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Category Archives: Spain
Best Hotels of 2015
My list of favourite hotels veers toward the luxury end of the spectrum. But there are some budget friendly considerations included. In large part, hospitality and appreciation won out over bling or lavish excess. Continue reading
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Posted in Barcelona, Best of 2015, Best of the Best, Food, Hotels, Italy, Luxury, North Carolina, Restaurants, Sicily, South Africa, Spain, Travel, USA
Tagged Albergo Ristorante Pizzeria Del Viale, barcelona, Best Hotels of 2015, Best of 2015, Best of the Best, Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill North Carolina, Earth Lodge, Earth Lodge Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, Food, Generator Barcelona, Generator Hostels, hostels, Hotel Arts, Hotel Arts Barcelona, Hotel Del Viale, Hotel Majestic, hotels, Italy, kruger national park, Lodges, luxury, North Carolina, Palazzo Adri, pizza, restaurants, Sabi Sabi, safari, sicily, south africa, spain, Travel, UNC, University of North Carolina, USA
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Spain’s 15 National Parks (OneTravel)
The different regions of Spain are as varied from one another as they are incredibly beautiful. From the verdant northwest to the arid and ever sunny south – with all sorts of shores and mountains, forests and wilderness expanses in … Continue reading
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El Rápido Guide to Spain’s 17 Regions (OneTravel)
Paella, flamenco, tapas, modern art, wine, world-class museums, ancient churches, Roman ruins, sandy beaches, massive mountain ranges – it’s all in Spain but not in the same place. The country is one of Europe’s largest and arguably its most culturally diverse. There are 17 autonomous regions in total, and two autonomous cities, Ceuta and Melilla, on the northern coast of Spain. Continue reading
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Teide Observatory Gets New Telescopes, Ups “Astro-Tourism” Draw (OneTravel)
Tenerife has boosted its position as one of the best locations on the planet for stargazing, with the introduction of eight new telescopes at the island’s Teide Observatory. Introduced in June, the telescopes will appeal to amateur “astro-tourists,” trained scientists, … Continue reading
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Posted in OneTravel, Spain, Travel
Tagged Cananary Islands, OneTravel, spain, tenerife, Travel
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Polo Bar Pop-Up at Barcelona’s OneOcean Club (CDCLifestyle)
Mayfair heads to the Med this August when The Westbury Hotel’s award-winning Polo Bar pairs with Barcelona hotspot, the exclusive OneOcean Club, for a pop-up bar promising to keep club guests refreshed with a delicious array of gin and tonic … Continue reading
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Posted in Barcelona, CDCLifestyle, Drink, London, Luxury, Spain, Travel
Tagged barcelona, Barceloneta, BARS, Bluewave Cocktail Bar, boating, boats, catalan, catalunya, CDCLifestyle, comte des cierges, Drink, luxury, Marina Port Vell, MEMBERS CLUB, OneOcean, OneOcean Club, pop-up, restaurants, spain, superyachts, Travel, yachts
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Happy Canary Islands Day (OneTravel)
Today is Canary Islands Day, an opportunity to celebrate Spain’s archipelago of fun-in-the-sun island destinations just off the coast of southern Morocco. There are seven main islands in the Canaries – Fuerteventura, Gomera, Gran Canaria, El Hierro, Lanzarote, La Palma, … Continue reading
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Posted in OneTravel, Spain, Travel
Tagged canary islands, Canary Islands Day, OneTravel, spain, Travel
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Barcelona’s Spa at the Top of the World (OneTravel)
That the tallest building in Barcelona is the five-star waterfront Hotel Arts speaks volumes to this sensational city’s much-lauded reputation as the dream Mediterranean getaway. The 43-storey luxury hotel is situated at a marine between town and beach and caters capably to guests seeking both seaside chills and urban thrills. At the very top of the Arts is 43 The Spa. For rarefied pampering with a view to match, the spa’s signature 43 Sea Experience allows the body to unwind while the mind and spirit soar. Continue reading
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Barcelona Brief: What a Brilliant Time!
