TravelWORLDMAN's Blog

Madrid, Spain's capital, deserves respect having struggled hard to establish itself over the years throughout the troubled history of Spain.

Madrid is fascinating, highly intriguing with wonderfully interesting people. There are those who sarcastically referred to Madrid as Spain's second city after Barcelona by and large those are the people that have never really got to know Madrid. Now I know Barcelona has the Cathedral, the Nou Camp Stadium and was the venue for the most recent Olympic Games to be held in Spain but to write Madrid off as Spain’s second city seems to miss the point completely.

Yes the Catalans may praise Barcelona for the creativity and elegance of the city but to regard to Madrid is any less important purely because parts of it might need the old lick of paint is extremely superficial.

Madrid has very much the archetypal continental climate in that it has very cold winters and hot summers which means for those who don't like extremes in temperatures the spring and autumn are the best times to visit.

Madrid has a great many attractions of which a royal palace, many grand public squares, three internationally renowned art galleries, and a great many museums filled with the treasures of the long and glorious history of Spain.

Madrid like many international cities and probably more than most reflects in sections its historical past. Now we have to remember here that this was a major European city that for 400 years lay under the rule of North African influence, namely that of the Moors. This is reflected in the area of La Latina.

This is an area of Madrid often overlooked by visitors and tourists alike but is rich in historical heritage and indeed during medieval times the Plaza la Paja was Madrid's main square.

When the influence of the Moors declined in Spain, this area of Madrid became know as a moreria which actually means an enclosed ghetto where the Muslims live. Memories of a former age can still be found when you consider some off the place names such as Plaza de la Puerta de Moros and/or the historic architecture.Nowadays as in most cases things have changed and this part of Madrid becomes a party centre for the madrilenos, the people of Madrid later on in the day, every day.

Perhaps one of the most overriding aspects of Madrid would lie with the juxtaposition off the modern international capital city and the apparent “down at heel” and slightly grubby appearance. Mention this to the madrilenos and all they will likely do is shrug, sigh and suggest that there are more important things in life worth bothering about?”

Who is to say they are wrong?

Elsewhere in Madrid you will find Malasana, a quaint cobble stones area stretching north from the city centre.Wonderfully described as possibly being like “the boyfriend or girlfriend you couldn’t bring home to your mother” all human life in Madrid can be found here. With graffiti, posters and street art on virtually every conceivable surface Malasana has an anarchic feel and atmosphere that tells you “this is the place to be at the right time of day”.

The trouble is as far as perennial party goers will tell you, in this part of Madrid it is sometimes party time all of the day.

There is an awful lot more to Madrid that initial impressions would indicate. Peel back the flaking paint and go beyond the many tourists spots and you will find a city that you will fall in love with for many a year.

Miss Madrid and it will be your loss.

The summer cruise season is once again upon us. Time for cruise lovers everywhere to choose their yearly cruise vacation. Or, for you cruise first-timers, to decide to finally take the plunge and go on your first cruise.

For first-timers and seasoned pros alike, most people assume that in order to sail the world's oceans and rivers you have to sign up with one of the major cruise lines. While cruising with one of the majors is the most common way to sail, there are other options available, such as chartering a private yacht.

Before the money alarm bells start going off in your head, it might help to know that in some cases a privately-chartered yacht might make financial sense, particularly if you have a larger group of people who will split the cost of the charter. And, charters vary widely in price. For example, you can charter a yacht cruising Florida and the Bahamas in the winter and New England in the summer from $15,500 per week for 6 people. That comes out to just over $2,500 per person. Of course, there are pricier yachts you can charter for $385,000 per week for 12 guests and a crew of 13. A yacht like that comes equipped with fishing equipment, snorkeling equipment, water skis, 3 waverunners, kneeboards, 2 kayaks, gym and a Jacuzzi. Again, prices vary widely. You may be amazed at what you'd find in your price range. Some private yacht charters also offer cheaper deals if you agree to cook your own food rather than have a chef onboard.

Benefits of Private Yacht Charter over Major Cruise Line

Privacy:

On a major cruise you have lots of company. Over 2,000 passengers on many cruises. With a private yacht charter it can be just you and under a dozen other people, often times just your friends and family. Besides you and the other passengers, the only other individuals onboard would be the yacht crew or staff. This might not only include a captain and other onboard hands, but it may also include a maid or a private chef.

Perfect for Small Gatherings:

Private yachts are ideal for small business parties, casual business meetings, romantic getaways, honeymoons, weddings, and even family vacations. It's hard to hold a business meeting on a large cruise ship with all the noise and activity going on around you. And, a private yacht charter allows you the opportunity to get closer to your loved ones without other people getting in the way.

Activities:

You may be able to go swimming, scuba diving or snorkeling right off the yacht. Jumping off the ship and into the ocean is not something that's encouraged on a major cruise ship. Neither is fishing. But, on your own private chartered yacht, that is also an activity you, your family and friends can enjoy.

Health Considerations:

Every year it seems there's news of some outbreak of something on a major cruise ship. With all the people aboard, it's much easier for infections to be spread around, no matter how hard the crew tries to keep everything clean and disinfected. With the small number of people on a private chartered yacht, you have less chance of coming in contact with pathogens.

Benefits of a Major Cruise Line over a Private Chartered Yacht

Cost:

While you can find a private yacht charter that won't break the bank, a vacation with a major cruise line is still probably cheaper, even for an ocean-view balcony room. And, if you book early enough, you're often offered an upgrade when your cruise date nears.

Activities:

A major cruise ship offers an incredible amount of activities, such as movies, dancing, yoga, exercise classes. Many have onboard casinos and numerous swimming pools. If you're bored reading or watching the scenery, there's always an activity scheduled.

