Insider's guide: Top 10 things to do in Barcelona

    FOODIE: Discover the best place to eat paella in Barcelona 

If you’re thinking about booking a city break, Barcelona could be the place for you. The bustling Spanish city is home to all things hip, cool and delicious – plus it’s right on the beach.
Tourists can’t miss the string of chiringuitos (beachfront bars) although locals prefer quite Boatel or the more daring nude beach, Mar Bella.
Sights like Barcelona's famous church are also not to be missed on a trip to the famous gothic city, but what else would locals recommend you do?
We spoke to Ana, Evaneos Travel’s local agent in Spain and here's what she had to say:
1. Sagrada Familia Church
This wonderfully unique building is one of Barcelona’s quintessential architectural sites. Like a piece of history linking the past to the present, Antoni Gaudi’s now UNESCO-listed basilica is unfinished, and still under construction after more than 100 years.
The first stop for any trip to Barcelona should include an excursion inside the basilica’s towers. A climb to the top via a combination of lifts and narrow spiral staircases will provide you with a fantastic view across the city.

2. Batllo House
Another of Gaudi’s must-see masterpieces in Barcelona. If you’re planning on travelling to the city during summer be sure to include an afternoon on the Dragon Roof Terrace in your itinerary.
You’ll start off by exploring the house’s fascinating, labyrinth-like interior with a comprehensive audio/video guide, before heading up to the rooftop to enjoy a live music show, with drinks and nibbles. Perfect for a warm summer evening after a busy morning of sightseeing.

   SCENIC: Batllo House is a must-see in Barcelona

3. Boqueria Market and cooking workshop
Whether you’re a world-class foodie or know nothing about Catalan cuisine, you’ll find yourself drawn into the colours and scents of the vast Boqueria Market.
From cheeses to charcuterie, the stalls are filled with the freshest daily assortment of ingredients and local products.
After a guided tour of the market-place, you’ll also have the opportunity to sign up for a cooking workshop in which you’ll learn how to prepare some of the most typical and delicious Spanish dishes to bring out at your next dinner party.
4. Bike tour around the Old City
One of the major features that marks Barcelona out is its layers of historic and architectural styles. Hopping on a bike through the more hidden, older parts of the city, you’ll enter Gothic and Born neighbourhoods with narrow cobbled streets and beautiful stone buildings.
While you’re there take a wander around the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Mar.

5. Stroll through Ramblas Street
No trip to Barcelona would be complete without a walk through the buzzing Ramblas Street.
This ever-crowded street is absolutely bustling with life, hosting colourful flower stalls, mimes, musicians, magicians and many more weird and wonderful things.

6. Shopping and modernist architecture in Paseo de Gracia
If you’re a fan of architecture or shopping, the avenue of Paseo de Gracia is an absolute must. Lined along what is often regarded as Spain’s most expensive street, you’ll find some of the finest samples of modernist architecture in the city, as well as a collection of the most exclusive and luxury shops in the whole of Barcelona.

    FREE: Sail along the beautiful coastline and see the stunning city from a different point of...

7. Sunset at Güell Park
One of Barcelona’s most stunning views across the city is accessible from the multi-coloured, tiled mosaic seats in the terraced area at the top of Güell Park.
Conveniently, tickets to this UNESCO-listed natural park are limited to a certain number per hour, so you can take in the view without endless hordes of tourists blocking the way.
If you find yourself in Barcelona during the Easter or summer months, I’d recommend booking a slot in the early evening. The view across the Mediterranean Sea with the sun setting in the horizon is breathtaking.
8. Sail along the coast
Jumping in a boat along Barcelona’s glistening coast, you’ll get the chance to sight-see back on the city’s various shapes and colours from the water.
If you’re feeling particularly fancy, you can even request that a chef accompanies you on board to whip up a delicious lunch of local cuisine while you cruise.

9. Paella in Barceloneta
If you’re on the lookout for a good lunch or dinner spot head over to one of the emblematic restaurants in Barceloneta, (the old fishers’ neighbourhood). With the sea just next door, the traditional paella they serve in this area is among the best in the city.
As a bonus, you can also finish your meal with a gentle walk barefoot along the beach.

