Lloret de Mar Gets Tough on Alcotourism

If you about to go on your holiday in Lloret de Mar in the Costa Brava, then you may be benefitting from 2 new laws just passed by the town council. 

One relates to behaviour in public places and the other relates to civic order and respecting fellow citizens which are both in an attempt to curb alcotourism in the resort and the banning of the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the streets.

Amongst other activities being banned are pub and disco crawls, "balconing" [jumping from balconies into swimming pools], sleeping in cars at night and going shirtless when not on the beach.

So, if you think a holiday in Lloret de Mar is for you, then just give us a call.

Las Fallas Festival in Valencia

If you are on your holidays in Valencia during the period 15-19 March 2012 then you are in for a great time as Valencia's largest annual fiesta and one of the best-known in Spain - Las Fallas - is due to take place.

A Fallas is a huge creation made of papier-mache which are paraded around the town, and neibourhoods compete to produce the best Fallas.   They can depict anything from cartoon characters, politicians, buxom ladies, animals, etc.   Each Fallas has a mini-version known as a Ninot. Each evening, firecrackers blast our over Plaza de l'Ajuntament and bullfights are held.

On the 18th March a statue of Mare de Deu dels Desemparats [Mary of the Helpless], patron saint of the city, is honoured with a spectacular offering of flowers.

At the end of the festival, huge bonfires take place where all the models are placed on the bonfires with the only exception of the winning Fallas which is saved from the flames [only the Ninot is saved - the large scale version is still placed into the fire].

Dating back to the Middle Ages, when carpenters used to light a bonfire in honour of Sant Josep, their patron saint.  Gradually, effigies were thrown into the fire, but nowadays the creations take all year to build.

If you want to find out more about Las Fallas, there are two museums devoted to the festival:
Museu Faller/Museo Fallero:
Located in Plaza Monteoliverte 4
Open Tuesday-Saturday 10:30-15:00 and Sunday / Bank Holidays 10:00-15:00

Museu del Gremi d'Artistes Fallers / Museo del Gremio Artistas Fallers [showing how the Fallas are made]
Located in Avenida San Jose Artesano
Open Monday-Saturday 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-19:00 and Sunday 10:00-14:00

If you would like to experience Las Fallas and need hotel accommodation in Valencia, just give us a call, or take a look at our hotels in Valencia.

Easyjet to fly to Iceland from Luton

It has been announced that EasyJet is to commence flying from Luton to Reykjavik three times a week on a year-round schedule. 

More than 8,000 seats have been sold in advsnce of the first flight on the 27 March 2012.  Tickets for flights from October will go on sale in March.

Reykjavik is the most notherly capital in the world and an original choice for a stylish city break in Iceland. The name means "Smoky Bay" after the steam clouds which rise from it geothermal springs. Discover the land of fire and ice with active geysers and bubbling mud pools alongside thundering waterfalls.

Peseta Makes Comeback in Spanish Village

A village south-east of Madrid - Villamayor de Santiago - has taken steps to reintroduce Spain's old currency, the peseta, in an effort to boost the local economy.

Since re-introducing the peseta in January,  locals have spent nearly 6000 euros worth of pesetas. When the scheme end in February, the old currency will be taken to the Bank of Spain and exchanged for euros and then distributed to the business which have taken part.

Pesetas can still be exchanged at the Bank of Spain for euros.

Newcastle Airport Has New Onsite Hotel

Travellers from Newcastle Airport can now benefit from a stay at a new onsite hotel - the DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport Hotel has just officially opened following a multi-million pount investment by the Cairn Hotel Group.

Just a few metres from the airport terminal, the glass fronted building has been designed for both business and leisure travellers.  The hotel offers a choice of 179 en-suite rooms, each with flat panel TV, free high speed internet access and soundproof windows.  Facilities include car parking, function rooms, a fitness suite and a choice of dining options and 24-hour room service.

If you would like to book a night at this hotel before your flight leaves Newcastle, just give Corona Holiday a call.

The Donkeys of Guimar

If you are on your holiday in Tenerife on the 24 February, 2012 and are near the resort of Guimar, then this is the place to be for the annual Donkeys of Guimar [Las Burras de Guimar] street performance which marks the end of Carnival time in Tenerife.  This eerie street theatre show is held in the Plaza de San Pedrom Arriba and portrays the common believe that on this night, all witches change into donkeys - everything is very light-hearted and admission is free.

During the day, why not take a look at the Piramides de Guimar [Guimar Pyramids] - Built by the native Guanches, they were long dismissed as piles of stones heaped by farmers clearing the land. However, closer inspection by archeologists revealed three pyramidal constructions, each at least 100 metres long and made of carefully squared stones.

An ideal hotel in Guimar would be the Rural Finca Salamanca Hotel.

Arts Hotel in Barcelona - New Spa Treatments

The 5 Star Arts Hotel in Barcelona has recently introduced new treatments designed by the Spa by Six Senses Spas.  New "slow life" treatments include the hot-stone chocolate massage and lavender massage.

Six Senses Spas are considered to be one of the best companies in the world offering an extensive selection of exquisite beauty treatments and massages.  Facilities and services include:

* Split-level area on floor 43, with spectacular views and terraces
* A total of eight treatment rooms, several with natural light and all with chromotherapy
* Separate ladies and gentlemen’s changing facilities including saunas and Klafs colour therapy steam rooms, vitality pools and ice fountains.

If you would like to stay at the Arts Hotel and take a short city break in Barcelona then just give us a call and we can send a quotation.   Alternatively you can carry out an online search from our description of the Arts Hotel.

Extra 13,000 Seats from Newcastle with Easyjet

It has been announced that Easyjet will be increasing capacity on 8 routes from Newcastle.

An extra 13,000 seats are being made available for passsengers with the introduction of an Airbus A320 later this year.  The extra capacity will be on routes to:
Malta [MLA]
Mallorca [PMI]
Paris [CDG]
Bristol [BRS]
Alicante [ALC]
Malaga [AGP]
Barcelona [BCN]
Belfast [BFS]

Top 3 Water Parks for Family Days Out

One of the most popular days out in the summer for families is a visit to a water park.   Here's our top 3 places to go for a proper dunking:

SIAM PARK IN TENERIFE
Siam Park is located in the resort of Costa Adeje, Tenerife, which is just a 10 minute drive from Playa de las Americas.  It is one of the largest water park in Europe and has the general appearance of the ancient kingdom of Siam in Thailand with slides set amidst tropical vegetation.   Ride highlights include:
Tower of Power - a 28 metre almost vertical drop.
The Dragon - spins riders in a 4-man raft
The Volcano - a whirling crater
It also has a great man-made beach, a wave pool which features 3 metre high artificial waves together with a selection of bars and restaurants to keep the whole family amused. 

WESTERN WORLD IN MALLORCA
Located in the popular resort of Magalluf in Mallorca, this water park has been inspired by the wild west and has an excellent range of rides, pools and rivers.  Ride hightlights include:
The Beast - a kamikaze slide with a vertical drop
Wild River Rapids
Kids' WaterlandWestern World is centrally located just minutes from the main hotels in Magalluf.  A complimentary bus service runs from Magaluf, Santa Ponsa and Paguera.

WATERWORLD IN CYPRUS
Located in the popular resort of Ayia Napa, Cyprus, the park has an ancient Greek theme this is an award winning park and the largest on the island of Cyprus.  Ride highlights include:
Drop Atlantis - the only water ride in the world which features light, sound and visual effects
Fall of Icarus - a boomerang ride
Mount Olympus - a 75 metre vertical drop
Thunderbold - new for 2012 with sharp twists and a steep drop