Venere Travel Blog - It's our business where you sleep!

The capital of Catalonia and 2nd largest city in Spain is Barcelona with its nearly 2 million residents. It is located in the northeastern part of the country on the Mediterranean coast, which makes Barcelona an extremely popular tourist destination, as well as a favorite of the Spanish locals. The history of the city dates back to the time when it was known as Barcino, a Roman occupied town, some 2,000 years ago.

The Rambla, a historic boulevard in Barcelona, was a meeting point for people from all walks of life in the past because of its convenient location. Even Federico Garcia Lorca, the Spanish poet, loved alluring La Rambla and said the promenade was “the only street in the world which I wish would never end”. Its infectious charm still draws hordes of locals and tourists. It is the place for watching the world go by, appreciating aesthetics of landmarks and skills of street artists, and shopping souvenirs. Choose from scores of cafes and restaurants lining both sides of the boulevard to satiate your appetite whetted by an amble. Nevertheless, the 1,200-meter-long street has its downside too – groping, mugging, rip-offs and well-dressed pickpockets. Be careful!

Madrid is one of the most amazing cities in Western Europe. When you first set foot in the city, you’re going to experience a number of different sensations. You’ll feel as though you have just entered a time of centuries past that you have only learned about in history books in high school or college. The city is a mixture of cobblestone streets, crowded central plazas filled with the locals, and stunning palaces. You may even feel as though you have just walked into a type of Spanish designed New York City.

The capital and largest city in Spain is Madrid with its 3.5 million residents. It is best known for its artistic and cultural heritage. Madrid is also renowned for its diversity in cuisines and its exciting nightlife venues. The accommodations in the city are considered some of the most outstanding in Western Europe. Interestingly enough, the city of Madrid caters to a rather significant GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, and Transgender) community. There are a number of outstanding gay-friendly hotels in the city as well.

If you are ever in Madrid on a Sunday, don’t miss the chance to spend the afternoon in El Retiro, the most popular and widely visited park in the city. Just crossing the street from Puerta de Alcala El Retiro is also the meeting point for all sorts of people, from kids with their rollerblades and young people jogging to families with their kids having ice cream and walking the dog. In summer time people just go and spend the whole day tanning and having fun. The park has a lake where you can take boat rides when the weather is nice.

Also referred to as the “Running of the Bulls”, the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona is an annual event that commences at noon on the 6^th of July. When the starting time of the festival is approaching, thousands of individuals begin congregating in the town square as they anxiously await the Mayor’s announcement to start the fiestas. Although the history of the festival is somewhat cloudy, there is evidence to indicate that celebratory events took place as far back as the 13^th century on October 10^th which coincided with the festival.

The second largest city in Spain is Barcelona as well as being the capital and largest city of Catalonia. The city gained prominence over 2,000 years ago when it was a Roman occupied city name Barcino that became popular because of its location along Spain’s northeastern Mediterranean coastline. The city gained the attention of the entire world in 1992 when it hosted the summer Olympic Games and launched the tourist industry to a considerably higher level.

Bullfighting is one of Spain’s most antique and important traditions. Each year thousand of people gather in Las Ventas, in Madrid, for the bullfighting season.

Located in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Spain is the archipelago known as the Balearic Islands, one of the most popular tourist destinations in this region. The capital and most frequently visited city in the Balearic Islands is Palma de Mallorca. Not only will you find a variety of bars, restaurants, and retail shops, it also features a beautiful harbor and the most outstanding nightlife in the entire islands.

If you are an art lover, you can find some great art museums in Madrid, Spain to enjoy while visiting the city. Walk through the city’s “Golden Triangle of Art” at Paseo del Prado where three great museums stand up: Museo del Prado, Museo Reina Sofia and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. All of them have great art collections from different periods of art history as well as famous masterpieces from famous European Masters.

Situated near eastern Spain’s Iberian coastline is the western Mediterranean archipelago known as the Balearic Islands. The four favorite destinations of the island group are Ibiza, Formentera, Majorca, and Menorca. Aside from the diverse cuisine, culture, history, and landscape of the islands, it is the climate and the beaches that attract international visitors as well as those from Spain. Here are our choices for the top 5 unspoiled beaches in the Balearic Islands.

Known primarily for its artistic and cultural heritage, Madrid is the capital and largest city in Spain. Additionally, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. The population is pushing 3.5 million so you can expect it to be busy all day long and well into the night whenever you visit there. Madrid is also a great family vacation destination due to the many theme parks you will find in the city. Here are several to consider if you are planning to vacation there with your family.

Barcelona is Catalonia’s capital city and it is the 2^nd largest city in Spain. Being located on the northeastern coastline of the Mediterranean Sea, the city has a rich history that stretches back over 2,000 years. For many international travelers, Barcelona is a particular favorite because of its climate and close proximity to the water. But there are so many other reasons to visit the city, including the art, cuisine, and the shopping. But what do you do where the cuisine is concerned if you are a vegetarian?

The capital and largest city of Spain is Madrid as well as being the artistic, cultural, financial, and historical center of the country. With a population approaching 3.5 million, it is the busiest and most populated area of the Iberian Peninsula and southwestern Europe. Madrid is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region and sees millions of international travelers every year. For many of these visitors, it is the Spanish cuisine that is the primary draw.

Nowadays Madrid, Spain is one of Europe’s most vivacious and dynamic cities. Thousands of people walk up and down its busy streets, have dinner at great restaurants, visit its amazing museums or just have a beer in a terraza. The city has many traditional and modern neighborhoods, each of them offering its visitors different kinds of activities and sights according to their interests. There is everything for everyone.