Latest news with #Moorish


NDTV
11 hours ago
- General
- NDTV
Planning A Trip To Spain? Start With These 5 Destinations
Thinking of travelling to Spain soon? You're going to love it. It's one of those places that just stay with you, the kind you'll want to visit again and again. From beautiful cities and amazing food to that lively, warm vibe, Spain really has it all. Whether you're wandering through art-filled streets in Madrid or chilling on the beaches in Valencia, there's something special around every corner. Here are 5 places you have to visit when you're there! What Are The Best Places To Visit In Spain? Here Are 5 Must-Visit Places: 1. Barcelona When we think of Spain, Barcelona is usually the first city that comes to mind. And why not? The city boasts stunning architecture, particularly the works of Antoni Gaudi, a vibrant nightlife and pristine beaches. The culinary offerings in Barcelona are equally delightful, making it a haven for food lovers. 2. Madrid Madrid is the capital city of Spain and attracts millions of tourists annually. It's a must-visit place for those who appreciate art, as the city is home to some of the best museums in the world. Some museums that you shouldn't miss visiting while in Madrid include the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza. 3. Seville Another city you cannot miss visiting in Spain is Seville. Located within the autonomous community of Andalusia, it offers some of the country's best food and music. Seville is particularly famous for flamenco - a traditional art form combining singing, dancing and instrumental music. Here, you can also get to witness grand palaces and Moorish architecture. 4. Valencia If you wish to explore the eastern coast of Spain, don't miss visiting Valencia. The city beautifully blends modern and traditional architecture and also has beautiful beaches. Overall, it has a vibrant vibe throughout the year as it holds several exciting festivals. Valencia is also considered to be the birthplace of Paella - a popular Spanish rice dish. 5. San Sebastian If you're a food enthusiast, San Sebastian is the place to be. This tiny seaside town offers world-class cuisine and is particularly famous for dishes like Basque Tapas and desserts like Basque cheesecake. Apart from food, the city's elegant Art Nouveau buildings and beaches further add to its charm and appeal. So, if you're planning a trip to Spain anytime soon, make sure to visit these places!


Scroll.in
2 days ago
- General
- Scroll.in
In Hyderabad, the international style of art deco reveals itself in homes, with personal touches
Most discussions about the influence of the design style of art deco in India seem to focus on impressive buildings in Mumbai or Chennai. But tucked away in Hyderabad are quieter, equally elegant structures inspired by the subtle geometry and streamlined elegance of the style. – homes, commercial buildings, banks, schools, universities and cinema halls. In Hyderabad, art deco reveals itself gently, in understated domestic settings, with deeply personal touches. Presented in 1925 at an exhibition in Paris called the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, art deco percolated into many spheres of design, from jewelry and furniture to automobiles and even saris. In Hyderabad, the first art deco buildings were constructed in the 1930s and were in vogue till the late '50s. It was deployed by architects such as Mohammed Fayazuddin, Zain Yar Jung, the Austrian Karl Heinz and Eric Marret from Britain. Only around 1,000 art deco buildings remain in the city, bearing typical features of the style such as stylised floral patterns, sunbursts and vertical windows. Making an appearance Anuradha Reddy, historian and convenor of INTACH Hyderabad, credits architects Fayazuddin and Heinz for the city's art deco heritage. Her granduncle, the Raja of Wanaparthy, Ramdev Rao, built one of the first art deco buildings in the city for a new home he was building in the early 1930s. It is now the Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology. Heinz came to Bombay as a refugee in the 1930s, fleeing Hitler's crackdown on the Bauhaus art movement. He made his way to Hyderabad thanks to the German Circle, a cultural group with close links to the country. Fayazuddin, said Reddy, had been educated at the JJ College of Architecture in Mumbai and then in the UK. 