiquiri, the tasty Cuban cocktail. /Address: Obispo No 557, at Avenida Bélgica/

Nr. 7.: Partágas Cigar Factory
During the guided tour in the factory you can learn how the famous Cuban cigar is made and of course it is also possible to try it and buy some boxes of Cuba’s best-known product. /Address: Industria No 520, between Barcelona and Dragones/

Nr. 8.: Theatre of Havana / Gran Teatro de La Habana
It is one of the biggest opera houses of the world, designed by Paul Belau. It still hosts concerts and theatre programmes. /Address: e/Paseo del Prado y San José/

Nr. 9.: Havana Club Rum Museum
Rum is being produced in Cuba since the 16th century. From the sugar cane to rum – the whole procedure is displayed in the museum of the famous rum and the entrance free also includes free tasting. /Address: San Pedro No 262, Sol/

Nr. 10.: La Bodeguita del Medio Bar
One of the favourite bars of Ernest Hemingway and it was also visited by Nat King Cole and Gabriel García Márquez. Once it was a small spice store in the middle of a block of flats. Do like Hemingway did: ‘My mojito in La Bodeguita, my daiquiri in El Floridita’ and enjoy the unique atmosphere of Havana. /Address: Empedrado No 207/

Now you see that at least one day spent in Havana is an essential part of all Cuba excursions.

Top Modern Hotels for Technical Luxury

Part of living in today’s world is taking advantage of all the incredible modern technology afforded to us. With boutique hotels already offering a luxurious and peaceful experience, many are going that extra mile and ensuring your every need is catered for with tech heavy facilities and amenities. Everything from checking in with a mobile phone to ordering dinner from an iPad the world of digital technology has reached hotels.

Opus Hotel, Vancouver
At this boutique hotel in the Canadian city of Vancouver guests can enjoy in room iPhones instead of the standard telephone whilst suites come with an iPad. Each devise is packed with apps designed to help tourists get around the city.

Aria Resort & Casino Las Vegas
This magnificent luxury hotel is home to some cutting edge technological designs. Everything from your lights and curtains to working the television and calling room service is handled on the in room 7 inch control screen. The Aria has also revolutionised the traditional room key. Your card will used radio frequency identification to sense when you are near your door and it will unlock automatically.

Andaz Wall Street, New York
On the iconic Wall Street in New York lies the Andaz Wall Street Hotel where your every need is catered for by a raft of technological wizardry. Upon arriving simply head for the bar and you can confirm your check in and all your arrangements from one of several mobile tablets.

The Plaza Hotel, New York
Another luxury New York abode filled with technological wonder. The Plaza Hotel provides each guest with an iPad to take care of all your administrative arrangements as well as monitoring and controlling all your in room gadgets and amenities.

Fonab Castle, Scotland
The idyllic lakeside castle in the magical countryside of northern Scotland boasts a number of surprisingly advanced luxury facilities. Aside from luxurious 5 star accommodation, Fonab Castle features an extensive spa complex with every facility and treatment you can think of offered from its state of the art hydro pool, sauna and steam rooms. A cutting edge meeting and conference centre will be launched in 2013 to attract the best of business travellers.

The Upper House, Hong Kong
Boasting wireless check in and motion sensors in the room alerting room service and housekeeping, the Upper House in Hong Kong is a technological masterpiece. An in-room iPod Touch manages all your in room technologies and features as well as being your main communication tool to reception and room service. Even the hotel cars are technologically savvy with each one fitted with free unlimited Wi-Fi.

La Maison Champs Élysées, Paris
The majestically stylish and chic La Maison Champs Elysees features giant in room iMacs, blended in to fit with the white furnishings and interior design. Free unlimited Wi-Fi will be sure to keep you well entertained.

Mio Buenos Aires
The stylish Hotel De Lujo in Mio Buenos Aires is a technical haven with gadgets galore. Free Wi-Fi will ensure all your devices are well connected whilst each room features a myriad of technological devices including an iPod docking station, DVD player and 32 inch television with 80 cable TV channels. Aside from the technical gadgets the hotel boasts in room wine taps, each one fitted with a complimentary tap to the Hotel’s own house wine.

Taking a Holiday in Paris

Paris really does live up to its nickname, “La Ville-Lumière” (“The City of Light”). The gateway to Europe for many Britons and a sparkling jewel on the banks of the river Seine, its open spaces and broad avenues entice the visitor to explore on foot, with the scent of flowers and many shady walks in summer. But the nickname ‘City of Light’ does not just refer to the improvements made by Napoleon III in the 19^th century, when he swept away many mediaeval streets and buildings to open the city up and make it healthier, grander and more accessible.

Nor do I refer to the city at night, beautiful and vibrant though it is with its illuminated buildings and notably the light show given by the Eiffel Tower. It is worth noting here that you can take a bus tour of the city at night, which I’d recommend if the weather is fine and especially around Christmas time when the city is lit most extravagantly.

