Some of the most visited countries in the world lie within the continent of Europe, which is bordered by Africa, Asia and two oceans – the Atlantic and the Arctic. Europe may be the world’s second-smallest continent by land surface area, but there is no lack of diversity in the countries that are part of it. Visitors are generally amazed at just how quickly a separation of a few miles can transform one culture into another. Languages change and the taste buds are exposed to a whole new range of gastronomic delights.
Europe packs quite a punch on all fronts, be it the spectacular natural scenery of the Alps, the romance of Venice, the lure of Scotland’s glens and lochs or the beaches of the Mediterranean, there’s no dearth of stunning scenery to leave you ‘starry-eyed.’ For those interested in history and the arts, the attractions are mind-boggling. One can literally step back in time in the numerous medieval cities like York, Siena, Saint Paul de Vence or Prague or get lost in the Moorish palaces of Andalucia or the imperial palaces of St. Petersburg. If spirituality is what you seek, the grand monasteries and spectacular churches of Europe are sure to satiate the restless heart.
For hundreds of years the houses of the tiny village of Júzcar in the Spanish province of Andalucía, were whitewashed. Nowadays it is the World’s first Smurf Village. [booking_product_helper shortname=”juzcar”] In 2010, Júzcar was chosen by Sony Pictures as the setting for the premiere of their new film “The Smurfs 3D”. Sony Pictures made a terrible movie, but did one…
Sits on the East coast of the Iberian Peninsula along the Mediterranean, Spain’s third-largest city is not getting the attention it deserves, and it is still a bit of a hidden gem with a wealth of things to see and do. From cutting-edge architecture and some of the most innovative and avant-garde buildings to excellent…
Cordoba is famous for being the proud keeper of one of Andalucia’s three great architectural jewels: the Mezquita. However, Cordoba is more than that. Its rich cultural and religious history attracts millions of visitors every year. Cordoba is one of those places where the past is reflected everywhere you look and it is also in…
The westernmost tip of the Spanish landmass is grand, with lush green vegetation, picturesque mountains, and an electrifying coast. Vigo, in the Galician landmass, used to be a village whose mainstay was fishing! But now, it is one of the most populous cities in Spain owing to the large area it covers. This city has…
The popular coastal town of Sitges referred to as the Saint-Tropez of Spain is located about 35 km southwest of Barcelona. This former fishing village has grown in popularity because of its natural beauty and also because of its world-renowned Film Festival and Carnival. The climate in Sitges is also another key factor in drawing…
The elegant city of San Sebastian or Donostia (Basque) is one of Spain‘s most sought after beach resorts. Located on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, the beautiful beaches coupled with the lovely sunny weather attract people from all over. A stroll through the Old Town (Parte Vieja), a lazy day at the beach,…
Less than a hundred kilometers from the northeast of Barcelona is the Catalan city of Girona. It is an ancient city, having originated during the time of the Iberians and later known as the Roman city of Gerunda. In the 12th century, the city had a flourishing Jewish community and had one of the most…
Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque region in northern Spain was once a main industrial hub and a minor beach destination. However, the inauguration of the Guggenheim Museum in 1997, brought the tourists flocking to this part of Spain. The deindustrialization of Bilbao began in the 1990s when many of the industrial areas were…
The city of Benidorm located in the province of Alicante in eastern Spain has been a popular tourist destination since the 1950s. This coastal resort attracts many visitors throughout the year. Besides the various attractions that make up Benidorm, it has a vibrant nightlife with numerous bars and clubs. What sets Benidorm apart from the…
Sometimes referred to as the ‘City of Stones and Saints,’ the spiritual city of Ávila located in the Autonomous Community of Castile and León about 111km north-west of Madrid, boasts of having the highest number of Romanesque and Gothic churches per capita in the country. Founded in the 11th century to defend the Spanish territories…
