Latest news with #Gaudi
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
From ace architecture to top tapas, the Spanish city that is mini-break heaven
Scroll down to find out the cost of cheap flights from the UK BONITA From ace architecture to top tapas, the Spanish city that is mini-break heaven LOUNGING on a double sunbed by the rooftop infinity pool as the sun sets, it's amor at first sight at Barcelona's Grand Hotel Central. With views stretching from the Mediterranean to the hilltop of Montjuïc, this is sundowner heaven, with a cocktail list to match. 6 Barcelona's Park Guell is a swell spot to chill out in 6 Be a beach babe and catch some rays Credit: Getty Images 6 The infinity pool and beyond at the Grand Hotel Central Credit: Supplied As I sip a Solera's Delight – a mix of rum, vanilla syrup and chocolate bitters that tastes like golden hour in a glass, £14.50 – while Balearic beats play, I can't think of a cooler spot to celebrate my first wedding anniversary with husband Nick. Go gaudi You'll find The Grand Hotel Central in the bustling Old Town – not that you'd know it once you cross the imposing 1920s facade. With a marble lobby and wood-panelled library, plus a spa, sunrise yoga and staff who can't do enough to help, this is a chic oasis of calm. Our superior room is equally stylish, with a rainfall shower and a bed so comfy we wish we could bring it home. Dinner at the hotel's Restaurant Can Bo offers a fusion of Spanish tapas with an Italian twist served in a lively, Mediterranean-inspired space. Top marks for the octopus brioche, £6.80, tagliatelle with oxtail ragu, £14.50, white asparagus in carbonara sauce, £11, and the decadent chocolate three ways, £7.65. As tempting as it is to chill at the hotel, Nick and I venture out to explore. The hop-on, hop-off bus takes you everywhere from Barceloneta beach to Catalan architect Gaudi's awe-inspiring Sagrada Familia basilica. Day tickets cost £25.25 per person ( Gaudi's magical Park Guell is a must-see. With jaw-dropping buildings, sculptures and mosaics, this architectural wonder leaves us speechless. Entry costs £15.30 per person ( Martin Lewis gives travel advice about checking your passport Take a ramblas The following day, fortified by a top-notch buffet breakfast, we mooch around the Gothic Quarter and El Born – two districts that form a labyrinth of cobbled streets, lined with bars, shops, restaurants and galleries. Nick picks up a shirt in Humana Vintage, while I can't resist a ceramic plate from Artesanat, plus a huge pistachio cinnamon roll from bakery Demasie, £3.50 (@Cookies_demasie). Food market Mercat de Santa Caterina delivers another gastronomical marvel in the form of cheese and Iberian ham cones, £4.25, which have lived rent-free in my head ever since. Fearing gout is imminent, we take a stroll around Parc de la Ciutadella, with its golden Cascada Monumental waterfall and lake, then hit the Picasso Museum. 6 Sleep in style in a Grand Suite at the Grand Hotel Central Credit: Supplied 6 Take your pick of Picasso pics at the Picasso Museum With an extensive collection of the artist's early work, it's well worth the visit. Entry costs £14.50 per person ( No Barcelona trip is complete without seeing the boulevard of Las Ramblas, thronged with tourists, locals, flower sellers and street performers. To rest our legs, we grab daiquiris, £11.50, in Boadas, Barcelona's oldest cocktail bar, beloved by everyone from Hemingway to Dalí. The tiny room with art-deco furnishings and tuxedo-wearing bartenders, is like stepping back in time. With time for one final indulgence, we hit restaurant Sagardi Argenteria for Barceloneta Bombas – a local speciality of meatballs encased in potato and breadcrumbs, then deep-fried and served with spicy brava sauce, £2.20 a pop – and swear to return for our second anniversary. Gout permitting. FYI Double rooms cost from £250 a night ( UK return flights to Barcelona with Vueling cost from £56 (
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
From ace architecture to top tapas, the Spanish city that is mini-break heaven