    YUMMY: Learn how to make traditional Spanish dishes at Boqueria Market and cooking workshop


10. Tapas tour
For us Spaniards tapas is more than just small plates of delicious food – it represents a huge part of our lifestyle and culinary culture.
There are hundreds of tapas restaurants in Barcelona, offering Basque flavours, characterised by bite-size goodness served atop pieces of bread, or more typical local tapas, in which patatas bravas take the number one spot on the menu.
Challenge yourselves to work your way through as wide a variety of tapas as you can during your stay – you won’t be disappointed.
Evaneos Travel let you design your own tailer-made holidays with a local travel agent who has all the inside knowledge.


Source: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/travel-news-cheap-uk-holidays-luxury-breaks-more-daily-star/496552/Best-things-to-do-in-Barcelona

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Couple who've seen more than 50 countries reveal how to travel world for £5 a day

    SAVVY: Karol Lewandowski and Aleksandra Slusarczy just packed supplies and picked up

Young travel bloggers Karol "Charlie" Lewandowski and Aleksandra "Alex" Slusarczy have been on the road for the past six years.
Before they set off on their travels, they didn’t have much money but they wanted to see the world.
Unbelievably the Polish couple have managed to survive on just £5.50 each day – mainly because they bought an old VW bus for £415 which they use as their mode of transport.
But how do they keep costs down? Well, Karol puts it down to never paying for accommodation or eating out.

   CHEAP: The couple bought an old VW for £415 

Explaining their super-scrimping on their blog Bus Around The World, the pair said: "The main cost is the fuel – that’s why other people travel with us and share fuel costs.
"We travel slowly and often stay in one place for a few days, so we save on fuel. Also lots of people are ordering a postcard from our trip – they get a postcard from a beautiful place, and we get the money for one litre of fuel."
Karol and Aleksandra either sleep in their van or in a tent, often wild camping in places like beaches, cliffs and mountains.
Sometimes, strangers will invite them into their homes.
They buy their food from supermarkets and cook it themselves and if their van breaks down then they repair it themselves.
Karol continued: "When we need [a] mechanics help, they very often do not take money from us because they are impressed with our trip and want to help us and be a part of our adventure.
"We have our own electric shower and 150 litre water tank on the roof so we don’t pay for showers.
"Sometimes we just use rivers or lakes.
"Between continents we transport the car on the ship.
"It is very simple."

But the money-saving experts have even raked in some cash from sponsors, in exchange for advertising on their painted vehicle.
Karol explained: "We sometimes have sponsors – when we have to spend a lot of money on something.
"For example, the transport of car across the ocean to Australia and the US – sponsors paid for it in exchange for their advertising on the van.
"Logos on a car is advertising for such companies, which helped us to transport the car through the oceans."

    LOVE: The Polish pair got engaged in the Sahara desert 

He added: "Our blog is the most popular travel blog in Poland – now we work as bloggers and thats how we earn money.
"And thanks to that we can be still on the road because we just need a laptop and internet to work. We published two books about our trips and they give us some money.
"We do photo sessions for companies or doing advertising clips in exotic locations and companies pay us for it."
Along the way, the pair have even gotten engaged – and they’re still on the road today.

    NOMADS: The couple are still travelling today


Source: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/travel/adventure/493184/Couple-travel-world-fiver-day-VW-van-bus-around-the-world

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Island's the White stuff: Fun for all ages at Whitecliff Bay

    MUST SEE: No trip to the Isle of Wight would be compete without seeing the famous needles

Whitecliff Bay comes pretty close to fitting the bill, though. The Away Resorts holiday park in Bembridge on the eastern coast of the Isle of Wight has most things perfectly figured out.
We stayed in a Superior Caravan, which was refreshingly modern and had ample space including three bedrooms, a decent sized kitchen area and a large lounge.
Just as importantly there was a sizeable balcony outside to which we could banish the kids if the weather was dry. There’s plenty to do at Whitecliff come rain or shine, with lots of free activities.
And for a small fee you can also try archery, target paintball and pool kayaking. Plus there is swimming in the indoor or outdoor pools.

