Madrid, Salamanca and Valladolid, a Fall itinerary

September is ripe for the picking, many of you have a bag full of memories and a house carpeted with post-holiday syndrome, while others can’t wait to travel, explore, and discover. Luckily for the second ones, those who had to work the whole summer, it’s their time to break out the routine, and we have an irresistible offer for them: a travelling route through the centre of the Peninsula, Madrid, Salamanca and Valladolid. A plan where you will have to chance to eat until you’re full with the great cuisine, and enjoy a deluxe holiday without travelling far, a real option for a short break full of stories, pictures and great moments.

Let’s start with Madrid, with low cost flights to the Capital, and hotels in the centre of Madrid, here is my suggestion:

• Las Letras Hotel.- New in the Iberostar hotel chain, a design hotel in the Gran Vía, with a breathtaking view to the centre of Madrid from its rooftop terrace. Gourmet restaurant with a deluxe chef, fully equipped accommodations, room and common area decoration is amazing, ideal to take hundreds of pictures to Instagram.
  
• Hotel Vincci Capitol.- If you are a cinephile, you’re going to love this hotel located above the Capitol Cinema (yes, it’s on the same building, in the Gran Vía) It offers themed accommodations decorated with cult moments and movies from the film history. Besides, it is a 4 star hotel, so it has a full package of services of the highest quality. This hotel is a unique experience in Madrid.
  
• Petit Palace Alcalá Torre.- An historical architectural jewel in Madrid, the city’s first skyscraper, designed the same way as New York buildings (except for the distance and high, of course) It is one of the most emblematic downtown buildings, its 60’s design is what makes it unique and worth visiting.

• Vía 66 Hotel.- Vincci’s hotel in the Gran Vía. It has a lovely rooftop terrace to enjoy the still warm evening in Madrid, impeccable design, beautiful, perfect to take pictures. With the best accommodations, ideal to relax getaways, and go out to discover the best of Madrid, without stress or rush.

Madrid is a privilege in September. The city’s regular rhythm return is slow…the city is still full of life and tourism is wandering around, but without all the crowds, the endless lines for museums, restaurants, bars and galleries. The locals return to their regular lifestyle so you can feel the essence of the capital, without all the things the high seasons bring. There are events everywhere, new movie in theatres and concerts almost every day. Madrid is always the best plan, and what a plan.

But, since we’re on a trip, after a couple of days in the city, best thing to do is to rent a car (unless you picked up yours, of course) and head to Salamanca. From September 5 to 17 are the local festivities and the city’s rhythm goes up, The night's heat are a luxury, the place is full of locals and students who come to take their tests and get ready for the coming classes, the concerts schedule is unique and everything is filled with that wonderful vibe found in this cultural capital.

Salamanca is a unique redoubt for peaceful getaways, a traditional treasure in gastronomy, culture and nightlife. This city has everything you need, you can walk easily everywhere you want since its old town is almost full of pedestrian walkways and its museums, landmarks and historical buildings are close to each other.

We suggest you two accommodations:

• Hotel Las Torres.- A hotel located in the Main plaza of Salamanca. A unique experience to brag about since it is the only hotel in the area and it has bedrooms with view to the plaza. It is a 4 star hotel renowned thanks to its customised service and its design, which tries to keep the city’s charm.

• Vincci Salamanca.- A hotel to the Conference and exhibition centre of Salamanca, close to the cathedral and the pontifical University, the Casa de las Conchas and the famous Meléndez Street. this hotel has  a perfect design, with a more contemporary and business air than the other, with a lounge bar perfect to relax and prepare your city’s itinerary, and if you came by car, don’t worry it has parking service.

Don’t forget to drop by Plaza Anaya, enjoy the magical Calixto and Melibea garden or head down to the Tormes shopping mall. You can also ride a bike though the riverbank remodelled a few years ago, or jog on Mondays or just walk along the edge and admires the city’s view from the river, with all its historical buildings on the Spanish skyline. To go out for tapas, the major square, the Zaroma street (it has some great bars), around the plaza and Rúa street. And there is the Van Dyck, is a little bit farther, at the city’s entrance before the bull ring, a place to taste some of the most authentic flavours.

Last but not least, our final destination is Valladolid, don’t be sad, city is almost an hour away from Salamanca and in September (from 13 forward) they celebrate the local festivities: the city get crowded with stands where you can taste some of the most delicious brochettes, tapas, and wines, party all night long, enjoy the local cuisine, the concerts, the art exhibitions, and even children activities. Best time ever to discover this area of Castilla león, somethings forgotten but, it’s one of the landmarks of this autonomous community.

