Isla Magica amusement park Seville | Spanish Apartments

One of the most beautiful theme parks in Andalusia is Isla Mágica. It is located in the wonderful city of Seville and it offers fun for the whole family. This park is the perfect place to forget all your worries and have a great time in the best company.

Once inside we are catapulted to the 16th century where Columbus set sail for the New World. At the entrance there are a multitude of shops and restaurants and a theatre where you can watch films or shows that make reference to the local traditions. But if what you want is pure adrenalin-fuelled emotions, you should go straight to the “Challenge”, a 69 metre high free-fall drop attraction. Amazing! For those who prefer something quieter, they can sail on a boat that travels around the park or get on board the Calaveras. For the kids the 2 storey horse carrousel is the most beautiful attraction.

Later you can go together to “the Anaconda,” a pleasant and fun attraction that travels along a river with three water falls, the highest being 16 metres high. Younger children may also explore a mine aboard a very nice train. While the kids are having a great time, the adults may play games of skill.

“Puerta de America” is a beautiful theatre where every night the story of time is represented. It is a multimedia spectacle with sounds, lasers, fireworks, fountains, lights and projections. Many consider it one of the best shows at night in Spain. Meanwhile, “Iguazu” is the first attraction that is close to the “Amazon,” a land rich in vegetation and adventure. Everything starts in a large vessel that travels at 50 kph from the slopes of a volcano… Are you going to miss it?

Another amazing place is the “Condor Circus”. Here you’ll see many examples of majestic birds of prey and the swift and extraordinary acrobats. The final part of Isla Mágica is dedicated to the children: you should take them to “The Fountain of Youth”. Here they’ll find a wheel, the magic labyrinth of trees (inhabited by elves) and the puppet shows.

The island offers everything you need to not get bored. The high temperatures are not a problem, because there’s always a light rain that falls from the many sprinklers around the theme park. Rent apartments in Seville and have fun!

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Curious things to see in Budapest | Apartments in Hungary

The amazing city of Budapest is known for its extraordinary beauty and its wonderful and relaxing spas. Many people have no idea about them, but there are places of extraordinary natural beauty, beautiful underground spaces and mysterious and enigmatic places: the enigmatic caves of Budapest.

The first caves you should visit were formed many thousands of years ago thanks to the hot springs. Among the 200 caves of Budapest only four can now be visited. But all of them are special, because they have cold temperatures in summer and strange morphologies. The temperature is around 14 degrees and the humidity around 90%. Below the castle of Buda the caves extend about 10 kilometres. These caves were used by prehistoric men in order to hide from enemies and as a reserve for food.

When they found the cellars of the castle they found that there was a labyrinth there. This amazing series of tunnels and caves are part of the ten most popular places of cultural interest in Budapest, regarded as one of the seven underground wonders. About 4,000 square metres called “Labyrinth” can be visited today. The visiting hours are from 9:30 to 19:30.

One of the most special caves is that of Monte Gerardo which is also known as the Szent Iván cave which has its entrance 20 metres above the water level of the Danube. In 1925/26 new galleries were created as a result of some explosions.

The Pàlvölgyi cave is the second biggest in Hungary, around 14 kilometres long that was discovered accidentally. The cave is famous for its stalagmites, its enormous halls and all the amazing paths that are created thanks to the thermal water. Taking the tourist route along 500 metres it is possible to see a great quantity of curiosities: fabulous stalagmites, strange rocks and a constant temperature throughout the year of 11°C.

At the end of our journey we’ll find the strange subterranean Szemlôhegy cave. This was accidentally discovered in 1930 during an excavation. After years of work, it was opened to the public around 1986. Nowadays only 300 metres of the original route can be visited, which is illuminated. Children feel very drawn by the curves in the form of animals as well as the shapes in the room called “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Since 1990 sick people go there to heal themselves through the purity of the air, since it makes you seem you’re high up in the mountains. The humidity is around 100%, which is very good for the health. The dust content in the air is minimal.

What do you think? Is it curious? This cosmopolitan city offers you special things to see and to do. Summer is approaching, what are you waiting for? Rent your apartments in Budapest and live fantastic adventures in the dark caves.

