Like most airlines, Iberia Airlines hasn’t been doing that well. They’ve been in talks to shack up with British Airways for a bigger and brighter future, but for now they’re doing their best to shuttle travelers to and from Spain as best as they can. To make more cash the airline plans to focus on more long-haul routes, and will change up the way they deal with shorter flights: they plan to launch their own low cost carrier.

The cheap carrier Vueling already is owned in part by Iberia, but apparently this isn’t good enough for the suits in Madrid. According to officials within the airline a new carrier focused on domestic and European routes will allow them to change the operating model for these types of flights. ]]> kjb 2009-10-26T13:29:16-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/10/25/144940/47

Irony! Just when we vouched for the safety of travelers in Madrid last week with our "Bad Rap Cities: Madrid" story, a high-profile woman fell victim over the weekend to the city's thieves who prey on tourists.

It all went down on yesterday evening in front of the Thyssen Museum in Madrid, when beloved fashion designer, contemporary of Andy Warhol, and legend in her own right Diane von Furstenberg twittered: ]]> JetSetCD 2009-10-26T08:53:43-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/10/19/173951/57

Some locales can’t seem to shake their less-than-sparkling reputations despite efforts to lock away the skeletons of yesterday. We’ve decided to highlight five of these Bad Rap Cities that are making moves to shed their grimy and gritty images in hopes of becoming more tourist-friendly. Maybe, just maybe, after reading this series you'll be willing to take a chance on them. Enjoy.

Bad Rap City: Madrid

Why Go?
Just like Barcelona, Madrid has a rep for being a Thieves Paradise. Many post-trip reviews are peppered with tales of pickpockets roaming the streets in droves, armed with purse-cutting knives. Add to that the declarations that local men are lecherous louts, and female travelers become skittish about visiting alone. But forget the fear mongerers rantings and head to this beautiful city that is chock full of impressive art, delectable cuisine and is a nightowl’s dream.

]]> Chanize 2009-10-21T13:47:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/10/16/22011/318

When January comes around with its hella freezing weather, you'll be dreaming of sunny beaches; shoot, we're doing that now. To prevent seasonal affective disorder, you'll need a dose of Costa del Sol, or "Coast of the Sun." According to Travelzoo, the beachfront locale has more than 300 days of sunshine each year. The company's offering a package to the Spanish coastal region along the Mediterranean for $499, which includes a five-night vacay with airfare, but you have to book by Oct. 28.

The deal includes round-trip airfare from NYC to Malaga, Spain. You'll also spend five nights at either Sol Principe or Cervantes, both of which are four-star hotels. If you opt for Cervantes, you'll get free breakfast daily. And if you're the type to tire from frolicking on the beach all day—crazy talk, we know—you can add day tours to Cordoba, Granada or Tangier to the package for an additional $71 to $91. ]]> Jennifer Kester 2009-10-16T15:11:54-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/9/9/03528/81068

If only we had a dime for every time we've flashed our bra at the airport security check, we'd have just about enough to buy a stick of gum. And you know why? Because we are not Gwyneth Paltrow, who apparently decided that the weather in Barcelona was cold enough to wear a scarf, but so hot that a handkerchief of a tank top would do for the flight home.

Alas, the tank top didn't do very well, and now pictures of Paltrow not only looking haggard at the checkpoint are out on the web, but they include her flesh-colored bra, which, unless you do a double-take, looks like fully nude side-boobage. We're going to jot this down in our no-nos list of in-flight fashion, for obvious reasons. Also, doesn't that scarf kind of look like a neck brace until you see the whole picture? ]]> JetSetCD 2009-09-09T08:40:08-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/9/2/10555/62464

After New Orleans welcomed him with open arms, Super World Traveler Brad Pitt has set his sights on drawing tourists to another little-visited town in northern Spain. Only 860,998 cities left before tourism is saved!

The city of Avilés is in the process of building a cultural center dedicated to Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, responsible for designing the city of Brasilia and contributing to the UN Headquarters design. For the northern region of Asturias, best known as the area of Catholic reconquest of Spain from the Moors, the Centro Niemeyer will attract touring theatre productions, cultural exhibits and famous authors to the city once it opens in 2010. ]]> egw 2009-09-02T11:20:47-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/7/14/202745/157

If you find yourself wandering the streets of Madrid this summer, stumbling upon some culture should be even easier than usual.

June 25 marked the start of the city’s 24th annual Veranos de la Villa—Summer in the City—60 days of music, dance, and theatre held throughout the city’s squares and plazas (and in some inside theaters and concert halls too).

The festival is a time when Madrid comes out to celebrate its international flair, so expect less Spanish guitar and flamenco dancing in favor of more pop music and breakdancing. The eclectic lineup includes everyone from Cuban hip-hoppers Orishas to ballet impresario Mikhail Baryshnikov, and funk legends Kool in the Gang, along with a slew of free events throughout the festival, which runs through August 23.

Related Stories:
· Verano de la Villa [Official Site]
· Madrid summer festival features star-studded lineup [Travel Weekly]
· US Airways Begs You To Go To Europe This Summer [Jaunted]

[Photo: museu reina sofia] ]]> BS 2009-07-16T09:10:02-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/