'Later on, while returning to India from England, he came via Spain and was greatly inspired by the Moorish architecture of the country,' she said. After devastating floods in 1908, Hyderabad began growing outside the old city. Newer areas such as Banjara Hills were being developed. The aristocracy of the princely state of Hyderabad were inspired by the flamboyance of the art deco style, which was already being embraced by royalty elsewhere in the country. Many had encountered this new style during their travels to Europe and were keen to follow the latest trends. These architects used the topography of the Deccan to build grand structures that came to be seen as symbols of a new age. They used geography and elevation of the area to great effect. Confluence of styles Indian art deco is unique because it used design elements from older periods in a decorative manner, said architect G Srinivas Murthy of the Architectural Design Foundation. 'Indian art deco has adopted elements from different styles – the jharokas and floral patterns from the Hindu temples, the pointed arches and jaalis from the Islamic architecture, the chaitya or the arch from the Buddhist viharas, and the columns and the grand staircases from Europe,' Murthy said. Hyderabad, with its influences from the Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi dynasties, incorporated the style and gave it a new syntax. From motifs like the swastikas and Om symbols from the Hindu lexicon to the geometric patterns on the city's older Islamic buildings, the Hyderabad art deco language had a syncretic vocabulary. Some buildings by Heinz were designed in the forms of ocean liners and airplanes, as did several art deco buildings around the world. Fayazuddin's designs, which include the Salar Jung Museum and the State Bank building, retain influences from Moorish styles. A rare repository Art deco buildings are characterised by the distinct use of curvilinear forms, parapets, rounded staircases (which gracefully resemble parts of circles) and place an emphasis on horizontality rather than verticality. 'Sunshades that swirl around a building, the top of boundary walls in the form of waves that rise and fall, as well as circular grills, are other distinct features of the style,' said architect Yeshwant Ramamurthy. Jeera Colony in Secunderabad is a treasure house of this style: around 30 sprawling art deco houses still survive. Built by Gujarati migrants in the 1940s, it is a residential enclave with pastel facades, decorative balconies (with motifs ranging from parrots and lotuses and even a boat) and the in-situ terrazzo finish flooring that makes this street a portal into the past, even as the rest of the city surged forward. Other prominent art deco structures in Hyderabad are the Arts College at Osmania University, the Zinda Tilismath building, the State Bank of Hyderabad in Gunfoundry, the Congress Bhavan, Arya Samaj Mandir, Niloufer Hospital and the State Central Library at Afzal Gunj. Many are dotted across older colonies in the city, including the bylanes of Afzal Gunj, Padma Rao Nagar, Himayat Nagar and parts of Secunderabad. The future of these buildings, though, is in question as many are increasingly being demolished (including the Secunderabad railway station in February). As Hyderabad marches into the future, its art deco legacy stands at a crossroads, caught between reverence and redevelopment. Why are these structures important and in need of being saved? 'Why is the Charminar important?' said Reddy. 'Why were the participants of Miss World [held in Hyderabad at the end of May] taken to the Old City and not the gleaming glass buildings of Hitech City? Because heritage tells us the story of who we are, and art deco tells us of an important period of our heritage where we married international design with local sensibilities.' Added Ramamurthy, these art deco buildings are 'anchors to the sensibilities of a city and showcases its history'.


Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Departure Lounge: Five travel deals to book, including direct flights to Cancun
Direct flights to Cancun Exciting news for sunseekers as Aer Lingus this week announced the launch of direct flights from Dublin to Cancun in Mexico beginning January 2026. Fares are from €291 each way and booking is open at If however, you can't wait until next year for a Mexican holiday, TUI is offering a 14-night all-inclusive break with savings of up to 34% staying at The Grand Riviera Princess Hotel. The all-inclusive beachfront five-star in Riviera Maya has an impressive eight pools, nine restaurants, and 10 bars. Departing from Dublin, July 5, for 14 nights, €1,709pps including luggage and transfers. Deal of the week Newly launched in Ireland last autumn On the Beach has been running an extensive ad campaign to win over Irish holidaymakers. Current offers flying from Munster include a week on Spain's Costa Dorada from €428.24pp. The package includes seven nights B&B at the four-star Ponient Dorada Palace, departing June 6 from Cork. The hotel includes an adults-only rooftop area with jacuzzis and access to PortAventura theme park. Classical Spain Experience classical Spain on a seven-night guided tour of Seville, Córdoba, and Granada through Spain's historic heartlands. This escorted tour