Travel Places

Most tourists who visit Spain, spend just a day or so in Madrid before moving towards the beaches or other resorts in the country. But Madrid deserves much more than this, it is a beautiful city, vibrating with culture and joy and history abound in every corner.

There is so much to see and do here. If you like watching people and mingling with the crowds, go to Plaza Mayor. Full of bars and restaurants, no one ever seems to sleep here. There are over 3100 culinary places in Madrid, so you are never short of choices. Madrid has the largest number of bars, per capita than any city in Europe, and Spain has some very fine wines. So go out and have a great evening!!

If you want to see beautiful palaces and buildings, go to the Palacio Real – a palace housing centuries of history within its ramparts. The treasures of this palace can keep you riveted for hours.

By far the best place to visit in Madrid is Museo Del Prado. You can easily get lost in this place while looking at one of the finest art collections in the world. It houses Flemish, Dutch, Spanish and German art collections.

If you are fond of good food, go and have a “tapas” at one of the eating places, or have some great fish at Plaza Mayor. If you like live music, join the crowd at Sala Heineken or  La Riveira, or just follow the sounds of a group playing music at any of the Plazas.

Well, what are you waiting for? Madrid beckons.

A citadel, a palace, a fortress, La Alhamabra is all this and much more. It is considered by many to be at par with the best monuments in the world and it is the most visited tourist destination in Spain.

The fortress has existed since the 9th century, but there are references to it only in the 13th century. The Nasrite sultans are believed to be the ones who built some of the more beautiful parts of this palace. In 1492, it became a Christian court, after Isabella and Ferdinand conquered Granada. Each successive ruler left his footprints in some part of this palace, as he added or enhanced the beauty of the fort.

In the 18th and 19th century this monument was neglected and left to be ruined and vandalized. However in 1870, it was declared a national monument, and restored to its days of glory.

If you are planning to visit Granada, we would recommend that you book your entry tickets in advance. Only a limited number of people are permitted inside the complex, and visiting hours are split into 3 time periods – morning, afternoon and evening. In order to avoid disappointment, make all your arrangements prior to leaving for the fort.

Once you have entered the complex, do make it a point to visit the Chamber of Comares and the Chamber of Lions. This palace is one of the last vestiges of Moorish rule in Spain, and it is a beautiful example of their unique architecture and their ability to build monuments that last through centuries.

More than a thousand islands to explore, glorious beaches, some incredible underwater vistas and coral reefs, can you ask for anything more than this? Maldives offers you all this and much more. Surf and sand, relaxation and pleasure, underwater beauty and pristine beaches all combine together to make this a great place to visit.
Getting there:

There are no prior visa requirements for Maldives. A 30 day visa is provided on arrival to almost everyone, based on immigration rules. Tourism is their main bread spinner, so all facilities are provided to make your visit a very happy one.
There are hotels and resorts of all shades and hues here. They range from the very luxurious ones such as Four Seasons Resort to budget places located on the beach. All of them provide easy access to the beach, since most activity centres around the seaside.

What to do there:

If you are interested in just sitting back and doing nothing, there is no better place than this. Time seems to stop here, nothing seems to be hurried or rushed. It is easy to forget the traffic jams and the pollution that we have left behind.

But we would definitely recommend that you try the water sports available here. The water here is in various shades of turquoise and it is crystal clear. There are few places that offer you such great views of underwater sea life. Have a look at the coral reefs, enjoy the diving and snorkelling facilities, and take part in the water sports. Go sightseeing in a boat and look at some spectacular scenery around you.

Turquoise water, white sandy beaches, tropical climate, flora, and fauna all together define Mauritius. Biologically diverse Mauritius is the by product of a volcanic eruption. It is a hot spot with Honeymooners and beach lovers. A traveler’s delight loaded with historical sites, cultural diversity and geographic variations, this island has welcoming warm people and the great hospitality makes you instantly fall in love with the place. Situated in the southwest of Indian Ocean it has a coastline of 177 kilometers almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs. Extinct craters, volcanic lakes, impressive tall mountains, crystal blue water, and ample sunlight conjure an exotic image of picturesque Mauritius. Famous English author Mark Twain wrote in his travelogue Following the equator that “You gather the idea that Mauritius was first made and then heaven and the heaven was copied after Mauritius.”

