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Whether you’re a keen sailor, or a neophyte, the Tonnerres will enchant you with the extraordinary variety of vessels on show. Take the opportunity to plan a yacht rental in Brittany from July 13th to 19th as you won’t want to miss this celebration of the most beautiful ships in the world.

But hey, what exactly is a tall ship?

A tall ship is a traditionally-rigged boat, much like those you would see in Pirates of the Caribbean or Hook. They’re famously complex to construct and sail, but the experience of cutting through watery fathoms in one of these vessels is unforgettable. They require a crew of many people to manage the system of rigging, which may include gaff rigs, topmasts, topsails and square rigs.

Ok, I get it. Old looking boats that I can crew. Cool, but what’s this bonanza you were talking about earlier?

This year, four countries and their seafaring history are being showcased at the festival. Each country has a whole festival day dedicated to them, so after learning about Indonesia’s Sandeqs and their how their crews work their boats, you can watch a parade of their flotilla. If that’s not enough, check out the nautical-themed firework show after sundown. If Russia floats your boat, discover the Sedov and Kruzenstern cadets though military parades and marvel at the Kossack boats. Mexico and Norway are also featured with parades themed around the countries and their typical boats.

So why does this festival come to Brest?

Brest has a long maritime history of exchange between many countries in Europe as well as America. The Breton people are also very proud of their history and their roots, so any event where they can share their passion for la Bretagne and by extension, its maritime connections, is welcomed with open arms. Furthermore, the harbor at Brest is huge, so there’s plenty of space to accommodate the large number of festival ships and spectator boats.

Sounds good! Is there anything else to do apart from festival stuff?

Quick answer: Lots! Brest itself has some interesting activities. The Oceanopolis Aquarium hosts tanks with a variety of habitats so you can see miniature versions of the Normandy coast and a tropical mangrove. Perhaps the most enjoyable tank is the penguin tank, but that’s just a personal opinion!

Brittany has a famously beautiful coastline, so Brest would be a great starting or end point to a longer yacht trip. The Mont Saint Michel is a huge abbey carved into an island of rock just half a mile out at sea, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Brittany pancakes are a favorite among the French – in all four corners of the country you will find establishments boasting that they are authentic Crêperies Bretonnes. The real thing needs to be made with buckwheat or sarrasin (also known as blé noir) – these ancient grains give the pancakes their nutty, complex taste. For an authentic experience on home turf, don’t miss trying out a variety of sweet and savory crêpes filled with delights ranging from banana, chocolate and caramelized nuts to tuna, crème fraîche and succulent tomato.

I think I’m sold!

A trip to the Tonnerres de Brest is the perfect excuse for a European sailing holiday. Brittany will charm you with its old-world beauty and quaint streets. As for the boats, they really are the crème de la crème.

Lalage is one yacht rental away from throwing in the day job and moving to a house boat in the Caribbean!

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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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