The idea of illumination goes a little deeper than open spaces, of course. Paris holidays are a must for lovers of art and antiquities. Many brilliant icons of the art world are represented in its museums: Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Monet, Rodin, Delacroix and Picasso, to name but a few. Being an art lover and an artist myself, I just had to visit the Louvre, home of the famous Mona Lisa and many other incredible works of art, and the towering spires of the cathedral of Notre Dame, which has recently had a set of new bells to mark its 850th anniversary.

If you have children, and I do, Disneyland isn’t far out of Paris on the eastern suburbs – about 30 km from the city centre, and well worth a day trip. For those in your party who are looking for something a little more elegant, take a stroll down the Champs-Élysées, arguably one of the most famous (and expensive) streets in the world, with its clipped horse chestnut trees and bordered by such buildings as the Théâtre Marigny and the Grand Palais.

Try a mountain biking holiday in South Africa

Whether you are looking for sun, sea, sand or an activity packed holiday then South Africa is the place to go. There is a great mix of mountainous scenery and beautiful beaches that means there is something for everyone. One of the most popular activities that is currently around is mountain biking, South Africa is blessed with some of the finest areas for it so it is the perfect chance to enjoy a getaway in the sun whilst getting fit. In this article I will discuss the best places to go and how to go about hiring equipment there.

South Africa

Pietermaritzburg

Pietermaritzburg is the premier destination for downhill mountain bikers around the world. Every year there is a UCI Mountain Bike Downhill World Cup held there in which thousands of fans from around the world flood to the track to get a glimpse of their heroes throwing themselves down a steep, technical and challenging track. Greg Minnaar, one of the most successful cyclists lives right next door to the track and rides there on a regularly, this tells you of the quality that it has. You can catch the uplift up to the top of the mountain and just ride down over and over again, no need to waste your energy cycling uphill. The facilities are great, there is a bike hire shop as well as a cafe and numerous areas nearby to stay.

Paternoster

If downhill mountain biking is a little too extreme for you and you prefer more of a flat, gentle, cross country style ride then Paternoster will suit you well. Set by the beach with glorious views this is the perfect place to base yourself if you want to have longer, flatter rides but also a little time off on the beach. Paternoster accommodation is generally very good, there is plenty of selection between self catering units or luxury hotels meaning there is something for everyone. It is situated in Western Cape so isn’t too far away from the capital or the airport either. The only issue you may have is trying to find a good bike hire shop, it is possible to get an average bike there but if you prefer a top of the range one then you’ll have to bring your own from home.

Pretoria

For singletrack and trail riding then Pretoria has to be your first stop, areas such as Groenkloof, Voortrekker Mountains and Klapperkop are superb. You can ride through the middle of lush green forests whilst getting so great jumps along the way. Groenkloof Nature Reserve is probably the best place for most people to head, it is good because it has such a large variety of gradients and difficulties depending on how experience you are at riding. If you are going to go here then make sure you arrive early because the car park gets very busy after early morning. There are toilet facilities there and you must ensure you get a permit before riding.

Author Bio

Sarah Hewitt is a new blogger who blogs about anything and everything. You can contact her via her Twitter page or Google+

Quirky, Original and Cheap Tourist Attractions in London

Thinking about hopping on a train into London to see the sights? With so much to see and do, it can be hard to decide what the ‘must see’ attractions are and which are just overpriced tourist bait. We’ve all experienced the let-down of getting to the front of a huge queue, only to be presented with a ticket price that’s ten times what we were expecting. But if you’re clever, you can have endless fun in The Big Smoke for much less than you might expect. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Financially Savvy and Delightful Reasons to Stay Away From Major Vacation Hubs

