By Clinton Maxwell

The first thing to remember when you visit Barcelona, Spain is your camera. This beautiful city is full of photo opportunities and you can put together wonderful albums to share with friends and relatives, as well as make a wonderful keepsake for yourself. If you are the artsy type, you can make beautiful photo compositions of the sites of Barcelona.

The next thing on your Barcelona list is a good map. Get a map that shows all of the tourist destinations such as museums, art galleries and parks, as well as the cities and towns around Barcelona. There is so much to see that you want to make sure you organize yourself well so that you can see it all. Barcelona’s weather is usually warm, but sometimes it can be too hot or it can be rainy. Plan your sightseeing around the weather, so that you spend the days that are too hot or are rainy indoors at the many museums or art galleries. Get all of your indoor pictures on these days and save outdoor pictures for the sunny days.

Make sure you make time to see all of Barcelona’s wonderful architecture, especially Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia. This is a prime example of the new architecture he introduced, using materials such as iron and glass in unusual ways. This harmony of design can also be seen in some of Gaudi’s other works, such as La Pedrera or the Block of Discord. These works are unusually modern looking for the era. If you don’t have a lot of confidence in your photo-taking abilities, you can just buy post cards, to make sure you have lovely pictures of these beautiful sites. They are sold in news kiosks all over the city. If you are taking pictures of some of Gaudi’s work, make sure you us good film since the colors are so bright and intense. Or use a digital camera that will capture these colors.

On your outdoor picture taking day, be sure to stroll down the lovely Ramblas promenade. It is a veritable paradise of flowers. Parc Guell has many more of Gaudi’s masterpieces, and this is a perfect place to be introduced to the modernistic style of this avant-garde artist. His sculptures, so original and exuberant, are placed throughout the park. Other “must-sees” in this city are the Port area, the Olympic stadium and the Barcelona Football stadium, home of the 2005 champion team the Barca. In addition to Barcelona, the rest of Catalunya has much to offer. Short day trips, either to the coast or inland, can bring you to some interesting places to visit, and there are lovely hotels everywhere. The town of Sitges, for example, which is close to Barcelona, offers wonderful views from high cliffs, or you can just stroll around this medieval village.

Even as you approach Barcelona’s airport, The Prat, you will want to start taking pictures. The Costa Brava seen from the air gives you an overall view. Barcelona not only has great tourist sites and hotels, but also wonderful restaurants to enjoy. Lunchtime is the time for the big meal of the day, and then leisurely dinners are served late at night. Make sure you try the specialty of the Costa Brava, zarzuela. This is a delicious seafood stew made with the local fish. Another specialty that you should try when strolling the streets of the port area at night is “tapas”, light small dishes of all kinds of different foods.

About the Author: Clinton Maxwell writes principally for http://www.barcelona-information.com , a web publication on the topic of Costa Brava . His articles on Barcelona Spain are found on http://www.barcelona-information.com .

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By Clinton Maxwell

No matter what the season, Murcia is always a wonderful place to visit. Like all of the cities along the Costa Blanca, the weather is relatively mild all year round. Special natural blessings help to keep the average temperature of the Costa Blanca around 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 Celsius). These blessings include the warm ocean breezes crossing the Mediterranean from Africa and mountains to the west that protect the area from the cold air of the rest of Europe.

The temperatures drop a little during the winter months, but still stay at a temperate 50 degrees Fahrenheit, 10 Celsius. Warm enough to golf, hike or do many other outdoor activities. A light sweater is all you will need during the day, and a jacket at night when it gets a little cooler.

The fall is one of the most times for Murcia weather. Many tourists are gone, so you can enjoy the sights and attractions without the crowds, but still be comfortable with temperatures in the 75 degree range (24 Celsius). Even the water is kind enough to stay warm so late season vacationers can still swim.

You will decide that there is no bad time to visit Murcia and the Alicante. You can’t ask for more than predictable, consistent weather ranging from 50 degrees in the winter to 75 degrees in the spring.

What do you pack for your trip to Murcia? One thing for sure, don’t leave your bathing suit home.

The sun is almost always out, so you will also want a light cover up for on the beach.

Pack a light jacket for almost any time of year, and then add a few layers if you are traveling in fall or winter.

Don’t forget about the consistent sunshine, it’s a blessing on vacation, but you do have to be careful of your skin. Wear a hat with a brim, as well as sunscreen.

Since there is so much to see and do in Murcia, you will want to have a pair of comfortable walking shoes along on your trip. The city is made for walking and sightseeing, and you can always take your shoes off for those long jaunts along the beach. If you forget any of these items, don’t let it bother you. There are many lovely shops in the downtown area where you can buy your essentials reasonably.

What not to pack? An umbrella! The average rainfall in Murcia is a paltry 3 cm a month. You may get as much as 6 cm in the fall or winter, but just duck into a museum if you hit a rainy day.

About the Author: Concentrating on latest news in Costa Blanca, Clinton Maxwell is publishing for the most part for http://www.alicante-spain.com . His work on Murcia weather are published on his site .

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By Johnathan Bakers

The capital of the Costa Calida is Murcia, Spain located south of Alicate along the Mediterranean Sea. It has been named the “University City.” Over 30,000 students attend its university at any given time, but the city offers much more than just the university. This typical Spanish city blends the past with the modern day and has many points of interest for both tourists and locals. You can best reach the city by the Murcia-San Javier Airport in San Javier, approximately seventeen miles from Murcia. From the airport, you can reach your hotel and the many sights and interests throughout the city by the bus, a taxi or car hire services. There are plenty of accommodations available, but hotels in the area do book quickly during graduations and other university events. It is even more important to make hotel and car hire reservations early if you plan to travel during these times.

There are sights and interests for everyone whether a history buff, an art lover or an outdoor fan. Besides the university itself, there are beautiful cathedrals and churches, museums ad nearby outdoor sports. Along the northern part of the Mar Menor near the airport is a great location for sports such as water skiing, swimming, fishing and sailing. The Cathedral of Murcia is a must-see stop on any sightseeing tour and is known by its landmark tower that can be seen from a distance away. The cathedral’s outside doors are exceptionally crafted, with the main entrance know as the Puetra del Perdon. The north side door called the Portada de das Cadenas and Portada de los Apostoles also allow entrance to the chapel. Once inside the cathedral, you will find beautiful embellishments and wealth of gold adding to its sacredness. You can also enjoy a spectacular view of the city from the top of the tower.

Anyone with an interest in art or history will want to visit the Almudi Art Palace and the Museo de la Ciudad. The Almudi Art Palace was renovated in the mid-1980s and is now the city archives and art center. The art, history and industry of the culture can be found by the many artifacts held at the Museo de la Ciudad. Nearby, there is also an orchard from the Moorish period.

Sightseeing is not the only thing to do in Murcia. There is plenty to do for some good fun such as the Gran Casino Murcia, for example, where you can play slot machines in the beautiful ballroom. Later, you can head to the Spa La Manga Club at the Hyatt Las Lomas Village and Spa for some relaxation and quiet recreation. The spa offers massages, manicures and pedicurs, reflexology, steam rooms and Jacuzzi tubs. There is also a lap pool on the premises with a separate pool for the children.

About the Author: Johnathan Bakers works first and foremost for http://www.alicante-spain.com , an internet site with information about Alicante . His articles on Murcia are found on http://www.alicante-spain.com/murcia.html .

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