Category: Travel

If this beauty of Spain is your next destination, these are some of the places that, when seen, leave an unforgettable memory.

Barcelona is said to be a magical city and represents a visual delight and atmosphere that combines elegance and refinement with Catalan charm.

Its streets reveal a medieval romance in her Gothic neighborhood and her breath pauses with a look at the architecture of Gaudi and his contemporaries. This is just enough reason to wonder when to travel and what to see in Barcelona.

Made of art, Barcelona is one of the few cities whose appearance has for the most part been shaped by an artist who, through his creative spirit, has given her unique, distinctive and recognizable sights.

Barcelona sights do not end with beautiful Gaudi creations, but this gem of Spain will knock off the feet of every visitor with its diverse architecture, neighborhoods, streets, long sandy beaches.

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Here are 5 incredible places to visit if you are in Barcelona, that you shouldn’t miss:

Placa de Catalunya

 

When you say: “Barcelona City Center” is mostly referring to this square. The square occupies about 50,000 square meters, is circular and has 9 streets, of which 2 are the most famous in Barcelona:

La Rambla (wide promenade in the center of the old part of the city) and Passeig de Gracia which is considered the most glamorous street in Barcelona. In this picturesque square several statues and fountains “look” at each other, there are several metro and bus lines next to the square, and there is a train station underground.

El Corte Ingles, the largest shopping mall chain in Spain, is also located here. The Placa de Catalunya is certainly a place worth visiting and you will be hard to miss, even if you were in Barcelona for only one day.

La Sagrada Familia

 

What will leave you breathless in fairytale Barcelona is one of the most interesting sights of Catalonia – the Church of the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) designed by architect Antonio Gaudi and which has become synonymous with the city of Barcelona. Started in 1882 and unfinished to date, it has been the subject of much controversy. It is considered Gaudi’s masterpiece.

He worked on it until his death in 1926. Such grandeur and work with so many details are nowhere to be seen. It’s just something indescribable.

However many times you have seen the Sagrada Familia in pictures, the feeling of seeing it live is unmatched.

Columbus Monument

 

The colorful walk from Catalonia Square to La Ramblas Street ends with the Gate of Peace on which the Columbus Monument is located, erected in honor of the famous sailor who discovered the New World in 1392 in search of India. The right hand outstretched on the statue is pointing in the direction of Genoa, which is in the opposite direction to America.

And, if you wish, you can climb up to Christopher, at an altitude of 87m and soak up the view of the whole of Barcelona, the pearl of the Mediterranean.

Park Guell

 

Another strong reason to travel to Barcelona, and what sights and attractions to visit.

Barcelona will seem unreal if you also visit the famous Gaudi’s, Park Guell. This is one of the world’s most impressive artificial landscapes and the perfect place for your photography.

Guell Park is the place where Gaudi’s ideas about the unity of art and nature are best realized. It extends over several hectares of green space in northwestern Barcelona.

Everything is mushroom-shaped in this park, it is an unusual place, so when you enter you might think that you came to shoot an interesting fairy tale.

So at the entrance, you will be greeted by two houses whose shape is reminiscent of illustrations from popular picture books and you will be greeted by the famous lizard standing along the stairs. They lead to a hall with pillars resting on a terrace on the surface of which a long, undulating wall is formed, which is the longest bench in the world.

From the terrace, you have a beautiful view of the city and the sea. The park also houses the Gaudi House Museum, which displays many sketches by this remarkable artist and sculptor.

Park Ciutadella

 

This large 30ha park is also home to the Barcelona Zoo. About 7,500 animals, represented through 400 species, are on an area that occupies about 13 acres of the park.

Some of the most famous animals in this garden are gorillas, orangutans, dolphins, wolves, snow leopards, crocodiles, and alligators. The former zoo star and attraction, the albino gorilla is known as Snowflake, died in 2004.

The park also has a small lake, a popular spot where you can rent a boat and paddle. There are several statues in the park, most notably the huge stone mammoth and metal cat.

