Mini Travel Guides

We stopped for a picnic lunch in the beautiful village of Santa Lucia during our drive through the mountains of Gran Canaria.

The fountain in the Santa Lucia park

There’s a lovely park in the village with a picturesque fountain as its centrepiece. The park also has a sports court, kids play area and public toilets.

Santa Lucia Park

We sat on a bench in the shade by the fountain to eat our picnic. We weren’t the only ones having a stop for lunch as a group of cyclists were tucking into their sandwiches too.

Looking down on Santa Lucia park

There’s space for several cars in front of the park.

There was a painting on tiles just at the top of the steps up to the church with villagers in traditional costumes.

Tile painting in Santa Lucia

The imposing church was built in the 1890s.

Santa Lucia church

There were some very curious cacti where we parked the car which reminded me of meerkats.

Cacti in Santa Lucia Park

Santa Lucia in Gran Canaria feels like an oasis in the mountains and is well worth a visit.

Check for availability and prices of accommodation in Gran Canaria in the sunshine.co.uk search box below.

Photo Tour of Santa Lucia, Gran Canaria

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

When Karen and I were on holiday in Gran Canaria, I took a morning walk along the Maspalomas dunes, also taking in the Charca de Maspalomas Nature Reserve and having a swim in the Atlantic. The walk lasted just over 2 hours and it was medium-strenuous, but could have lasted anything from 1-4 hours and made easy to strenuous, depending on the number of dunes climbed and distance walked.

Maspalomas Faro

I started the walk from the Maspalomas Faro (lighthouse) which is right on a rocky beach at the end of Maspalomas and a pretty evident landmark, then headed north towards the dunes keeping the Atlantic on my right.

Looking towards the dunes and Atlantic from Charca de Maspalomas nature reserve’s seaside end

After some restaurants right on the beach, the walk continues on a thin strip of sand about 50m wide and 300m long, running between the Atlantic and the nature reserve, before getting to the first dune. The nature reserve contains various types of wildfowl and many huge mullet, up to 5kg in weight, swimming leisurely and picking at mosquito larvae. There are also many types of local plant species.

Looking back to lighthouse and nature reserve from 1st dune

Once at the dunes, you can make an easy decision, to either head inland climbing on, or to the side of the dunes, or continue straight towards the naturist beach.

Maspalomas dunes with views towards the Gran Canaria mountains

I decided to head for the dunes and climbed on the first 6 or 7, which gave me both great views and sliding opportunities.

One of the highest dunes with sand blowing off the ridge. Great for sliding down the steep side (about 30m in height)

Once I had enough exercise, I changed into my swimming trunks and on my return journey I walked back along Maspalomas Beach. I had a lovely refreshing swim at the nudist section of the beach, where swimmers in various states of (un)dress mingled. Showers were available at the position where the nature reserve met the start of the dune path walk (near bicycles at 2nd photo).

You can search for great deals on accommodation in Maspalomas using the sunshine.co.uk search box below.

Walking Through The Maspalomas Dunes in Gran Canaria

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

Santa Eulalia is Ibiza’s third largest resort and one of the busiest, but perhaps one of the least ‘clubby’ on the island. It’s a firm favourite with families who still want to be kept occupied, but are not so keen to be that close to the action other more party-orientated visitors come to the island for. As a result, the resort has a wide range of accommodation for families and other holidaymakers and a plentiful supply of activities and entertainment.

One of the main attractions of Santa Eulalia is its lovely sandy beach, which is safe for kids and a big draw for adults who want to wile away the day time hours with a book and a beer in the shade of a parasol. The beach is backed by an impressive man made promenade that is lined with palm trees, and is the perfect spot to take a romantic, moonlit stroll and enjoy an ice cream from one of the nearby shops or cafes. Near the beach are some cute miniature gardens, and for the explorers amongst your group, Mariners Beach is a short walk away from the town’s centre, towards the right hand side of the promenade. From here you can make a day trip by taking a river walk alongside the island’s only river, meandering slowly upstream until you reach the little village of Siesta.

Santa Eulalia is known as one of the gastronomic centres of Ibiza, and with local Spanish dishes sitting alongside food from China, France, Austrian, Italy, England and Morocco, you’re likely to be spoilt for choice. The resort’s ‘Street of Restaurants’ comes alive at night when the road is closed to traffic. Literally every establishment is a restaurant offering one speciality or another. If you’re looking for a particularly special night out then Cardamom Club is an Indian restaurant set in an old country house where you can dine on fragrantly spiced dishes in candlelit gardens – maybe not something you ever thought you’d be doing on an Ibiza holiday!

