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Taking a Day Trip to Tarragona

Find out all the best travel activities to do if you decide on taking a day trip to Tarragona, including where to eat, stay and how to get there from Salou.

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Taking a Day Trip to Tarragona

This is a featured article by travel blogger Katie. She is a cake and travel addicted blogger who spent February and March 2013 travelling around Europe. You can follow her trip on Twitter. Ever since visiting Hadrian’s Wall as a child I have been fascinated with the history of the Roman Empire. After watching the BBC series Rome on television, I was excited to find out that the ancient Roman city of Tarraco, or Tarragona as it is called today, is just 11 kilometres up the coast from Salou where I had just made plans to visit as part of a larger trip I was taking round Spain. So I was definitely looking forward to taking a day trip to Tarragona during my stay in Salou.

Taking a Day Trip to Tarragona

The View over Tarragona – Taking a Day Trip to Tarragona – Photo by Ramon Baile

Taking a day trip to Tarragona

While I love the feeling of being able to go wherever the mood takes me on my travels, I do like to plan some parts up front. I worry that otherwise I’d end up spending too much time planning and booking accommodation rather than actually enjoying myself. I chose a hotel called Hotel California Palace, which I thought would be an interesting conversation if anyone asked me which hotel I had stayed at. Plus I know it must be a really common name for a hotel following the Eagles hit song, but shouldn’t everyone spend at least one night in their life at a Hotel California?

All joking aside the price was right and the hotel’s central location close to the railway station meant I could easily pop up to Tarragona for the day and explore the Roman ruins knowing that both Hadrian, whose wall I so admired as a child had along with Augustus had spent time in Rome’s Iberian capital. For the first few days in Salou I just relaxed around the swimming pool working on my tan while enjoying not having to do anything, I had decided to make my day trip to Tarragona on Thursday, as I had heard that was when they had their weekly market, and from past experiences on visiting Spain I found that that was always the day that had more things happening, plus with Tarragona not being touristy like Salou I thought I might be able to pick up something unusual to take back home as a souvenir.

As I already said the railway station was close to the hotel and with frequent commuter trains’ making the 12-minute journey to Tarragona there was not too much planning needed. On arrival in Tarragona I strolled down the wide promenade called the Rambla Nova to the beautiful iron railings that they call “The Balcony of the Mediterranean” which you are supposed to touch for good luck. The view is magnificent overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and the golden sand of Miracle Beach but what makes the view special is that if you look to the left you will see the second-century Roman amphitheatre where up to 15,000 citizens cheered for their favourite gladiator or witnessed the martyrdom of Christians in the third century.

Taking a Day Trip to Tarragona

Taking a Day Trip to Tarragona – Photo by Tchacky

New Roman finds are being discovered all the time in Tarragona as the people that came after the Romans just kept building on top of the foundations the Romans had laid down. Next I went to visit the praetorium (Roman governor’s residence) and the largest circus in the Roman Empire built for chariot races by the Emperor Domitian to make up the forum that you can still follow the route of throughout the city. I was surprised to find that Tarragona was not as touristy as I thought it would be seeing as it was rated Michelins top 3-star award for sightseeing, and also the fact it was a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I found the whole Roman experience absolutely fascinating, and had by now given up the idea of buying a souvenir from the market, as it was mostly fruit and veg along with cheap clothes from China which was not quite what I was looking for so decided to find a nice place for lunch before heading back to Salou. I have since discovered that Tarragona has several market days, and Thursday was the clothing market. I found a great place to eat in the Plaça de la Font which feels as if you are sitting in the heart of the old city called Lola Tapas where I dined on fried calamari with a Russian salad. Along with an excellent glass of the house red before walking back to the station and heading back to Salou. I really enjoyed my day in Tarragona as it is easy to walk around in and you can actually start to imagine what it must have been like in the days of the Roman Empire.

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Top 5 Historical Landmarks of Portugal

Top 5 Historical Landmarks of Portugal

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Portugal is a hive of culture, history, and architecture and is home to fifteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you plan a holiday to Portugal to discover some of its glorious histories, look through our top five Portuguese historical landmarks.