Escape:

While taking a vacation on a yacht with 8 other people sounds nice, you may not be able to escape these same people during the day on a private yacht. On a major cruise there are so many activities that people can go off and do their own thing without always bumping into each other.

When deciding between a major cruise ship and private chartered yacht it helps to sort out what you really want on your vacation. Do you want the opportunity to see beautiful scenery at a minimal cost, or are privacy and being catered to an important consideration for you?

Should you decide to look into chartering a private yacht, you might wish to go through a yacht charter agent who has knowledge of the different companies offering chartered yachts. Choose an agent who is a member of one of the yacht broker's associations, such as the AYCA, the American Yacht Charter Association, or CYBA, the Charter Yacht Brokers Association.

Iowa has some beautiful places that are wonderful vacation destinations. One of the must see places is Crystal Lake Cave. There is an interesting story behind this location. Back in 1868 lead miners were looking for a lead vein and they drilled 40 feet into the ground. And although they were not successful in finding the lead they had hoped for they did find something else even more amazing. What they found was Crystal Lake Cave. Although the cave was discovered for many years it was not open to the public until 1932. Bernard Markus, one of the original miners, played a role in getting the cave open to the public and it finally became so after his death.

While the miners were digging they found quite a few different types of gems and minerals that are on display in the gift shop. There is no other show cavern like Crystal Lake Cave and this is the longest a cave has been "alive" in Iowa. The cave is underground and continues to be one of the most amazing places to visit in Iowa. The tour of the cave takes about half an hour to 45 minutes and it is an adventure like none other you have ever taken. A tour guide will lead you so that you get the most out of the adventure. Keep in mind that no matter what the temperature is outside it will be quite cool in Crystal Lake Cave and the year round temperature is usually around 52 degrees Fahrenheit.

The cave is open from 9 am to 5 pm on weekends in May and daily in June, July and August from 9 am until 6 pm. In September the cave is open from 11 am until 5 pm on weekdays and 9 am until 5 pm on weekends. The cave is open through mid October from 11 am until 5 pm on weekdays and 9 am until 5 pm on weekends. The rest of the year the cave is closed for winter. Prices for adults are $10 and $5 for kids four to 11. Kids under four are free and senior citizens receive a 10% discount. Group pricing is available. The cave is located three miles south of Dubuque, Iowa and 20 minutes from Galena, Illinois.

There is a website that has great information on USA Vacations and Unique Travel Spots Listed State By State and Season, the website is called: Seasonal Vacation Spots, and can be found at this url:

http://www.seasonalvacationspots.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Regardless of your reasons for visiting Tenerife, you will want to explore the island. As nice as basking in the sunshine is on any visit to this remarkable island, a trip here is not complete without taking a break from the beaches and making the most of the attractions and diverse landscape. By far the best way to ensure you experience all that you can on the island is to take daytrips.

It is true that the landscape on Tenerife is like nowhere else on earth. Numerous attractions await every visitor and the real beauty of it is that given its size, nothing is very far away. The highlights include Puerto de la Cruz, the second city of the island; the famous statue of the Black Virgin Madona and the majestic Mount Teide volcano, towering over Tenerife at 12,200 feet.

Being the most popular of the Canary Islands, some think that overcrowding would be a problem. On the contrary, you will have the whole coastline to choose from to find a suitable resort or hotel. Each area has something different to offer: Los Cristianos has a picturesque harbour and quiet atmosphere; Puerto de la Cruz offers real Tenerife culture, while Playa de la Américas is home to some of the best beaches on the island along with the liveliest nightlife. Where ever you choose to locate yourself, the choice is vast ranging from upmarket luxury to comfortable mid-range options.

As you would imagine, Tenerife is easy to navigate given its small size. You can either rent a car or use the well integrated bus system to visit the sights on daytrips or alternatively, you can make use of the many travel agents dotted around the tourist areas who will take care of planning daytrips for you.

A great way to ensure you make the most of your stay on Tenerife is to work around the island seeing the attractions. Get a bird’s eye view of the island by climbing to the top of Europe’s highest mountain or take the easy route via the cable car at Pico del Teide to the top and enjoy the view. Alternatively, visit Loro Park, home to 340 different species of parrots, or explore the busy port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Given Tenerife is surrounded by crystal clear waters, snorkelling, scuba diving and swimming are extremely popular activities for those who want to explore the underwater world of tropical fish and coral. Other off-island activities which are perfect for daytrips include glass bottomed boat trips, adrenaline pumping game fishing or exciting whale and dolphin watching.

From the airport in the south of the island, an aerial daytrip is a must. An experienced helicopter pilot can take you on a tour of the island, flying over highlights such as Los Cristianos, Playa del Américas’ golf courses, and then heading out over the highest cliffs in Europe at Los Gigantes. If you are really lucky, you may see whales coming up for air when the flight takes you between Tenerife and La Gomera.

The island of La Gomera makes another great daytrip, reachable via a short ferry journey. Once on the smaller island, the main highlight is the Garajonay National Park which is made up of over 10,000 acres hiding a laurel forest in the middle. This daytrip can prove to be absolutely magical as the mist descends over the park when the Atlantic winds mix with the warmer island air.

For animal lovers, Tenerife provides suitable daytrip activities such as Loro Park, just outside Puerto de la Cruz and home to an aquarium, dolphin shows, jaguars, gorillas and parrots. If you are not satisfied with this daytrip then combine it with a trip to Tenerife Zoo to see the monkey park and the informative camel breeding centre.

Another interesting daytrip means leaving the island of Tenerife and heading to another of the Canary Islands: Lanzarote. It is possible to do this in a day and it will give you a chance to explore some of the highlights of the neighbouring island. Lanzarote is however another destination in its own right.

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