Spanish Island Escapes

This Week’s Top 10: European Island Escapes according to Tripadvisor features three of Spain’s Islands.

1. Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece
2. Capri, Campania, Italy
3. Santorini, Cyclades, Greece
4. Malta, Europe
5. Sardinia, Italy, Europe
6. Canary Islands, Spain
7. Ibiza, Balearic Islands, Spain
8. Corfu, Ionian Islands, Greece
9. Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
10. Madeira Islands, Portugal, Europe

Jacuzzi and Peace in Alhaurin el Grande

For a touch of escapism, romance and pampering try a night under the stars in a jacuzzi hot tub.

Just minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the Costa del Sol. Alhaurin el Grande the nearest town to my delightful hideaway was awash with great restaurants and even better – walking distance.

jacuzzielcorcho

So tuck-in enjoy the fantastic food and walk it off home then massage the night away in the hot tub or take a private mid-night dip in the secluded pool, then relax in the moonlight on the fabulous roof terrace. I did.

El Roble Holidays

Luxury Suites in Madrid Center

Four new Presidential Suites have opened this summer in the 18th century-styled palace. The InterContinental Madrid which is on Paseo de la Castellana has views across this famous capital and the suites have a master bedroom and separate living room, two bathrooms with Loewe amenities, and a private kitchen.

In classic Spanish decor with contemporary touches and up-to-date technology – Bang & Olufsen sound systems and iPod docking stations.

For the tops try  the new Royal Suite on  the 8th floor with  its own  terrace.

intermadrid

Tenerife Luxury – Garden Villa with Ocean Views

The Garden Villas of the 4*Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora Hotel on the Canary Island of Tenerife are in a class of their own.

With a large terrace facing towards the sea and a private swimming pool these spacious suites provide an outdoor for a  romantic butler served dinner under the stars.

Garden Villa Bathroom

Garden Villa Bathroom

 

Designed by  world-renowned architect Álvaro Sans, to flow with the coast line and represena great palace of pavilions, towers and gardens – sheer delight.

Best New Bodega – Spanish Wine Cellars

Lanzarote has been producing wine for  centuries, back to the malvasia wine which graced the tables of  Europe´s elite in the 16th century.

 mail2

Now a  new and innovative bodega has opened up and already won  the title of Best New Bodega 2008 at the 7th Open Wine Assembly in Madrid. 

Stratus uses high tech methods combined after intensive research conducted by the director  Alberto González Plasencia.

 Bodegas Stratus is the result, an almost cathedral like central hall where the wine is produced. The production so far includes   Stratus a dry Malvasia wine, with a fruity, citrus flavour, a red wine with the aroma of mulberry and a sweet Moscatel which is a Malvasia  and Diego grape combination. A rosé is planned to be added to the range shortly.

Stratus Bodega, Lanzarote

 

Photos thanks to http://www.lanzaroteguidebook.com/

Barcelona Chef Adrià Wins Award

The Culinary Institute of America has awarded chef Ferrán Adrià of El Bulli Restaurant in Cala Montjoi, Catalunya, north of Barcelona its Chef of the Year Award.

Adrià is famous for his avant-garde cooking, his restaurant El Bulli has been named  World’s Best Restaurant by Restaurant magazine four times in six years.

El Bulli is open from June 16 through December 20 in 2009 but no reservations remain for 2009, to book for 2010 contact El Bulli after December 20, 2009.

Spanish Open Golf Resort in Top Ten

PGA Golf Catalunya, recently voted No.3 in Top 20 European Courses, celebrates its 10th anniversary by being yet again ranked in the Top 10 by  The UK’s Golf Monthly.  

Formerly known as the Green Course it came 3rd in the Top 20 European Courses. The  senior staff, contributors and a panel of readers made up the  voting panel for the magazine’s first survey.

 The 36-hole golf resort near Barcelona in the north of Spain  is to  host  the 2009 Spanish Open from April 30-May 3 2009.
 
The  Course was  developed by the European Tour to host the 1997 Ryder Cup but due to construction delays it didn’t open until 1999 in time to host the Sarazen World Open.

PGA Catalunya Stadium Course

PGA Catalunya Stadium Course

 
The estate has a stylish 4 * Melia Hotel with sauna and Turkish bath, hydromassage and fitness room and in a fantastic location  an hour north of Barcelona and minutes’ drive from the glorious sandy beaches and rocky coves of the Costa Brava.

For more information visit PGA Catalunya.

Michelin 2* Restaurant & Hotel in Barcelona

The ABaC Restaurant and Hotel in Barcelona is one of the latest additions to the style gurus Mr & Mrs Smith boutique and luxury hotel collection.

ABaC Restaurant & Hotel

ABaC Restaurant & Hotel

The ABaC in the popular Zona Alta area of Barcelona makes it difficult to leave the premises and explore the city. With plenty of little luxuries: Spa with Jacuzzi, hammam, and chromotherapy room, free WiFi throughout, valet parking, huge flatscreen TV with internet, DVD/CD player, remote control lights and blinds, minibar, Hérmes toiletries.

Between Xavier Pellicer’s fusion style seven-course Michelin cuisine and the sumptuous rooms make sure it’s a several day stay to enable time to explore this amazing city.

For more information on ABaC Restaurant & Hotel

Stylish New Spa In Lanzarote

Lanzarote boasts a growing selection of stylish spas, the latest recruit to these ranks has just opened its doors at the four star Jameos Playa Hotel, located just outside the islands main resort of Puerto del Carmen.

Jameos Spa

The Jameos Playa spa has been fashioned from a combination of local volcanic stone. Which has been polished to a super smooth consistency, contrasting turquoise, blue and white mosaic tiling to optimum effect.

 

The treatments on offer are as luxurious as the surroundings – encompassing peels, massages and possibly best of all a Chocotherapy wrap. The Spa is open daily to both hotel guests and non residents alike.

 

 

Jameos Spa

 

Lanzarote boasts a growing selection of stylish spas. And the latest recruit to these ranks has just opened at the four star Jameos Playa Hotel, which is located just outside the islands main resort of Puerto del Carmen.

 

The Jameos Playa spa has been fashioned from a combination of local volcanic stone. Which has been polished to a super smooth consistency, contrasting turquoise, blue and white mosaic tiling to optimum effect.

 

The treatments on offer are as luxurious as the surroundings – encompassing peels, massages and possibly best of all a Chocotherapy wrap. The Spa is open daily to both hotel guests and non residents alike.

Read the rest of this entry »

Best Spanish Wine Learning Experiencee

In the heart of the famous Spanish wine region of La Rioja, Dinastía Vivanco wine cellar, wine museum and research foundation is home to The Foundation’s Documentation Center.

It houses over 8,000 documents and  works relating to vine growing and was awarded Best Of Art and Culture by The Great Wine Capitals International Network.

The Cellar Dinastia Vivanco, Rioja

A visit here is included in two of the trips organised by Epicurean Ways for this year why not try:

  • Wine Roads of Rioja & La Ribera del Duero
  • Wine Lover’s Rioja

Both trips take place in May and September/October and spend half a day at the Dinastía Vivanco Museum and tour its bodega or cellar.

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