Travel Lightbulb

When I first saw the photo below, it reminded me of the scenery in the film Jurassic Park. I thought it was taken on a remote island somewhere....but it's not.....and you may not believe me, but this stunning photo was taken in Spain! 2018 marks the centenary of the official opening of the Picos de Europa national park. That makes it one of the oldest parks in Europe. It's accessible not only by flights to Bilbao, but also via ferries which dock in Santander. If you love the outdoors, then make plans to visit the Picos this year. The limestone peaks stretch over 250 square miles, and are the perfect place for those looking for a big of adventure. As well as canyoning you can go mountain biking; and do one of the best day hikes in Europe. The Cares river route is one of the most breathtaking trekking trails that can be done in Europe, and follows the course of a hydroelectric pipeline through some of the most dramatic scenery you could imagine. The journey is just over ...

Today I'm flashing back to one of my favourite places in Europe. La Fresnada is a little village in the heart of Spain's Matarraña region, and the best place to stay is in the stunning 17th century converted convent, El Convent.  If you want to get away from it all, then the location of this convent is just perfect - it has a pool if you do just want to chill out, but you can also hire bikes from the hotel to discover the beautiful nearby towns. I can't recommend this place highly enough, so to read my original post, and find out more about the convent - click here .

If you've never been to Seville, then what are you waiting for? You simply have to go! It's one of the most vibrant cities in the world, with so much to do you could easily spend two weeks there and not see everything. To help you plan any potential trip, I compiled a list of the top 3 things I like to do in the city.  That's where I'm flashing back to today, so if you want to read my original post, then please click  here.

Sometimes you just want to get away from it all - and where better to do that than at a place called the "Chillout Hotel"! Their website calls it 'an oasis of peace and relaxation', and it's certainly that. It's situated just 8km from the town of Tarifa towards Cadiz, on Costa de la Luz on the southern coast of Spain. The area is known as one of the world's most popular destinations for wind sports, because of the unique wind conditions in this area.  The hotel is set in beautiful gardens, and is only a five minute walk from Casas de Porro beach. There are plenty of places you can relax and enjoy the surroundings, but my favourite is the beautiful Balinese-style terrace.  The hotel prices are very competitive for what you get, and breakfast is included in the price. While the rooms are functional they have everything you need including air conditioning. The bar and restaurant are both good value, and a top tip for you...the mojitos are i...

Barcelona - one of the most vibrant cities in the world, and the one place I never seem to be able to visit and squeeze in everything I want to do! The skyline is ever changing, and the tapas seems to get better every trip! I found a great little place to stay in the city, so if you want a suggestion, then just click here to read my suggestion for a beautiful  Bolt-hole in Barcelona .

If you're ever in Jerez de la Frontera, then you must take time to visit the Alcázar. As soon as you walk through the arches below, you feel like the former Moorish fortress has transported you back in time! The Alcázar is right in the centre of town, and it's a lovely peaceful place to spend some time, with beautiful gardens to wander around during your visit. One of my favourite parts of the visit was the municipal pharmacy on the 2nd floor, which still has lots of equipment, jars and containers from the 19th century, as you might be able to see from the photo below. The views over the city are also beautiful, and it's worth going just to take some shots from the octagonal tower - it's worth climbing the steps, even in the summer heat! This was the last thing we did on our visit to Jerez, and we could have spent a lot more time here, as there was also an art exhibition to look at too - you might want to do it early in your visit, as the v...

The city of Cáceres is a beautiful place. It lies in the Extremadura region of western central Spain, and the old town is protected by UNESCO. Its narrow cobbled streets twist and climb among ancient stone walls, and huge stork's nests. You feel like you're stepping back in time here. The city's history of battles between Moors and Christians is reflected in its architecture which is a real eclectic mix. It's a beautiful place, and the Parador is unbeatable in terms of where to stay. Off the beaten track, and stunning - a real Travel Lightbulb favourite.