The resort has become something of a creative centre, and a wide range of artists, writers and other creative types have chosen to settle here over the years. As a result there’s plenty of local art to spend your holiday money on, as well as galleries to wander in. And in case you’re wondering, these are artists who exhibit on some of the world’s major art centres – they’re not potato printing!

In terms of nightlife, Santa Eulalia is not Ibiza Town, but it’s nevertheless a lively spot once the sun goes down. The resort has a large number of bars and pubs, including local bars and the kinds of English pubs where you can enjoy a traditional pint in a traditional glass. There’s also Guarana in the Marina, which puts on bands several nights of the week and entertains its loyal crowd with a selection of beats, new and vintage. If that’s not enough to satisfy your clubbing cravings then Privilege, Space and Pacha are all within easy reach by bus or taxi.

—
About the Author: John is an editor of Ibiza clubbing site Love Ibiza. Find out more about Santa Eulalia on our website.

Are you interested in guest blogging with Romow blogs? Submit an unpublished original article, and we will be happy to review it.

We’re going to Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands, for one week in February 2011 for some Winter sun. I can’t wait after all the wintry weather we’ve had in the UK during December 2010.

Maspalomas by miqpix

I found Ryanair flights departing from Edinburgh for £90 return per person (hand luggage only and payment by Mastercard prepaid debit card). This is around half the price we paid fly to Fuerteventura, another Canary island, three years ago with a charter airline.

Las Palmas, Gran Canaria by BertoGarcia

We’ll be staying at the Hilton Edinburgh Airport, arranged by hotels.com, on the night prior to our departure, as our flight leaves at 06.45.

We’re staying in three different hotels, courtesy of sunshine.co.uk from their selection of Gran Canaria hotels:

• IFA Beach Hotel, San Augustin
• IFA Dunamar, Playa des Ingles
• Lopesan Baobab, Las Meloneras

If you have any tips for things to do on Gran Canaria, please leave a comment below.

Follow our Gran Canaria Hoiday on Twitter

Do You Have Any Tips on Things to Do in Gran Canaria?

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

The Las Vegas Hotel didn’t quite make it into my “Seven Best Cheap Hotels in Malaga“, as it receives a guest rating of 76% from 190 verified reviews and I had set a minimum guest rating of 80% for inclusion in that blog post.  However, as the hotel offers double rooms with breakfast for under £50 a night in low season and 76% is still a respectable score from guests, I think it’s worth looking at if you want a budget hotel situated very close to Malagueta Beach and with a swimming pool.

Pool at Las Vegas Hotel Malaga

The pool is pretty close to the busy road which runs along the seafront.  The public areas are a bit old fashioned and dingy. The hotels charges for wifi.

The room which I was shown was on the top floor with a balcony with a sea view and plenty of space for two people. The bedroom and bathroom were a good size. The room was a little dated with dark wood furniture.

Although the room was set quite far back from the road, there was still a lot of traffic noise audible when I was out on the balcony. Once inside the room with the French doors closed, I couldn’t hear much traffic noise.

View from top floor room balcony at Las Vegas Hotel Malaga

The Las Vegas Hotel is good value for money but if you pay a bit more and aren’t too bothered about not having a pool, the family run Hotel California Malaga, also close to Malagueta Beach, offers rooms with much more charm.

Las Vegas Hotel Malaga: Budget hotel with outdoor pool and very close to beach

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

In the Europe a la Carte Podcast of 18 December 2010, I talk about why Malaga in Andalucia, southern Spain is such a great European city break destination, covering the following Blog posts:

• Photo Tour of CAC Malaga – You can see modern art at this free Malaga attraction.
• Exploring Malaga Park - This beautiful green space has charming tiled fountains and a kids play area.
• Malagueta Beach – With a beach so close to the city centre you can combine city buzz with beach life.
• Hotel California Malaga - This family run hotel, close to Malagueta Beach, has characterful rooms with free wifi.  The  California was just above the £50 a night limit I set for my post about cheap hotels in Malaga.
• 10 Things to Do in Malaga – My tips include shopping for Flamenco dresses, visiting Atanzaras Market, the Alcazaba and Malaga Cathedral.

Subscribe to the Europe a la Carte Podcast in itunes or audioboo.

Podcast 18 December 2010: Why Malaga is a great European city break destination

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

The Centre for Contemporary Art (CAC) in Malaga opened in 2003 as a showcase for international modern art.  It’s a free Malaga attraction.  Their website says it’s a free wifi zone but there was no wifi available during my visit in late September 2010. As I can’t speak Spanish, I don’t know if this was just a glitch that day or an ongoing issue.

Sculpture at entrance to CAC Malaga

CAC  is in Malaga city centre so easy to reach by train or bus. There’s a trendy cafe with outdoor seating. Below is a photo tour of my visit to CAC Malaga but the exhibits regularly change.

