Search results for 'spain'

Stockholm is a must see destination for those of you who dream of yesteryear and take pleasure in being transported back in time where the elegance of rituals and beauty are valued, bound by the glue of freedom’s spirit of expression.

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, where style, history and culture come together in the second largest city in Spain. It is also the tenth most visited city in the world. With this in mind, where should we stay you ask? I know just the place and it will take you to a time you know well.

Collette offers incredible Guided Tours, all with the options of savoring the local flavors. There’s an abundance of region-specific food & wine that’s simply waiting for you to arrive! For example, on our Spain’s Classics tour, you’ll get to enjoy native paella with a local fisherman and his family. While visiting Portugal & its Islands, you’ll experience the savory flavors of a traditional Madeira dish called espetada. And on Collette’s Italy’s Treasures guided tour, you’ll visit a winery in the heart of Tuscany that showcases a wine cellar, vineyards and olive groves. 

Remember when… English food was considered abominable? Except for we English who loved it, didn’t know better, and it wasn’t until the advent of the early Chinese and Indian cafes that we knew any other cuisine or cooking.  But over the years, especially with the EU making crossing borders easy, the wonderful influx of young chefs from France, Italy, Spain, Germany, etc., has brought fine dining to an Art form in London and beyond.  Let’s take a look at some of the venerable restaurants in London, and it’s all about adapting tried and true establishments adapting to the “latest” trends

Havana has been called a City of Porches. Located on the northern coast of the Big Island of Cuba, it is geographically on Latitude 23.14 North. This means the sun beats mercilessly upon its streets and squares. Why would any city be known for its’ porches?

It is a warm evening in Old Havana. You maybe had an early dinner, and are walking along the narrow streets of Old Havana, looking for one of the watering holes, to enjoy a refreshing Daiquiri, or Mojito, and listen to some live music played by a guitar trio… Or you are looking for a “paladar”, a private restaurant, for a late dinner, after a long day visiting museums or any other interesting place… 

If you travel west, take the Highway that’s the best… So go the lyrics of one of the most famous songs of bygone days. Well, that Highway, Route 66 really isn’t one of the most beautiful in the world. HIGHWAY 101, between San Francisco in the north, to Los Angeles in the south, is truly one of the world’s most scenic routes.

I have strong memories from my childhood vacations to Keystone Heights in north central Florida to visit my dad’s mom and family. Once each trip we would head off to Saint Augustine in my great- uncle’s Cadillac. I remember the huge old fort, the smell of the ocean, and the trees of unknown origin. Last winter, we stopped for an afternoon on our way to Seabrook Island, South Carolina. My return trip brought back these great memories and much more. 

As a young teen, I spent my first three high school years in Madrid, Spain. My father was a career USAF officer and we were stationed in Madrid.  I always dreamed as a young woman of returning, not realizing that once my sons flew away to college, I would fly away as a flight attendant for a major airline.  My first assignment as a new graduate was to Madrid! I was thrilled, not only to visit Madrid but also to Barcelona, Seville and many other Spanish cities.

The Castle of San Carlos de la Cabaña was the largest fortress built by Spain in the Americas. It was, however, built too late. It was never attacked, it never had the chance to fire its hundreds of artillery pieces against an attacking enemy, and its ramparts were never tested against siege and assault.

Join Collette on an once-in-a-lifetime journey through Spain! Experience the bright colors, warm culture, and delicious cuisine distinctive to this stunning country. Enjoy a locally guided tour of Madrid featuring the Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace. 

For those of you who love Espana, together we have ventured out to Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Seville, and the Costa del Sol. I would like to entice you to venture down to the Andalusian area of Spain – you will fall in love with this area as it has breathtaking beaches, perfect year around temperatures and many archaeological and historical sites for those history aficionados!  The best kept secret is that one can own their own hideaway – i.e. retirement home at a fraction of the cost in the U.S.

As baby boomers over the years I have shared my travel experiences through the telescope of an avid art connoisseur. However, there are times when I purposely want to indulge in a spa treatment; spend hours on a beach soaking up the heat and sun!  However, when I do plan these ventures, I generally incorporate a few days with a side excursion to Benidorm when traveling in Spain.

“the very image of an enormous lion crouched between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean”

                                                         William Makepeace Thackeray 

The holidays are over and with it we have packed up the decorations as well as completed those gift exchanges!  One word that keeps penetrating our thoughts as we try unsuccessfully to ignore … escape!  

From Bagdad (her birth) to London (her adopted home) to Miami (her last days), Dame Zaha Mohammad Hadid, one of the greatest architects of our time and the first female architect to be honored with the Pritzker Prize (2004), architecture’s highest accolade, died of a heart attack on March 31^st. She was 65 years old. 

The beautiful Andalusian city of Marbella on the Spanish Costa del Sol is typically regarded as a glamorous holiday resort and extravagant playground for the wealthy. But did you know that priceless original artwork graces its streets?

Valencia is a must visit city for those of you who love warm sunny days, beautiful beaches as well gardens full of magnificent flowers -  few cities in the world have all three features that are as beautiful as Valencia!  

No one has ever explained to me why the hairs at the back of my neck stand on end when I listen to a choir in full voice, but, what I do know is that it’s a ‘good to be alive’ feeling all the same.

So, imagine combining the resounding sounds of 70 choirs of all ages and many nationalities with the magisterial natural beauty of Cornwall, the UK’s westernmost county. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? 

So best book your flights and tickets and head for the 2015 Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival.

As a boomer I was blessed with my father having been in the Air Force and we lived in Spain (Torrejon AFB outside Madrid) when I was in High School  What a perfect age to be exposed to other countries and cultures!  

I love Spain - for it truly is my most favorite country to visit and even to retire. We have visited the capital, Madrid and also Barcelona but the one city that is the top of my list to visit - or even to consider retiring is Malaga - a brilliant gem yet to be discovered

An hour’s drive north of the wonderfully historic city of Barcelona you begin to climb into the foothills of the fiercely independent and stunningly beautiful region of Catalunya. Its northernmost coastal area, called the Costa Brava, boasts a rugged 40-mile stretch of sandy beaches that sweep from the Spanish capital up to the border with France. But, if you aren’t interested in the beaches, fear not, as here you will discover the world’s top-rated restaurant and the best golf course Spain has to offer.

The Euro-economies may be experiencing a global meltdown, but one would never see this happening in the magnificent city of Barcelona, Spain! This colorful and cosmopolitan city, located on the Mediterranean coastline, is a must see for those interested in the world of art and architecture! From Piscasso to Gaudi, this is a travel destination not to be missed!

The sun tan from my fortnight’s visit to the Bahamas had barely started to fade when I took my wife to the cinema to see the 2006 re-make of Casino Royale featuring, for the first time, Daniel Craig as British secret service agent, James Bond.

Quite early in the storyline 007 jets into Nassau, from where I had just returned, and then, much to my surprise, Bond set off in his car toward the exclusive Ocean Club resort on Paradise Island where I’d recently stayed and played golf during my familiarisation trip to the island.

As Bond made for the bar and then the beach, the film afforded me a rare moment in my life when, with great pride, I leant over and whispered to my wife: “I stayed there!”