Travellers can be divided in two types: those who enjoy staying in cities and seeing all of its museums, monuments and architecture and those who enjoy nature, the countryside, small towns with plenty of charm. Well, if you’re one of the latter, don’t be put off staying in Madrid because, as you know, Madrid is located right in the centre of Spain, and it’s close to many little towns and places of high historical interest that also embody the true and authentic Spanish culture. Here are some of the places you can visit while you’re staying in Madrid apartments:

30 miles south of Madrid we come across the town of Aranjuez. Here, in the 16th century, King Felipe II of Spain established a royal residency and ordered for a royal palace to be built there to the architects Juan Bautista de Toledo and Juan Herrera. This royal palace, the Palacio Real, is today one of Spain’s most important historical landmarks and it’s a National Heritage Site. Visiting the palace and its gardens is a must since you can see how the history of Spain unfolded with the different kings who lived there throughout the centuries.

If history is your thing but you also enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine, you cannot miss out on a trip to Segovia, a town 60 miles north of Madrid. Segovia is famous for its huge Roman aqueduct, right in the town centre, and its impressive castle, the Alcázar, built between the 12th and 16th century which was also a royal residence. But now, the good part. Roast suckling pig, cochinillo, is Segovia’s most famous dish and there’s no better place to eat it at than at Mesón Candido, right underneath the aqueduct. Absolutely delicious!

There is no bigger Spanish literature figure than Miguel de Cervantes, who was from a beautiful medieval little town some 20 miles east of Madrid called Alcalá de Henares, which is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Walk around the streets that Cervantes used to, visit the house where he was born and eat in some of the most delicious tapas restaurants in the area. Because of its Roman origins, here you can find a mixture of history from ancient times until today. Also, don’t miss the Corral de Comedias, one of Spain and Europe’s oldest and most famous open air theatres.

Toledo is also a town you cannot miss out on. 50 miles south of Madrid, the medieval capital of Spain has a mix of Christian, Moor and Jewish influences in its architecture, with beautiful churches, synagogues and mosques. You can also visit the Alcázar, a fortress located on the highest part of the town which is one of Toledo’s main landmarks. You can also visit the house museum of the painter El Greco or buy as a souvenir a traditional knife or blade, since Toledo was traditionally a metal town. Also, don’t miss out on eating in a typical mesón, the food in Toledo is amazing!

All these places are easy and quick to get to by train so visit www.renfe.es for details.

Don’t be put off by the size of the Spanish capital and rent apartments in Madrid. From here, you can enjoy some beautiful day trips out into Spain that will really make your holiday a unique and alternative one.

Barcelona is famous for many things, among them art. Everybody knows Antoni Gaudí and his Sagrada Família, but there are other beautiful architectonic buildings by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, contemporary to Gaudí, that belong to Catalan Modernism and are just as important. Here are a few.

Catalan modernism is an art current that formed in the late 19th century, around about 1885, and that lasted some 30 years. This was the response to a call by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, who wanted a “national architecture” type and he described the outlines of what it should be like. He immediately got the support of other Catalan architects of the time. These outlines wanted to completely distance themselves from neoclassicism, the style that predominated their time, at create something completely new and original. One could say that this was the Catalan version of art nouveau, an art current that emerged at the same time, but who didn’t enter the field of architecture.

It became famous around the world thanks to the work of one man especially: Antoni Gaudí. This Catalan genius, born in the city of Reus, some 75 miles south of Barcelona. He, of course, designed the world-famous Sagrada Família cathedral, which we can all picture in our heads, and also Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera. He also designed all the buildings and sculptures at Parc Güell and the Casa Batlló, which some would say is more beautiful than La Pedrera. He based his ideas on nature, giving them shapes of natural things such as flowers and plants. But we’re not here to talk about Gaudí, we know everything about him from the last time we rented Barcelona apartments. This article is about the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, perhaps not as famous but definitely still just as important.

Hospital de Sant Pau

Lluís Domenech i Montaner had an architectural style characterized by its eclecticism and its curves, as well as his inspiration in Arabic style buildings, such as the Castell dels tres dragons (Three dragons castle) at the Parc de la Ciutadella, which was built for the 1888 Universal Exhibition. Another of his masterpieces is the Hospital de Sant Pau, a hospital that still functions in Barcelona that has an impressive façade and interior decorations, along with its majestic staircase, hall, and stained glass. A true work of art that was named World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.

Just as important as the hospital is the Palau de la Música Catalana. Its outside part is impressive with its sculptures and lines, but it’s nothing compared to the inside. The lobby has beautiful columns with mosaics and beautiful lines and structures, but the main part of this building is the inside, the stage, the concert hall. Words don’t do it justice so the best thing is for you to go and see it. It was also declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.