There’s somewhere for just about any taste or interest readily at hand and to be enjoyed to the fullest extent – and all with its own distinctively Catalan flair. I had a wonderful time taking in the sights and delights of Barcelona and loved this opportunity to share the very best of that trip with you. Continue reading
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Posted in Barcelona, Barcelona Brief, Spain, Travel
Tagged barcelona, Barcelona Brief, catalan, catalunya, spain, Travel
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Barcelona Brief: OneOcean Club at Marina Port Vell
A key component of my brief Barcelona visit was a browse around OneOcean Club at Marina Port Vell. When it opened at the end of 2014, this private club raised the bar (and expectations) for the boating world by offering a range of luxury services and facilities just steps from the boundless amenities and amusements of an ever buzzing metropolis. Continue reading
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Posted in Barcelona, Barcelona Brief, Drink, Food, Luxury, Restaurants, Spain, Travel
Tagged barcelona, Barcelona Brief, Barceloneta, BARS, Bluewave Cocktail Bar, boating, boats, catalan, catalunya, Drink, Food, luxury, Marina Port Vell, MEMBERS CLUB, OneOcean, OneOcean Club, restaurants, spain, superyachts, Travel, yachts
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Barcelona Brief: The Stylishly Sumptuous Hotel Majestic
If you’re keen to hold convenient court in Barcelona’s elegant and central Eixample district (yet never realise it as long as the door to your room’s terrace is kept shut to not allow even a decibel of noise to seep in from the streets), then this five star hotel’s location is for you. Within easy reach of Las Ramblas; loads of upscale shops; Gaudi’s Casa Batlló, La Pedrera (Casa Milà) and Sagrada Familia; and the Barri Gòtic, it’s a fine location for sightseeing. The hotel is also only a minute’s stroll from Passeig de Gràcia station, where you can hope a train to the airport and be there in about a half hour. Continue reading
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Posted in Barcelona, Barcelona Brief, Drink, Food, Hotels, Luxury, Restaurants, Spain, Travel
Tagged barcelona, Barcelona Brief, breakfast, catalan, catalunya, Chef Nandu Jubany, Drink, Eixample, Food, Hotel Majestic, hotels, luxury, Majestic Breakfast Experience, Passeig de Gràcia, restaurants, spain, Travel
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Barcelona Brief: Ah-Inspiring Hotel Arts
The highest building in Barcelona? It’s the five-star, 43-storey Hotel Arts. At the top floor of this seaside beacon of luxury is 43 The Spa. For rarefied pampering with a view to match, the spa’s signature 43 Sea Experience allows the body to unwind while the mind and spirit soar. That guests can have a gorgeous al fresco lunch several floors down just minutes after … or a stroll the beach … or hit the far humbler but nonetheless inviting neighbourhood bars in nearby Barceloneta … or hop the Metro/hail a cab for more decidedly Barcelonan delights adds dreamy depth to such splendorous me-time. Continue reading
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Posted in Barcelona, Barcelona Brief, Drink, Food, Hotels, Luxury, Restaurants, Spain, Travel
Tagged 43 Sea Experience, 43 The Spa, barcelona, Barcelona Brief, Barceloneta, Carrer de la Marina, catalan, catalunya, design, Drink, Food, Frank Gehry, Hotel Arts, Hotel Arts Barcelona, hotels, luxury, Marina, Natura Bissé, restaurants, spa, spain, Travel
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Barcelona Brief: High on Generator
For my first of only two nights in Barcelona, I stayed at Generator … in the 8th floor penthouse … and absolutely loved it! If you hanker for a bit of luxury and a chance to spread out when in Barcelona (while still holding on to more than a few spare euros in your pocket), this suite is hard to beat. But whatever you might hope to achieve when booking a budget conscious visit to this bodacious city, you’d be smart to keep in mind Generator’s rather broad spectrum of possible overnight arrangements. Continue reading
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Posted in Barcelona, Barcelona Brief, Chocolate, Drink, Food, Hotels, Luxury, Restaurants, Spain, Travel, Wine
Tagged barcelona, Barcelona Brief, BARS, catalan, catalunya, chocolate, churros, Drink, Food, Generator Barcelona, Generator Hostels, Gracia, hostels, hotels, La Gilda, La Pepita, La Sagrada Familia, luxury, restaurants, spain, tapas, Travel, wine
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Barcelona Brief: Too Brief but Brilliant!