LOUNGING on a double sunbed by the rooftop infinity pool as the sun sets, it's amor at first sight at Barcelona's Grand Hotel Central. With views stretching from the Mediterranean to the hilltop of Montjuïc, this is sundowner heaven, with a cocktail list to match. Advertisement 6 Barcelona's Park Guell is a swell spot to chill out in 6 Be a beach babe and catch some rays Credit: Getty Images 6 The infinity pool and beyond at the Grand Hotel Central Credit: Supplied As I sip a Solera's Delight – a mix of rum, vanilla syrup and chocolate bitters that tastes like golden hour in a glass, £14.50 – while Balearic beats play, I can't think of a cooler spot to celebrate my first wedding anniversary with husband Nick. Go gaudi You'll find The Grand Hotel Central in the bustling Old Town – not that you'd know it once you cross the imposing 1920s facade. With a marble lobby and wood-panelled library, plus a spa, sunrise yoga and staff who can't do enough to help, this is a chic oasis of calm. Our superior room is equally stylish, with a rainfall shower and a bed so comfy we wish we could bring it home. Advertisement Read More on Travel Dinner at the hotel's Restaurant Can Bo offers a fusion of Spanish tapas with an Italian twist served in a lively, Top marks for the octopus brioche, £6.80, tagliatelle with oxtail ragu, £14.50, white asparagus in carbonara sauce, £11, and the decadent chocolate three ways, £7.65. As tempting as it is to chill at the hotel, Nick and I venture out to explore. The hop-on, hop-off bus takes you everywhere from Barceloneta beach to Catalan architect Gaudi's awe-inspiring Advertisement Most read in City breaks Day tickets cost £25.25 per person ( With jaw-dropping buildings, sculptures and mosaics, this architectural wonder leaves us speechless. Entry costs £15.30 per person ( Advertisement Martin Lewis gives travel advice about checking your passport Take a ramblas The following day, fortified by a top-notch buffet breakfast, we mooch around the Gothic Quarter and El Born – two districts that form a labyrinth of cobbled streets, lined with bars, shops, restaurants and galleries. Nick picks up a shirt in Humana Vintage, while I can't resist a ceramic plate from Artesanat, plus a huge pistachio cinnamon roll from bakery Demasie, £3.50 (@Cookies_demasie). Food market Mercat de Santa Caterina delivers another gastronomical marvel in the form of cheese and Iberian ham cones, £4.25, which have lived rent-free in my head ever since. Fearing gout is imminent, we take a stroll around Parc de la Ciutadella, with its golden Cascada Monumental waterfall and lake, then hit the Advertisement 6 Sleep in style in a Grand Suite at the Grand Hotel Central Credit: Supplied 6 Take your pick of Picasso pics at the Picasso Museum With an extensive collection of the artist's early work, it's well worth the visit. Entry costs £14.50 per person ( Advertisement No Barcelona trip is complete without seeing the boulevard of To rest our legs, we grab daiquiris, £11.50, in Boadas, Barcelona's oldest cocktail bar, beloved by everyone from Hemingway to Dalí. The tiny room with art-deco furnishings and tuxedo-wearing bartenders, is like stepping back in time. With time for one final indulgence, we hit restaurant Sagardi Argenteria for Barceloneta Bombas – a local speciality of meatballs encased in potato and breadcrumbs, then deep-fried and served with spicy brava sauce, £2.20 a pop – and swear to return for our second anniversary. Advertisement Gout permitting. FYI Double rooms cost from £250 a night ( UK return flights to Barcelona with Vueling cost from £56 ( 6 Gayle Schoales says Barcelona has ace architecture, top tapas and is mini-break heaven
The Guardian
02-05-2025
- The Guardian
Magnificent mountains, beautiful beaches and elegant cities
Tucked up against Spain's lush northern coastline, Cantabria is a gloriously unsung region. Atlantic waters lap a coastline of rugged cliffs and beaches of creamy sands, while the emerald countryside rises sharply in the south-west to become the serrated Picos de Europa mountain range. At the heart of this so-called 'green coast' is the elegant city of Santander, presiding over neighbouring medieval towns, quiet fishing villages, and a surprising Gaudí masterpiece. And inland, green valleys and sheer limestone peaks are laced with walking routes and flecked with stone villages hunched down against the elements. Cantabria is also compact, meaning you can combine beach and mountains, hiking and history all in one trip. And the diverse scenery makes for incredible cuisine, too – from fresh seafood to stout cheeses, hearty stews, and locally raised beef. Kick off your Cantabrian adventure in Santander, a longtime favourite of Spanish royalty and the perfect base for exploring the region's 136 miles of coastline. It has a distinctly aristocratic air, with