Travel Planning

Tag: Spain

  • How to plan your multi-city land vacation

    This article focuses on how to plan your multi-city land vacation with me.  Winter/early Spring is when I have the highest requests to begin planning multi-city custom trips – a.k.a. built from scratch. These include places like the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and Costa Rica.

     

    Plan your multi-city land vacation Photo by Dariusz Sankowski on Unsplash
    Plan your multi-city land vacation Photo by Dariusz Sankowski on Unsplash

     

    You’ll learn more about what goes into the making of these custom trips.  I’ll share one little secret – it takes time! Hours and hours go into your custom trips as I try to build out the trips multiple ways to get you the best options for your specific trip objectives.  You may not even see some of the earlier attempts as I plan out your itinerary.

    Question: Have you ever been on a multi-city land vacation?  This could be on an escorted or organized tour. Or, you may have traveled without an organized group such as visiting Rome/Florence/Venice independently.

    Plan your multi-city land vacation Photo by Asli Yilmaz on Unsplash
    Plan your multi-city land vacation Photo by Asli Yilmaz on Unsplash

    Have you ever planned a multi-city trip with me?  If not, let’s get planning your dream trip today. Just click here.

    While I mentioned Rome/Florence/Venice above as an example, how about Reykjavik, Iceland, Edinburgh Scotland, and a side tour to the Isle of Skye?  (Planned for a client earlier in the year.)

     

     

    Have you spent hours online doing research?

    Are you looking for someone to help you organize all of the details of your dream trip?  We’re talking:

    • airfare with different cabins/classes of service
    • transfers
    • hotels with complicated room configurations
    • tours/excursions
    • dining
    • trains
    • travel insurance
    • golf
    • theater/event tickets

    And, how about if I wrap up all of the details into an app you can download onto your smart phone?  Click here to start planning your multi-city dream trip today.

    Please check out: https://daydreamexcursions.com/right-and-wrong-vacation-planning/

     

    Learn more about my travel planning packages.  Click here to dig even deeper into  multi city land vacation travel.  Finally, read this post on how to pack for great tips.

  • Barcelona in Two Days – What to See and Do

    This post courtesy of Katie O’Hara

    Houses in Park Güell designed by Anto...

       Can you experience Barcelona in two days?  If you have only a few days to explore Barcelona, you’ll want to use your time wisely to make the most of your trip and see the best sites. Below, we’ve highlighted the top four places to see. Focusing on a few sites will give you time to truly take in each attraction without feeling rushed. It will also leave time to indulge in leisure meals. Many Barcelona hotels are in walking distance of the city’s top destinations, or you can rent a car, take a cab or try public transportation.  If you are planning on seeing Barcelona in two days, start with these attractions:

     

    Sagrada Familia
    A large Roman Catholic church and a stunning Basilica, La Sagrada Familia is a must see for any visitor to Barcelona. Construction began in 1882 and continues even to this day, with the most recent additions expected to be complete in 30 years by some estimates. The church was largely designed by famed architect Antonia Gaudi.  Although the church is a spectacular site to behold from the outside, it’s worth purchasing a ticket to tour this interior.

     

    Las Ramblas
    Stroll down this vibrant 1.2 kilometer street in the heart of Barcelona’s city center. The street is lined with various cafes, restaurants and shopping, making it ideal for a bite to eat or to find a souvenir for friends and family back home. You’ll also find the city’s opera house, museum of contemporary art, an aquarium, street performers and artists, kiosks, historic buildings and more. The area is usually crowded from day time until late into the night. Spend your time people watching or picking through the markets and stands.

     

    Gothic Quarter
    Just east of Las Ramblas lies Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. This is the city’s original city center and is lined with narrow streets opening into squares. You’ll find beautifully designed buildings and cathedrals throughout the quarter as you walk along the cobblestone streets. The streets are closed to traffic so plan on walking to the various sites. Your best bet is to find a guided tour that will give an overview of the area’s history while showing you a few sites including Barcelona’s Cathedral, Les Quatre Gats, Santa Maria del Pi, Placa del Rei and the Jewish Quarter.