Montaner was just one of the architects who starred in Catalan modernism, along with Gaudí and Josep Puig i Cadafalch, who are considered the three main architects of this artistic movement. Catalonia is a small region, some would say a country, of only 7 million people, and yet it’s one of the most famous parts of the world along with its capital, Barcelona. A lot of this fame is down in no small part thanks to these three men.

Rent apartments in Barcelona and immerse yourself in the beauty of Catalan culture with its art and architecture.

When we think of the Spanish Mediterranean coast, we immediately think of Barcelona, a city in the northeast of Spain that attracts millions of tourists every year. But, if you’re not a huge fan of big touristy crowds, there’s an excellent alternative that, in all honesty, has so much to offer that alternative doesn’t do it justice.

That city is Valencia, a city three hours down the coast from Barcelona that has, in recent decades, renovated itself so much that it now just doesn’t rely on tradition and authenticity but also on modern infrastructures and events that attract many visitors who rent apartments in Valencia all year long. The city that was famous for paella, one of Spain’s most famous dishes, is now famous for many other reasons that I will tell you now.

The Ciutat de les Ciències i les Arts: Translated as the City of Arts and Sciences, this is a completely new and modern complex that encompasses many buildings, each of which carries out a different function. The Oceanogràfic is the largest oceanographic park in Europe. It’s an open air park and it has the shape of a water lily; The Príncipe Felipe Science Museum is a scientific interactive museum in the shape of a whale skeleton; The Hemisfèric is a giant construction which resembles an eye that is in fact an Imax cinema and a planetarium; The Agora is a covered arena where sporting and artistic events take place; and, finally, the Pont de l’Assut de l’Or, a bridge that has a pole that’s over 400ft high which is the highest point in the city. Anyone who visits the city of Valencia has an obliged visit here, because this is one of Europe’s most modern cultural complexes.

The IVAM is Valencia’s Modern Art Institute, a contemporary art museum that has been open since 1989. It is the first of its kind, since it was the first modern art museum that opened in Spain. It holds many important exhibitions by famous contemporary artists every year and it’s definitely a place to go if modern art is your thing.

It has two buildings, the Julio González Centre, which holds permanent exhibitions and some temporary ones, and the Sala de la Muralla, a space in the basement of the former that holds photography and drawing exhibitions. So as far as art goes, Valencia has one of Spain’s and Europe’s most important centres.

The Formula 1 European Grand Prix takes place in the city of Valencia, in the Valencia Street Circuit. This circuit is an urban one that’s semi permanent and that dresses up for the occasion every summer, when the Formula 1 circus comes into town. This is a perfect chance to witness a thrilling race and see the best drivers in the world, such as Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. The race was first held here in 2008 and it always provides a highly entertaining affair, with its unforgiving walls always sparking up a surprise or two.

Make sure you rent Valencia apartments in time so that you don’t miss out on any of these events that will make your stay in Valencia an unforgettable one.

Lisbon’ s typical: trams, cream pastries, Gubelkian Foundation, Convento do Jeronimos,  Belém tower, Fado music,….Been there, done that?

You can then either stay in your Lisbon apartments or keep on strolling around the city and discover some of the city’s best kept secrets, walking through Alfama and Chiado quarters, stop in their charming cafés, or jump on the first tram and get off at random stations. Are you looking for an alterative activity or would you prefer something more cultural?

Try to go to Pavilhão de Segurança (security pavilion) in Rua Dr. Almeida Amaral, 1 a former 19^th century circular (panopticon) hospital’s prison that now houses an art gallery with pieces created by mentally ill patients. Beside the Gubelkian, Lisbon can boast with other valuable museums. One of them is the Berardo Museum, in Praça do Império, opened in 2007 with works by Picasso, Dali, Duchamp, Magritte, Miró, Warhol, Bacon, Jackson Pollock, Jeff Koons, among others.

You are not a museum type and even the cafés don’t appeal that much to you? What about a relaxing walk in a park? The most renowned and biggest park in Lisbon is The Parque Eduardo VII (26 hectares) where the Annual Lisboa Book Fair takes place.

The Botanical Garden Jardim Botânico as well is worth the visit.

As a capital Lisbon hosts also heaps of events you could attend during your stay here.

No matter what you are interested in you will find yours. Next 14^th February for example the Simple Minds will perform a concert here, while in June the Parque da Bela Vista will host the Rock in Rio festival.

Want to see the Lisbon surroundings, but don’t want to leave your apartments in Lisbon?

