Discovering the volcanoes of the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are well known for their all year round spectacular weather and also for its beautiful white sandy beaches. However, there are some aspects of the Canary Islands that the vast majority of travellers are unaware off.

Perhaps, one has to look into the origin of these islands full of charm and magnetism, a destination that attracts year after year, thousands of tourists from all over the world. The Canary Islands origin dates back to the Miocene, 23 million years ago, when the islands emerged as the result of the fierce volcanic activity in this area of ​​the Atlantic Ocean.

These 7 islands of the Atlantic are considered by experts, as one of the most interesting volcanic regions of the world, because you can find most types of volcanic rocks and it is possible to observe erosion caused by time and climate. These volcanic landscapes, which can be easily confused with scenes from other planets, have an infinite number of geographical features such as cones, lava fields, boilers, craters, cliffs, caves and underground caves.

The most known volcanic mountain is El Teide on the island of Tenerife, which is also the highest peak of Spain, and rises 3.718 m above sea level. The Teide volcano also holds the record for being the third highest volcano in the world, from its base to its peak. This dormant volcano is part of the Teide National Park and it is the most visited National Park in Spain, with over 3,000,000 visitors a year, which also makes it the most visited Natural Park in Europe and second worldwide.

However, the great unknown of the Canary Islands is the island of Fuerteventura, the second largest island by surface area, and geologically it is the oldest of the islands, so it is of particular interest to scientists and geologists.

The capital of Fuerteventura is Puerto del Rosario, although the southern part of the island, with towns like Morro Jable and Jandia are the most popular areas where to find quality accommodation. The Majorcan hotel chain Iberostar Hotels & Resorts has 3 hotels in the area, the Iberostar Palace Fuerteventura Hotel designed for couples, the Iberostar Playa Gaviotas Park Hotel, ideal for couples and families, and the Iberostar Playa Gaviotas Hotel, a hotel with Spa and all inclusive.

Staying in the southern part of the island of Fuerteventura means being one step away from the National Park of Jandia, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2009, and Pico de Zarza, which is the highest point of the island with an altitude of 807 metres and with a volcanic origin.

Petit Palace Puerta del Sol: Live in Madrid

 The Petit Palace Puerta del Sol requires one of the most outstanding hotel review: its history and location make it a unique hotel to recommend to anyone who first travels to Madrid and wants the enjoy the city to the fullest.

It is a hotel in Calle Arenal 4 in Madrid, a unique building that retains its beautiful facade from the 19th Century and from which you can observe the bustle of the square from the comfort of a modern and fully equipped hotel with the best technology .

The rooms next to the Puerta del Sol are a luxury available to everyone who wants to visit the capital and meet its most emblematic and historic places without sacrificing the comforts of a hotel with free wifi in Madrid, including the rooms, with daily press, computers...

The only problem is that, since it is a boutique hotel in the centre of Madrid, the number of rooms is limited and you need to book early to get accommodation.

Guests can enjoy a daily breakfast and a discount for the parking in Plaza del Carmen, to leave the car in the centre of Madrid with total confidence and at very affordable prices. Although the hotel has cheap rates, the best way to get deals for this hotel in the Puerta del Sol in Madrid is to book directly from its official website.

The highlights:

· Perfect for family holidays.

· Arranged parking for all guests.

· Internet access throughout the hotel and its rooms.

· Breakfast and daily newspaper.

Petit Palace Opera Garden: Design and Comfort in Barcelona

The holiday season is getting close so let's dive into the reviews of quality hotels that can be found in the different destinations of our country and the rest of the world. To start off the list and since spring is one of the best times to visit Barcelona, we begin by a boutique hotel in Las Ramblas: The Petit Palace Opera Garden.

It is a 4 star hotel with modern rooms in the centre of Barcelona, and amazing architecture: as with all hotels of the Basque hotel chain Petit Palace, the Opera Garden Hotel is located in a landmark building of the city, with an interior courtyard in which there is a garden with centenary trees. Guests can enjoy its charm and tranquility every day by having breakfast on the patio.

This hotel, in addition to its exceptional location it is worth mentioning its interior design, with modern rooms, with a minimalist touch but with charm and personality: Mediterranean colours, very luminous, comfortable and versatile furniture so that it can serve as accommodation for couples or for families with children. The bathrooms are also worth mentioning: they all have a hydromassage shower.

Another point to choose this hotel on a business trip or a cultural escapade is that it is a hotel with free wifi in the centre of Barcelona, with a computer in all rooms and internet acces in all public areas of the hotel.