At the northern corner of the park is the imposing fountain La Cascada (Cascade) built for the 1888 Universal Exhibition.

These are just some of the most famous places and attractions which to see this amazing city. Of course, if you stay longer, you can see in detail the best sites to see in Barcelona.

Mas Que un club, the slogan of one of the largest football clubs in the world – Barcelona. Meaning: “More than a club.” If you ask me then the city of Barcelona is Mas Que un Ciudad or “More than a city”.

 

It is coming up to that time of year where we look at what we hope to achieve and do next year and how to go about doing them. Some people call them resolutions; others call them goals and dreams. Whatever you call them, it is important to get the very best out of them.

 

If one of your resolutions for 2021 is to get outside more and experience the great outdoors and everything it has to offer, here are our tips to help you to get the most out if it.

Image via Unsplash CC0

Gear up

Before you attempt anything, whether you fancy trying out wild water swimming, mountain climbing, fishing or anything else, make sure that you have all the right gear. It is a huge part of not just having fun and being successful out there, but keeping you safe and healthy as well. If you try climbing up a mountain in a pair of standard trainers, you are going to end up with at best sore ankles and feet, at worst falling, getting stuck or breaking something. There are some things that are essentials, some that are common sense and some that are just plain great ideas. A Wet & Dry Changing Robe, for example, makes sitting around more comfortable and helps you to get changed discreetly and conveniently. 

Make sure someone knows where you are going

We have all watched the films, right? 127 hours is a great example of what not to do – do not go anywhere without making sure at least one other person, preferably more, know where you are going and what time you are expected to be back. This is particularly important if you are heading to somewhere remote or going out alone. Never change your route without letting someone know either. It is how way too many horror stories start. 

Document your experience – but do not forget to live in the moment

This can be a hard balance to achieve sometimes. What is the point in doing something amazing if you are not present at that moment and taking it all in? However, at the same time, what is the point in doing something amazing if you do not have something to look back on in the future? Take photos, make videos, record things, write them down – but do not do so much that you spend your whole time behind a camera and not enjoying them as they are at that moment.

Know what to do in an emergency

Even in the best-planned and seemingly risk-free adventure, things can and go wrong, so knowing what to do in an emergency is essential. What will you do if your car breaks down or you get completely lost with no signal? What happens if someone becomes ill or gets injured? Foreseeing some possible emergency scenarios and having an idea of what you will do if they ever happen is important.

The outdoors is something pretty amazing, and if you have decided to make the most out of it in 2021, well done. Take something from it, learn new things about yourself but make sure you are prepared for every eventuality.

 

As the new year approaches, families are getting ready to finalize their yearly travel plans. A lot of people couldn’t see each other during the holiday season, so a lot of people may be traveling far and wide to see the ones they love. With that, some of our traveling companions may be our elderly relatives. If you are moving around with someone much older than you, they will require a different level of care and comfort. Here are some ways to make traveling with elderly loved ones easier. 

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Make Sure Your Accommodations Can Accommodate Them

When you are booking your hotel or apartment rental, make sure your elderly loved one can get into and out of the space. It may be better to book something on the first floor or something that has an elevator. Elderly people have a very hard time with stairs, and forcing them to go up and down stairs will be a detriment to their trip.

Also, make sure the bed is not too hard to get into or out of where your elderly relative is sleeping. It could be very dangerous for them if they fall out of bed, or fall getting into bed. Researching to make sure their entry and sleeping arrangements are taken care of early will be a huge weight lifted off of everyone’s shoulders.

Don’t Travel Too Far

If you are going by plane, make sure the flight is not too long. A lot of times elderly relatives cannot sit for a long period of time, or they may need to use the restroom. If you have no choice and you have to fly a long distance, make sure their seat is in a location that is close to the bathroom.

When they have easy access to using the toilet, they will not be as anxious if they are afraid they won’t be able to make it to the bathroom in time. If you are traveling by car, work some extra time into your itinerary so that you can stop for frequent bathroom breaks or to stretch out your legs and still make it to where you are going on time.