Alcobaça Monastery

This beautiful monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaça is a prime example of early Gothic architecture. The sanctuary is home to the ornate tombs of Ines de Castro and King Pedro I. There is a tragic love story associated with the burials. Ines de Castro was assassinated in 1355, and the king ordered his tomb to be placed next to hers so that he could face the woman he loved on the day of resurrection. They are considered to be the most beautiful medieval tombs in Portugal. There are also living quarters, including a refectory, dormitory, kitchen, and cloisters that have been inhabited by monks for 800 years.

Convent of Christ

The Convent of Christ is a beautiful roman catholic building located in Tomar. It was initially a stronghold for the Order of the Knights Templar. The building houses impressive art and examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance architecture. The walls inside are exquisitely decorated with paintings, carved stone sculptures, and a window depicting symbols and motifs. This site has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983.

Évora

Évora is a Portuguese city home to several historical sights, some over two thousand years old. The Cathedral of Évora is considered one of Portugal’s most important gothic monuments. Moorish palaces and courtyards, a renaissance fountain built-in 1559, and a one-of-a-kind Roman temple have become the city’s most famous landmarks. It is not surprising that Évorahas is classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Belém Tower

Belém Tower was built to be a fortress in 1515 to guard the entrance to Lisbon’s harbor. The tower is constructed from lioz limestone that is local to Lisbon. It is considered one of the prominent examples of the late gothic Manueline style. There is a drawbridge, spaces for cannons, turrets, and arches that have been decorated with images of animals, plants, and royal coats of arms. Inside there are statues, pillars, and gargoyle facets. UNESCO has listed the tower as a World Heritage monument. 



Jerónimos Monastery

Jerónimos Monastery is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries in Portugal and Europe. Located in Lisbon, the monastery has various entrances that have been decorated with carved figures, gables, and pinnacles. There is a 16th Century Portuguese sculpture of Our Lady of Belém in the central doorway, a figure of Prince Henry the Navigator in the center of the monastery, and a statue of King Manuel I. The monastery has been classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

We hope this has inspired you to start planning your trip to Portugal today.

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Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Find out why Sand boarding, Diving and Safaris through the desert are included in the Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar.

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Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Qatar is a country of reinvention. Shimmering towerblocks rise against a desert horizon, and maze-like souks thrive next to 21st-century shopping palaces. It’s also one of the more accessible countries of the Arab Gulf, with a welcoming reputation towards visitors and plenty of attractions to keep them coming. Some of the best holiday activities you’ll find in Qatar are the adventurous kind. And these are the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar.

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Sunset in Qatar – Photo by wj2012

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Diving expeditions

The Gulf Sea is famed for its crystal waters and the exuberant marine life which lurks just beneath the surface. Messaid is a good jumping-off point where you’ll find angelfish and barracuda, while those intrigued by underwater wrecks will love the Hall Island dive site at Al-Sharqi, where bright clownfish circle the abandoned boat.

Sand Adventures

Many of the sports here have been adapted from colder climates, so instead of skiing down a mountain piste, try Khor Al Adaid beach to glide down the impressive dunes on a sand-board. Alternatively, race your blo-kart along the sands of Al Wakrah, south of capital Doha, to experience the thrill of wind-sailing on dry land.

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Sand Boarding – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by ground zero

Al Jassasiya

The ancient carvings of Al Jassasiya lie to the north near Al Shamal, amid a truly remote landscape of village ruins and limestone. Hire a 4×4 of your own and make the journey to see the 900 petroglyphs which riddle the rocks here. The carvings denote flowers, animals, fleets of shows, or traditional Arab boats, and to this day, their origins remain a mystery.

Sunset Cruise

When the time comes for a more relaxed excursion, you can do no better than a sunset cruise onboard a wooden dhow as you drift past the super-modern Doha seafront of Al-Corniche and the old harbor at Al Khor. If you’re still hankering after some adventure, rent a smaller vessel and go for a fishing trip the following day.

