Barcelona
Barcelona has always been a prosperous city , thanks to an exquisite harbor, fertile soil, and a population of hard working, caring citizens. This great city was a strong, incredibly diverse region when Madrid was still a fledgling town with basically no landmarks or significance. The numerous Mediterranean empires that had at one time or another conquered the area brought tremendous influences, much more so than the Iberian presence to the west. Barcelona was most influenced by Rome, Carthage, and France during the Charlemagne era.
The monuments of Barcelona open a book into the rich history of the area. These include the intricate and beautiful Gothic Quarter from the medieval times, the series of Catalan art nouveau, and the surreal artwork of Picasso and Miro. But if you are searching for a little excitement and outdoor fun to mix in with your education and culture, look no further than Barcelona.
In 1992, Barcelona was given a huge boost by serving as home to the Summer Olympic Games. This race to the 21st century was quite beneficial to Barcelona and the neighboring areas, and the restructuring program that became everyone's focus was given the name Post Olympic. As a result of all of this hard work and dedication, Barcelona has recently developed into one of the premier port cities in all of Europe. There are so many fascinating sights and wonderful events; you will be awed by your choices and so much to do. Extraordinary museums and landmarks can be found everywhere in this ancient city with a rich heritage and culture. The Museu Picasso is one of the greatest art exhibits anywhere, and through the center of the old quarter of Barcelona is the gorgeous tree-lined promenade, a visual splendor. The nightlife is truly something, and the shopping is fantastic.
Las Palmas, Canary Islands
Located on the circular island of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas is one of three distinct areas that exist in this region. Las Palmas is the capital, and is home to 370,000 inhabitants. It is a shipping port and a thriving, fast-paced business center. The south coast is completely different, with glorious white-sand beaches that stretch for miles. Next is the interior of the island, which is rural and fairly plain.
Las Palmas is the largest and most active city in all of the Canary Islands. A multicultural and diverse region, tourists, sailors, shoppers, and heavy traffic make it an incredibly bustling port city. The city is lined on one side with docks that house huge container ships. On the other side, four-and-a-half mile long Canteras Beach stretches down the shore. Las Palmas connects two waterfronts of the Gran Canaria Peninsula that stretches for six miles. The northern end of the peninsula is the portion that sees the most action. However, the southern end is where the majority of noteworthy and interesting sights are located. The Plaza Santa Ana is a great place to start your tour of Las Palmas. The bronze dog statues in the plaza are intriguing, and have an interesting history. Ancient explorers found a rare breed of dog on the Grand Canaria Island, and they named the island after these dogs, not after the yellow songbird, as one might presume. This particular breed of mutt is named Canum in Latin, hence the name Canary. Years later, however, the aforementioned birds were, in fact, named after the island.
There is a surprising amount of fantastic nightlife and dining facilities on the island, mostly located in Las Palmas, and you will not be disappointed with the great selection of restaurants, discos, and hot night spots. The fabulous sights and nature areas on Las Palmas are complemented by the wide array of activities available once the sun sets.
Barbados
Barbados is a gorgeous tropical paradise set far away from
most other Caribbean islands. It is nearly 1000 miles east of the Netherlands
Antilles chain. In 1536, during a quest for fresh water, the Portuguese
"discovered" Barbados. They gave the island its current name, which
translates to "the bearded ones." This name was derived from their
observation of local fig trees that have roots resembling thick beards. Despite
the Spanish name, there is virtually no Spanish influence that remains. The
British landed a century later, and ruled the island until 1966. It was at that
time when Barbados claimed its independence. The English culture, however, is
alive and well, and this can be observed by the sport of choice on Barbados.
Cricket is the featured game, and, in per capita terms, there are more Barbados
born world-class cricket players than any other country in the world.
The capital, Bridgetown, is a marvelous city full of bustling
activity and breathtaking surroundings. The island itself is 21 miles long and
14 miles wide. Barbados is quite flat, and the highest point is Mount Hillaby at
1,115 feet. Sugarcane is the crop that has sustained Barbados for decades. The
valleys and hills are blanketed by acres of this sweet plant. The people in the
city of Bridgetown are especially friendly and hospitable, and they had better
be, because tourism is the island's most profitable industry. Unlike some of
the other Caribbean islands, the government of Barbados is stable and the
business community sophisticated. The population is 260,000, and a great number
of them live in or around Bridgetown. The perimeter of Barbados is gorgeous
white-sand beach, and the interior is comprised of exquisite rolling hills and
flat grasslands.
All of the facilities on Barbados, and particularly in
Bridgetown, are fabulous. The city of Bridgetown and all of the luxurious west
coast has been named the Platinum Coast by British vacationers. Fine dining,
scuba diving, sea excursions, and festivals are only the beginning of the
fabulous activities of Barbados. Museums and archaeological sights highlight the
rich heritage of the island, and so many of the locations combine education and
entertainment. The miles of exquisite beach offer every water sport imaginable,
and Barbados has a terrifically active nightlife. A combination of European and
strictly Caribbean influences create a diverse and fascinating ambiance
everywhere you go.
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