    PERFECT: The Whitecliff Bay holiday park has plenty to see and do


What makes the resort really stand out though are events such as Movies In The Moonlight – screenings under the stars of films such as Monsters Inc and Frozen – and a summer stage school run by tutors from the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts.
The two older boys, Vinny, 12, and Marley, eight, wanted to have a go at everything. With the site so easy to navigate we could send them off to various activities while we spent time in the soft play area with my youngest daughter Olivia, five, and mischievous Ron, two.
Later we would meet up to learn, for example, that Vinny was archery champion for the day. He announced his achievement with a beaming smile, proudly showing off his prizes.
There are plenty of eating options on site including the Beach Café for light bites, the Culver Diner for burgers, pizzas and hot dogs, the Nab Bar for pub classics and a well stocked shop if you prefer self-catering.

    VILLAGE LIFE: Ventnor is fantastic for craft and vintage shops

After putting on my culinary hat and feeding the tribe it was time to prepare for a night out. Having been to many UK holiday camps, I can say Whitecliff is up there with the best when it comes to evening activities.
As the older boys once again rushed off to show off their shots on the pool table or spend their pocket money in the amusement arcade, we settled down to watch the kids’ show. The entertainment team were terrific at getting everyone – including the most reluctant parents – involved with games and dancing.
Later the youngsters enjoyed the Bear In The Woods show, featuring songs and stories. And afterwards myself, wife Liz and eldest daughter Jemma were able to relax and watch the live cabaret show, tribute band or vocalist, satisfied we had completed our parental duties for the day.
On the Isle of Wight there are plenty of attractions to visit within a short drive. No trip would be complete without seeing the famous Needles, with a chairlift running up the side of the cliffs from which the celebrated coloured sands originate.

    PARADISE : Shanklin, another family beach resort, is just down the coast

Olivia had a wonderful time collecting the different shades to fill up her mould, proudly showing off a multi-coloured cat at the end of it all. The boys were more interested in Dinosaur Isle, the Sandown museum which boasts fossils and life-sized models.
Just along the coast is Shanklin, another family beach resort and a crazy golfer’s paradise. It’s also home to the Shanklin Chine. Start at the top of the cliff and wind your way down the leafy gorge with waterfalls, trees and more than 150 varieties of plant.
Then reward yourself at the bottom with a pint at the beachfront Fisherman’s Cottage. Ventnor, my wife's favourite, is fantastic for craft and vintage shops while the kids loved splashing about in the paddling pool on The Esplanade, set around a model of the island.
We gave in to the waft of fish and chips from the Ventnor Haven Fishery and tucked into freshly fried plaice and chunky chips while sitting in the sun at a picnic table. There’s also a smugglers’ pub, The Spyglass Inn, at the end of the beach overlooking the bay, serving fresh seafood.
Sitting on its terrace, picking through a jug of prawns while watching boats in the Channel, is what island life is all about.


Source:  http://www.dailystar.co.uk/travel/family/496076/Family-Holiday-Isle-of-White-Whitecliff-Bay

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Booty shaking in Rio: Brazilian hotspot is a must visit for any thrill-seeking traveller

    PARTY: Rio de Janeiro has been named one of the must see destinations of the year

Named one of the must see destinations of the year by travel experts, this samba-fuelled city is shaping up to stand on the world stage for the second time this decade, after hosting the Fifa World Cup in 2014. Towering mountain peaks covered in lush rainforests act as a serene backdrop to the chaotic city skyline. Meanwhile, down on the shimmering seafront, the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema are packed with people playing football and volleyball, surfing and drinking.
The Brazilian bum craze is still very much in full swing and an endless parade of thong-clad bodies soak up the sun and cool off in the water. The vibe here seems to be, if you’ve got it, jiggle it. In this alluring atmosphere of South American sun, sport and frenetic sensuality, it’s easy to see why people fall in love in this city and are seduced by Rio itself.
Which is why it’s the latest setting for the City Of Love movie franchise, created by Universal Pictures. Following on from Paris Je T’Aime in 2006 and New York, I Love You in 2008, the new Rio, I Love You movie tells a host of love stories set in different locations all over the city. One of these is the Horto Waterfall in Tijuca Forest, the largest urban rainforest in the world and the perfect place for escaping the heat.