Just back from far too few but still wonderfully rejuvenating days in Barcelona, it’s easy to proclaim it as the ideal getaway. So ideal, I can’t stop thinking about what it might be like to getaway there for good! No matter your “thing” – art, food, beach, luxury, street life, shopping, history … etc etc ad nauseum – or whether you’re one to zealously guard a small budget or magnificently blow a big one, you can do so with flying colours in this captivating Catalan capital. And if you’re like me and want the best of it all in maximum dosage, then keep an eye out for upcoming posts in my Barcelona Brief. Continue reading
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Posted in Apps, Barcelona, Barcelona Brief, Drink, Food, Hotels, Luxury, Restaurants, Spain, Travel
Tagged addison lee, apps, barcelona, Barcelona Brief, BARS, boating, boats, catalan, catalunya, Drink, Food, hotels, luxury, restaurants, spa, spain, superyachts, Travel, yachts
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Best Bars (Everywhere Else) – 2014
A blogger walks into a bar … and has an amazing time! No joke! Here’s a quick write up of some excellent places to have a drink in a handful of awesome destinations I had the pleasure of visiting this year. Continue reading
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Posted in Alabama, Beer, Best of 2014, Best of the Best, Drink, Food, Greece, Hotels, Louisiana, Luxury, Music, Restaurants, Spain, Travel
Tagged 10560, 16th Street, 70116, 70130, Alabama, athens, athens greece, bar, Best of 2014, Best of the Best, Carousel Bar & Lounge, Edwin's French Wine Bar and Restaurant, florence, french quarter, frenchmen street, greece, Hay-Adams, Hotel Monteleone, hotels, Kalamiotou, louisiana, luxury, Madrid, Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa, Muscle Shoals, music, new orleans, nola, Off the Record, Royal Street, spain, Swampers Bar and Grill, tapas, The Dude Bar, The Spotted Cat, Washington DC
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Botin: Oldest Restaurant in the World (Great British Chefs)
Founded in 1725, the age-old tavern sits on the tiny and winding Calle Cuchilleros amid a wealth of bars just a short stroll from the city’s Plaza Mayor. In its almost 290 years of existence, Botin’s offering has changed very little. The wood fired oven that roasted meats for weary travellers nearly three centuries ago are the same ones fired up to delight the throngs of tourists whose numbers suggest the restaurant may well be around and doing a booming trade for at least a few more hundred years. Continue reading
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Did Madrid: Más Favor!
A mid August weekend in Madrid did Kemey and I both a world of good and turned out to be a fantastic way to celebrate her birthday in style. Being there for the Fiestas de la Paloma ensured the city was just that much turned on and revved up for fun. But I reckon anytime of year is an excellent time to explore this spirited Spanish city. Continue reading
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Posted in Did Madrid, Drink, Food, Restaurants, Spain, Travel
Tagged Did Madrid, esmadrid.com, Fiestas de la Paloma, Food, hotel, Madrid, restaurants, spain, spain.info, Travel
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Did Madrid: Too Hot? Not!
We were in town for the Fiestas de la Paloma (part of Kemey’s planning – I can take no credit). As one of Europe’s biggest street parties, lots of people reckon it’s the most important festival in Madrid, if not the whole of Spain. We had a blast wriggling our wee hours way through the neighbourhood of La Latin – nexus of the celebrations – and being part of the festivities. Continue reading
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Posted in Art, Did Madrid, Food, Hotels, Museums, Restaurants, Spain, Travel
Tagged Art, Did Madrid, hotel, Hotel Hospes Madrid, Hotel ME Madrid, hotels, Madrid, Madrid Food Tour, Madrid Segway, museums, restaurants, spain, tapas bars, The Roof at the Hotel ME Madrid, Travel
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Did Madrid: Lunch at Botin, the Oldest Restaurant in the World
Restaurante Botin was founded in 1725, which according to the Guinness Book of Records makes it the oldest restaurant in the world. Such a claim to fame ensures a steady flow of customers coming in and out its rustic wooden doors – the vast majority of whom are holidaymakers from abroad. As is the case, the Gonzalez family who keep this culinary marvel in operation could probably rest on their laurels, serve some schlocky semblance of traditional Spanish food, and still have vacationers queued up to pay just to say they’d been there. Nonetheless, the family reckons the restaurant is not just some monument to how things once were but a vital benchmark of Madrileño cuisine. Specialities include suckling pig and Castillian lamb – both roasted in the restaurant’s original wood fired oven. Continue reading