     

    Barcelona in two days - el Parc Güell
    el Parc Güell (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    Parc Güell 
    Originally created by Eusebi Guell as a stylish park for Barcelona aristocracy, this city public park is full of unique statues, tiling and buildings.  The entrance is a curved staircase with a dragon statue on the center – easily the most recognized symbol of the park. You also find the Gran Placa Circular here, a plaza connecting to Serpentine Bench, the world’s longest bench that wraps around the plaza. A visit to the park will expose you both to Guell’s architectural genius as well as breathtaking views of the city.

    READ MORE about Barcelona

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  • Barcelona and Exactly where to Dine

    I just can’t write enough about Barcelona; let’s with start some quick information about the city then we can dine!

    Rambla de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain
    Rambla de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain

     

     

    Casa Milà at dusk in Barcelona, Spain. The bui...
    Casa Milà at dusk in Barcelona, Spain. The building is known either as ‘Casa Milà’ (the owner’s name) and popular called ‘La Pedrera’ because of its look. Taken by myself with a Canon 5D and 24-105mm f/4L IS lens. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    Barcelona (Catalonia) is the largest cruise port in Europe and the Mediterranean and the fourth largest worldwide.  Barcelona is the perfect destination to start or end your cruise vacation with an opportunity to spend a few days on land.  Boasting a unique blend of modern, cosmopolitan attitude and a rich architectural and historic legacy, Barcelona will amaze you with its contrasts and diversity. Take a stroll through the old part of the city, the busy Rambla Avenue, the lively port area, and the Gothic Quarter with its medieval atmosphere. Discover Barcelona’s Modernist heritage, where the work of Gaudí stands out with places such as the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Casa Batlló House and Güell Park, the UNESCO-designated World Heritage site. Architects will enjoy Barcelona’s award winning design aesthetic as it is the only city to ever win a RIBA Royal Gold Medal for its architecture. Foodies will marvel at the gastronomic wonders of Catalonia, the land of master chef Ferran Adria. The province lists 53 Michelin Star restaurants, with 20 of those located in Barcelona.

     

     

     

    La Boqueria is a really nice place to visit and there are plenty of nice tapas place inside (Pinotxo, El Quim)

    Bild:ForbysBoqueria.jpg Beschreibung: Mercat d...
    La Boqueria

    Here is a list of where to dine (courtesy of Sandrine Velia from Grand Hotel Central – six very happy guests stayed there last year) :

     For traditional Catalan restaurants

    For Tapas

    • Lonja de Tapas: Very good tapas. It is 10 minutes walking distance to the hotel. Average price 35 euro per person. http://www.lonjadetapas.com/
    • Tapas Locas: Good variety of tapas and paellas of all kind. It is located on the olimpic Harbour. Average price 25 € per person.
    • Bar del Pla:
    • Tapas 24:

    For Fish and Sea Food restaurants

     

    For Mediterranean and fresh food from the market restaurants. Cool atmosphere

     

    For meat restaurants

    • Patagonia: For a good meat, this is an Argentinean restaurant. Located at 12 minutes walking distance to the hotel.  http://www.patagoniabw.com/ Average price 50 euro.
    • Asador de Aranda: For a good meat, this is a typical Spanish restaurant. Located at 10 minutes distance to the hotel. http://asadordearanda.com/

     

    For fashionable

    For fashionable restaurant & Club

    • CDLC (Carpe Diem Lounge Club): Just in front of the sea side, on the beach. Exclusive, craze and cool. Average price for dinner 40 euro. Free access and queue-jump to the club only if you ask for the card at reception. http://www.cdlcbarcelona.com/#00_home
    • Shoko:

    For more expensive restaurants you have the ones with Michelin’s star:

     

    Want to plan a trip built around Barcelona? Interested in a complimentary Barcelona tourist card?

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  • Mediterranean Travel: Cruise vs. tour throw-down Part 2.

    Map of Italian "Mare Nostrum" (Itali...
    Map of Italian “Mare Nostrum” (Italian Mediterranean),… Photo credit: Wikipedia)

    Welcome to part 2 of  our cruise versus tour throw-down.  This week we’ll take a more in depth look at touring  Mediterranean countries as opposed to cruising.  Want more than a taste of a country?  Touring gets you on the ground in countries like Italy, Spain, France, or Greece, as opposed to just cruising to a port for six to twelve hours.

    Key experiences of a land tour in the Mediterranean:

    • plenty of time to explore as you wish during unscheduled free time
    • taste the local cuisine each day
    • INCLUDED visits to key tourist sites with minimal time waiting in lines
    • exposure to local culture
    • convenience of unpacking only once or twice on regional tours.

