Jaunted - Tag: Spain

Mallorca: Christian Theme Park to Open in Spain, Complete with 'Live Resurrections'

Omri — 2010-09-14T15:14:49-05:00

Europeans are fond of complaining that American imports are ruining their culture, and usually we're like "shut up, we need our Chipotle." In this very specific case, though, they might have a point. Europe's first Christian theme park—modeled after the ones in the American South and South America—is now set to open in Mallorca, Spain. Inexplicably.

We of course usually recommend a different religious travel solution. If if you want to see what the Holy Land looks like, our reasoning goes, you should actually take a trip to the Holy Land and see it. From the United States that might be prohibitive with the cost, but a flight from Spain to Israel on one of Europe's billion LCC's is fairly affordable. When you factor in the Euro/Shekel exchange rate you're almost saving money. We understand there are pluses and minuses—in Israel you can only walk on the "Jesus trail" while in religious theme parks you can actually meet Jesus—but we kind of prefer our way. Even if there are no "live resurrections," as this theme park promises.

Costa del Sol: Escape Cold Temps On Spain's Costa del Sol For 5 Nights At $499

Jennifer Kester — 2009-10-16T15:11:54-05:00

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.

Bilbao: Destination: Bilbao, Spain

egw — 2007-02-08T11:40:19-05:00

Step off the beaten track of Spanish tourism with a detour to Bilbao, a modern city nestled in the heart of the Basque country.

What To Do?: If you've made it this far you absolutely have to go to the Guggenheim Bilbao, if only for its Jeff Koonz statue "Puppy View 4" (a giant dog) and river views. But the Euskal Museoa (Basque Museum) is a great place to start your trip by getting acquainted with Basque culture -- not only is it a small and well organized museum, it's smack dab in the middle of the casco viejo, the oldest part of town. And there are plenty of mom-and-pop restaurants nearby to give you your fix of pintxos, or Basque tapas.

Getting There: Air France flies from New York to Bilbao's uber-modern airport via Paris (a seven-hour flight followed by a two-hour flight). Or fly through Madrid or Barcelona and pick up a discounted fare through Vueling. EasyJet flies to Bilbao from Londson-Stansted, base for Eos and MAXjet.

Where To Stay: The advantage of staying here, as opposed to Madrid or Barcelona, is you can usually find a great deal just by wandering around. If seat-of-your-pants travel isn't your thing, check into the Ria de Bilbao Residencia -- a hostel that looks like a hotel but is priced (at $33/night for a double private room) like a campground.

Bonus Tip: While most people in Bilbao speak Spanish, secession-hungry activists have been campaigning for a revival of Euskara, a language resembling almost no other in Europe which separatists claim is proof the Basque civilization predated anything in Spain or France. Maybe a little far-fetched, but make sure you catch some Euskara speakers in action or at least on the news.

[Photo: Nick Mariette]

Malaga: Enrique Iglesias in Costa del Sol

Katherine — 2006-08-16T07:25:17-05:00

The Costa del Sol in Spain is not beautiful. Yeah, it's a coastline on the Mediterranean with endless beaches, but one doesn't go there for the nature. Instead, one goes to party. Northern Europeans started the trend, and the rest of the world obediently followed suit, turning beaches like Malagueta into centers of hedonism.

It is in Andalusia, so there is lots of interesting history and culture, if you look for it. But you might be the only one in the museum, especially in the summer months, when the beaches are most packed. In fact, MTV has taken to holding concerts there, and Enrique Iglesias performed at one recently. He's really a perfect match for the place, all sweaty suaveness. Bet he wears cologne.

Related:
- Malaga [TripAdvisor]

[image via People]

Living the Jai Alai Life

AVB — 2006-05-15T09:30:02-05:00

We thought that Jai Alai (pronounced high lie) was just for crossword puzzles, but the game is quite popular in the Basque region of Spain. Sadly, it's nearly gone from the national consciousness of most other places on earth. Even though it was an international craze at the turn of the 20th century, only two courts remain in the U.S., both in Florida. Hardly national treasures, they operate more like OTBs than anything else.

It's surprising, because the game sounds exciting; players compete by alternately hurling a goatskin ball against a wall with a cesta, which is made from Spanish chestnut and reeds, trying to get their competitor to drop the ball instead of returning it successfully. The ball goes really, really, fast: Up to 180mph. Think of it as death squash, or extreme racquetball.

If you want to see jai alai in person, villages along the Spanish coast near San Sebastian are your best bet. Information is sometimes posted here as well. It sure beats watching a bullfight, if you ask us.

Related Stories:
· Coming Home to Jai Alai [NY Times]
· Straight Lines are for Losers [Jaunted]

Spain Goes Boom

AVB — 2006-05-11T12:43:05-05:00

Explosions? What red-blooded male doesn't love 'em? Gents, this is one explosion that you can use to show your sensitive side; it's an explosion that is even supported by Greenpeace. How's that for touchy-feely?

A hotel project at El Algarrobico beach, near Carboneras in the southeastern region of Spain was half-completed. However, Greenpeace, among others, protested the construction, claiming that it was adding to further destruction of the Spanish coastline.

The regional Spanish government is paying about $2.5 million dollars to buy the hotel back from developers in order to have it destroyed. Greenpeace had seized upon the complex, which would have included a gold course and 1,500 apartments, as a symbol for overdevelopment in the region.

See, if Greenpeace spent more time appealing to the Maxim contingent while pursuing their agenda, they would get a lot more done.

[Image via TimBrighton/Flickr]

Related Stories:
· Hotel to be blown up [Guardian]

Madrid: Fast, Good, and Out of Control?

AVB — 2006-05-04T11:35:02-05:00

Ferrán Adria may be the chef of El Bulli, the top-ranked restaurant in Europe by quite a few different tallies, but that isn't stopping the man from bringing edible sea foam to the world of fast food in Madrid. He's just opened the second branch of his takeaway joint, Fast Good, in Madrid. A brave name for a restaurant, even one by a Michelin chef with three stars to his name.

The menu looks to be a mix of lunchtime staples; hamburgers, salads, even bocadillo sandwiches made with high-end pata negra ham. Unlike many chains, which replicate their menu everywhere, the menu here changes quite often; we'll see if customers get frustrated at not having permanent access to their favorites over time.

The chain seems to be doing well: branches are planned for Barcelona, Valencia, and Las Palmas. Sure beats Arby's, doesn't it?

[Image via damdam/Flickr]

Related Stories:
· Cityscape [Wallpaper*]
· El Bulli Still the Best [Jaunted]