Puerta Palma Badajoz, Mallorca, Spain by Charly Morlock

Island Paradise

Situated in the Balearic Sea, 200 kilometres East of Valencia, Mallorca has a culture not normally seen by the droves of visitors form Britain.

It is accessibility from mainland Spain and Europe, almost equidistant from Valencia and Barcelona, is one of the main reasons why it has become so popular for the likes of tennis stars Raphael Nadal and Boris Becker, super model Claudia Schiffer, as well as kings and queens (the King of Spain often takes breaks here), politician and famous musicians.

It’s not surprising that with 200 beaches the island’s coasts are the primary attraction for holidaymakers, but it’s the more secluded spots of the island’s interior, where former farm houses have been converted, and villas built for the seclusion that many of the rich and famous crave away from the lime light.

A bay in Mallorca, Spain by Jon Rawlinson

Popular Pursuits

One of the most popular pursuits on the island is sailing, and if you head down to any marina, you’ll see enthusiasts setting off on the beautiful turquoise water. Or if sailing is not your sport one of the 20 golf courses might be closer to your tastes, or the amazing hikes and cycle track into the stunning wilderness.

There is an undeserved reputation that the island has developed, with resorts lining the coasts, but that shouldn’t distract from the Mallorca hotels that epitomise luxury, and massive yachts that are worth millions of dollars berthed at the private marinas.

Culture

Mallorca’s capital, Palma, has an incredible mix of the medieval and the modern, it is in fact named after the Roman city of Palmaria. Being so close to North Africa, Spain was spent many centuries ruled by the Moors, the general term used to describe the many tribes.

Their presence was certainly felt more in the south of Spain in the cities of Cadiz and Seville; but Mallorca was also under the rule of the Moors until the 13th century when it was taken back by the Spanish and became a vital port in the Mediterranean.

There is a strong multicultural presence in Palma (just like Cadiz and Seville) where you can see a distinctive mix of Gothic, Roman, and Arab architecture.

It is not surprising that once you look past the crowds of sunburnt Brits, the throngs, of taxis and endless beach umbrellas that Mallorca is truly a calm and beautiful paradise, and will surely continue to draw the rich and famous for decades to come.

Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing agency on a range of subjects. This article links back to https://www.jumeirah.com/en/Hotels-and-Resorts/Destinations/Mallorca/Jumeirah-Port-Soller-Hotel–Spa/

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Fernando García

Spain offers a mixture of historical, cultural and modern attractions to its tourists. Almost every key city presents different features every tourist will surely love. Here are some of the tourist attractions in Spain that you will surely remember:

Palacio Real (Royal Palace)

If you want to take a look at the King of Spain’s official residence, your feet should bring you to Madrid, the capital city. The Palacio Real is not the actual residence of the King but it serves as a place for state ceremonies. The palace was built in the 1700s so your eyes will feast on a fabulous architectural design.

Running of the Bulls

If you happen to be there from July 6-14, you should not miss the Pamplona’s San Fermin festival. Pamplona is located in Navarra – autonomous community in northern Spain. The festival gains its popularity because of its El Encierro or the running of the bulls. If you want to become part of the festival’s main attraction, you will be able to feel the exhilaration of running in front of numerous bulls that have been let loose to roam the town’s street.

La Concha

Believed to be one of the best city beaches in the Europe region, La Concha attracts beach lovers and surfers as well. If you are planning to take a break from your day tour, La Concha will take your stress away without a doubt.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Tomas Fano

Ibiza

Ibiza is one of the islands found in Balearic group of islands. You will be captivated by its nature scenery. Also, most of the tourists going to Ibiza are there to enjoy its live night club parties, bars and restaurants making it one of the favorite tourist attractions in Spain.

Sagrada Familia

You will find the ancient Roman Catholic Church, Sagrada Familia in the city of Barcelona. It was designed by the famous Antoni Gaudi who worked for this church for almost four decades. The basilica was constructed on 1882 and you will notice it was never finished completely.

Mezquita of Cordoba

This mesmerizing mosque is famous for its beautiful arches and pillars on its main hall. Aside from its stunning architectural design, its place in Spanish history will also broaden your knowledge.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Shaun Dunphy

Alhambra Palace

Alhambra Palace is one of the major tourist attractions in Spain. Almost every traveler here explores this magnificent palace and learns about how this palace was built. It is situated in the city of Granada, in the south. Alhambra boasts its intricate interior designs built in the 14th century by the sultans of Nasrid.

Given all of these amazing places to discover, prepare at least a couple of weeks if you are planning to visit all of these places. These major attractions will definitely give you a total Spain vacation getaway.

Nicholas Martin writes for Passport Visa Travelers Guide. Interested in traveling to Spain? Be sure to check the travel requirements for tourists before booking your trip.

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At the behest of the Spanish King Charles III. – king of Spain (1759–88) and of Naples and Sicily (1735–59), Luigi Vanvitelli began to work on the construction work in 1752. In 1759, the Charles III. became unable to manage personnel in both kingdoms upon succeeding to the Spanish throne on 10 August, therefore the castle under construction left a son, Ferdinand VI (who became Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies, or Ferdinand IV of Naples and Ferdinand III of Sicily).

The whole building including the park were inspired by the chateau of Versailles. The palace has a ground plan dimensions of 247 x 184 m. The adjacent park has an area of 120 hectares.

View The Royal Palace of Caserta with the Park on the Larger Map

Caserta Royal Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

The Park

The Royal Palace of Caserta has the most scenic parks in the world, scattered with fountains and waterfalls. The gardens, partly English and partly inspired by French models, are adorned with statues, made from the best Neapolitan sculptors under the guidance of Carlo Vanvitelli. Although the original draft was much more sophisticated and extensive, there were some economical reductions.

The central avenue of the park, from the gate to the big waterfall, is 3 km long. The park covers 120 hectares in total.

There are several fountains with the vasca (basin) in the garden:

The Fountain of Diana and Actaeon / La fontana di Diana e Atteone
The Fountain of Venus and Adonis / Cascatelle e Fontana di Venere e Adone
The Fountain of the Dolphins / la Vasca e Fontana dei Delfini
The Fountain of Aeolus / la Vasca e Fontana di Eolo
The Fountain of Ceres / la Vasca e Fontana di Cerere

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