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The inspiring pilgrimage of the Virgin of El Rocío

mayo 20th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS | SOMETHING DIFFERENT - (0 Comments)

El Rocío is a small village belonging to the town of Almonte and located at the entrance of the Doñana National Park. Surrounded by an area of great natural interest, it is world famous for its annual Pilgrimage of the Virgin of El Rocío, which is the largest in the country.

Worth visiting in the village itself is the impressive Ermita de la Blanca Paloma temple, which is dedicated to the Virgin, and above all else has something of a colonial feel.

The Pilgrimage of the Virgin of El Rocío is a religious celebration without precedent in modern Mariology (the theological study of Mary) and is the principal celebration dedicated to the Virgin of El Rocío.

The pilgrimage begins on the Saturday before Pentecost, at 12 noon in front of the gates of the Shrine, with the presentation of the Confraternities (the groups of pilgrims traveling together) in strict order of antiquity. Each of the Confraternities briefly stops its cart to turn to the main door of the Shrine and sing a hymn dedicated to the Virgin. The pilgrims – on foot, on horseback or in decorated ox-drawn carts – march in formation to the end of the route, which is not easy at times due to the old and dusty paths.  This colorful, emotive and solemn parade, infused with dust, sweat and faith, is perhaps one of the most spectacular moments of the pilgrimage.

At some time early in the morning, the locals spontaneously jump the fence, rescue the Virgin and begin the procession, the silver biers seeming to float on a sea of religious fervor. The entire village pours out onto the streets, there is a non-stop cacophony of church bells, and jubilant cheers accompany the Virgin on her way amid rose petals and prayers. This is a moment of great magnitude: everybody – locals, travelers and foreigners – are filled with the excitement, magic and light of the procession. It is an incredible moment; a celebration that must be experienced.

 

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has 2 all-inclusive resorts in the province of Huelva, both in Isla Canela, 50 km from the province capital Huelva: the IBEROSTAR Isla Canela and the IBEROSTAR Isla Canela Park. They are the ideal vacation complexes for couples or families in Huelva, with a wide variety of facilities for relaxation and entertainment.”

 

 

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Clash of the Titans in the Canaries

mayo 10th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

In 2011, a remake of the movie “Clash of the Titans” was filmed in different locations in the Canary Islands.  This epic movie is an adaptation of the myth of Perseus and his fight against Medusa and the Kraken to save the princess Andromeda from the hands of death. It is a tale of confrontation between men, kings and gods, in which adventure and action only share center stage with the classic touch of romance.

Directed by Louis Leterrier (Transporter, The Incredible Hulk), the movie boasts a star-studded cast including Sam Worthington(Terminator Salvation, Avatar), Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes and Gemma Arterton among many others.

Mount Teide and its surroundings provide a desolate, lunar setting, as though it were recently created by the gods. The location scouts for Clash of the Titans (2010) saw it as the perfect scenery for recreating Greek mythology. The Teide National Park and the coastal towns of Icod, Buenavista del Norte and Guía de Isora, as well as some areas of pine forest and mountains, were the filming locations chosen in Tenerife. In Gran Canaria, some shooting was done on the dunes of the Dunas de Maspalomas Nature Reserve.

The movie producers liked Tenerife so much that they went back, and in May 2011, the Clash of Titans sequel was filmed in the same locations. “Shooting in Tenerife gave us the environment we were looking for to capture the epic adventures of Perseus,” said movie producer Basil Iwanyk.

Millions of people saw the two movies, something the Tenerife tourist office has taken advantage of by creating a tour to visit the most attractive scenery seen in the film. You can visit the San José Mines (Minas de San José), where Perseus and the warriors fight with giant scorpions, or the mouth of the Masca Ravine in the cliffs of Los Gigantes (The Giants), where the city of Argos is set and the final battle takes place. The impressive vertical walls of Los Gigantes fall into the ocean from heights that in some places reach 600 meters.