Desert Safaris

Much of the inland desert in Qatar remains inaccessible on foot, but fortunately, that’s where a 4×4 comes in very handy for a safari trip you won’t easily forget. There are numerous options available from Doha, including day-long excursions, bumping, and rolling to the inland sea at Khor Al Adaid. Or make the trip at dusk for a spot of star-gazing before you settle in Bedouin-style tents for the night.

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Desert Safari – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by robertpaulyoung

Most activities can be arranged via a tour company. Although cash has been the predominant payment method in Qatar, this is beginning to change, which is good news for tourists since  HSBC offers protection against loss or theft. If you’re planning on taking part in several activities, it can be handy to have some plastic on you to avoid expensive traveler’s cheques, plus credit cards from HSBC and other familiar providers also enable easy access to money at the ATMs. However, it’s wise to exercise caution, using only official bank machines here and sticking with local currency at the market and in smaller shops.

There’s no doubt that Qatar offers some world-class cultural attractions beyond the more energetic highlights, and while you’re in the country, set aside some time for the historic Al Zubarah fort or browse the recreated 19th-century Souk-Waqif, in Doha.

This country has been undervalued in the past but is now coming to the world’s attention. With its desert adventures, ancient sites, and thriving culture, this attention is thoroughly deserved.

This is a travel feature by world traveler, Jose Capelo. He loves exploring the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar and has spent many trips exploring the wild deserts of Qatar.

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Boys will be Boys – Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

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Splurging on chocolate in Quebec City

Barcelona has a lot to offer to the quintessential all-boys travel group for a stag weekend in Barcelona. This sunny Spanish city is known for its gorgeous Mediterranean beaches complemented by turquoise waters. In addition to this, this city offers the ideal environment for an all-male party hotspot, considering its vibrant nightlife, football culture, flamenco dance clubs, tattoo parlors, and its delicious sangrias and tapas.

Paella cooking class Barcelona

Barcelona is a widespread consideration for a quick all-boys getaway during the summer. With a variety of heart-thumping activities that can make your trip a memorable one, make sure you take out time to pursue the following –

  • LTW Tattoo:

    If you are looking for a real adventure that will stick with you all your life, there is no better way to commemorate this epic trip than heading to Barcelona’s best tattoo parlor.

  • Barna Paintball:

    Take on your best buddies in a battle of agility by visiting the Barna Paintball. With four thematic areas to choose from, your experience here can be genuinely adventurous.

  • Bar Crawl Barcelona:

    Considered one of the most famous pub crawls globally and the biggest in Europe, the original Bar Crawl Barcelona is a great way to explore the city in its nocturnal state. You and your buddies can visit four bars and then finish at one of the best clubs in Barcelona. Complete with some of the craziest drinking games, this memorable experience costs all but 15 Euros.

  • FC’s Camp Nou:

    If you are a group of football fans visiting the city, you cannot leave without making a trip to Camp Nou, the city’s football ground. With a ticket for the stadium tour, you will have access to the changing rooms, benches, press rooms, and stands. If you are fortunate enough to have a match coinciding with your travel dates, make sure you book your tickets for the game well in advance.

  • Circuit de Catalunya Racing Track:
    If you and your crew are into racing, consider heading to the Circuit de Catalunya, host to various Formula 1 and Moto GP races. Here, you can get a detailed tour of the briefing room, pits, and podium.
  • Comedy Nights:

    Comedy nights are often an option that everybody loves. Especially as a group of single boys, you may love to attend an event organized by the Giggling Guiri program that consists of English-speaking shows.

  • Al Fresco Drinking on Las Ramblas:

    The heart of tourist activity in Barcelona, Las Ramblas, offers unique casual outdoor ambiances for groups of boys to spend hours finishing pitchers of sangria or chugging down buckets of beer bottles. Vibrant as ever, this street located off the Gothic Quarters is a great place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.

Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

As a group of boys, you can also research options for day trips to beaches outside of Barcelona that offers relaxing and laid-back environments for your holiday. Many options are available in Barcelona for hiring a car to explore this scenic and exciting city with your friends, such as Thrifty Car Rentals. So when you are in Barcelona with your amigos, nothing stops you from having a great time!

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Meet Cole and Adela

Cole and AdelaWe have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...

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