There are some worthy 1 day trips you can do from the Portuguese capital. Sintra and Cascais are the most popular. You can easily reach picturesque Sintra by train. Its old town is an UNESCO heritage site. Cascais is a coastal resort town, only 30km from Lisbon.

Now you can’t say that Lisbon doesn’t offer much beyond the must see attractions. You only need to choose the one that suits you best.

With a broad range of interests that go from history to quite recently botanical gardens Neva would prefer to spend her days in the trendiest cafes reading and writing with pencil and paper, she blogs for living, takes pictures when inspired and travels whenever she can.

Fat Ass Pizza in Berlin

This post might stir up a little bit of controversy for two reasons: For one, as America prides itself as being the nation of many origins and New York City stand for this idea more than any other U.S. city, it is hard to really point out true and typical food from New York. And secondly if you are travelling in Europe with so many different experiences for your taste buds at hand, why on earth would you be missing New York style food.

Maybe it is for the plain and simple fact that you always want what you can’t have. However, this is not entirely true anymore. You don’t have to stay in New York apartments to enjoy a New York style bagel, for example. And I promise that you don’t have to go to the big American franchises that made their way overseas. Here are some places to go to in Europe to get your New York fix:

Be My Bagel , Barcelona, C/ Planeta, 37, Barcelona: Though I actually am from Europe I have grown to like bagels a lot during my time in the US and I came to find that it can be difficult to find decent bagels. I found a great place for a great bagel and great homemade ice tea in Barcelona. It is one of my greatest joys to sit in the sun at Plaça del Sol eating a poppy bagel with cream cheese. By the way Gracia, the part of Barcelona where this bagel shop opened, is a great neighborhood to sit down outside for a drink.

Fat Ass Pizza, Oderberger Straße 23, Berlin: I hope the name of the business won’t offend anyone. The mission of Fat Ass Pizza is to deliver NY’s favorite pizza to people in Berlin. The perfect slice of a NY pie doesn’t need many ingredients, but it has to be really big, thin and foldable. In typical manner you can buy pizza by the slice or order a whole pie that will be plenty to eat for 3 or 4 people.

Coffee Parisien, 4 Rue Princesse, 75006 Paris: Unlike what the name of this place may suggest this café is very popular for its American style food. The diner serves burgers, rips and American beverages such as Dr Pepper and root beer. If you have eaten cheesecake in Europe you will have noticed that it is quite different from the New York style cheesecake. Coffee Parisien is a great place to order a slice of New York style cheesecake.

Truth be told, I have always wanted to come back to Europe and I will always prefer the lifestyle, but I would love to rent of the apartments in New York and live there for a little while. There is no place like the Big Apple.

Maike accidentally on purpose stumbled into writing. She is the daughter of a German father and a Filipino mother; she grew up in Germany, lived in the US, Denmark and currently resides in Barcelona. To see more of her writing follow her on Twitter @antsinmypants15

Lobby at Nu Hotel in Brooklyn

Finding an inexpensive New York accommodation can be quite a challenge, especially if you’re looking only in Manhattan. Brooklyn, on the other hand, will provide you with a different experience of the city, – it’s a lot more alternative and residential than Times Square, that’s for sure- It can also be a lot less expensive. Here are several budget hotels for you to consider on your next stay in Brooklyn. For even more options, check out these cheap NYC hotels.

Hotel Le Jolie (235 Meeker Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211): Williamsburg is THE place to be in Brooklyn right now. When staying at the Hotel Le Jolie, conveniently situated near the East River and Williamsburg Bridge, you can take advantage of the unique restaurants, bars and shops in the area. The hotel has 54 rooms, free WiFi and Internet access, free in-room coffee and tea, and laundry service is also available. Moreover, guests enjoy swift access to the Williamsburg Bridge into Manhattan’s Lower East Side, as well as the L and G subway lines. It’s no surprise guests have ranked it the #1 Brooklyn Hotel on TripAdvisor.com.

Nu Hotel (85 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201): Recently opened in July 2008, the Nu Hotel offers a smart, clean, fresh design along with expert service. Located near Carroll Gardens, the hotel has 93 loft-style rooms with free WiFi access and free continental breakfast. Additional hotel amenities include a fitness center, valet parking, light tapas menu in the evening, and an on-site bar. The minimalist, loft-inspired rooms include custom furnishings crafted from recycled teak wood, cork floors, environmentally conscious woods, lead-free paints, and organic bedding. “Simply put, NU is all about you,” the slogan says.