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Paris Events: Paris Jazz Festival at the Parc Floral de Paris | Quality apartments in France

Once summer arrives the cities put on their finest outfits and dress up as it were. The streets are filled with life thanks to the terrace bars, the good weather and the vast cultural and leisure offerings. The summer season brings an endless number of festivals suitable for all tastes and wallets. This is the case of the Paris Jazz Festival, a beautiful festival that is celebrated every year in an incomparable backdrop, the Parc Floral.

Parisian people are great lovers of jazz music. After the celebration of the Primavera Jazz Festival where homage was paid to the jazz music genre, we see the arrival of the 17th edition of the Paris Jazz Festival. From June 6th until the end of July, the most beautiful botanical garden of Europe (Floral Park) will host every weekend the best international jazz concerts. This year’s program includes renowned artists of the world of jazz, blues or funk.

The Parc Floral will become a unique and charming setting. This way, instead of sitting in bland armchairs, the public sits down on the grass and enjoys the music in a different way, merging with nature and the fresh and breezy Parisian nights.

This edition seeks to explore jazz through the pitch and territoriality, which is divided into nations and the nature of the music. It is counting on the best in national and international composers.

The fifth weekend (4th-5th July) will pay tribute to the Vienna Orchestra, one of the most important jazz orchestras of the world.

Finally, alternative activities will take place in incredible open-air theatres. The open-air theatres La Clairière del Impros and the Jardinophone will be the scenery for the alternative activities that will begin between 09:00 and 18:00. People will enjoy storytelling, sonorous landscapes or simply improvised meetings between music and nature.

Whether you are a jazz fan or not, this festival deserves a mandatory visit because it is celebrated in an unparalleled setting! The open-air concerts in the middle of a nature setting will carry you to a magical world. Rent apartments in Paris if you want to enjoy an unforgettable stay.

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Discover the carnival of cultures festival in Berlin | Berlin blog

Yes, it’s true: the Germans have a reputation for being very boring people without any kind of rhythm in their blood. They are also said to spend all day long eating Sauerkraut and drinking Bier. Do you believe this as well? Well, you’re totally wrong. Even the Germans know how to dance and enjoy life with passion and happiness. You can’t believe it? Come to Berlin and discover the carnival of cultures 2009!

Between the 29th of May and the 1st of June you’ll have a unique opportunity to get to know the enthusiastic, open and tolerant side of the Germans. During the celebrations of the carnival of cultures in Berlin, you’ll make a spectacular world trip and get to know uncountable cultures of many parts of our lovely mother earth.

Each year this festival attracts more than 1.3 million visitors to Germany’s capital. This carnival is even for the habitants of Berlin and undoubtedly one of the best events of the year. More than 4.000 artists from all over the world participate in the spectacular parades where you can see everything you’re are dreaming of: starting with the impulsive samba dancers of Brazil, passing through the Lion Dancers of China, the Yembe drummers of Africa and even the oriental dancers as we know them from the stories of A Thousand and One Nights. This huge festival of international performances shows us once again that Berlin is a cosmopolitan city which is open minded to the world.

Your little kids will be completely astonished, too. They can participate in the carnival parades exclusively for kids! It’s just like heaven for the little ones to be allowed to paint their faces, dress up like their superheroes and feel part of a huge spectacle.

Apart from the different parades they organize a lot of parties in the streets all over the city where you’ll get to know people from uncountable countries. The festival also offers you a series of concerts of all kinds of music styles, as well as interesting expositions and presentations of the world of carnival.

Do you want to combine a world trip with a trip to Berlin, one of the most important European capitals? Rent apartments in Berlin and enjoy an unforgettable stay in Germany’s capital. You’ll see….the Germans offer you a lot of more than only Kartoffeln and Bier…

via berlinapartments.me

night of san juan | Valencia Blog

San Juan is a brilliant night with many famous ancient rites. it coincides with the shortest night of the year (21st June) and all cities of Spain celebrate it, but in a different way. During this night rituals are mainly based on three of the five natural elements: sun, fire and water.

On 21st June (summer solstice) the streets of Valencia are filled with colours and decorations hanging from the balconies of the homes of young women in love, while men have a habit of singing serenades to their wives although the actual night of San Juan celebrations take place on the night of 23rd-24th June. Also pine trees and poplars are planted and there are the famous processions. Thyme is blessed and straw burned, all accompanied with the sound of melodious Sanjuaneras who sing traditional folk songs of love or who simply enjoy the festival of Sant Juan.

Valencia is filled with people from around the world who want to experience this wonderful night and special moments with friends or as couples. In general, people find themselves on the beaches, where they light a bonfire and dance to the irresistible music.

