Next Stop...Avila (Spain)

The city of Avila is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a good day trip during your stay in Madrid. Located a little over an hour from Madrid, Avila is easily accessible by car, train or bus.

When you arrive, you will first be taken by the perfectly preserved 11th C. walls that encircle the city. As you pass through the archways of the ancient city, you will be transported back in time. A part of the wall has a promenade that you can walk on, and from the top of the wall you can take in the stunning views of this enchanting city.

Be sure to visit the Cathedral, which is built into part of Avila’s walls. It was begun in 1099, but most of what is seen today was built between the 12th and 14th centuries. Avila is also known for being the birthplace of St. Teresa. You can visit the Convento de Santa Teresa, which was founded in the 17th C. and was built on the site of her birthplace.

 

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Time to Save...Madrid Card (Spain)

A great way to save those hard earned travel dollars is to take advantage of the Madrid Card on your next visit to this beautiful city.  It is the essential sightseeing pass for visitors to Madrid.

Here are just some of the benefits the card offers: 

• Free entry to more than 40 museums 
• Unlimited journeys on the Madrid Vision tour bus 
• Discounts at shops, shows, restaurants, and leisure centers

Cards are available for 24, 48, 72 or 120 hours, and range in cost from €32 - €85, so you can pick the one that best fits your needs.  Click here for more info on the card.

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Next Stop...Cascais (Portugal)

 

 

On your next visit to Lisbon, take some time to visit the town of Cascais. Located just 45 minutes from Lisbon, this tiny fishing village has grown into an elegant and cosmopolitan town that attracts many visitors, with its sandy beaches, pedestrian streets and fashionable shops, restaurants and bars. In the early 20th century it was a favorite resort frequented by European nobility and kings.

Sun lovers will enjoy the nearby Guincho Beach, which is also a favorite of surfers and has hosted World Surfing Championships.  For golf enthusiasts there are several golf courses in the area, including Quinta da Marinha Oitabos Golfe, which evokes links in Scotland. For more information on Cascais click here

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Rafael Nadal defeats Roger Federer at French Open

Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer for his 6th French Open title with a 7-5, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-1 victory. Nadal is now 5-0 against Federer at Roland Garros, and continues to dominate on clay. This win is Nadal’s 10th Grand Slam title, and ties him with Bjorn Borg for a total of 6 French Open titles. Nadal holds on to his No. 1 ranking, thanks to Federer’s win over Djokovic in the semifinals. For more information from the NY Times click here

With Wimbledon just 4 weeks away, we’ll see if these two top players will meet again at the finals in London.

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On the Menu...Sweet Treats of the Alentejo Region (Portugal)

As you explore the charming towns of the Alentejo region, be sure to indulge in its delicious desserts. Many of the desserts originated in the convents, and are made from ingredients such as egg yolks, almonds, sugar or honey, and perhaps a dusting of cinnamon.

In Évora try the Encharcada (egg cake with almonds) from the Convent of Santa Clara, Pão de Rala (sweet brown bread), or Sericaia (traditional dessert with plums).

In Beja sample the Trouxas de Ovos (made from eggs and sugar), or Pastéis de Santa Clara.

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Foodie Friday...Cinc Sentits Restaurante (Spain)

Located in the Eixample area of Barcelona, this restaurant provides cuisine of unparalleled freshness and excellence.

They partner with small local purveyors from the region and consistently exude a passion for quality. From fish and foie gras, to lamb and veal (not to mention exclusive farmhouse cheeses), Cinc Sentits (Five Senses), encourages visitors to take a tasting tour of all the fine cuisine Spain has to offer.

We hope you enjoy our restaurant selection. Click here for their website

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Next Stop...Montserrat (Spain)

Make sure you visit this Benedictine monastery, which sits atop a 4,000 foot high mountain and is famous for the statue of the Virgin of Montserrat (the Black Virgin), the patron saint of Cataluña. You can visit the monastery as a day trip from Barcelona, as it is only 35 miles NW of Barcelona. For more information on monastery click here

The monastery is also well known for the Escolanía de Montserrat choir school, which dates back to the 13th century. The choir consists of boys who are from Cataluña and range in age from 9 to 14, and are either sopranos or altos.  The choir performs Monday through Saturday at 1:00pm, and Sundays at 12:00pm. For more information on choir click here

When visiting Montserrat don't forget to make some time to visit the Museum of Montserrat, as it has many fine works of art, including works by artists such as El Greco, Picasso, Dalí, and many many more! For ticket information click here

Did you know…the monastery's publication company has the oldest printing press in the world; the first book was published in 1499 and the press is still in use today.

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Sites to See...Reina Sofia Museum, Madrid (Spain)

This magnificent museum features the greatest artists of the 20th century. Many visitors come for iconic works by Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso. In fact, the Reina Sofia houses Picasso's Guernica - arguably his most esteemed painting. Also feel free to peruse the extensive library collection. Discover Spain's sublime contributions to 20th century art and learn about the works of the masters. Click here for their website

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Next Stop...Porto (Portugal)

Portugal’s second largest city is located on the banks of the River Douro, and is famous for the fortified wine that bears its name. Visit the port wine lodges located across the river at Vila Nova de Gaia, the 14th C. Igreja de São Francisco, and the Cathedral. For more on the city click here

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Viva España! FC Barcelona takes the Champions League title



Photo By: Franck Fife/Agence France-Presse -- Getty Images

 













Congratulations to Barcelona for defeating Manchester United by a score of 3-1 in Wembley Stadium yesterday. The win gives Barça its fourth Champions League trophy. This latest victory gives Spain a total of 13 Champions League titles, which puts them atop the leader board as they move past Italy, with a total of 12 wins.

Go to the New York Times for a recap on the game, and to learn more about how Barça dominated Manchester United to take the trophy. To learn more about the reaction in Spain, check out the stories and stats in Spanish in the ABC, one of Spain’s leading daily newspapers.

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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. 

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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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