    HOTSPOT: Rio de Janeiro is preparing to host the summer Olympics


 Further into the forest lies the trail to one of Rio’s most famous sights – the giant Christ the Redeemer statue. If you don’t fancy the three-hour hike, mini buses and a tram take sightseers to its jaw-dropping peak. As I reached the top a fellow tourist dropped down to one knee and proposed to his girlfriend to huge applause – living proof that Rio can definitely give Paris a run for its money in the romance stakes.

Another landmark just made for enjoying the view is Sugar Loaf Mountain which can be reached by a short cable car ride. Here the director of Rio, I Love You sets a heartwarming autobiographical tale of how he met his partner on the climb up. The summit offers a 360- degree vista of the city and its surround ing islands, and anyone who stops to admire the scenery will also get a close-up of cute marmoset monkeys and exotic birds.

Of course, it’s impossible to visit Rio without being swept along by some slinky samba. By night the city comes alive with drums, singing and dancing, and the bars overfl ow with people partying until dawn. The Lapa district is one of the best evening spots and one cool place to hang out is the Rio Scenarium bar, a three-story former antique store packed full of eclectic vintage fi nds with a samba band providing the soundtrack.
Caipirinhas are the drink of choice everywhere and consist of a potent mix of cachaça, sugar and lime, and cost around 18 Brazilian reals (approx £3) each. The ancient suburb of Santa Teresa is another alluring area to visit after sundown. Here cobbled streets and beautiful, crumbling colonial-style buildings are filled with trendy bars, restaurants, music and shops.

We visited the Restaurant Aprazivel, a traditional Brazilian food fiesta in a series of treehouses in the hills with dazzling views of the twinkling city lights below. Steaks and fish dishes are reasonably priced at around 35 Brazilian real (£6) and small tapas-style bites are cheaper. For vegetarians, deepfried cheese in puff pastry is a staple in most eateries here and is absolutely delicious. Saturdays are feijoada day in Rio and all restaurants serve versions of this national black bean dish.
For all the dazzling magnetism of this far-off fantasy land, it’s also a city of extreme contrasts. It’s impossible to ignore the groups of tiny ramshackle hillside houses built on top of each other. Home to some of the world’s poorest people, the favelas were also an important filming location for Rio, I Love You, portraying the everyday lives and passions of the Brazilians who live there.

    CUTE: Marmoset monkeys on summit


 On the whole very dangerous, the slums are controlled by drug lords. But one community – the Favela do Vidigal – has recently been pacified by the police and opened up to visitors. Its winding, steep streets are now the site of tours led by local guides and host spectacular parties at their summit.


Source: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/travel/beach/492744/Rio-Brazilian-hotspot-visit-thrill-seeking-traveller

 

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Best things to do in Transylvania: From Count Dracula's castle to a bear sanctuary

    
    SPOOKY: Dracula’s reputed hideout at Bran castle

Spine-tingling tales of vampires have put the mysterious land of Transylvania on the map. This vast and diverse region in Romania is rich in folklore and blood-sucking Count Dracula is one of its biggest draws.
The character was dreamt up by Irish author Bram Stoker in 1897, based on the real-life Romanian ruler Vlad the Impaler. Since then, the Count has featured in scores of movies, the latest being the animated hit Hotel Transylvania 2. I used my trip to Transylvania to get to know its famous fanged resident, while discovering what this enigmatic part of eastern Europe has to offer.
My adventure began in Bucharest, the capital of Romania and the country’s most vibrant city, mixing elaborate architecture with shopping malls, slick hotels and buzzy bars. I checked into the lush Grand Hotel Bucuresti on Victoriei Avenue, in the most upmarket part of town.
After freshening up in the rainforest shower and lounging in my comfy suite, I took a walk around the Old Town and historical centre with my knowledgeable guide Val. Pausing outside Vlad’s principal palace, which dates from 1459, Val explained the impressive building was designed as a fortress to stop the invading Turks.
Dinner was at Hanu Berarilor restaurant, situated in an ornate building high on a hill, where the traditional menu is accompanied by live classical music. Lively I dived straight into a platter of pastrami, Romanian sausages, cheese and cooked pickles, followed by a papanasi dessert, a pudding made from cream cheese and stuffed with blueberries and cream.