The Canary Islands really are like something out of a movie!

 

“The IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts in the Canaries are located in privileged areas on the different islands; on the beach front and surrounded by nature.  These 3, 4 and 5-star vacation complexes offer magnificent facilities, spacious and comfortable suites with every need catered for, and extremely professional service. “

 

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Gran Canaria, the sea of dolphins

mayo 9th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

Imagine an idyllic place where everything is exactly as you wish.

Imagine a cool, crystal clear sea and amazing natural surroundings… imagine that you could live here, in this fabulous environment, next to the most intelligent and friendly sea creatures that exist. If you open your eyes, you will find yourself in Gran Canaria. The island’s waters are home to thousands upon thousands of dolphins, which as we all know are very intelligent – and their choice of abode only confirms this further!

Not far from the coast of Gran Canaria, you can come across bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins, pilot whales and spotted dolphins.

For the different groups of dolphins, activity begins as the first rays of sun set the beaches aglow. Known by the islanders as toninas, the sight of the dorsal fins breaking the surface is always cause for celebration. Dolphin-spotting becomes the main attraction of the day. So much so that for the last few years several local companies have been helping visitors get close to the dolphin families with authorized boats taking them to their habitats, with all the guarantees and protection required by law, and under the supervision of biologists and experts who provide information to passengers.

It is an exciting marine safari in search of a sighting of these wonderful creatures, some of whom, such as the bottlenose dolphin, can weigh over half a ton – which nevertheless does not stop them jumping over the prow, performing a spectacular twist in the air – sometimes in groups – and falling back down, creating bubbles with their dorsal fins in front of their captive audience. It’s hard not to burst into applause at such acrobatics!

And this is just one more of the thousands of delights Gran Canaria has to offer. Are you going to miss out?

 

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & resorts has a hotel in Gran Canaria. The IBEROSTAR Costa Canaria, a 4-star, All Inclusive complex on the beach front at San Agustín Beach in Maspalomas. It is perfectly located for playing golf and its facilities are geared towards maximum rest and relaxation on your vacation in Gran Canaria.”

 

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The Serra de Tramuntana, a haven for artists

abril 30th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

From Palma de Mallorca, a road heading north away from the crowds heads towards the Serra de Tramuntana. It takes only a quarter of an hour to stand in Valldemossa, a village surrounded by mountains where, for several years, the pianist Frédéric Chopin lived with his lover, the writer George Sand. The illustrious couple moved into the Cartuja de Valldemossa, famous for its green ceramic bell, located in the heart of the town, a special place where he composed sublime music and she wrote books such as A Winter in Mallorca, which recounts her experiences in the island.

On a walk through the narrow streets of the old town of Valldemossa, one can follow in the footsteps of people such as Santiago Rusiñol, Rubén Darío and Miguel de Unamuno. Their romantic spirit remains intact, especially in calle de la Rectoría, with doors and balconies full of potted flowers and plants.

The walk is a good prelude to a visit to the Costa Nord center, the Serra de Tramuntana Interpretation Center, located at the entrance of Valldemossa. This modern exhibition space displays the area’s cultural and natural attractions, highlighting the figure of Archduke Luis Salvador of Austria, who came to Mallorca to do work on the Balearic Islands and, after visiting the north, began buying land to build houses, viewpoints and chapels, all connected by an extensive network of roads.

The center was promoted by actor Michael Douglas, in love with the Serra Tramuntana and owner of the hacienda S’Estaca, built by the Archduke in the nineteenth century.

From Valldemossa it is easy to get to the town of Deià. It is famous for its local color and also for the artists who have spent long periods there, attracted by the magic of the area’s inspiring landscapes: Julio Cortázar, Ava Gardner, Robert Graves, Eric Clapton, Mike Oldfield and Mark Knopfler are just some of those who have walked through the winding streets of the center, swum in the cove and tasted the typical pa amb oli or ensaimada and coffee in the roadside terraces.