Although Ibiza has a reputation for being the party capital of the planet, host of the best nightlife in the world and home to the best super-clubs on the globe, the island owns as well an absolutely beautiful coastline with dozens of tiny coves to discover, crystal clear seas for snorkeling, hidden bays, pine forests,…
Barcelona, located on the shores of the Mediterranean sea in northern Spain, is the most cosmopolitan and economically most active city in this country. It is welcoming, plural and diverse. Barcelona has it all, from Picasso and Gaudi to outdoor markets and stunning Gothic architecture. Check out our top sights and attractions in Barcelona. “Barcelona is a very…
There is no shortage of hotels with a rooftop pool in Madrid. However, deciding which one’s worthy of your time is another matter. People come to this beautiful city for different reasons. Some for shopping (it’s home to the biggest Zara store in the world), whereas some others for business and leisure. When you stay…
Home to the famous Summer Olympic games in 1992, world-famous soccer clubs, and majestic architectural buildings, Barcelona, Spain is a top-notch holiday destination. Tourists instantly fall in love with the sunny climate, lovely beaches, and the famous local cuisines. Wherever you look, the Catalan capital is alive with unique experiences drawn from the colorful street…
The seaside Spanish town of Valencia sees tons of LGBTQ travelers heading its way. Lovely beaches, superb Pride celebrations, and a great gay scene make it a fantastic destination. As a result, you’re bound to find a gay hotel in Valencia as accommodation also increased. Today, gay accommodation in Valencia ranges from designer options to fun…
The spectacular Spanish island of Tenerife is a potpourri of cultural and natural beauty. It is home to Spain’s highest peak, white-sand beaches, quaint ancient towns, and some of the best LGBTQ revelry grounds in the world. The gay-friendly island, along with its neighbor Gran Canaria, is famously home to some amazing gay bars and…
For LGBT travelers, Sitges is the perfect place for a great beach getaway, and it’s easy to see why. The coastal town in Spain’s Catalonia region is a picture-perfect spot nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Garraf Mountains. Just as important is the fact that Sitges is super-open to LGBT people. Indeed, it’s so…
Mesmerizing Malaga puts the ‘soul’ into Costa del Sol, the famous Spanish coastline overlooking the Alboran Sea. This ancient beach town is the birthplace of Picasso and is steeped in rich Islamic and Roman history. Moreover, it blends lip-smacking cuisine and authentic Spanish traditions with stunning architecture and wicked, wild nightlife. With Spain being renowned…
Madrid is one of the friendliest cities for gays in the world and is home to Spain and Europe’s largest gay population. Madrid’s native annual gay parade MADO, or Orgullo Gay de Madrid, is one of the world’s biggest pride parades today. Gay neighborhoods in Madrid like Chueca is where the LGBT community has lived…
Sun-kissed Ibiza with its turquoise-blue waters and white-sand beaches is pretty much Spain’s all-time-favorite gay hotspot. Notwithstanding the season, the Spanish island is one of Europe’s most popular beach getaways. About an hour’s flight from Madrid, the island really never sleeps. There are plenty of gay hotels in Ibiza which has accommodation for all kinds…
Considered as a continent in miniature, Gran Canaria’s been a gay destination for decades. So, not surprisingly, quite a few gay hotels sprang up. While all hotels aren’t exclusively gay, they’re all gay-friendly. So, finding gay accommodation in Gran Canaria is pretty simple. In fact, it boats more gay hotels than any other place in the…
Spain has some of the top gay destinations in Europe such as Madrid, Sitges, and Ibiza but Barcelona is not far behind. With its gay friendly spaces, Barcelona is also a popular destination for the gay community. Eixample fondly referred to as Gaixample or Gayxample is where most of the LGBT community head to in…
Standing on a hill high above the Tagus River, Toledo is a historic walled city in central Spain as well as the former capital of Spain. It has been an important center of culture to the Romans, Catholics, Jews and Muslims for nearly 3,000 years. Behind its walls, Toledo preserves an artistic and cultural legacy…
The natural beauty of Tenerife is known worldwide. People from every corner of the globe come here almost like a pilgrimage to enjoy the sun, luxury hotels, the cold and refreshing Atlantic Ocean, stunning scenery and eternal spring climate. Dreamy sunsets and black sand beaches are the best natural relaxant there is in life according…