Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Romance Español - Love on the Iberian Peninsula

Bonita Barcelona
Romance of Spain and Portugal - the Spanish call it amor a la vida and the Portuguese, amor da vida, and both communicate this love of life to all visitors. With pulsating energy, non-stop nightlife, friendly people, and some of the best cuisine in the world, both countries have so much to offer. In fact according to their tourism departments, there has never been a better time for newlyweds to visit the Iberian Peninsula!

With a tremendous amount of historic monuments, Roman ruins, medieval castles, Moorish fortresses and Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque cathedrals, Portugal and Spain are perfect destinations for artists, romantics, and historians. Both are home to some of the world’s most revered artists like Velázquez, Goya, Gaudí, Miró, Dalí and Picasso. In addition, both Lisbon and Madrid have been adding new museums and expanding their other cultural institutions.

Introducing first - Portugal. With areas like Lisbon/Estoril, Madeira, Algarve, and Porto, Portugal has something for everyone. Lisbon is one of Europe’s most intriguing cities and the capital of Portugal. More than 20 centuries old, this amazing city offers cultural, beautiful settings, world-class nightlife, and beautiful long, wide beaches. Built around seven hills overlooking the harbor of the Tejo River, Lisbon is definitely the place to start your journey. From historic scenery, to natural wonders, from fishing boats to casinos, this city will leave you wanting more!

Madeira, off the coast of Africa, has rich history dating back more than 500 years. With magnificent views and its temperate climate, Madeira makes it an ideal place to visit year round. Enjoy the lifestyle in the capital city of Funchal, explore the quaint villages and experience the luxurious resorts. Interested in golf, tennis and countless water sports the islands, Madeira and Porto Santo are best known for their ability to help visitors relax and unwind. Perhaps all it takes is sitting on the shore and watching the sunset while sipping some Madeira wine.

Luxuriate at a Romantic Resort
Next stop the Algarve – breathtaking scenery, modern resorts, and ancient history, the Algarve is one of the most popular tourism destinations in all of Europe. Located in the southwestern corner of Europe and gazing out at the Atlantic from Cabo St. Vincent, you can understand why early Europeans believed it was the end of the world. Its name comes from the Moors who named it al-gharb or "the West." Distinctive architecture is one of the highlights of the historic center of the capital of Faro. White washed houses with massive chimneys and castles are seen throughout the region, which is also home to some of the most luxurious resorts and spas in all of Europe.

Let’s end our tour of Portugal in Porto. Actually Portugal got its name from this fascinating city where the River Douro meets the sea and where Port wine is bottled. The second largest city in Portugal, you can lose yourself in their rich traditions or their energetic lifestyle. Porto is a modern city with medieval buildings, nearby beaches, wine fields, museum, and golf. Everything to end your romantic journey to this beautiful country!

NEXT STOP SPAIN!
Millions of tourists visit this beautiful country every year! It has been considered one of the most important tourist destinations of the last several decades. It shares the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal, Gibraltar and Andorra. To the Northeast it borders with France. To the West it boarded by the Balearic Islands located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea. The Southern most territory offers the picturesque Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla located in the North of Africa. This is why traveling to Spain is likely to be a enriching experience since tourism in the country offers a wide variety of destinations, activities and landscapes.

Madrid is one of the better known cities of Spain and is the capital of this beautiful country. Beside the architecture, museums, great nightlife, we can recommend balloon rides over Madrid, visiting the Royal Palace, shopping on the Gran Via, watch the Flamenco dancers, try some tapas, or just sit in the park and people watch!

On to Barcelona – It’s impossible to get bored in this dynamic city. With the best concerts, exhibitions, and events, week after week you will find more than one thing of interest. There are so many different areas within Barcelona to peak your interests, you’ll want to come back again and again. From the Roman archaeology, to the Medieval palazzos and Gothic Churches, to open air museums, the contemporary modern version of Barcelona, this amazing city will keep you mesmerized.

Mallorca romántico
Done with touring the cities and want to explore Spain’s famous beaches, let’s head to Costa del Sol! Malaga is one of the most visited regions in all of Spain. It’s not just known for its beautiful beaches, but also for the beautiful landscapes, picturesque villages a 17th century Cathedral, the Picasso Museum, and the King’s palace, Alcazaba.

So whether you want to visit Spain and Portugal together or visit them individually, both countries have what it takes to make for a fabulous romantic getaway!

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