Best time to visit:-

Being Tropical Island, Mauritius is all too sunny and bright with southeast trade winds blowing from the Indian Ocean. December to April being a summer month can make you feel soggy; January and February are cyclonic months and are to be avoided unless you decide to stay inside during your visit. The perfect time to enjoy this beautiful island is between May to November when the temperature ranges from 25 degree to 30 degree Celsius.

Main attractions:-

1. If you think beaches are all about sunbathing and swimming, here is a surprise! There are lots more you can do: water skiing, wind surfing, snorkeling, parasailing, and fishing are major water sports you can enjoy. Grand bay, Blue Bay,Pereybere, Belle Marc,Flic En Flac, Le Morne and Tamarin are the famous beaches.
2. Triolet Shivala is the biggest Hindu temple of the island, built in1819. Hinduism is the major religion of this island. Pere Laval Shrine and Lake Bassins are the other noted pilgrimage sites.
3. Black river Gorges national park, La Vanille Crocodile park, Lle Aur Airgrettes and Domain Du chasseur are major wildlife destinations. Abode for more than 300 species of flowers, Mauritius is also home for some unique species of birds like Pink Pigeons. Hiking in lush green dense jungles is another activity which attracts wildlife enthusiasts.
4. Sites like ruins of European settlement, Balaclava and the Dutch ruins at Vieux Grand port give you the glimpse of medieval history.

Around the city:-

Taxi, bus, tram, scooter, and bicycle are major means of transport within the city. One can choose on the basis of comfortability and affordability. And if you are more of a discoverer, scooter and bicycle are the ideal choices. One should be careful while hiring a taxi as the drivers rarely go by meter and if you don’t negotiate and settle at an agreed price before starting, you will end up paying more.

Port Louis will cast an impression on you as you arrive there. It’s not only the capital of the country but also the biggest city. It bustles with major financial activities. Vivacity of the place can be felt at all the casinos, bars, shops, and restaurants. But the show stealer is Grand Baie, this party town is a cosmopolitan city with all the shopping destinations, luxurious resorts, beautiful beaches, cafes, casinos, and happening night life.

Mauritius is an ideal destination for all kind of vacationers and leaves you with a varied number of choices. A perfect holiday spot for exhilarating experiences.

Niagara Falls continues to be a popular vacation destination for honeymooners and families, alike.  If you are in the process of planning a trip, to this location, there are several tips you can follow that will prove to be a money savers.

Tip number one:  When booking your hotel reservations, choose accommodations on the American side of the falls. Rates are typically less expensive, in New York.  The properties might not be as elegant, but this choice means that you will have extra money to spend on other things.

Tip number two: If you will be flying to and from Niagara, do so during the week. The best days to fly, regardless of airline, are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Traveling the remaining four days of the week can prove to be much more expensive.

Tip number three: If you will be purchasing souvenirs, do so at one of the many duty-free shops located in the area.  Most are open seven days a week and offer a variety of items including alcohol, tobacco, jewelry, clothing, leather goods and much more.

Tip number four: Visit the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory. Open year-round, except on Christmas Day, this is a wonderful way to get up close and personal with more than 2,000 species of beautiful butterflies. You will also enjoy the rainforest setting, complete with exotic flowers and lush greenery. (When visiting, wear red to attract the most butterflies!)

Tip number five: Shop around for package deals; you’ll probably be surprised at the savings you can actually find.  Remember, if you will be traveling to Niagara Falls for your honeymoon; mention this fact when you are making any kind of reservations. Oftentimes, vendors will throw in additional perks, for honeymooners.

Tip number six: If you are planning a trip to advance and know that you will be eating at restaurants that except gift cards… purchase two or three of the smaller denomination cards per month. When it comes time for the trip, several if not all of the meals will already be paid for.

( Just make sure the gift cards you are purchasing will still be valid at the time of your trip.)

Common misspelling: Niagra Falls

Lanzarote may be a Spanish island by name.  But this little speck of Spain, which measures just 58km by 35km, is located just off the coast of Africa – and combines a melting pot of cultural influences which are part European and part Latin American.

This unique blend results from the fact that Lanzarote was once an important staging post between the New World and The Old.  As Spanish galleons transported Inca gold and silver back from South America to the homeland – via the Canary Islands.  Inviting frequent raids from English privateers such as Raleigh and Drake.