grand mansions, patio restaurants and Alfonso XIII's summer residence, Palacio de la Magdalena. Known as the 'bride of the sea', Santander's refined old town contrasts with its bustling fishing district and surprising contemporary quarter, crowned by the Renzo Piano-designed Centro Botín cultural space. The Centro Botín, Santander's seaside cultural space. Photograph: Stéphane Aboudaram While Santander has its own crescents of golden sand, it's worth exploring the rest of the Cantabrian coast. Head east and you'll find Noja, just 25 miles away, a quaint town set between the sea and mountains, where 17th-century villas and mansions overlook two sandy beaches. Farther on is Castro Urdiales, once a Roman settlement and characterised by its medieval old town. Or you can head west, where Santillana del Mar sits just 18 miles away from Santander, revelling in its title as one of Spain's most beautiful towns. Considered a national monument for its medieval architecture, it's also notable for the nearby Altamira caves, famed for their prehistoric cave art – one of the finest examples in the world. You can find out more about the 14,000-year-old paintings at the museum. The stunning Gaudí-designed El Capricho Just 9 miles west, you'll find Comillas, a pretty coastal town of cobbled streets, tree-dotted squares and modernist architecture. Make a beeline for El Capricho, a Gaudí-designed summer house seemingly plucked straight from the pages of a fairytale. Then, just 6 miles on, the picturesque fishing village of San Vicente de la Barquera features serene beaches and the breathtaking backdrop of the snow-dusted peaks of the Picos de Europa. If you're looking to explore at a slower pace, follow a section of the Northern Way, one of the routes that make up the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, which links together many of these coastal towns and villages. Head inland and you'll discover the rugged peaks and vibrant valleys of the Picos de Europa, Spain's first national park. You can hike through the park at your own pace, with more than 30 self-guided walks, dipping into villages where local life seems perennially unchanged. This is the only national park in Spain that is inhabited, and its cultural heritage is as important as the nearly 2,000 species of plants and the wildlife that ranges from roe deer and grouse to Egyptian vultures, golden eagles and the Iberian wolf. You don't have to be an expert hiker to experience the mountains at their best. You can reach a height of almost 2,000 metres in just four minutes via the Fuente Dé cable car. From there, the impressive Picos crags provide an exhilarating backdrop for leisurely hikes between villages. The pretty medieval town of Potes, set in the mountain's foothills and criss-crossed by waterways, makes an excellent base for mountain exploration. Whether you're hiking or cycling, surfing the coast, or simply strolling around medieval towns, you're sure to work up quite the appetite. Luckily, Cantabria's landscapes have a lot to offer when it comes to inspiring ingredients. On the coast, you can dine on spider crab and goose barnacles, king prawns, sweet langoustines, and fresh anchovies. Local favourites include sorropotún de bonito, a tuna stew cooked with onions, peppers, garlic and stale bread; baked sardines; parsley-rich hake in green sauce (merluza en salsa verde); and rabas (fried squid). In the mountains, meats and cheeses take centre stage. Look out for wheels of smoky quesucos de Liebana or Picón Bejes-Tresviso. Tudanca cattle is famed for its flavourful meat, and you'll also find game, such as wild boar and venison. For pork, try cocido montañés, a meaty feast consisting of chorizo, pork ribs, beans, potatoes and leafy greens, or cocido lebaniego de Potes, a stew made with chorizo, chickpeas and cabbage. Delicious authentic Cantabrian food includes cheeses such as Picón Bejes-Tresviso and, on the coast, freshly-caught sardines. Photographs: Alamy; Stocksy United Cantabria's distinctive cuisine is a reflection of the varied landscapes that define this underrated region. And its compact size means you can combine Atlantic surf and ancient pilgrimage routes, mountain wildlife experiences and rich culture all in one trip. With regular ferries from both Plymouth and Portsmouth to Santander, it's easy to reach Cantabria. It means you can take your car and pack it up with bikes, hiking gear and even the family dog for your trip. And with