One of the most beautiful corners of the town, with beautiful sea views, is located on top of the hill: the graveyard. A lovely place, where a small and unpretentious headstone indicates the burial place of Robert Graves, so in love with Deià that he chose to rest there forever.

 

“The excellent location of IBEROSTAR hotels in Mallorca, scattered throughout the island, is a unique opportunity to discover all its secrets.”

 

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7th District, Budapest’s Jewish Quarter

abril 19th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

The 7th District of Budapest, located in Pest, is known as the Jewish Quarter, because, during the Second World War, there was a Jewish Ghetto in the area within the boundaries of the Dohany, Karoly Kiraly and Kertesz streets.

Therefore, the first thing that appears before your eyes when entering the Jewish quarter is the impressive synagogue. Built between 1854 and 1859, it is the second largest in the world, only the synagogue in New York surpasses it. Inside there is room for about 3,000 people. Located at the start of Dohány street, it is very important to the Jewish community because here the so called Budapest ghetto began, or ended. The enclosure of the synagogue houses the Great Synagogue, the religious temple itself, the Heroes’ Temple, the Jewish Cemetery, the Holocaust Memorial and the Jewish Museum.

Another of these symbolic places that can be seen quite easily is the Tree of Life. It is located in a courtyard behind the synagogue and is a life size beautiful sculpture of a weeping willow. Its importance is enormous, as it was created in memory of the 400,000 Hungarian Jews who died during World War II. On the willow leaves the names of those who helped save the lives of other Jews at that time are written. The monument was made in 1991, and an interesting fact is that the actor Tony Curtis was the main patron. Curtis, whose real name was Bernard Schwartz, was the son of a Hungarian Jewish marriage between Emanuel Schwartz and Helen Klein. The actor created the Emanuel Foundation, which focuses on restoring and preserving synagogues, such as this one in Budapest, and 1,300 Jewish cemeteries throughout Hungary.

If you want to take a look at the past, do not hesitate to walk carefully through the 7th District in Budapest.

 

“Linked to the innovative concept of the Spa Boutique Hotel, the IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Budapest is designed for luxury getaways and travel, as it not only boasts style and good taste but also a prime location across from Liberty Square (Szabadsag tèr) on the Pest side, near the Danube that separates this area from the popular Budapest.”

 

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Gran Canaria, Biosphere Nature Reserve

abril 11th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

Gran Canaria, Canary Islands is the most densely populated island with 1,500km2 of surface area, and a population of around 900,000 inhabitants. It is known for the industriousness of its people and the commercial and seafaring focus of the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It so happens that the traditional points of entry into the island, port and airport, are located in the most urbanized and most arid part of the island respectively, which means that the wildlife of Gran Canaria is largely unknown.

The outstanding city beach of Las Canteras, protected from the open sea by a reef that runs parallel to the coastline, and the exotic beach of Maspalomas at the southern end of the island, with its dunes, lagoon and palm oasis, have captured much of the attention of visitors, eclipsing the interior of the island, which is full of beauty and culture.

Gran Canaria is a miniature continent, with a sampling of unusual landscapes amid an enormously diverse archipelago. UNESCO therefore decided to give the island the status of Biosphere Reserve, as a different and very particular microworld. Almost half of the geographical area of Gran Canaria has been included in the reserve, spanning six rural villages, which are linked to traditional activities.

The island is a theme park of the strange and magical flora of Macronesia. An open park that holds the treasure of plants and flowers that grew independently to the rest of the globe, which are the hallmark of this region. A natural world has been living enclosed here for centuries, in the midst of the changing contours of the island.

Local people are aware of the importance of the natural values of the island and use resources sustainably. For example, farmers use systems that optimize water consumption, the tourism industry is gradually moving towards more sustainable models and households consume less water than anywhere else in the European Union. There is also advanced legislation for land management and protection of natural areas.

Wouldn’t you like to get to know this natural landscape firsthand?

