Exploring Barcelona: 5 Things Not To Miss When Visiting This City

Every year Barcelona is visited by millions of tourists, coming from all parts of the world. With hundreds of good quality Barcelona holiday apartments  it´s one of the most popular destinations for youngsters, couples and families who all can choose from dozens of attractions in and around Barcelona. Because of the attractions galore in this city I´ve selected five of the best attractions in Barcelona you definitely should not miss when visiting this great city.

La Sagrada Familia

Construction of this unique church began in the late 1880´s and is still continuing at this moment. It is designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, who even is buried in the Sagrada Familia. For only 2.50 Euros you could enter the 300 ft tall towers and enjoy a panoramic view over the city, the mountains and the Mediterranean.

Camp Nou Stadium

Not only for soccer passionates this stadium and its surroundings provide a great day for the whole family. Camp Nou stadium is with its 98,600 seats one of the biggest stadiums in the world and definitely the biggest stadium in Europe. When entering the pitch and hearing the chants played through the speakers you´ll understand why people call FC Barcelona ´més que un club´ (more than a club). Also note the little chapel where the players could say a little prayer before entering the pitch. A real must see!

La Xampanyeria (Can Paixano)

This hidden secret is the place for cava (Spanish champagne) lovers. In here you could order bottles of cava for only 3 Euros each. In La Xampanyeria you could taste the real Catalan atmosphere and therefore this tiny bar is also very popular with Catalans. If you´re considering a visit, avoid the weekend as it can be really crowdy with long queues forming in front of the entrance.

Park Güell

Also designed by Gaudí this futuristic park landscape is some kind of a wallet friendly alternative if compared to the previous attractions as it is totally free. The park is popular with both tourists and city dwellers bringing along wine, food and friends and having a  pick-nick with marvellous views overlooking the city. Make sure you visit Park Güell by bus instead of the metro. This will save you a calve killing uphill ´climb´.

Barceloneta Beach

The Costa Brava is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain. In Barcelona you also could find some great beaches ideal to spend some time at with the kids. About the second half of May temperatures are mostly about 25 degrees Celsius (77º Fahrenheit) or higher which make the beach a perfect option to get yourself some good tan without getting uncomfortably overheated.

This article was written by Thomas Carter, a writer for Apartime provider of vacation rentals Barcelona.

Top 3 reasons Cruising is the Perfect Family Vacation

Cruising is the perfect Family Vacation. Reason #1 No matter the family size there will be an activity for each family member. Don't you agree? Cruise Lines have improve with the years the activities and amenities for every taste and I haven't mentioned any shore excursion yet. From the youngest to the oldest you'll find a complete list of activities that will give you the most of your Family Vacation.

Another Reason (#2) I really like this kind of Family Vacation is because of the fun I had with my kids...at the pool. I have to admit I don't always have the opportunity to "do things WITH them", I'm usually on the "watching over them" mode, especially with my 2 yr old son. Also, having dinner together as a family was awesome. Daily schedules can be very tight this days, and for me it don't allow us being "together", everyone get to eat when they can, specially the youngests.

Having an "adult only" indulgent is almost mission impossible, my husband and I usually have to take turns (who's going to watch the kids you or me, you get the picture). On a cruise, we can have this "adult only" time together, while the kids are enjoying their respective activities, well supervised by the cruise personnel, and most important they are with kids of same age.

One more reason #3 I like a Cruise Family Vacation is because we have the opportunity to visit several countries in a short period of time. What a great experience for children to have the chance to enjoy different cultures, and places they will never forget (even more exciting than History 101). I wish you have this same or even better experience. I can help you plan your next Family Cruise Vacation, you are just a call away.

Leila Reyes

Family Travel Specialist

lrtravel@live.com

817-554-3346

This could be your next Family Vacation!

Is not impossible for you to have this "kind" of vacation.

Disney Cruise you said? That's for Kids...

I have heard this statement more frequent that you can imagine. Disney Cruise it's just for kids...WRONG! When we talk about Family Vacation, we expect that every member get the most of it and have a blast as family and as individuals.

Allow me transport you to one of the newest realities of Disney Cruises...The Disney Dream.  Even the name can give you a hint of what is all about and I know, for sure, once you experienced what's in it, you'll realize it was above and beyond what you have ever dreamed.