The highlights:

· Hotel in Barcelona that is pet friendly.

· Next to La Boqueria market.

· Hotel with free internet in Las Ramblas.

· Boutique Hotel: perfect for a romantic getaway.

Petit Palace Londres: dominating the centre of Madrid

The Basque hotel chain Petit Palace is once again the subject of our hotel recommendations for the 2013 holidays as it is one the hotel chains with the largest number of 3 and 4 star hotels in Madrid with excellent prices. The hotel we discuss today is the Petit Palace Londres, a gem in the centre of Madrid, for its quality and location and its price.

One of its main attractions is that it is a hotel in Preciados street of Madrid, a well known shopping street in the Spanish capital, where a large number of clothing brands, accessories and technology prêt à porter are located.

Just steps away from Puerta del Sol, this hotel offers rooms in the centre of Madrid with all types of comforts: computer, wifi, hydromassage shower... Which makes it a good place to discover the main attractions of the city without losing the comfort of having your accommodation always at hand.

Guests can enjoy every day a breakfast with natural light and terrace with exceptional views of Madrid, on the top floor of the building.

The Petit Palace Londres is also, a hotel with an arranged parking in Madrid, in the Plaza del Carmen. Thus, all those who organise a trip to the capital by car can park safely and at a very good rate cost in the heart of Madrid.

Highlights:

· Hotel in Madrid that is pet friendly.

· Next to the Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, Callao ...

· Hotel with free Internet in Preciados Street.

· Hotel with arranged parking in the centre of Madrid.

Under the sun of Hammamet

Hammamet is one of the most picturesque and interesting towns of the south coast of Tunisia and has, in recent years, become one of the popular resorts in this country of sun and beaches.

The whole area, where you find some of the country's most beautiful sandy areas, offers luxuries and commodities just like any European destination with years of experience in the tourism industry. The hotels in Hammamet range from 3 to 5 star hotels, there are jeep rental services, guided tours along the coast, highly equipped ports for those enjoying their holidays on a boat, and all without giving up the local charm that permeates the country.

Culture, art and its ancient history, the contrast of desert landscapes and villages with exuberant vegetation, beaches with calm waters, the mild climate and an improvement in the communications has made it a popular destination. Today, Hammamet is able to compete with other consolidated destinations such as the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Croatia or the French and Italian coast of the Mediterranean.

The appeal of the country has also led some of the major hotel chains in Spain to establish themselves in Tunisia,  as is in the case of Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, and have inaugurated accommodations along the coast:

Iberostar Averroes: All Inclusive. Hotel 4 stars. Ideal to go with children.

Iberostar Belisaire: All Inclusive. Beachfront hotel. Ideal families.

Iberostar Chich Khan: All Inclusive. In the centre of Yasmine-Hammamet. Families.

Iberostar Saphir Palace: 5 stars Hotel. Luxury, leisure and relaxation. Has a Spa.

Iberostar Solaria: Luxury Hotel. Couples or families. With spa and good food.

The beaches of summer 2013

Although more and more people plan their different trips with alternative, economic and fun proposals with which to enjoy a few days off in the summer, the classic choice of a beach paradise with family or friends is still the general pattern: who does not like a dive in the Mediterranean when summer is finally here?

Fortunately, Spain has some of the most renowned sun and beach destinations in Europe. The climate, the quality of services and atmosphere, makes many of us decide to stay "at home" when choosing a holiday destination. This way, the popular beaches remain in Andalusia, Levante and the Balearic Islands, without exception.

Booking a hotel for friends in Ibiza, near the beaches of Ses Salines, Benirrás or Es Vedra, or arrange an escapade to a hotel for couples in Majorca, in Cala San Vicent, Es Trenc, Magaluf or Cala Barques... Both are options that have already become a classic: beach, party and the beauty of the destination are assured. Everything is usually at a cheaper price than planning a holiday abroad.

Holidays with children require a different type of beach, more spacious and with more comprehensive services and shallow water. Majorca, along with Cadiz, Benidorm and Menorca are destinations that offer the best family beaches for this 2013: Cala Mondragó, Palmanova, Cala Galdana, Cala den Bosch, Torremolinos, La Herradura (Almuñecar) or Chiclana.

All these places have the advantage of offering tailored hotel services to this type of traveler: Parents with children looking for a holiday for all, with moments to enjoy together and times of independence. One of the most complete accommodation options to take advantage of this type of holiday are the themed family hotels as is the case of the Flintstones Hotels, belonging to the hotel chain Sol Hotels, one of the most recognised brands in this regard.