 

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & resorts has a hotel in Maspalomas. It’s the IBEROSTAR Costa Canaria hotel, a 4 star All Inclusive hotel on the San Agustín beach, in Maspalomas. It is located in a perfect place for playing golf and has facilities designed to provide a holiday filled with rest and relaxation in Gran Canaria. The IBEROSTAR Costa Canaria hotel is the perfect hotel for a holiday as a couple in Maspalomas.”

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Fuerteventura: white sand beaches and turquoise waters

abril 10th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)


Fuerteventura has a large and varied number of beaches along its coast. It features sandy white beaches and others with darker sand, you can find beaches with calm, gentle waters, and yet others with impressive waves to tempt adventurous spirits. But they all have one thing in common, their wild beauty.
In the north of the island, in the town of Corralejo there are several beaches with golden and white sand, where the water is usually calm and therefore perfect for swimming. In high season they are quite busy but it is inevitable that you will visit them, as their beauty attracts everyone who passes through the island!
Just south of the town is the spectacular Corralejo Dunes Natural Park, with its huge white sand dunes that cover a large area. In fact you can see them in satellite images of Fuerteventura.
Around El Cotillo, on the northwest coast, there are a number of beaches and coves that are a meeting place for surfers, internationally recognized as perfect beaches for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Some of the protected lagoons are also suitable for swimming.

If you go south, between Costa Calma and Morro Jable you will find the longest and windiest beaches on the island. The miles of white sand make this stretch of coast a beach lover’s dream. On windy days, the beach in the old town of Morro Jable can be a good option.

In the central area, the horseshoe-shaped beach of Caleta de Fuste is an ideal place for families to go, due to the relaxed and peaceful atmosphere. It is also a good place to learn to windsurf in specialized centers near the beach.
The black sand beach in Gran Tarajal has a blue flag and is popular with locals, however, the color of the sand makes it less attractive than the Caleta de Fuste beach, so if you want peace and don’t care that the sand color is dark, you should head to Grand Tarajal.

 

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has 3 resorts in Fuerteventura, all located in front of the Jandía beach, in the south of the island we offer: the IBEROSTAR Palace Fuerteventura hotel, the IBEROSTAR Playa Gaviotas hotel and the IBEROSTAR Playa Gaviotas Park hotel. IBEROSTAR Hotels in Fuerteventura have an excellent location and facilities designed for fun and relaxation. “

 

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Have you heard about Mayr Kur Therapy?

abril 5th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS | SOMETHING DIFFERENT - (0 Comments)


 

Mayr Kur is a completely natural cleansing and detoxification therapy for the body, designed to regenerate body and mind. Created by the Austrian physician Dr. Franz Xaver Mayr in the early twentieth century, it focuses on the intestinal system as the root of chronic problems and illnesses in the civilized world. These problems, when properly treated, can lead to better health and significantly improve quality of life.
Mayr Kur is a preventive therapy. It is a comprehensive and invigorating experience that has proven effective in disorders such as stress, hypertension, obesity and type II diabetes. This revolutionary treatment deals with the imbalances of the body and chronic diseases generated by poor eating habits or poor absorption of nutrients. A unique and personal therapy that perfectly fits the needs of each individual.

Abdominal treatment together with a personalized diet and accompanied by fresh air, physical exercise, body massages, baths, contact with nature, harmony… leads to a perfect psychophysical balance. Through Mayr therapy, you can treat different problems and illnesses which at first glance have nothing to do with the digestive system. This takes into account mobility problems, hormonal disorders and allergies.

Few places represent the ideal of Mayr Kur as much as the IBEROSTAR Anthelia Hotel, a fabulous 5 star resort located on the beautiful island of Tenerife, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by intense nature.

 

“The IBEROSTAR Anthelia Hotel has 365 totally renovated and redecorated rooms, among which are the “Salome” suites with a personal butler and private pool area. The most exclusive service to experience true luxury during your stay.”