If you find yourself in Jerez de la Frontera, then you must visit Abaceria Cruz Vieja. It's a tapas bar located in an old grocery store, and in my opinion, it's one of the best in Jerez. It's beautifully decorated, and the atmosphere is great. It is excellent value for money, and the friendly waiters couldn't have been nicer. We sampled various tapas dishes, and even ate breakfast here one morning - the 'pan con tomate' (toasted bread and tomatoes - a classic Catalan tapa) was delicious. At night, we thoroughly enjoyed the delicious jamon with a glass of sherry.  Having visited a couple of times on our time in Jerez (we became regulars during our three day stay!) we went for a quick drink before the wedding we were going to, and were given a sherry on the house - nice to know you can make friends that quickly in your new 'local'! If you miss it, you'll miss out, so if you're planning on a trip to Jerez, and want ...

Today we're returning to Spain, and a fabulous place called Guadix. I came across this cathedral town on a road trip, so it's well off the beaten path in the province of Granada. The scenery in this part of Andalucia is simply stunning, with the Sierra Nevada in the distance, it's just breathtaking. If you plan to stay in this region, then you have to experience the cave district, or 'Barrio Troglodyte' as it's signposted. People live in the caves to escape the summer heat waves, but it's a great experience for us travellers too! If you'd like to read more about the cave hotel I stayed in in Guadix then click back to read my original post  here!

Majorca - a stunning island, the largest in the Balearic archipelago, and something to suit all tastes. If small, stunning villages is what you're looking for - try Deiá.  This picturesque village on the West coast of Majorca has become a millionaires' hideaway. English poet Robert Graves moved here in 1932 with his mistress, and it shouldn't be missed if you're on the island. There's also a beautiful beach nearby - read more about it here:  A piece of heaven in Majorca .

Have you ever stopped somewhere when you're driving, and been surprised at just how nice a place is when you don't have very high expectations of what you're going to see? That happened to me when I decided to stop for lunch in Isla Cristina, which is situated in the province of Huelva.  It is one of the most important fishing ports in the province, and is also a popular summer holiday resort, and I loved it! I had a wander down by the port and the small beaches, which were packed with Spaniards on their holidays, but it was the town itself that I found beautiful.  It was the height of summer, and the intense midday sun was beating down, so I decided to wander through the little winding streets walking from side to side to grab a bit of shade! The good thing was that everyone else seemed to be having a siesta, so the streets were deserted! I came across beautiful buildings, and even the doors were stunning, and I couldn't resist taking my ca...

At first glance, you could be forgiven for thinking the structure I'm featuring today is a roller-coaster.....but it's not! It is, in fact, a wooden structure called Metropol Parasol in the old quarter of Seville. It has totally revitalised the Plaza de la Encarnación, and contains a market, shops, and a podium for concerts and events. The parasol (locally nick-named 'The Mushroom' because of its shape) was completed in 2011, and is said to be the largest wooden structure in the world, and the world's biggest building to be held together by glue - quite a scary thought when you're at the top! Speaking of the top, the views from the upper level are sensational and well worth the €1.60 fee to get there. You can see right across the whole of Seville, and beyond, and there are signs to tell you about the many interesting buildings that you can see along the way. The market is worth a wander, and below ground there are impressive Roman ru...

I love featuring small hotels on Travel Lightbulb, and today's pick is a stunner. Hotel Iturregi is located in Getaria, which is a beautiful village in the Basque Country. Many guests drive down from San Sebastian (about a 30 minute drive) and France, while the hotel is just two hours from Bilbao. Not only is it surrounded by vineyards, but it also has spectacular views of the coast and the village's lighthouse. The hotel opened in 2007, and there are just eight rooms on two floors. They're bright; spacious, and each one is uniquely decorated. There is also a stunning pool built as you can see from the photo above. This is a fabulous place in which to relax, but there is also plenty to do in the local area. Surfing, Sailing, cycling and trekking are all available nearby. The village of Getaria is a working town with a small fishing port, but it's also a small beach resort with restaurants that specialise in barbecued fish. Peaceful, stylish and friendly...

Coming up in the new year on my blog, I'm going to be featuring the most wonderful place to have lunch on the island of Majorca. Today, I thought I'd give you a sneaky peak at what's to come. This photo was taken as I was finishing lunch, and as you can see the views from the restaurant are amazing.  Sometimes all you need to be perfectly happy when you're on your travels is a cool glass of wine, and a stunning view like this! If you have a photo you'd like to donate, then please get in touch via the address on my contact page. All I need is a couple of sentences about the photo, and the pic itself. I'd love to see your own travel shots! In the meantime, have a great weekend - cheers!