The firework displays on the beaches are the main protagonists of the night. At midnight, the ritual that everyone expects takes place: they get to the beach and they have a quick dip or jump on the waves making a wish, which can be fulfilled only in summer.

This magical and charming celebration offers a warm welcome to the summer, opening the door to a new future. At the San Juan celebrations you can live great stories, fantastic legends while the mind and thoughts blow away. Young people with their guitars wild with love and drink get involved in this strange and moving event. There are parades of giant floats and masks; it’s like a second carnival for the city.

You should not miss this typical event of the Spanish tradition. The night of San Juan will take you to the captivating world of fashion, music and love, everything will be incredibly exceptional. Rent your apartment in Valencia to enjoy a comfortable stay and to relax after a night of bustle in the streets of the city.

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retiro park madrid | Apartments Blog

As other Spanish cities, Madrid has its own green spaces. The capital has large and quiet gardens, where locals and tourists enjoy their leisure time. With the summer arrival, people from the non coastal cities need other places to breathe clean fresh air. When the heat becomes unbearable the city’s parks are the ideal place to take refuge under some cool shade. In contrast to the chaos and the daily traffic, the gardens can be the perfect location to eliminate any stress. What better place to relax, read a good book or to have a picnic?

The Botanical Garden, for example, is an oasis of tranquillity that was created in October 1755 on the orders of King Ferdinand 6th. Nowadays it is located close to the Paseo del Prado. There are approximately 30,000 species of beautiful plants (this is why organized tours take place every day). In the greenhouse, which was opened in 1993, different climates are recreated: tropical, mild and desert-like. This is a wonderful way to rediscover one’s inner peace.

Another charming park is La Casa de Campo, with its 2,000 acres of space. This is one of the most important Madrid breathing spaces. Created in 1560 by King Philip 2 as a hunting area, it didn’t become a public space until 1931. The park’s main attractions are: the cable-car that connects it to the Parque Del Oeste, the artificial lake and the zoo. For the sports fans, there are large spaces where people can practice cycling, jogging or tennis.

Another garden where you can sunbathe or have a relaxing rest is the Parque del Buen Retiro. This is one of the most beautiful places in Madrid. Thousands of tourists visit it everyday. Here you can see a lot of magnificent monuments of great cultural value. For example, the Crystal Palace built as a greenhouse for exotic plants. The Retiro Park houses the Rosaleda, a rose garden that was created in 1915. Other interesting areas are the Campanillas Pond, the Music Kiosk and the Royal Spanish Academy Museum, with works by Goya, Murillo, Rubens and Tintoretto to name but a few.

Finally, near the Royal Palace is the Garden of Moro. It’s easy to find because it is close to the Principe Pio metro station. Thanks to its vegetation and its different plants it looks like an incredible oasis. If you’re lucky you will see the beautiful peacocks. There are 70 different kinds of trees; some of them are 200 years old. There is also a beautiful shell fountain.

What are you waiting for? Rent apartments in Madrid and visit all these incredible parks. You will love it!

via blogonlyapartments.com

27th International Comic Fair of Barcelona 2009 | Apartments Blog

The 27th edition of the Barcelona Comic Fair is almost here. It will be celebrated from May 29th to June 1st at the Fira of Barcelona (Montjuïc). The fair, which is the oldest and the most important of the comic world in Spain, brings the best national and international comic book artists, and comes full of new features.

One of the main novelties of FICOMIC 2009 is the exhibition of the comic strip “off-side” (by Jaume Capdevila, draftsman and sports press graphical humorist), where a historical relationship between the football and the comic world will be made. It will also include an exhibition dedicated to the Jim Lee comic, “Batman: Barcelona – The Knight of the Dragon” and another one to the famous female comic character “Esther de Purita Campos”.

Very important comic book artists such as Mark Waid, David B., Gipi, François Bourgeon, Jeffrey Brown, Claudio Stassi and Giovanni Di Gregorio, or superhero comic book artists as Jim Lee, Jim Starlin or Mike Mignola (the “Hellboy” creator), will attend the event. Most of them will sign autographs at the stands of their respective publishers.

This year Galicia will be the guest community. It will present an exhibition about the diversity of its history. The Galician school enjoys a great influence and it has a deep rooted tradition in the comic world. So much so, that the poster of this year’s edition was designed by David Rubin, a Galician designer.