comfortable cabins and great facilities, the holiday begins when you step aboard. Brittany Ferries' ships sail the route from Plymouth to Santander, with just one night aboard flagship ferry Pont-Aven. Restaurant choices range from self-service to fine dining Le Flora, serving langoustines, smoked salmon and champagne. Guests can also enjoy the choice of two cinemas, a video games room, swimming pool and leisure area. There are also two sailings a week from Portsmouth, both across two nights. Restaurants and bars serve up snacks and Spanish cuisine. Relax on the sundeck, shop the boutique, and let the little ones have fun in the play areas. The cabins on these ships have the largest and most comfortable beds in the fleet. From country cottages to beachfront hotels, there's an impressive range of package holidays available to book through Brittany Ferries. Find out more about travelling with Brittany Ferries
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Magnificent mountains, beautiful beaches and elegant cities
Tucked up against Spain's lush northern coastline, Cantabria is a gloriously unsung region. Atlantic waters lap a coastline of rugged cliffs and beaches of creamy sands, while the emerald countryside rises sharply in the south-west to become the serrated Picos de Europa mountain range. At the heart of this so-called 'green coast' is the elegant city of Santander, presiding over neighbouring medieval towns, quiet fishing villages, and a surprising Gaudí masterpiece. And inland, green valleys and sheer limestone peaks are laced with walking routes and flecked with stone villages hunched down against the elements. Cantabria is also compact, meaning you can combine beach and mountains, hiking and history all in one trip. And the diverse scenery makes for incredible cuisine, too – from fresh seafood to stout cheeses, hearty stews, and locally raised beef. Kick off your Cantabrian adventure in Santander, a longtime favourite of Spanish royalty and the perfect base for exploring the region's 136 miles of coastline. It has a distinctly aristocratic air, with grand mansions, patio restaurants and Alfonso XIII's summer residence, Palacio de la Magdalena. Known as the 'bride of the sea', Santander's refined old town contrasts with its bustling fishing district and surprising contemporary quarter, crowned by the Renzo Piano-designed Centro Botín cultural space. The Centro Botín, Santander's seaside cultural space. Photograph: Stéphane Aboudaram While Santander has its own crescents of golden sand, it's worth exploring the rest of the Cantabrian coast. Head east and you'll find Noja, just 25 miles away, a quaint town set between the sea and mountains, where 17th-century villas and mansions overlook two sandy beaches. Farther on is Castro Urdiales, once a Roman settlement and characterised by its medieval old town. Or you can head west, where Santillana del Mar sits just 18 miles away from Santander, revelling in its title as one of Spain's most beautiful towns. Considered a national monument for its medieval architecture, it's also notable for the nearby Altamira caves, famed for their prehistoric cave art – one of the finest examples in the world. You can find out more about the 14,000-year-old paintings at the museum. The stunning Gaudí-designed El Capricho Just 9 miles west, you'll find Comillas, a pretty coastal town of cobbled streets, tree-dotted squares and modernist architecture. Make a beeline for El Capricho, a Gaudí-designed summer house seemingly plucked straight from the pages of a fairytale. Then, just 6 miles on, the picturesque fishing village of San Vicente de la Barquera features serene beaches and the breathtaking backdrop of the snow-dusted peaks of the Picos de Europa. If you're looking to explore at a slower pace, follow a section of the Northern Way, one of the routes that make up the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, which links together many of these coastal towns and villages. Head inland and you'll discover the rugged peaks and vibrant valleys of the Picos de Europa, Spain's first national park. You can hike through the park at your own pace, with more than 30 self-guided walks, dipping into villages where local life seems perennially unchanged. This is the only national park in Spain that is inhabited, and its cultural heritage is as important as the nearly 2,000 species of plants and the wildlife that ranges from roe deer and grouse to Egyptian vultures, golden