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Spinalonga Island, one of the most beautiful islands in Greece.

abril 4th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

Spinalonga Island, one of the most beautiful islands in Greece, near the island of Crete, between the town of Elounda and the Gulf of Mirabello, is one of the most popular and frequently visited tourist attractions. The name comes from the Italian for “long spine”. In Greek, its official name is “Kalidon islote”. The island’s history begins in 1579, when the Venetians built a fortress on the island to protect their possessions and fleet in Crete from Turkish attacks. This island was also a haven for Christians in times of war, as the walls that reach the seashore prevented any ships from landing. Subsequently, it was conquered by the Turks and, years later, recovered by the Cretans. After that, the island was used as a leper colony, but don’t let this gruesome part of the island’s past put you off, because Spinalonga Island is outstandingly beautiful.

You can reach it by sea, boarding a boat in Plaka or if you prefer, by walking on a paved road from the bay of Elounda, a beautiful seaside path that leads to the neck of land that connects to Spinalonga. Formerly this was all marsh area, but in 1898 a canal was dug to connect the bay with the Gulf of Mirabello, which is marked by two beautiful stone mills.

Spinalonga is definitely a place worth visiting and is also close to other places that you do not want to miss, such as Hersonissos, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, the Crete Aquarium, Knossos and Diova cave.

 

“The IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts Group has 5 hotels in the island of Crete, 4 and 5 stars with the option of an all-inclusive stay. These hotels offer visitors everything they might need while on holiday on the Greek island”

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Live the Passion of Holy Week in Andalusia to the full.

marzo 26th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

More than anywhere else in Spain, the streets of the towns and cities of Andalusia undergo an amazing transformation during Holy Week. Andalusia expresses its religious fervour with processions during which statues and images are carried high to the acclaim and delight of the Catholic faithful.

The celebrations get underway on Palm Sunday and last until Easter Sunday. Processions are held throughout the week, although the most important take place on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, including the most emotive time of all –la madrugá, the principal night, when countless processions make their way around the streets.

During the processions the hermanos or members of the brotherhoods carry hefty images on their shoulders around the streets for various hours. Known as pasos or tronos, each image is accompanied by one or more musical bands that play traditional religious music, followed by a cortege of nazarenos or penitents with their faces covered and carrying a candle that lights up the night.

The costaleros are the porters that bear the huge pasos that weigh between 1,000 and 1,200 kilos. They form teams of around 36 men, with each one carrying some 45 kilos for hours on end. The costaleros carry out physical training for this feat by going to the gym or jogging, but what really gives them the strength they need to bear such a heavy weight for hour after hour is their love for their crucifix or image.

The most famous Holy Week celebrations take place in Seville and Malaga. These two Andalusian provincial capitals have made their processions an internationally renowned hallmark. Seville is spellbinding, magnificent and sheer emotion, whilst Malaga is majestic and stunning with a strong seafaring tradition. Centuries ago, cities such as Granada and Cordoba decided to turn their pasos into superb works of art, whilst Cadiz and Huelva followed in the footsteps of the Baroque style that characterised the area known as Lower Andalusia. In turn, Jaen and Almeria converted their processions into an outpouring of popular religious devotion.

Holy Week is undoubtedly one of Spain’s most deeply felt forms of cultural and religious expression. Yet it also extends beyond the merely religious sphere. It is an essentially cultural celebration at which everyone – believers and non-believers – are welcome. The highly-charged atmosphere can be sensed by the devote and agnostic alike, by Catholic faithful or atheists. During Holy Week, Andalusia will form the backdrop to almost a thousand processions. It’s time you discovered one of the symbols that most clearly identifies southern Spain.

 

“The South of Spain is all about seduction, something that you can experience to the full during a holiday in Andalusia.  IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts’ establishments in Andalusia offer you the very best services and facilities guaranteeing a marvellous break with your family or partner.”  

 

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