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Posted in Did Madrid, Drink, Food, Restaurants, Spain, Travel, Wine
Tagged botin, Did Madrid, Drink, ernest hemingway, Food, guinness book of records, Madrid, Restaurante Botin, restaurants, spain, suckling pig, wine, worlds oldest restaurant
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Did Madrid: Flamenco Soul
Our visit to Madrid was for sure a foodie escapade. But there’s much more to Madrid than tapas bars (and that’s a lot for a gourmand like me to get my head around). Without doubt the most memorable experience Kemey and I shared during our weekend away was our own private flamenco lesson. Olé? Oh yeah! Continue reading
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Posted in Did Madrid, Drink, Food, Music, Restaurants, Spain, Travel
Tagged Alicia Laborda Buhigas, Amor de Dios, anna krust, dance, Did Madrid, Drink, flamenco, Food, Insider’s Madrid, Las Carboneras, Las Carboneras Flamenco Tablao, live music, Madrid, music, restaurants, Sergio Muñoz, spain
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Did Madrid: Top Tapas Tour
Hitting the ground eating, the first ‘big thing’ Kemey and I did during our Madrileño weekend was join up with Madrid Food Tour’s Tapas, Taverns, and History Evening Walking and Tapas Tour. Quite a mouthful? Indeed! But not just in name given all the excellent food and drink we had during this evening saunter through the foodie heart of Madrid. Continue reading
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Posted in Did Madrid, Drink, Food, Restaurants, Spain, Travel, Wine
Tagged BARS, Did Madrid, Drink, Food, Luke Darracott, Madrid, Madrid Food Tour, restaurants, spain, tapas, tapas bars, Tapas Taverns and History Evening Walking and Tapas Tour., Taverns, Travel, vermouth, walking tour, wine
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Did Madrid
Kemey and I are both enthusiastic fans of Spain. It’s very much one of our preferred destinations for holidays and city breaks and is a country we both know fairly well. However, Kemey had never been to (but always very much had wanted to visit) its dynamic and dignified capital. So back last month, to celebrate her birthday, we headed to Madrid for a long weekend of food, fun and flamenco. Like me, after my initiation to the charms of this magic place some years ago, Kemey was wowed. To be sure, our magnificently Madrileño weekend won’t be our last! Continue reading
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Posted in Did Madrid, Drink, Food, Hotels, Museums, Restaurants, Shopping, Spain, Travel
Tagged BARS, british airways, Did Madrid, Driven A to B, esmadrid.com, Exprés Aeropuerto, Food, hotel, Hotel Hospes Madrid, Insider’s Madrid, Madrid, Madrid Food Tour, Madridcard, Naiara Garro, restaurants, Sarah Canet, spain, spain.info, tapas bars, Travel
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Region of Valencia: We are Holidays
With more than 450k of coastline featuring 38 marinas, 20 golf courses, and seven coastal parks, the Region of Valencia offers an amazing range of possibilities for your next holiday. From wild nature to world famous resorts, centuries old attractions and modern theme parks – there’s something for all tastes … as long as you love the beach! Continue reading
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Posted in Spain, Travel
Tagged region of valencia, spain, SPONSORED POST, Travel, travel blog, valencia, Video
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Hard Rock Hotel Opens in Ibiza
There’s a new house that’s going to be all the rave on the island of Ibiza. Hard Rock International has just opened Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza – its first hotel in Europe. Are you ready to party “hard” in sizzling hot … Continue reading
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Grand Palladium Palace Ibiza Resort & Spa
Ibiza! It’s been coming up in conversations a lot lately. I’ve never actually been but definitely would be keen to pay the island a visit. I’ve always had a wonderful time in Spain during each of my many trips there, and word is all the Balearic islands are just as amazing and extremely beautiful. And based on what I’ve been hearing recently, if and when I do manage to get to Ibiza, the perfect place to stay might just be the Palladium Palace. Continue reading
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Posted in Hotels, Spain, Travel
Tagged Grand Palladium Palace Ibiza Resort & Spa, ibiza, Palladium Palace, spain, SPONSORED POST, Travel
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Top 5 Christmassy Things to do in Madrid (CheapOair)
Heading to Madrid this month? Here’s a list of tips to help have a Feliz Navidad in true Spanish style. Read my complete post at the CheapOair blog.