If you ever find yourself on holiday in Majorca, then there is one thing you must not miss. There is a train which takes you between Palma and Sóller and it is absolutely stunning - as you can see from the photo below.  Since 1912, a daily service has been running on narrow tracks along this route which is just over twenty seven kilometres long. As well as the beautiful, traditional train, the highlight of the journey is the stunning scenery along the way. As you climb out of Sóller, you cross bridges, and viaducts, and get great views over the town - have your camera at the ready. It them plunges down to the plain through tunnels and gorges through the valleys of orange groves. If you have ever wanted to travel back in time, then take this lovely forty minute journey. It is breathtakingly beautiful, and it's also practical if you want to take a day trip to either Palma or Soller. If you want more information, or timetables click here .

When Condé Naste Traveller and Tatler both feature a place in their lists of the world's best hotels for 2011, you have a feeling it's going to be worth checking out - it seems they've got it right! The Giri Residence is in the rural north side of Ibiza, just thirty minutes drive from the airport on the outskirts of the village of San Juan. Ibiza is the third largest of the Balearic Islands, and lies just 79km off the coast of Valencia. It is well known for summer club parties which attract a large numbers of tourists; but the northern side of the island is beautiful; much quieter, and deserves to be discovered. The website describes this getaway as 'tradition meets fashion at this intimate and hip home away from home', and I couldn't have put it better myself. There are just five unique suites at this hideaway, which is a 150-year old finca. The former farmhouse has been superbly restored, and decorated with outstanding interior design.  The suites...

Sometimes you stumble on a piece of perfection by accident, and that's exactly what happened when I found today's featured accommodation. On a driving holiday through Europe I planned some of my stops, but left others to chance. I had pre-booked 'El Convent 1613', partly because it looked so special, and also because I didn't want to miss out on a room in such a remote location. The beautiful hotel is based in a small town called La Fresnada, which has been declared an artistic historic heritage site. It is in a remote location (Zaragoza, the closest city is 90 minutes, and 120km away) with hardly any other tourists in this region, that is part of what makes it so special - it's as if no one else knows about it! Just over a decade ago, the family decided to turn their house (previously an old convent) into a small hotel with just twelve rooms. Photos do not do this place justice, and the central patio (see photo below) is a mixture of ancient and modern...

Since the 1950's San Sebastián, in the Basque country of Northern Spain, has been home to an International Film Festival. The Astoria 7 is located in a former cinema (San Sebastián's first multiscreen), and has been rebuilt to house the seaside city's first contemporary styled hotel. Photo courtesy of Astoria 7  Each of the 102 rooms is individually dedicated to actors, directors or personalities who have attended the Film Festival since it began in 1953. There are enormous posters of the stars of stage and screen above each headboard, adding to the unique 1950s-style modernist rooms, which are clean and crisply designed. It could have been kitsch, but it's very tastefully done. Photo courtesy of Astoria 7 There is a library on the ground floor with books in all languages, and some cool books on San Sebasti á n itself. There are also seated areas with desks in which to use the free Wi-Fi. There is also a fitness room; restaurant, and snack bar which feat...

Seville is a stunning city, and it's no surprise that it attracts more than 1.8 million visitors every year. What is amazing is that despite those numbers, I rarely read about it - but that's maybe a good thing for people like me who blog about the best, and relatively unknown finds on their travels. I have already discovered the amazing things this city has to offer, and have compiled a list of places you should not miss when in Seville.  It's well worth doing the hour long river cruise of the city, if only to see the nine amazing bridges that cross the river. It takes you past many of the main sights in Seville starting with the Torre Del Oro, and taking in the Maestranza bullring (the tour of this is also worth taking whether you like bullfighting or not - very interesting). You get tickets and catch the boat from just beside Torre Del Oro. The cruises run from 11am to 11pm, and leave every 30 minutes. If you want to see Flamenco dancing live, and don'...