To stay in Valladolid, we recommend you the Vincci Frontaura, a 4 star hotel in the centre of the city, considered a gastronomical reference in Valladolid, besides the food, you can enjoy its spa and walk peacefully through its old town without the need of cars (and the endless parking search in festivities) the bedrooms are amazing, and it’s perfect if you’re planning a romantic getaway.

4 Activities to do in Majorca in September (second part)

In the second part of our post, we want to concentrate on two recommendations that will allow you to enjoy the beautiful views of Majorca. The first one includes some sports and the second is a recommendation to what we believe is the most emblematic beach on the island.

A lighthouse route through Majorca

While in Majorca, you can enjoy a beautiful route of the lighthouses that light up the island. Many of them are very old towers and true monuments overlooking the Mediterranean.

One of the best examples is the Porto Pi lighthouse, in Palma. Located next to a naval base, right in the Palma Port, it is the third oldest functioning lighthouse in the world, after the Hercules Tower in A Coruña and the Lanterna in Genova. 

The most impressive lighthouses in Majorca are the Faro de Ses Salines, which can be seen from Cabrera, and the one in Formentor, a construction that crowns the Tramuntana Mountains. Others that are also worth visiting due to their special beauty are the Aucanada lighthouse in Capdepera, and Sa Creu, in Sóller.

For cycling enthusiasts, the route from the Iberostar Son Antem hotel to the city of Palma has of approximately 22 km, but every kilometre is worth it when you consider the beautiful views and scenery of the Bay of Palma de Mallorca.

Palma de Mallorca

A bicycle tour around the Bay of Palma

The Bay of Palma has one of the best bicycle lanes on the island of Majorca. The boardwalk connects the city’s centre with the residential and tourist area of Can Pastilla and takes you through areas of great natural beauty.

This bike route is approximately 13 kilometres long and runs along the sea, offering typically marine scenes, diverse landscapes and people of all ages on a stroll or doing sports.

The bicycle lane is protected from transit, making it an ideal path to enjoy a relaxing bike ride or an excursion with the entire family.

Along the path, you will find small inlets, perfect for taking a dip, natural and unique areas like Es Carnatge, and lively bars and restaurants next to the sea.

You will find further information in the official website of the Son Antem hotel, as well as all the other services and activities available in this luxury golf hotel in Llucmajor.

Contact information:

Phone: 902 995 555

Email: san.rec@iberostar.com

Address: 07620 Llucmajor, Baleares-Mallorca

4 Activities to do in Majorca in September (first part)

The summer holidays are almost over for many, however, for those who have waited for the end of the hottest months of the year to holiday, September is an ideal month to enjoy the calmness of the island of Majorca. At Iberostar Son Antem hotel, we want to help you choose the best activities to carry out on the island and discover its best kept secrets.  

Our golf hotel in Llucmajor has excellent connections to the entire island, making it the ideal starting point to explore the island and complete some, if not all, of the activities that we propose below:

Majorca’s emblem

The Palma Cathedral, called la Seu, is Majorca’s most emblematic building. Located facing the Bay of Palma, it welcomes thousands of contemplating visitors every year.

Wrapped by the city’s walls, the Palma Cathedral has the world’s largest Gothic rose window. This is an element that in winter offers a magical image, due to the rays of sun passing through the coloured stained glass window. 

The Cathedral is surrounded by gardens and is next to the main buildings in the centre of Palma. Its interior holds Miquel Barceló’s mural and a museum.

Visiting hours vary according to the time of year, although it is open every Saturday all year round from 10:00 to 14:15. On Sundays it is only open during mass.

IBEROSTAR Son Antem Golf Resort & Spa

Es Trenc, the essential beach

Es Trenc is one of the few remaining unspoiled beaches in Majorca and its beauty is almost intact. Many consider it to be the island’s paradise beach; the perfect place to disconnect, leave stress behind and swim in the bluest waters of the archipelago.

Es Trenc, located in the Campos municipality, is made up of four kilometres of coast declared a protected, undeveloped area. This beach is surrounded by the typical leafy Mediterranean vegetation, which holds up to 170 different bird species and small dunes.

Its fine sand is pristine and of the purest white, its shallow and transparent waters are always calm, like in a huge swimming pool. 

Es Trenc beach is very lively in the summer, so much so that visitors need to get an early start to find a parking spot. On each side of the beach you’ll find the family areas with sun loungers and sunshades, and in the centre there’s an area for nudists.

All along the beach, kiosks hold lively parties that last well into the summer nights.