Now you can let the train take the strain all the way to southern Spain. With the opening of the new international terminal at St Pancras in November last year, the final leg of the London-Malaga link has now been completed thanks to launch of a new high speed train service between Madrid and Malaga.
The opening of the Madrid-Malaga high speed line has taken 10 hours of the previous journey time so London to Malaga by train can now be done in just 21 hours, including a comfortable night’s sleep on the Elipsos sleeper service between Paris and Madrid.
Just imagine… no scrums at the airport, no cramped economy seats, no inedible in-flight meals and no lost baggage. It’s a more refined, more relaxing and a greener way to travel.
Where else but in Florida can you find beaches, theme parks, stunning natural reserves, alligators and, if you travel at the right time, a Space Shuttle launch at the Kennedy Space Center. Known as the Sunshine State, Florida more than lives up to its name. The average lowest temperature in Miami throughout the year is only 20ºC so Florida is the place for year round warmth.
Swim and snorkel in the colourful coral reefs of the Florida Keys, or just sit back and relax on the white sandy beaches. Take the family, or just be a kid again yourself at Disneyworld’s Magic Kingdom, relive your favourite Hollywood scenes at Universal Studios, or get up close and personal with killer whales at SeaWorld. After such an adrenalin buzz you’ll appreciate the time to recharge your batteries on the beautiful Gulf Coast beaches. Don’t forget to share a Gulf sunset with someone special and check out the amazing seafood.
All this and more makes Florida the ultimate holiday destination.
The holiday resort of Puerto Pollensa is located on the north of the island of Majorca (Mallorca), the largest of the Balearics. It has remained very popular due to the stunning scenery, the gently sloping large sandy beaches and an overall more laid-back and friendly atmosphere to some of the larger resorts in the south.
The sheltered horseshoe shaped bay makes the beach a particular favourite for families with young children and the renowned Pine Walk is the only place for promenades on a warm summer’s evening, leading to the marina where million-pound yachts are moored. With small apartments on the beachfront to large villas tucked away in the surrounding hills, there is something for everyone at Puerto Pollensa.
The Semana Santa de Sevilla, or Easter Week in Seville for those less fluent in Spanish, has been attracting visitors for over 500 years. Today the celebrations feature over 50,000 people in traditional robes carrying out around 60 processions during the evening and at night throughout Easter Week.
The costaleros in the procession carry the pasos, ornate religious statues, shoulder high. Processions can all start from any church but they must all pass through an official section from Calle Campana to the Cathedral, making this section an extremely popular tourist spot. Easter in Seville, and many other Spanish towns, is a truly inspirational experience.
Spain has been a favourite destination for English buyers for many years now and despite soaring prices in some areas and over-development of others, there are still bargains to be found.
Madrid and Barcelona are still popular places for investment, although rising prices have put them out of the reach of many buyers. Instead, savvy buyers looking for a city home are heading to Cadiz, Granada or Seville, where good property for investment, holiday or relocation can still be found at a fraction of the price of the big two.
If you’re looking for a home near the beach why not try the Costa de la Luz. On the Atlantic coast of western Andalucía it has been a popular destination for Spanish holidaymakers for decades but the secret is now starting to come out. With the superb culture and an excellent climate, the low property prices here are not going to stay low for long.
And for something truly different and still authentically Spanish head north where rolling green hills of Galicia hide some amazing property bargains.
Visiting Spain is not only about sun, great cuisine, and a warm welcome, but also its rich monumental heritage and dazzling natural environment. There is a perfect destination for everyone: Choose yours.
Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Bilbao, Cordoba, Nerja and Granada are examples of the harmonious coexistence of tradition and modernity in each and every Spanish city. Seven destinations to discover Spain through its greatest capitals.
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