Let’s face it; the global economy still isn’t at its best. Nonetheless, people still want (and need) vacations and respites from everyday life stresses. The employed may be doing the work of 2 or 3 people and the under-employed or unemployed may still have pressing personal or family needs that create a need to make a get-away happen. Lengthy and luxurious vacations to popular locations during peak season aren’t within reach for many folks nowadays. However, the fantastic news is that lesser traveled destinations may provide a viable vacation option for the budget minded who still want to enjoy major attractions.
Hidden Gems for Food and Lodging = More Bang for Your Buck
You know how it works, peak season travel to hot destinations means spending a lot more money. If you book your vacation to Disneyland during the summertime when your kids are on summer vacation, EVERYTHING is more expensive…hotels, meals, entertainment and fuel.
With a little imagination and research, though, you can plan a very enjoyable and significantly less expensive vacation if you can tune out the expensive, enticing commercials and color ads for major theme parks and Miami beaches. Identify the activity or event you really want to spend your time doing on your vacation. Then research locations near the major destination that aren’t affected by peak season tourism pricing, where you can make your home base while putting cash back in your wallet.
For example, perhaps you can’t get enough of live music and would love nothing more than to visit “The Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin, Texas during their famous South by Southwest Festival in the spring. Crowds converge on the city during this festival, and with the influx of people, lodging prices skyrocket. However, if you spend some time researching nearby towns and events near Austin, you would probably come across a number of towns and scenic in the Texas Hill Country (during the gorgeous Blue Bonnet and wildflower season, I might add). The Highland Lakes make up a region with a series of lakes that are reasonable 45 minutes to 1 hour from Austin, and there are a number of quaint, hospitable towns with scenic, affordable lake front lodging options like cabins, bed and breakfasts and even houseboats. Many of these towns have some of their own stellar locations for live music, where artists performing at the SXSW festival may book extra gigs while in the Austin area for the festival. By staying out of the urban hub of activity, you will save significant amounts of money on your food and lodging and have the added bonus of taking in some gorgeous and truly memorable scenery you would otherwise miss by staying in the city.
Enjoy a Slower Pace and More Authentic Experience
Another advantage to staying outside of a bustling location is the likelihood of enjoying a more authentic representation of local culture. Cities and major attractions are definitely fun and entertaining, but they can also be so busy that you can just be overwhelmed by all the options and the fast pace. Staying off the grid may provide you with the chance to slow down your usual busy pace and enjoy relaxing and taking pleasure in your surroundings.
If you choose to make your home base in a smaller town that isn’t inundated by tourists, you may experience some surprising pleasures. Small town folks seem to have a natural knack for hospitality. You may find yourself drawn into interesting conversations with your waiter or shopkeepers that have the time and desire to make out of town visitors feel extra welcome. If it is a really off-the-map location, you may not have the option of using your guidebooks and travel websites, and then you may have the wonderful adventure of asking the locals for their recommendations for outstanding hole in the wall restaurants and fun activities. Perhaps you’ll discover an unusual museum exhibit or an amusing natural water slide at the lake that you wouldn’t have discovered by staying poolside at the major chain hotel in the city.
It can be tough to think outside the pre-bundled vacation packages to major destinations. However, if you are able to do so, you will be rewarded by unique and affordable vacation memories you’ll remember for years to come.
A travel junkie and resident of Austin and the Highland Lakes, Tracey likes to write about unusual travel destinations and encourages people to visit as much of the world as they can.

Cabo Marine Show – Mexico’s Most Popular Boat Shows

Mexico’s most popular boat show “Cabo Marine Show” is all set to be held at Cabo San Lucas from May 1 to May 4, 2013. This is indeed a fabulous opportunity for nautical enthusiasts to hurriedly get the best flight deals and book cheap flights to Cabo San Lucas to attend this significant event being held at the Cabo San Lucas Marina.

The Cabo Marine Show promises 4 days of complete fun and business with great yachts, nautical vendors and vacation offerings. The visitors will also be able to regale with great food and live music and entertainment with free admission.

Book your last minute flights today to attend the Cabo Marine Show where you can expect to see more than 50 national and international companies displaying vessels of all makes, including the latest marine products and accessories, gear, engines and gadgets. The participants at this premiere boat show would also get a chance to interact with business persons and exhibitors and create a networking. You’ll be excited to know that the Cabo Marine Show has much to offer than a nautical-themed event.

Cabo Marine Show – Mexico’s Most Popular Boat Shows

Reaching Cabo San Lucas from most U.S. cities is easy. Flights to Cabo San Lucas from a number of cities take around 2-3 hours to reach. When flying from U.S. cities, you can consider booking US Airways flights. Other U.S. carriers like American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines operate Cabo San Lucas flights and usually offer cheap tickets round the year. If you want to save your money right now then its the perfect time and you can save also.

The Cabo Marine Show will be a fun event to attend with the prestigious Bisbee’s Black & Blue Tournament scheduled to be held. The visitors at the boat show will be offered opportunity to pre-register themselves for the Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore and Black & Blue Tournaments. If you plan to bring and berth your boat or yacht at the Cabo San Lucas marina, you’ll be able to benefit from the promotional rates and special discounts being offered here.

The exhibitors would put up on display new desert and water sport vehicles and products offering opportunity to buy these at special rates. You can also look forward to getting special discounts on hotel rooms and sport fishing activities. You will also be excited to attend tequila tastings being held here.

The visitors at the Cabo Marine Show can utilize the opportunity to explore several tourism-related offerings, such as resort offers, vacation club ownership, residential living and vacation villa rentals in Cabo San Lucas, in addition to some of the best sport fishing and luxury yacht charters here.

Aiming to evolve as the “Largest Marine Networking Event in Mexico” in the next five years, the Cabo Marine Show is presently the only running boat show as well as marine products and services trade fair being held in the entire Pacific coast of Mexico.

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