Do check the opening hours at CAC Malaga before you visit, as in Summer it’s open from 10am-8pm but in low season it’s closed between 2pm-5pm, re-opening in the evening. It’s closed on Mondays all year around.

You can read about other Malaga attractions such as the Alcazaba, Malaga Park and Malagueta Beach.

Photo Tour of Centre for Contemporary Art (CAC): A Free Malaga Attraction

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

Malaga Park (Parque de Malaga) was constructed in the late 19th century and given a major facelift in 2007. The park runs parallel to Malaga Port and is almost one kilometre in length, stretching from Plaza de la Marina to Plaza del General Torrijos.  The park contains plants from every continent. There’s a shady walkway at either side of the park, with plenty of shrubs, fountains and quiet corners along the central strip. If you’re walking from the old town to Malagueta Beach this is the most scenic (and coolest) route.

Fuente de la Ninfa con Cantaro

Fuente de los Ninos

Fuente de la Ninfa con Carcola

Platero at kids play area in Malaga Park

El Fiestero

Although not officially part of Malaga Park, the Pedro Luis Alonso Gardens are just across the street from Malaga Park, close to City Hall.

City Hall Malaga

Looking toward the Alcazaba

Rose named after the Spanish singer Julio Iglesias (Enrico’s Dad)

Rose border

I loved walking around Malaga Park and it’s one of my top three Malaga attractions; the others being Malagueta Beach and the Alcazaba Moorish fort.

I think that Malaga is a fantastic short break destination, served by several low cost airlines and offering a good selection of hotels for all budgets.

Exploring Malaga Park

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

When I was in Malaga in late September 2010, I took a day trip by service bus to Marbella to meet up with fellow travel blogger Victoria of El Proximo Viaje. The ticket cost just over 5 Euro each way. You can’t buy return bus tickets, so I had to purchase two single tickets. The journey to Marbella took around one hour. Marbella bus station isn’t in the town centre, it takes around 15 minutes to walk down to the town centre. However, it’s probably best to travel to Marbella by bus as opposed to car, as parking is a nightmare around the town. It can even be hard to find a space in the paying car parks.

Here are my tips for things to do in Marbella.

Explore the Old Town

It’s really pleasant to walk around the streets of the old town.  As soon as you get away from the main thoroughfares the crowds disappear.

Side street in Marbella

Admire the Dali Sculptures

There are ten bronze sculptures by Salvador Dali on the pedestrianised avenue which leads down from the old town to the sea front.

Dali Sculpture in Marbella

Cool off in Almeda Park

The Alameda Park Fountain is very pretty, decorated with painted tiles. You can find benches in the shade in the park if you need to cool off a bit.

Almeda Park Fountain, Malaga

Buy some religious souvenirs

At La Paz you can find all sort of religious souvenirs and objects. The shop is crammed with all sizes of statues of religious figures, crosses and icons.

La Paz, Malaga

Visit Puerto Banus

You can stroll along the seafront on the Paseo Maritimo towards the upmarket marina at Puerto Banus for some millionaire spotting.

Puerto Banus

I arrived back at Malaga bus station 20 minutes before my bus back to Malaga was due to leave. However, there was such a long queue at the only open ticket window (no ticket machines), that I missed my bus and had to wait one hour for the next one.  I reckon you should allow at least 40 minutes to buy your ticket.

If you decide that you’d prefer to stay in Marbella, you can find the best hotels deals on the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

Do you have any tips for things to do in Marbella?

Five Things to do in Marbella

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.

One of the reasons that Malaga in southern Spain is such a good city break destination is that you can combine spending time on the beach with all that’s on offer in a large city such as culture, restaurants, shopping and night life.

Malagueta Beach Malaga

Malagueta Beach is 2.5 kilometres in length and is the closest beach to the city centre.  It’s a man made beach and while there may be other more beautiful beaches outside the city, having a beach so close to the city centre means it’s within walking distance of most hotels. The beach is well equipped with toilets, showers and lifeguard stations.

Malagueta sand sculpture

Fishing from the stone protrusions on the beach at dusk is a popular pastime with locals.

Fishing at Malagueta Beach

I enjoyed walking along the beach as dusk fell, admiring the sunset over the port.

View towards Malaga Port at sunset

If you have limited time in the city, I’d suggest you do three things; spend some time at the beach, or at least stroll along the prom, visit the Alcazaba, a Moorish fort with lovely views over the city and explore Malaga Park.

I recommend the Hotel California Malaga if you want an affordable hotel with some character close to Malagueta Beach.  You can look for Malaga hotels for your city break using the LateRooms search box below.

Malagueta Beach in Malaga

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.