Today the island is home to around 127,000 citizens – the bulk of whom reside in the capital of Arrecife.  But this population is swelled by tourists – as since the explosion of package holidays in the 1970’s the island has established itself as one of the most popular destinations in all of Spain.  Attracting around one million visitors from Britain and Ireland alone every year.

The reasons for this popularity lie in the fact that Lanzarote enjoys a year round clement climate, due to its location on the same line of latitude as parts of Mexico and Florida.  With temperatures that rarely fall below 20c even in the depths of winter.

But Lanzarote offers more than just sunshine alone.  As this little island is big on attractions and unlike other Spanish sunspots remains relatively unspoiled.  Thanks to the work of an island born artist and architect called Cesar Manrique. Who campaigned against over development and worked in tandem with the island government to ensure that Lanzarote was not buried beneath a sea of five star hotels.

Thanks to Manrique’s influence the three main tourist resorts on the island are all well contained. Advertising hoardings are banned.  And no buildings taller than a Canarian palm tree are permitted.

Manrique also sought to create a unique range of tourist attractions on the island as an alternative to the golf courses and water parks springing up in the rest of Spain.  He sought to fuse art with nature – and working with Lanzarote’s unique volcanic landscapes he created a range of cultural sites such as the Jameos del Agua - where he transformed a collapsed lava tube into a lush underground grotto.

Lanzarote’s main tourist attraction though is the Timanafa Volcano Park.  Which is the epicentre of the eruptions that buried around one quarter of the island under a sea of lava back in the 1730’s.  At the time this event obviously caused devastation.  But today the volcanoes are a huge draw for tourists,. Attracting just under one million visitors every year.  Who are transfixed by the eerie landscape which is often likened to the surface of the moon.

The island has accommodation for around 65,000 tourists at any one time.  With apartments and holiday villas in Lanzarote * accounting for around two thirds of this capacity.  Whilst the remainder of the market is catered to by hotels and apart hotel complexes.

The Hawaiian Islands have always been one of the most visited tourist spots in the United States and if you have not been to a Hawaii yet, its time you got to see the best. It’s true – the famous Hawaiian beaches are one of the best beaches in the world with all the effects of the typical holiday. You can expect smooth miles of grainy beaches, crystal blue sea water, fun resorts, and a hammock tied to palm trees with a tropical cocktail in one hand.

Hearing about the Hawaiian Islands evokes images of the perfect vacation. You can reach there either by ship or by plane but to experience the oceans is another holiday altogether so the second option is most preferred. Reaching there is not as big an issue as deciding how to spend the vacation is – one should know about the beaches and resorts to enjoy the Hawaiian Islands, completely.

Lanikai Beach is one of the most popular beaches which literally means ‘heavenly beach’. Located on Oahu Island, locals consider it as the best swimming beach. Hanalei bay Beach is another popular spot for water sport enthusiasts. One can participate in snorkelling, boating, scuba diving and much more. This beach has beautiful landscaped complete with cliffs and waterfalls.

Other than beaches, one can go on of-the-trail walks, forest hikes and bird watching and a whole plethora of activities. The Hawaiian Islands offer comfort and peace beyond the scope of other holiday spots and one must try it.

Welcome to first edition of world travel guide – TravelPlaces.biz; we will be writing about all the good places that you should visit. Some will be high profile tourist places while others will be little explored offbeat places. We will start with Greece first.

Greece and vacations are almost synonymous these days – some of the world’s oldest and most famous sites are located in the country. After all, the Greeks are one of the oldest civilisations in the world. Most people know it as the land of gods and goddesses. But for all you know, if you are travelling to Greece for your next holiday, you might as well plan it smoothly so that you don’t miss out on any of the great places. 

The Acropolis is always on the top for it has the Pantheon also known as the Temple of Athena. One should visit it early in the morning to enjoy the sun, and keep away from the crowds. The National Archaeological Museum at Athens will give you a view of ancient Greek artefacts – you can buy souvenirs and gifts too.

After this you must catch beautifully done plays and orchestras at the ancient Epidaurus theatre though the best time to visit is the summers. Mykonos Island is the ideal place to give a break from temples and civilization with its modern bars and restaurants. This is one the trendiest places in Greece and in addition to the beautiful beaches (some of which are nude), one can be sure of a merry time here. To take a small walk in history, the Island of Santorini will help to revive memories of the lost city of Atlantis for this island is said to be Atlantis.   

All in all, a vacation in Greece can be one your most memorable vacations ever.