Category: Travel

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Lots of families, couples, and friends enjoy a weekend break now and again in order to spend some quality time together and get away from the stresses of everyday life. Most choose to stay close to the UK because going further afield can be too much of a hassle for a mere weekend. But where should you go?

Dublin is proving to be a popular choice because of its beautiful surroundings and wealth of tourist attractions. The city features an array of stunning landscapes. Via visiting Dublin you will get to witness tranquil and unspoilt countryside, which truly gives you the basis to relax and rejuvenate. Moreover, there is a whole host of things to do, such as seeing a music event at the arena, heading to the theatre, and, of course, enjoying a weekend at the races. There are a lot of racecourses close to Dublin, like Punchestown and Leopardstown. They all provide a great place to enjoy a day out, whether you are a big racing fan or not.

As well as planning what you are going to do in the popular city, you will also need to consider the different hotels in Dublin so that you can find somewhere to stay for your vacation. There are several things that you need to consider in order to ensure that you find the best hotel.

First and foremost, you need to determine a budget. After all, there is a whole host of hotels in Dublin, and thus they differ in price from place to place. By determining a budget range you can narrow down your search effectively. Nevertheless, it is important to be mindful of going for the cheapest option. If you are going for a weekend break then you want to stay somewhere nice which will enhance your experience. A budget hotel is likely to offer you the bare minimum and you won’t enjoy your experience anywhere as much.

In addition to this, you also need a hotel that enhances your stay and provides you with the best of what Dublin has to offer. As mentioned, Dublin boasts some fantastic countryside and thus it is worth staying in a hotel which is situated with beautiful views. Some of the best hotels in Dublin take advantage of this with the likes of luxury golf courses.

A lot of people prefer to go for a cheaper hotel that is in a better location and gives them the ability to keep some money spare so they can make the most of everything Dublin has to offer in terms of entertainment. A budget hotel nearby near 3 Arena would be a good choice. There are always lots of great events going on here. You can expect all of the world’s most famous musicians. 

You also need to decide what board you want, such as; all inclusive, self catering, half board, bed and breakfast and alike. Most people tend to opt for bed and breakfast or half board. This is because it provides them with a good breakfast when they wake up, yet they still have license to explore and try different cafes and restaurants around Dublin during either lunch or dinner.

Continuing on the theme of food, make sure that the hotel boasts an impressive restaurant. Some of the most luxurious hotels will boast award winning restaurants, and these really enhance your stay. After all, there is nothing better than indulging in some lavish food whilst enjoying a weekend’s break.

It is also a good idea to take the time to read reviews that have been left by people that have stayed in the hotels you are considering before. This will give you the chance to see what they have had to say about their experience, including whether they enjoyed their time there and any handy tips or things to be mindful of. Make sure you use independent review platforms so you can be sure the comments are genuine. This is a must.

All in all, Dublin offers a fantastic place to stay for those seeking a weekend’s vacation. In order to find the best hotels in Dublin you should contemplate budget, board basis, quality of food and surroundings. 

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.

Image via Unsplash

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”.