On Disney's Dream Cruise you'll find the Adults area called The District.  The District is a section of the ship that caters to adults in the evening, and is home to a variety of distinct lounges and nightclubs, including Evolution, District Lounge, 687, Pink and Skyline. All venues in The District intertwine, with each venue possessing its own totally unique look, sound and feel, providing adults a range of fun options that play to all senses. Here is a brief description of each one:

• 687 is a contemporary sports lounge located on Deck 4, Aft in The District area. During the day, 687 provides family games and activities in a comfortable, casual setting; after 9:00 p.m., the venue transforms into a refuge for adults seeking more grown-up activities and games to enjoy over a beer, wine or mixed drinks.
• Evolution is a trendy dance club and the premier venue for grown-up fun. This glowing, pulsating club plays contemporary hits and classic favorites. During the day, Evolution provides dance classes, bingo, and arts and crafts. At night, Evolution caters to adults only, offering dancing, games, karaoke and a full bar serving mixed drinks.
• District Lounge This bar's cozy modern design conveys a relaxed atmosphere with comfortable, contoured seating that creates a gathering space for adults, as well as the perfect place to kick off the night's entertainment before moving on to explore the other venues in The District. A special feature of the District Lounge is its "halo" lighting overhead that provides a warm ambiance and its ceiling dome that imparts a soft glow and sets the mood, changing in hue and intensity as day gives way to night.
• Pink is a chic cocktail bar.  Inspired by France's finest Champagne, the entire venue makes Guests feel as though they are immersed in a bottle of pink effervescence.  Designed in French Art Nouveau, a style characterized by flowing curvilinear shapes, Pink's decor features back-lit glass "bubbles" inset into the walls to create an effect of cascading Champagne.  Sculpted-glass light fixtures are reminiscent of Champagne flutes. The bar stools appear as if made from sparkling crystal and the detailing along the front of the bar resembles the wire cage surrounding a Champagne bottle top.
• Skyline is a stunning cocktail bar. This ever-changing venue celebrates some of the world's most famous cities. Tall "windows" line a wall that offer Guests a commanding view of some of the world's most beautiful city skylines as if from a vantage atop a high rise. The chic setting is "metropolitan sky bar meets luxury penthouse," complete with digital fireplace. Warm wood and lustrous metal finishes provide a handsome backdrop to the 7 LCD big screens—Skyline's "windows to the world"—that not only depict a different city locale each day, but magically transform from day to night as each day progresses.



All images © Disney | Walt Disney

Imagineering Concept Art.

There is also a place to indulge yourself in Senses Spa & Salon. The ultimate in peaceful retreats, this immaculate setting offers spa treatments, massages, body wraps, facials, aromatherapy and much more. Salon services include manicures, pedicures, hairstyling and blowouts, plus teeth whitening at the Smile Spa, and a barber shop for traditional men's grooming services.

At Disney Dream Cruise you'll also have the access to the Fitness Center which includes: Weight Machines, Spinning Machines, Treadmills, Elliptical, Instructional Classes (Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics)* and Personal Training Sessions*. *Requires a nominal Fee.

Now, that you have pictured with me all this features,  Do you still believe Disney Cruise is for kids? Let me help you customize your next Family Vacation in a Disney Cruise. Contact me via phone or email so we can start planning the Family Vacation you have dreamed for so long.

Leila Reyes

Family Vacation Specialist

lrtravel@live.com

817-554-3346



Knowing the details of your Dreamed Family Vacation...

How do you know me so well? Do I? This is one of the questions I love the most. The secret? Nothing fancy, just handy...especially for a "Mompreneur" Travel Professional and Family Vacation Specialist like me. To simplify the way I can approach to each one of you, at the beginning took me a while. I had the desire to have a CRM (Customer Relationship Manager), but didn't want anything too complicated, actually I was looking for the simplest thing I could find. Then I decided to create a client database with the specific information I need that helps me to get to know your very own needs and desires for a specific Family Vacation.

This database is easy to sort, allowing me to use target information like my client's birthdays or anniversary dates. This has helped me to get to know what my clients like, what they dislike, what they wish or dream to do, have or receive. At the end of the day, I have not just earned a new client, but a special friend, because I have offered them (and you) a personalized service and most of all a trustful one.

To be part of my special client database is simple, just give me a call or email me, so we can plan together your next worthy and unforgettable Family Vacation.

Leila Reyes

Family Vacation Specialist
ltravel@live.com
817-554-3346