High Speed Train Links Valencia and Madrid

From the Tourist Office:

VALENCIA, Spain, November 12, 2010 – Paella lovers rejoice! Getting to Valencia will get a lot easier come December. Just in time for the New Year, the Alta Velocidad Espanola, the AVE, or high-speed train will inaugurate service from Madrid to Valencia making the trip in only 90 minutes. On December 19, the first trains will depart, traveling at speeds of up to 205 miles per hour. Eventually up to 20 trains a day will make the trip. The AVE will have two-class service in 12 coaches with 365 seats: four Club Class coaches with 71 seats and eight for Tourist Class with 294 seats. Currently the train from Madrid to Valencia takes more than three hours and 45 minutes.

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Introducing: Hotel Meninas and Hotel Opera

 We are proud to announce we are now offering two new 4-star hotels in Madrid: the Hotel Meninas and the Hotel Opera. Located in the very heart of the city, both hotels are owned and operated by the Carús family, who have been in the hotel industry in Madrid for nearly 50 years. The Carús family is well known for their dedication to the hotel sector and support of the tourism market in Madrid. Their pride of ownership and dedication show in the personalized service and attention to detail that can be found in both of their hotels. We hope you will consider the Hotel Meninas and Hotel Opera when selecting accommodations for your clients in Madrid. We just returned from visiting the hotels in Madrid, so if you have any questions we are always available to answer them. As usual, thanks for reading. 

 Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Inside Évora

The town of Évora in Portugal is perfect for our history-inclined travelers. With our pousada offerings, you can easily combine luxury with some spectacular sites that stretch as far back as the middle ages. Évora is known for its stunning medieval walls, unique churches and a 16th century aqueduct designed by military architect Francisco de Arruda. For these reasons, the town has been designated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Be sure to check out the aforementioned aqueduct, which is known as Água de Prata Aqueduct. Originally built between 1531 and 1537 to supply the city with water, this structure has great historical significance to the region and even popped up in an epic poem be Luis de Camoes.

Other notable sites include the Cathedral of Évora, the S. Brás Chapel and Saint Frances Church. View our Portuguese offerings for more information.

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Three New Golf Courses Open In Valencia

Whether you're a hobbyist or serious athlete, golf can be one of the greatest reasons for leisurely travel. For those heading to Valencia in the near future, the region has recently opened three brand-new, world class golf courses. Valencia has a rich history with the sport and is the home of renowned golfer Sergio García. With these additions, the area now has 28 full golf courses in operation.

Here's the full information on the new courses from Valencia's press announcement:

Expected to open this fall, La Galiana is near the town of Alcira, south of the city of Valencia. The 18-hole, par-72 course enjoys a spectacular setting in a valley surrounded by pine and orange groves. More than 5,000 local species of plants and trees were used in the landscaping, and water consumption will be minimized through a sophisticated rainwater collection and drainage system. Designed by the Spanish firm Moon Masters, La Galiana will be open to non-members who can use the facilities. New golf schools are also planned for the area.

Opened in May, Font del Llop Golf Resort is a new 18-hole course located near the historic town of Monforte del Cid, in the Vinalopo valley, just minutes inland from Alicante. Designed by Blake Stirling and Marco Martín, the par-72 course blends naturally with its scenery and has great views of the surrounding mountains. Recalling some of the best Scottish and American courses, the layout of Font del Llop’s fairways – around a small river connecting five lakes -make for a technical game that challenges players to use all golf clubs.

Las Colinas Golf & Country Club opened in June and is located in Dehesa de Campoamor, south of Torrevieja in the province of Alicante. Designed by Cabell B. Robinson, the 18-hole championship course has been carved out of a spectacular gorge and has breathtaking panoramic views of the nearby coastline and a nature reserve. Managed by Troon Golf, the par-71 course offers a great variety of short and long holes, with five unique par 3’s presenting an array of challenges of varying length and topography. Key features of this course’s design are water hazards and dramatic bunkering.

Head over to the ILC website for our robust offerings in Valencia and make sure your clubs are ready to play.

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Recipe: Chickpea and Spinach Tapas

Here's an easy tapas recipe that's perfect for our vegetarian readers. Healthy, quick and carrying a delicious, snappy taste, try out this version of a classic chickpea and spinach tapas plate.

You'll need:

• 10 ounces fresh spinach leaves, rinsed, or 1 (10-ounce) package frozen leaf spinach
• 19-ounce can (2 cups) chick-peas, drained and rinsed
• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 tablespoon snipped fresh chives
• 1 to 2 lemons, juiced or to taste
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cook the spinach in a saucepan with the water clinging to its leaves, stirring, until wilted. Drain, squeeze dry, and finely chop. If using frozen spinach, follow package directions, drain, squeeze dry, and finely chop.

In a bowl combine the spinach with the chick peas, pepper, chives, lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper. Serve as is or chilled with toasted bread.