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4 of Madrid’s Best Blogs (CheapOair)
Madrid! It’s a regal and quintessentially Spanish city with plenty of fun to offer her guests. Here’s a list of four of Madrid’s top blogs (in English) to help you make the most of your travel plans to Spain, help … Continue reading
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Barcelona Blogs! (OneTravel)
Barcelona: a city whose very name is synonymous with fun is one of Spain’s most popular destinations and one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities. Here’s a list of five blogs to help you keep up to date with what’s happening … Continue reading
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Posted in Blogs, OneTravel, Spain, Travel
Tagged barcelona, Barcelona Street Scraps, Blogs, catalunya, Fleas and Dogs in Barcelona, FoodBarcelona, Guiri Girl in Barca, Hola Yessica!, OneTravel, spain, Travel
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The Chase – Volvo Trucks Chased by Bulls in Spain
Wanna have some fun? Get a Volvo truck, paint it bright red and drive the thing through the streets of an ancient Spanish town, such as Ciudad Rodrigo, during its annual running of the bulls festival. Oh wait, never mind. That’s already been done … Continue reading
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Posted in Cars, Spain, Video
Tagged carnaval del toro, cuidad rodrigo, henry alex rubin, rob hunt, running of the bulls, salamanca, spain, SPONSORED POST, stunt driving, stuntman, trucks, Video, volvo, Volvo FL, volvo trucks
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Best Restaurants of 2012 – Everywhere Else
Yesterday I published my list of ten best London restaurants for 2012. Today, I’m sharing a list of some faves from trips beyond the M25. I didn’t get out of town as much as I would have liked during 2012. … Continue reading
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Posted in Drink, Florida, Food, France, Italy, Japan, Parma, Restaurants, Spain, Travel, Wales, Wine
Tagged basque country, beaune, best restaurants, best restaurants of 2012, burgundy, chablis, collins avenue, cuban cuisine, cuban food, cuban restaurants, CUBAN SANDWICH, cubano, Cwtch, emilia romagna, florida, france, french cuisine, french food, french restaurants, Gipuzkoa, hakone, italian cuisine, italian food, italian restaurants, itoh dining by nobu, IZAKAYA, japan, JAPANESE CUISINE, japanese food, japanese restaurants, kyoto, l'ecusson, Le Bistrot des Grand Crus, loiseau des vignes, MIAMI, MIAMI BEACH, morihei, nabeyaki, parma, pembrokeshire, PUERTO SAGUA, Restaurante Illarra, restaurants, reviews, Ristorante Cocchi, san sebastian, soup, spain, spanish cuisine, spanish food, spanish restaurants, st david's, wales, welsh, wine, YUCA, yuzuya
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Video: Rafa Nadal’s Poker Face Challenge
Viral video by ebuzzing Sure the eleven time grand slam winner, Rafa Nadal, might know his way around a tennis court, but what about the poker table? As Rafal continues his journey to learn poker, the folks at Pokerstars have … Continue reading
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Posted in Celebrities, Spain, Sports, Video
Tagged bluffing, golf, majorca, poker, poker face, pokerstars, prank, rafa nadal, SPONSORED POST, tennis, Video
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San Sebastian Tapas Tour (Urban Travel Blog)
House music into the morning amd more giant gin and tonics. Buenos dias hangover! Ugh. San Sebastian Tapas Tour Urban Travel Blog, 18 June 2012
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Posted in Drink, Food, Pubs, Restaurants, Spain, Travel
Tagged Bar Bergara, bar goiz argi, basque country, cocktails, Friends Disco, Goiz Argi, La Cocteleria Dickens, La Cuchara San Telmo, pintxo, san sebastian, spain, tapas, tapas bars, urban travel blog
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Xbox Meet and Greet with Snoop Dogg in Liverpool
Xbox is running a competition to win a meet-and-greet gig experience with Snoop Dogg on his autumn tour in the UK (Echo Arena, Liverpool). The prize includes travel, accommodation along with food and drink. The winner will receive the following: … Continue reading
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Posted in Celebrities, England, Music, Social Media, Spain, Travel
Tagged competition, echo arena, example, ibiza, ibiza rocks, liverpool, snoop dogg, summer, Video, xbox, youtube
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Stuff that Impressed me in 2010
Holy shit, 2010 was a rocky road. But if I may wax poetic for a minute, it’s been my experience that the bumpier rides often lead to the more interesting destinations. I’m not sure quite how snug such a metaphor … Continue reading
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Posted in Art, Blogs, Celebrities, Drink, Food, Hotels, interview, London, Mexico, Photography, Restaurants, Spain, Travel
Tagged 2010, blogging
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Mum’s the Word on Galicia, But … (Qype does London)
Mum’s the Word on Galicia, But … Qype does London, August 17th 2010 … a visit to Cape Finisterre, continental Europe’s westernmost point, and a drive along the dramatic (and dramatically named) Costa da Morte are well worth your holiday … Continue reading
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Posted in Drink, Food, Spain, Travel
Tagged beach, finisterre, galicia, Qype, Qype Does London, seafood, spain
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Just a Bit about Alicante
Photo by Toprural Thinking about heading down to Alicante for some guaranteed sunshine en espanol? Probably best to do a bit of online research for cheap flights to Alicante, things to do while there and how to make the most … Continue reading