    EXPLORE: A native brown bear in Libearty Bear Sanctuary


133m high. But I was sticking with the Dracula theme with a visit to Bran Castle. It’s unknown whether Vlad himself lived at the castle, but he did hide his family there when the Turks arrived.
And Stoker made it Dracula’s home in his famous tome. The fascinating tour around the medieval castle includes a stop in the torture room, which houses replicas of unimaginably cruel contraptions used to punish unfortunates in the 14th Century.
A meal at the Garden Resort, a restaurant in Drumul Carului, with breath-taking views of the mountains, was the perfect antidote. Then it was on to Brasov, my base for the last part of my trip.
A walking tour of the quaint village took in its cobbled streets and medieval buildings, which have a strong Hungarian influence in the architecture. Romanians have a chequered history when it comes to animal cruelty but high in the Carpathian Mountains, near Zarnesti, the Libearty Bear Sanctuary is making great progress in changing that.

    BEAUTIFUL: The scenic Carpathian Mountains at sunrise

The brown bears of Romania have traditionally been used in circus acts. A dedicated team now has government backing to rescue these majestic creatures and nurse them back to health so they can roam freely around the sanctuary. It’s a fantastic day out. Celebrity supporters of the sanctuary include Alesha Dixon and Brigitte Bardot, and kids will love the teddy bear museum which includes two enormous teddies donated by Prince William and Princess Kate.
My final evening was spent at Festival 39, a beautiful restaurant with gorgeous 1920s decor in Brasov’s Old Town. On the way back to my hotel I chanced upon Cafe 13 – a bar and nightclub on the main strip of Brasov. With locals and the super-friendly staff dancing along to pop and often taking to the mic themselves to belt out some Romanian rap, it was the perfect way to end my trip. Hotel Transylvania 2 is out on Bluray and DVD on February 15.

Fact File

GETTING THERE: TAROM airline flies from Luton and Heathrow to Bucharest from £60 return. Book via tarom.ro/en.
WHERE TO STAY: Rooms at the Grand Hotel Continental, Bucharest, cost from £92 per night. Book via continentalhotels. ro/Grand-Hotel-Continental-Bucuresti/en. Rooms at the Aro Palace in Brasnov cost from £57 per double, per night. Book via aro-palace.ro/hotels-brasnovaro-palace.
TOURS AND GUIDES: Book through rolandia.eu. Libearty Bears Sanctuary: Adults £6.90, kids £1.80. See ampbears.ro.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS: For Hanu Berarilor see hanuberarilor.ro.en. For Garden Resort see gardenresort.ro. For Café 13 see cafe13.ro.
Further information on visiting Romania can be found at romaniatourism.com

 IMPOSING: The Palace of Parliament in Bucharest


Late & breaks

ALGARVE: Seven nights B&B at threestar Vilanova resort in Albufeira for £238. Fly from Manchester on Thursday. cooptravelco.uk
SCOTLAND: Hire Shepherd’s Cottage, a single-storey cottage in Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway for a week for £202. It sleeps two in one bedroom with two pets welcome. Arrive on Friday. See cottages.com property ref. CC537206
FLORIDA: Fourteen nights self-catering at three-star Mystic Dunes Resort and Golf Club is £645 pp including car hire. Based on two adults and two children sharing. Depart Manchester on Friday. Seetravelcitydirect. com or call 0344 557 6965.
COSTA BLANCA: Pay £169 for three nights room-only at the three-star Best Western Hotel Albahia in Alicante, fl ying from East Midlands on February 22. Visit jet2holidays.com or call 0800 408 5594.
BENIDORM: A week all-inclusive at fourstar Hotel Flamingo Oasis for £319. Fly from Gatwick on March 1. See thomson. co.uk or call 0871 230 2555.
VENICE: Depart Birmingham on March 4 for two nights B&B at the three-star Basilea Hotel for £219.