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

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Gandia Celebrates 500th Anniversary of Patron Saint's Birth

Head to beautiful Valencia, Spain this summer and explore the historic town of Gandia. Celebrating the 500th anniversary of the birth of its patron saint, the town will be holding public festivities all summer and there's truly something for everyone. Let's start with music:

On June 23, the “Fiesta de San Juan” celebrates the shortest night of the year with bonfires and music on the town’s beach. On July 9 and 10 the “Festival Borja Music Summer and Sand” will present popular bands and DJ’s on the same beach. From July 20 to 24, “Festival Les Venus de la Mediterranean” features singer-songwriters such as Jane Birkin, Maria del Mar Bonnet and Ute Limper at venues on the beach and on the patio of the Ducal Palace. For the entire month of August the “Casa de la Marques” will play host to the International Music Festival of Gandia. From September 28 to October 3, the town holds its traditional fair celebrated with additional pomp in honor of the 500th anniversary of the saint’s birth.

Those that are into regional cuisine also have tons of options -- the biggest of which are two gastronomic fairs taking place from September 17-19 and then in the winter from December 11-19. Most restaurants in the town's historic square will participate and offer up a unique Gandia take on Spanish cuisine.

The recipes feature traditional Gandian favorites like stuffed squid and rabbit, as well as truly authentic medieval preparations. One such recipe is for a garlic sauce made with bread, garlic, oil and fish stock. Almonds may substitute for the bread, a variant that works well with eel. Another medieval recipe is a leek puree which, instead of the cream used in a modern Vichyssoise, has almond-milk – true to Valencia’s Mediterranean heritage and to the dietary laws of Medieval Jews and Muslims who contributed to the region’s customs.

For more information about the region of Valencia, you can visit our website or the Tourist Office.

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Congratulations to Spain!

In one of the most watched televised events in the history of the world, Spain beat Holland yesterday to secure their first-ever World Cup tournament. We at ILC extend our deepest congratulations to the Spanish national team and Andrés Iniesta for his game-winning goal under such pressure.

Check out this great recap page from Fifa for stats, news and photos from the entire World Cup.

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Formula One in Valencia

Valencia has announced that it will feature Formula One racing for the third straight year starting later this month on June 25. The main event takes place June 27 and features four Grand Prix Champions (Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button). Traveling at up to 200 miles per hour, these are some of the best drivers in the world and if you're into racing, these are some of the more incredible spectacles that the sport has to offer.

From the Tourist Office:

With its charming old quarter full of Renaissance and Baroque monuments, the Museo de Bellas Arts with one of Spain’s best paintings collection, IVAM, the contemporary art museum, beautiful beaches and delicious cuisine – this is paella country, after all – Valencia has plenty to offer visitors before and after the competition. Stunning modern architecture is another draw. Valencia’s emblematic City of Arts and Sciences with its aquarium, planetarium, science museum and performing arts center has a new addition, the Agora by Santiago Calatrava. Resembling a knight’s helmet, this dramatic steel structure in deep violet was the venue for last year’s Valencia Open 500.

Tickets for all three days of racing are currently available here.

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Recipe: Party Sangria

It's getting to be the perfect time of year for backyard gatherings with friends, family and more delicious barbecue than you could ever consume in one sitting. As you fire up the grill, don't forget the sangria. A internationally-loved specialty of Spain, sangria is one of the more refreshing warm month beverages around. Here's a recipe to make enough for your entire party.

You'll need:

• 1/3 cup (3 oz) sugar

• 1/3 cup brandy

• 1/3 cup Cointreau

• 1/3 cup of lemon-flavored vodka
  

• 1 small lemon, sliced crosswise

• 1 small orange, sliced crosswise

• 1 small lime, sliced crosswise

• 1 medium pear, diced

• 2 medium peach, peeled, pitted and sliced

• 2 cups (8 oz) sliced strawberries

• 1 bottle carbonated lemon-lime soda

It's pretty easy. Just grab a pitcher and combine all the ingredients except the soda and strawberries.

Chill in the refrigerator overnight. Immediately before serving, stir the strawberries and lemon-lime soda. Pour into chilled glasses and serve.

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Delta Goes Non-Stop To Valencia From New York

The Tourist Office has just passed on some great news for travelers to Spain from New York City. Delta Air Lines is about to resume service to Valencia, a breathtaking city on Spain's Mediterranean coast and popular summer destination. The new flights start on May 28 and take place four times a week from JFK airport.

“For several years now, Valencia has been Spain’s fastest growing destination for international visitors. With Delta’s new non-stop service, Americans will be able to travel here faster and more conveniently,” said Belen Juste, Minister of Tourism for the Valencia Region and President of the Valencia Region Tourist Board.

Valencia is known for more than its pristine coastal properties. Visitors will find unique gothic and renaissance architecture, an amazing, unique cuisine (try the paella) and some of the best weather in Europe. Check out the Valencia section on our website for more information, hotel offerings and some helpful travel tips.

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MUSAC: Castile and León Museum of Contemporary Art

The Castile and León Museum of Contemporary Art (aka MUSAC) is one of the most unique buildings in León, Spain, and that's really saying something. Based on a cuboid design by architects Emilio Muñón and Luis Moreno, this 21,000 sq. meter marvel explores meeting points between art and architecture through a contemporary viewpoint.