    Concerned about frequent unpacking and long coach rides?  That may be an issue in a multi-city tour of Italy.  For an easier pace, consider a  a regional tour  focused on Tuscany, the South of France, or southern Spain which will provide plenty of time to settle in to explore one or two destinations.

    Questions you need to ask:

    • Which costs more, the tour or the cruise?
    • Better question, What’s the total cost to come home from a European Vacation?
    • Best question, What would you like to experience?

    Answers, at first blush the cruise looks less expensive, but is that really the case?  The cruise gets you to from port to port, but then what?  Let’s look at what is normally included in most tours:

    • the per day cost of an escorted tour may be less than the price of individually booking just a hotel room
    • breakfast each day and some featured dinners – in local restaurants perhaps with a host and wine
    • all transportation from start to end of tour (airport transfers may be included)
    • many must-see sites are included AND you will have a guide/host to interpret these sites with minimal waiting
    • check-in/check-out of hotels and most baggage handling is also included..no lugging your bags from here to there!
    • TIME to linger at a side walk café and take it all in AFTER the sun goes down and the cruise people have left.

    In closing, some more considerations about the experience you may have on a tour:

    • English speaking and knowledgeable tour directors remove any language barriers to ensure you don’t miss any highlights of your tour
    • achieve your own personal growth from a destination’s traditions, customs, or historical significance that you share with others.
    • travel with like minded individuals to share in the local culture with the chance to make new friends.
    • simplified travel arrangements for you as the big pieces are already included and planned out for you (hotels, logistics, baggage handling, many meals, and key sightseeing.)

    This concludes our cruise versus tour throw-down.  What do you think?

     

     

  • Mediterranean Travel: Cruise vs.Tour Throwdown Part 1

    Mediterranean Travel: Cruise vs.Tour Throwdown Part 1

    First time visitor to the Mediterranean?  Past Cruiser?  Well, then cruising wins…maybe!  Read on to understand why.

    Sagrada Família church, Gaudi's masterpiece
    Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia Image via Wikipedia

    If you’ve always wanted to visit the Mediterranean Sea (actually means “Inner Sea”), experience the comfort
    and familiar surroundings and conveniences of a cruise ship:

    • familiar accommodations and creature comforts
    • familiar cuisine
    • same staff each day
    • no language barriers
    • convenience of unpacking only once

    A great first time itinerary is a round trip from Barcelona for a “Western” Mediterranean itinerary (focus on Spain and Italy).  Port calls can include:  Villefranche for Nice or Monte Carlo, Monaco,  Civitavecchia for Italy, Livorno for Pisa and Florence, and perhaps Naples.  Some considerations for a cruise:

    • your time ashore to explore these great destinations is limited (OK for your first time in the Med.)
    • you may not get a chance to experience life in the evenings like the locals (also OK for your first visit)
    • pace and duration of the excursions may be long as Rome and Florence are far from ports
    • limited exposure to culture and local dining

    Note: there are many round trip itineraries from different lines, and many voyages begin and end in different cities to provide the opportunity to visit even more ports.  Also note that some lines include either evening or overnight port stays to take in the cities like the locals do as the sun sets.

    Plan to maximize your time ashore.  There are some longer port calls!  Civitavecchia, port call for Rome is normally 12 hours.  What will you do in those twelve hours?  The city is about 1’15” from port.  If you take the tours offered by the cruise line, you may be crowded on a long caravan of buses.   You will “see” many sights for sure…breeze by photo ops.  Will you have time to leisurely tour the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and Colosseum?

    English: Trevi Fountain Panoramic
    Trevi Fountain Image via Wikipedia

    More considerations for your shore excursions:

    • Is there a better way to spend your twelve hours in port (maybe 8 hours for touring)?
    • There are other tour operators that offer a more in-depth tour with far fewer people featuring less time waiting.
    • May even be less costly to to get the most out of your limited time

    Another question, why are you in Europe?  Consider staying a night or two either before or after to experience a wonderful city that offers so much – Barcelona in this example voyage!

    Some experiences to take in during a pre/post stay in Barcelona include:

     

    Have questions?  We’ve got answers! dave@daydreamex.com

    Next time, we’ll explore Mediterranean touring.

     

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