Source: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/travel-news-cheap-uk-holidays-luxury-breaks-more-daily-star/494357/Transylvania-vampire-weekend-romania-count-dracula

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Terrifying glass walkway 980ft above canyon to open over 'floating Avatar mountains'

    DON'T LOOK DOWN: A breathtaking glass bridge is set to open in China


If you're scared of heights you might want to stay away from this quarter-mile-long glass walkway.
The sky bridge, which is currently being constructed by brave workers in China, is stretched across the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon at a dizzying height of 980ft.
Set to open in May 2016, the petrifying walkway will break records as the world's longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge.

    SCARY: The walkway will be the world's longest and highest glass-bottomed bridge

The dizzying walkway will connect two cliffs in the national park of Zhangjiajie. At the moment daring builders are constructing the 1,410ft-long platform, while soaking in the stunning scenery.
Views from the glass bridge will including the awe-inspiring floating mountains from the Avatar movie.

    FEARLESS: Brave workers are currently constructing the bridge 980ft up

    DARING: The glass bridge can hold 800 tourists at a time

Of course in real life they're not bobbing about in mid-air, but the scenic mountain pillars in Zhangjiajie City in the south-central Chinese province are still a sight to behold.
The seemingly delicate 19ft-wide bridge – which will hang above the mountains – will actually be able to hold a whopping 800 tourists at a time.

    BEAUTIFUL: These famous pillar mountains were features in the movie Avatar 

And real daredevils will also be able to try the world's highest bungee jump.
The skywalk was designed by Israeli architect Haim Dotan, who says the bridge will also serve as a runway for fashion shows.

source: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/travel-news-cheap-uk-holidays-luxury-breaks-more-daily-star/490478/Glass-bridge-China-canyon-floating-Avatar-mountains

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Deadly Amazon river BOILS it's victims alive: 'The eyes cook first and turn milky'

A river which boils its victims alive has been discovered deep in the Amazon rainforest. The bubbling four-mile long Mayantuyacu river is so pipping hot that it kills any living thing that enters it.
The river has been the story of legends in Peru. And rumour has it that this is where the Spanish conquistadors killed the last Inca emperor and after the murder, headed into the Amazon rainforest in search of gold.
But geoscientist Andrés Ruzo's didn't believe stories about the deadly waterway until he saw it with his own eyes.

    BOILING: Don't fall in this deadly river 


He believed that it would require a huge amount of geothermal heat to boil even a small river, and the Amazon basin is far from any active volcanoes.
"I began asking that question. Could the boiling river exist?," Andrés said in Ted Talk. "I asked colleagues from universities, the government, oil, gas and mining companies, and the answer was a unanimous no."

    DANGER: Animals that fall into the water are boiled alive


 But after hiking into the Amazon, Runzo discovered a the "boiling river" in the sacred geothermal healing site of the Asháninka people in Mayantuyacu.
And once he'd seen the scorching temperatures and bursting bubbles with his own eyes he couldn't deny it any more.
In fact the 82ft wide and 20ft deep river is so hot that any animal (or person) that falls in will be boiled alive instantly.

  Andrés said: "I've seen all sorts of animals fall in, and what's shocking to me, is the process is pretty much the same.
"So they fall in and the first thing to go are the eyes. Eyes, apparently, cook very quickly. They turn this milky-white colour. The stream is carrying them.
"They're trying to swim out, but their meat is cooking on the bone because it's so hot. So they're losing power, losing power, until finally they get to a point where hot water goes into their mouths and they cook from the inside out."

    MYSTICAL: The river in Peru is the topic of many legends

    DISCOVERY: Geoscientist Andrés Ruzo's is trying to protect the river and surrounding forests

 The river boils because of fault-fed hot springs and it's just as dangerous for humans.

“Dipping my hand into the river would give me third-degree burns in less than half a second. Falling in could easily kill me," said Andrés.
Andrés has published a book The Boiling River: Adventure and Discovery in the Amazon and is trying to save the river and the surrounding forest which is being destroyed by logging practice.

  

 

 source: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/travel-news-cheap-uk-holidays-luxury-breaks-more-daily-star/495467/Boiling-river-Amazon-deadly-scientists-discover 

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