The building's large exhibition area is home to a truly diverse selection of art and architecture projects in different mediums. Pay a visit soon and you'll encounter an exhibit called Primer Proforma 2010 - an experiment that displays how space can be altered as the result of an artistic experience. To do this, a group of artists and 15 volunteers will mix painting, sculpture, performance and other mediums in an ever-changing display that honors creative practice.

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Lionel Messi's Path To The World Cup

"To become a legend, to be great, you also have to win a World Cup," Lionel Messi told El Mundo in a recent interview. Well, if recent statistics are indication, Messi is well on his way to winning that honor. A member of Barcelona's team, Messi has scored 11 goals in his past give matches, earning him comparisons to fellow Argentinian Diego Maradona.

Soccer, or "football" to the rest of the world, is an extremely important part of Spanish culture and having Messi on Barcelona's team makes a game a must-see attraction if you're visiting. In a local Madrid publication called Marca, readers are already voting Messi as the greatest player of all-time by overwhelming margins.

"I have only just turned 22," he added. "It's all happening very quickly and you have to stay calm."

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Portugal Bidding For Ryder Cup

One of the most popular (and yes, leisurely) ways to explore Portugal is by planning your vacation around golf. The country boasts some of the most incredible courses in Europe and it's trying to attract some international attention by bidding for the Ryder Cup in 2018.

The Ryder Cup is an extremely popular biennial match that pits the best players in Europe against the USA. It's ranked as the third largest sporting event in the world and guarantees media coverage by over 2,000 journalists, photographers and broadcasters.

Officials in Portugal view the Ryder Cup bid as a national project to promote the region (as well as others that use golf as a primary tourist attraction). Along with the bid, the country hopes to invest in more professional tournaments of the European, Senior and Challenge Tours. This means two things: There's more golf to watch internationally and there should be more courses to play for travelers looking to test their game on the best greens that Portugal has to offer.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Lisbon Fish & Flavors Coming In April

This April - from the 10th to 18th, to be exact - marks the third annual Lisbon Fish & Flavors festival. The celebration, based at Pavilhão de Portugal everyday from noon to midnight, will reportedly feature more than 20 national and international chefs providing unique takes on mouthwatering seafood dishes.

"Lisbon Fish & Flavors offers a magic combination between restaurants, live cooking shows, gourmet products, live music and, last but not least, the best wines and beers," wrote the Portuguese National Travel Office. "In special areas for restaurants, tasting dishes will be served. If you have never had the chance to go to some of the most famous restaurants in the Lisbon region, this is the opportunity to delight yourself with the greatest chefs’ creations. 
Informative shows will also take place featuring the best Portuguese and international chefs who will emphasize the importance of fish in a balanced diet."

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Recipe: Tuna and Piquillo Pepper Tapas

This delicious tapas recipe ranks as one of our favorites. Provided by the fine people at Whole Foods, the various ingredients are easy to obtain and the finished product is sure to please the guests at your next dinner party. It's also an easy one for all of you reluctant cooks out there.

Tuna and Piquillo Pepper

This will serve between six and eight people. Serve this Spanish tapas dish as an appetizer alongside olives and roasted peppers, with glasses of cold, sparkling wine for sipping.

Ingredients

1 (7.76 ounce) jar Ortiz Tuna with oil
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1 tablespoon capers
2 teaspoons minced red onion
1 tablespoon chopped piquillo peppers
Salt and pepper to taste
Sliced baguette (toasted, if desired)

Method

In a small bowl, mix together tuna (leave some large chunks), vinegar, capers, onion and peppers. Season and let marinate for several hours or overnight. Serve atop sliced baguette.

Nutrition

Per Serving (49g-wt.): 100 calories (35 from fat), 3.5g total fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 0g dietary fiber, 11g protein, 5g carbohydrate, 5mg cholesterol, 420mg sodium.

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Gourmet For The New Year

Let's start off 2010 with a rousing Happy New Year from us at ILC. This could very well be your year of exploring the bountiful pleasures that Spain has to offer, and there's no better way to kick things off than pointing you to excellent travel piece that appeared in yesterday's New York Times. The quest: Find and sample the finest ham Spain has to offer.

Paola Singer writes:

As people’s knowledge and love of Spanish cuisine grow, delicacies like jamón Ibérico de bellota are entering the international spotlight. This time-honored ham arrived in the United States in 2008 to much fanfare. Sold for about $200 a pound at specialty stores like LaTienda.com, it became the most expensive cold cut in the country. Discerning consumers seem eager to pay this lofty price. This summer, the powerhouse brand 5J (Cinco Jotas) plans to enter the American market, joining the U.S.D.A.-certified producer Embutidos Fermín.

“Iberian pork meat is extraordinary,” Ferran Adrià, the acclaimed chef at El Bulli, a three-Michelin-star restaurant in Catalonia, said in a phone interview. “There’s nothing like it elsewhere in the world. There’s a great difference between a superior ham and all the rest.”

For our carnivores and foodies interested in the rest of the article, please click through.

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