The Sofia Inn (288 Park Place, Brooklyn, NY, 11238): At first sight, it might be hard to find this hotel; it is located on an unassuming, leafy street just a few blocks north of Prospect Park. Here, you will have the choice of the garden-level apartment or one of the two guest rooms. While the former is a two-bedroom space with a living room, kitchen, private bathroom and a separate entrance, the latter share a common bathroom on the upper level. The decoration of the rooms is simple and strongly favors wooden furniture stained in rich, earthy hues. It’s a two-block distance to four subway lines, all of them only 20 minutes from Manhattan.

Union Street Bed & Breakfast (405 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231): Built in 1898, this Victorian brownstone offers a furnished one bedroom garden level apartment for rent. The apartment is great for an individual or for couples, who can enjoy the following amenities: queen sized bed and comfortable fold away twin in bedroom, very comfortable sofa/full bed convertible, (sleeps two) in living room, spacious private bath with claw leg tub and French head shower, 26 inch flat screen TV with cable including HBO, air conditioning, complete kitchen with most appointments including cuisinart food processor, convection oven, microwave oven. The flat is conveniently located in the center of Carroll Gardens, less than a block from Smith Street’s restaurant row. It’s also right around the corner from the F and G subway lines at Carroll Street Station.

New York Loft Hostel (249 Varet Street, Brooklyn, NY 11206): This hostel is located in a fully renovated 1913 loft building in Williamsburg house, located very near the L train, so that you can get straight from Morgan Avenue to 14th Street in Manhattan in 15 minutes. The hostel comes with a gourmet kitchen and garden, and soon, they will also be adding a terrace with a jacuzzi, as well as a bar with live music. As a guest, you can moreover take advantage of the partner gym to stay in shape. “Our goal is to become the first 5 star hostel in the world and we are pleased to say we are well on our way,” writes Juan A. Figueroa on the website. And it really does appear they are well on their way.

Christmas in Beijing, China

Christmas in Toronto, Canada

Christmas Market in Prague, Czech Republic

Rome in Christmas

Images courtesy of Wikimedia Creative Commons, except Brooklyn, which is courtesy of me. 

Here are some images of Christmas around the world. Check back tomorrow for even more shots from holiday season celebrations near and far.

Also feel free to share your favorite travel destination that you love to visit for Christmas! Or provide a link with some images of where you’re celebrating the holidays this season!

Christmas in Paris, France

Christmas in Madrid, Spain

Christmas in Lisbon, Portugal

Christmas in Mexico City, Mexico

Christmas in New York City

Images courtesy of Wikimedia Creative Commons, except NYC, which is courtesy of me. While cheap holidays are tough to come by, I hope you can at least have a happy and healthy one. All the best in 2012!

Room at the Hotel Williamsburg

All the way up until the late 19^th century, the area of Brooklyn was considered a separate city. Now, it is a borough of the Big Apple, slowly merging with the commercial and financial centers near Wall Street and Lower Manhattan. Nevertheless, Brooklyn retains a distinct feel, especially since the renaissance it has experience since the end of the 20^th century. Brooklyn is hipper than ever. On your next visit, see for yourself by staying at one of the following luxurious hotels. (To find even more spectacular hotels in Brooklyn, check out Luxury-Hotels.com.)

Aloft Brooklyn (216 Duffield Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201): As part of the Starwood Hotels chain, Aloft Brooklyn is guaranteed luxury. The establishment is located near the beach in central Brooklyn, close to the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Battery Park and Brooklyn Bridge. The three-star property comes with 176 air-conditioned guestrooms featuring iPod docking stations and laptop-compatible safes. While balconies offer city views, beds come with signature bedding as well as Egyptian cotton linens. You can also kick back and relax in the ergonomic chairs, or in the bathrooms that feature rainfall showerheads. The hotel also has a restaurant, snack bar, café, lounge bar, fitness facility, 24-hour business center, meeting rooms, and free wi-fi in public areas. Basically, everything you might need and a smoke free environment, too. 

Pointe Plaza Hotel (2 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211): Situated in a historic Brooklyn neighborhood just across the East River from lower Manhattan, the Pointe Plaza has excellent subway connections to Manhattan. You’re also close to the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and Williamsburg Bridge –  not to mention the Brooklyn waterfront, which is especially worth a visit in the summer. Some of the rooms are full suites including a bedroom and bath, living room, kitchen with fridge and cookstove. Quite a number of the rooms have Manhattan skyline views, and several have connecting doors to single rooms with baths to sleep larger families. A number of our suites feature Manhattan skyline views, and several have connecting doors to single rooms with bath to accommodate larger families. Every bedroom boasts two Simmons Beautyrest® queen beds, comfort pillows and duvets. 