Plan Your Meals

Elderly people are sometimes on a strict diet in order for them to remain healthy and living an active lifestyle. When you are making dinner reservations along the way or are making arrangements for dinner while you are at your destination, check out the menus first and see if your grandparent or parent can eat what’s on the menu.

The littlest change in their diet can cause them to have serious digestive issues and can ruin their trip. At the same time, you may have to stop doing what you are doing to make sure they are taken care of. A little research before you go can ensure that everyone will have a great time while they are away.

Get Travel Insurance

A lot of companies offer senior travel insurance. With senior travel insurance, your elderly relative will be covered in the event of a fall, injury, or any other kind of medical emergency including the onset of the Covid-19 virus. This is a good thing to have in case there are any issues. 

Travel insurance will cover anything that pops up including if there are any cancellations or delays due to illness or due to things out of your control. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so research your travel insurance options when you are planning your trip.

Can They Get Around Where You Are Going?

One of the final things to research when you are making your plans is to ensure that your elderly relative can get around where you are going. If they have a hard time walking, planning a walking tour of a city may not be the best option. If you are going somewhere like Disney World, you can rent a wheelchair or scooter to help your relative get around. 

When you know what is available to them and what is not available to them, you can plan accordingly so that no one is left out of the fun, and everyone can experience all the wonders of your location.

Talk to Them

Traveling with elderly loved ones takes a bit more research, but when you see the happiness they will be experiencing, you will know it was worth it. So, take the time to find out what their needs are, what makes them comfortable, and how they want to travel.

A vacation is a period where you leave your regular job. People take holidays during celebrations or specific holiday observances. Holidays are mostly spent with spouses, family or friends. Many people spend vacations travelling or doing recreational activities.

Vacations or holidays are typically spent away from home. It mainly involves tourism. You are likely to take a break during your leave or holiday, like Christmas. This blog post will discuss what you should look out for during a holiday.

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Best Place To Stay

When going on a vacation, you need to have at least a basic plan, if not a full-time vacation plan. You need to know where you want to go first, what you want to do, and where you will stay. You need to give yourself the best according to your capabilities.

For example, if you’re going for a vacation in the USA, look out for hotels with jacuzzi in room where you can enjoy the comfort and beautiful experience of the best places to spend your holiday. It would help if you also got a place to get the best services. You do not want to go for a vacation to get frustrated.

The Kind of Experiences You Like

Everyone wants to go on a holiday to have fun. When going on a vacation, you should consider having a list of what you love doing. Then, having your interests in mind, you can choose which activities you will do. Finally, you can have locals take you through to the places of your interest. For example, if you love water activities, you can go to a site where there is a beach. 

If you are a natural and adventurous person, you can go hiking and mountain climbing. That means you will go to places that are nature friendly like camping and spending some time in the woods.

Security

It is essential to always put your security in mind. Make sure everything you do during your vacation is safe. On many occasions, when people are having fun, they get carefree, which should not be the case. Therefore, you need to know that safety starts with you.

It is best to make sure where you are staying is safe. For example, if it’s a hotel or a camping site, do a background check, especially if you wait for a while. Also, for the activities you plan to do, ensure a safety factor to avoid accidents when trying to have fun.

Manage Your Budget

Managing your budget is critical during vacations. It would be best if you had a plan before going on vacation. Then, when you know where you will be spending your vacation, you can come up with an approximate budget for a holiday.

So, avoid getting too excited to the point where you find yourself overspending during your holiday. Having your finances on track helps you avoid going into debt and regrets. So, have fun and enjoy but be careful not to mess your finances at the expense of having fun.

In conclusion, having a fantastic vacation does not need to be grand. For many people, a holiday needs to be luxurious for you to enjoy. But this is not the case, start from where you are, you can even begin by exploring your city. You only need to make sure you check your budget, explore, try out new things and do the things that interest you.