will reveal the cultural riches of Andalusia and Castile, from Granada's Moorish palaces to Toledo's medieval streets. With the Alhambra's intricate architecture, Seville's lively plazas and plenty of excellent food and wine, it sounds like a great itinerary. Classical Spain: Seville, Córdoba and Granada tour starts from €1,495 per person for seven days including flights transfers, and B&B in three-star superior and four-star hotels. Delights of Skye Renowned restaurant with rooms, The Three Chimneys on Skye, and Talisker, the island's oldest distillery, have announced plans to lead the rise of the gastro-distillery on the Scottish island. Skye is a breathtaking destination to visit (an easy 200-km trip from Glasgow) with its rugged scenery and excellent local produce. Visitors can expect a summer menu of freshly caught langoustines, oysters, mussels and scallops, or locally cured meats and cheeses. For an immersive experience, stay at The House over By on the shores of Loch Dunvegan with the dramatic backdrop of the Duirinish peninsula, just 30 minutes' drive from Talisker. Cycle and stay East Cork's Castlemartyr Resort has launched a greenway offer this summer. The two-night Greenway Cycle and Stay package marries cycling or walking with all the trappings of the family-favourite five-star resort. Relax over two nights, with breakfast on both mornings and dinner in the leafy Canopy Restaurant on one night. During the day, get out and explore the newly completed 23km Midleton to Youghal Greenway. Best of all, you'll be provided with rental bikes and a special Castlemartyr Resort picnic to fuel you on your way. €790.20 based on two guests sharing a Deluxe Room for two.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Re-writing the Rules How Bop Has Become a Mainstay of the Nightlife Scene in Portals Mallorca
PUERTO PORTALS, MALLORCA / / May 24, 2025 / Situated in the centre of Puerto Portals, and overlooking the flashy Port with its super yachts and matching cars, you'd be forgiven for dismissing Bop as being just another cocktail bar on the scene in this upmarket part of the Balearic Islands. However, Bop has established itself as one of the most unpretentious, relaxed and fun nightspots around, largely due to its dedication to keeping prices affordable, offering visitors the experience of stunning sunsets combined with refreshing cocktails, dancing under the stars to carefully selected Balearic Beats and innovative ways to experience the soul of Mallorca. This includes the unique silent discos held on the large rooftop terrace, all just a moment's walk from the town beach with its Gin-clear waters; perfect for those who are looking to completely unwind and let go on their holiday. Throughout the season, the attentive staff serve drinks to your table, be it one of the comfy sofas, high tables overlooking the promenade below (ideal for people watching), or the VIP sections - all of which are bookable through the Bop website " If you're planning a large celebration, corporate event or private party, Bop has all the necessary experience and charm to make your night a memorable one. With music selected by resident DJs, an extensive and imaginative cocktail list and unparalleled views of the ocean, you can catch the perfect sunset and then dance into the early hours, either at one of the fantastic silent discos or any number of special parties thrown throughout the year where guest DJs, decoration and costume are the order of the night. The ubiquitous white party kicks off festivities early in the season. In fact, Bop has become known for their themed parties thrown throughout the summer bringing visitors together with the local community to capture that unique Balearic party essence. With Puerto Portals being located just a short drive from the island's main city of Palma, with its charming old-town streets of shuttered town houses, high end boutiques and gothic and Moorish churches, Bop is guaranteed to be a memorable part of any person's holiday to this fantasy island. Media Contact Organization: Bop BarsContact Person Name: Fred MusikWebsite: hello@ Number: +34680245670Address: Local 29, Puerto PortalsAddress 2: 07181 Portals NousCity: MallorcaCountry: Spain SOURCE: Bop Bars View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data


The Advertiser
24-05-2025
- The Advertiser
A cruise is a great way to explore this lesser-seen part of Africa
Destination highlights: The modern Avenue Habib Bourguiba is a lively tree-lined boulevard revealing passageways to the city's souks, providing contrasting views of ancient and charmingly evocative Tunis. Explore the 3000-year-old ruins of the ancient capital of the Carthaginian Republic. The Moorish cliff village of Sidi Bou Said, with its white and blue houses, reminiscent of Santorini, provides a scenic panorama for mint tea.