eagles and the Iberian wolf. The Picos de Europa national park. Photograph: DanielYou don't have to be an expert hiker to experience the mountains at their best. You can reach a height of almost 2,000 metres in just four minutes via the Fuente Dé cable car. From there, the impressive Picos crags provide an exhilarating backdrop for leisurely hikes between villages. The pretty medieval town of Potes, set in the mountain's foothills and criss-crossed by waterways, makes an excellent base for mountain exploration. Whether you're hiking or cycling, surfing the coast, or simply strolling around medieval towns, you're sure to work up quite the appetite. Luckily, Cantabria's landscapes have a lot to offer when it comes to inspiring ingredients. On the coast, you can dine on spider crab and goose barnacles, king prawns, sweet langoustines, and fresh anchovies. Local favourites include sorropotún de bonito, a tuna stew cooked with onions, peppers, garlic and stale bread; baked sardines; parsley-rich hake in green sauce (merluza en salsa verde); and rabas (fried squid). In the mountains, meats and cheeses take centre stage. Look out for wheels of smoky quesucos de Liebana or Picón Bejes-Tresviso. Tudanca cattle is famed for its flavourful meat, and you'll also find game, such as wild boar and venison. For pork, try cocido montañés, a meaty feast consisting of chorizo, pork ribs, beans, potatoes and leafy greens, or cocido lebaniego de Potes, a stew made with chorizo, chickpeas and cabbage. Delicious authentic Cantabrian food includes cheeses such as Picón Bejes-Tresviso and, on the coast, freshly-caught sardines. Photographs: Alamy; Stocksy United Cantabria's distinctive cuisine is a reflection of the varied landscapes that define this underrated region. And its compact size means you can combine Atlantic surf and ancient pilgrimage routes, mountain wildlife experiences and rich culture all in one trip. With regular ferries from both Plymouth and Portsmouth to Santander, it's easy to reach Cantabria. It means you can take your car and pack it up with bikes, hiking gear and even the family dog for your trip. And with comfortable cabins and great facilities, the holiday begins when you step aboard. Brittany Ferries' ships sail the route from Plymouth to Santander, with just one night aboard flagship ferry Pont-Aven. Restaurant choices range from self-service to fine dining Le Flora, serving langoustines, smoked salmon and champagne. Guests can also enjoy the choice of two cinemas, a video games room, swimming pool and leisure area. There are also two sailings a week from Portsmouth, both across two nights. Restaurants and bars serve up snacks and Spanish cuisine. Relax on the sundeck, shop the boutique, and let the little ones have fun in the play areas. The cabins on these ships have the largest and most comfortable beds in the fleet. From country cottages to beachfront hotels, there's an impressive range of package holidays available to book through Brittany Ferries. Find out more about travelling with Brittany Ferries
Otago Daily Times
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to the Editor: Wānaka, Monowai and speed limits
Lake Wānaka. PHOTO: RAWAN SAADI Today's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including lack of council planning in Wānaka, the Monowai power station, and the DCC's imposition of 30kmh speed limits. A Wānaka welcome is not extended to us all Despite its million-dollar houses, Lake Hāwea has a failing sewerage system. This was known before permission was granted to build 400 more houses, one among many housing developments being built in the township right now. Perhaps the subject of sewerage is too gross for Queenstown Lakes District Council councillors and Wānaka board members, too smelly for their hot-house plant sensitivities. Easier to blame the lack of planning on council operations. Perish the thought of taking responsibility for what happens in the organisation they are elected to guide. Could it be they stood for election with pleasant visions of tourism promotion? Did they dream of prettying-up Wānaka lakeside, rather than having nightmares of sewage with nowhere to go? Positive image is all. Take the McDonald's location issue, strident concerns about the architecture and unhealthy food. Come on. So, our supermarkets and Night 'n Day store sell only healthy food? And their buildings were designed by Gaudi? McDonald's is considered lower class; that's why