Hotel Williamsburg (160 North 12^th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211): Locals know it as the bar to go to. Travelers, in turn, can stay the night at this establishment. The Hotel Williamsburg, located right of McCarren Park, has a hip decir, with a record player in almost all of the rooms as well as plenty of “Made in Brooklyn” goodies. You can spend the whole day here, starting with breakfast in the lobby café, a swim at the swim club after that, then a lunch followed at the restaurant. In the evening, head to the cocktail lounge and then the rooftop bar. 

Condor Hotel (56 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205): The Condor Hotel is ideal for both leisure and business travelers. Each room comes with the following amenities: signature Condor PlushDreams bed, refreshing bath amenities, high speed internet, Sweet Dream pillow menu – all within a spectacular décor. You won’t want to leave your room, but once you do venture out, you’ll enjoy our posh lounge and beautifully manicured garden. “Relax! You’re in good hands at Condor,” says the hotel website. 

Sheraton Brooklyn (228 Duffield Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201): A list of the luxury hotels in Brooklyn couldn’t go without mentioning a chain hotel. The Sheraton is located in central Brooklyn, close to Brooklyn Academy of Music, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and New York Stock Exchange. Additional points of interest include Brooklyn Bridge and Ellis Island. It offers 321 air-conditioned rooms with iPod docking stations, city view and beds that come with signature bedding and down comforters. Bathrooms, in turn, feature jetted bathtubs, makeup/shaving mirrors, designer toiletries, and hair dryers. 42-inch LCD televisions have premium cable channels, first-run movies, and free movie channels. 

To find even more spectacular hotels in Brooklyn, check out Luxury-Hotels.com.  

We all know one. Perhaps you’re one yourself. A fearful flier. Just the idea of arriving at the airport makes you clench your fists and sweat profusely. However, let’s face it pretty much everyone has some level of fear when it comes to flying. Personally while I loathe the airport check-in process, I am a complete and utter dork for air travel. Ever since I was a wee lad, I remember flying with family to places like California, Ireland and Florida with fond memories.

There have been some flights that have turned my face a lighter shade of white due to crazy turbulence and rough landings. But a fear of flying has never been an issue with traveling. Let’s face it I probably would be a lousy travel writer if I could not get on a plane.

Sadly though many people face an extreme fear of taking to the sky and it leads to not seeing more of the world. So how can someone that just admitted he has no real fear of flying give advice on the topic? I’m married to a fearful flier.

It’s true, the travel obsessed Noo Yawka’s wife is someone that would much rather hit the road or take a train then fly if possible. But I have been able to get her to fly to Las Vegas, the Caribbean and even on a few international flights, including visiting her family in Poland and our European honeymoon. But if we could take Amtrak or hop in our car instead of heading to JFK, she’ll jump at the opportunity.

But as I travel more and more for a living and plan to bring our son to many places far away, she realized her fears would need to be dealt with or else they’ll be a lot of family vacation pictures by the Eiffel Tower and Great Wall of China with her photoshopped in.

So here are five tips for fearful fliers.

1. Turbulence isn’t that bad: One of the biggest “oh my god” moments people encounter on-board is when a plane hits turbulence. Think of turbulence like bumps in the road. Yes they make the plane shake, but chances are you’re fine. If possible, book a seat in front of the cabin as turbulence is stronger in the back of a plane.
2. Stay busy: Just sitting and staring at the back of the seat in front of you is going to drive you insane if you’re scared of flying. Luckily we live in an age of distractions. Watch an in-flight movie, play with your iPad or flip through a book. Just come prepared with some things to do that will keep you occupied and not thinking of the worst case scenario.
3. Avoid coffee or other caffeinated beverages: Downing a large coffee from Starbucks before taking off is not the best idea as the caffeine will leave you in an overly hyper state of mind and just increase your frightened state of mind. However do not avoid liquids either as it has been proven dehydration can lead to one becoming anxious as well. Many recommend a glass of wine, and I know many that have enjoyed a glass at the airport bar before boarding. Just don’t arrive to your flight loaded as that might make others around you fearful fliers for other reasons.
4. Breath in, breath out: Sounds like a no-brainer right? Well I’m not advising you remember to breathe when flying. But you should take in deep breathes and breathe slowly to help ease the stress.
5. Get help: If all else fails, there is always help. One such way is by visiting the Fear of Flying Help Course, which assists with lowering stress before heading to the airport by educating you on just how safe air travel truly is.

If you’re still not unsure of going up in the air. I’ll leave you with this…your chances of being involved in a plane crash  are about 1 in 11 million. On the other hand, your chances of being involved in a deadly automobile accident are 1 in 5,000.  In other words,  there’s a far greater risk driving to the airport than actually getting on an airplane.