it was shoved out of sight. Wānaka area welcomes residents who own outsize houses, outsize cars and outrageous rental properties, and, of course, tourists with money. There is no embrace of people struggling to pay extortionate rent, or mortgages for that matter. Renters are necessary to service wealthy residents and tourists, but their struggles are ignored. Social housing? That would suggest Wānaka depends on poverty for its fraudulent fun-town identity. Unless our elected representatives want to continue to be dismissed as irrelevant, they must take responsibility . . . and accept it is for councillors to make decisions for council officers to carry out. Christopher Horan Lake Hāwea Pro-democracy The messy Treaty Principles Bill was put to bed after National and New Zealand First said that they would not support it. The prime minister argued that the Bill only got to the select committee stage, as this was part of the coalition agreement between Act New Zealand and National. It is interesting that New Zealand First would not support the Bill, as as part of its coalition agreement with National has a clause which states: "Pro-democracy — upholding the principles of liberal democracy, including equal citizenship, parliamentary sovereignty, the rule of law and property rights, especially with respect to interpreting the Treaty of Waitangi." This clause, by the way, is also in Act's coalition agreement with National and has exactly the same wording. It would be a real worry to those who opposed the Treaty Principles Bill to see National honouring the pro-democracy clause and how and when they intend to do it. Ross Davidson Wakari Monowai power station. PHOTO: LAURA SMITH How about you bring lake back to what it was? This is another view of the Monowai power station 100-year anniversary (ODT 28.4.25). In the ratio of environmental pain for energy gain, the scheme must rank among the worst in the world. The pristine Lake Monowai was raised, with some 50km of shoreline forest drowned and all the lake beaches submerged. Why? For the operational convenience of having storage water for the tiny Monowai station. Is it really necessary for Pioneer Energy to keep Lake Monowai in a flooded state? Pioneer has an opportunity to enter the history books by removing the Monowai dam and restoring the lake. What a great anniversary that would make 100 years from now. Earl Bardsley University of Waikato Headline spurned "Keep away from foolish and ignorant arguments — they end in quarrels" (Opinion 256.4.25). Really ODT? Washing a council's dirty linen in public then hanging it on [the] line is one of the very few ways of holding councils to account. The advice from the ODT is a bit like ignore the wash cycle — go straight to spin. No thank you. Gerrard Eckhoff Alexandra Why put stop sign up on speed limits? Page 4 of the ODT (28.4.25) indicates that Dunedin City Council staff have amongst themselves decided to retain their currently imposed 24/7 30kmh speed limits around schools. Everyone recognises the need for suitable restrictions and a safe environment around schools at pick-up/drop-off times, with the mass release of (mostly) excited children, not to mention their caregivers parked on yellow lines. However, there seems little merit and, I suspect, little community support in applying 30kmh restrictions 24/7. This reduces traffic at all hours to a road works speed, or that of a funeral cortege, outside of peak school hours when there is a complete absence of extraordinary risk. These are, after all, commonly thoroughfares with traffic flow a primary intent and school safety needs should be contained to the brief periods they exist. At what point do council staff consult the community in these matters? They don't ever appear to have done so in the wider sense and seem to have little mandate for their 24/7 rulings. The same has applied to other ad hoc speed restrictions in some suburban areas and distributor routes, unrelated to schools, with no discernible need to the extent applied, generally unpopular and rather tellingly widely unrecognised by drivers. It is unclear whether these are to be reviewed, but by and large they should be thrown out and hopefully in most cases will be, in accordance with current government policy which at least carries some measure of mandate, contrary to council staff who, at present levels of consultation, do not. W Sharp Maori Hill Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@