The festival awards prizes to the comics published in 2008. The categories are: best foreign work published in Spain; Spanish revelation author; best work of Spanish author; best script of Spanish author; best comic book or best magazine about comic; best Spanish fanzine; prize for the popularization of comics; and as the main novelty, prize for the Specialized Library, that recognizes the work of those Spanish establishments that have contributed to spread the love of the comic world.

Coinciding with FICOMIC, Catalonia Film Library will screen some movies and documentaries related to the world of comics. The main complementary activities will be talks, conferences and presentations.

It will be open from 10:00 am to 20:00 pm on weekdays and until 21:00 on weekends. The general ticket costs €6 and can be purchased in advance at El Corte Inglés, Servicaixa or Servicam. It can also be purchased at the ticket office the same day, where a discount of 2 euros will be given if you have your Jove card or your Carnet 3C card.

Do you want to delve into the world of comics? Discover what’s going on in the most important comic festival in Spain  - the 27th International Comic Fair of Barcelona. Rent Apartments in Barcelona if you don’t want to be left without accommodation for the weekend.

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Beautiful parks in Budapest | Apartments in Hungary

The Queen of the Danube is how people usually define Budapest. It is one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe. This city offers its visitors plenty of sights to discover, beautiful monuments and traditional streets. How can we forget its unique and long special nights?

But touring around the city you can meet many enchanting parks. Surely you’ve heard, of Margaret Island, the Mount Gellért, the People Park, the Buda Mountains and Park City (Városliget).

The most beautiful park in the city is on Margaret Island, which divides in two the river Danube in the north of the city. On the island there is a convent where lived the Hungarian princess Margaret. Today, only a few ruins of this convent remain. In the summer is the place of incredible performances, like the operas and ballets. On the island, you can use only the bus, bike or you can go on foot. Here there are several interesting attractions including swimming pools, thermal baths and special restaurants.

Mount Gillert is the tourist’s favourite destination, especially for its landscape. On one side of the Mount there is the statue of San Gerardo which is a symbol of the martyrdom of the bishop who died in the XI century. The Citadel, located on top of the mountain, remembers the oppression of the Habsburgs after the revolution of 1848. Also, in a cave on the south side of the mountain there is a very pretty church, which commemorates the famous chapel of Lourdes. It was built in 1926 and reopened to the public only in 1989.

The People Park Népliget, has been open to citizens since 1860. There are lots of meadows and forests that cover an area of approximately 112 acres, in the south-east of the city centre. It is an ideal place for relaxing and reading. Along the trail there are statues and monuments. There is also an institution of national importance, the planetarium. The dome has a diameter of 23 metres and holds conferences of astrology and laser shows accompanied by pop or classical music. Inside there is also the Centenary Park (Centenáriumi park), created for the centenary of the unification of Pest, Buda and Óbuda.

The Mountains of Buda are located in the north-west of the city. They are 400-500 metres high and are the favourite destination of tourists and nature lovers. In addition to walking or cycling, we can also take the train or the railway. It start from Mount Széchenyi and passes through János, up to Hûvösvölgy. To climb the János Mountain, you can take the chairlift (libego). Arriving at the top, you can see the exceptional landscape of Budapest.

The world’s largest green area on the Pest side is the Park City (Városliget). It is ideal for family trips, to have fun or relax during the weekend. In this area you can find the Museum of Fine Arts, Palazzo delle Esposizioni and the Monument to the Millennium Castle Vajdahunyad. You will find the Zoo, the Lunapark, the Circus, the Széchenyi Bath and the Museum of Transport. The lake is ideal for boating in summer and ice skating in winter. You can walk or ride a bike under the shady trees of the park. It is a magical and very interesting place to spend your holidays.

Why not plan a trip to Budapest? These parks are truly amazing. Rent your economical apartments in Budapest and you’ll have everything that you could wish for. You’ll discover a city that knows how to be charming and intense – it’s a chameleonic city!

via budapestapartments.me

Galleria Vittorio Milan | Apartments in Italy for rent

Would you like to know more about Italy? Are you about to go on a trip, but you don’t know where to go and what to see yet? If so, you should start with its economical city: Milan, where there are a thousand things to see and do. It is also the capital of haute couture and the place where all the big designers have their creative atelier.

In Milan you can take a stroll around a famous place favored by tourists and locals. It is the refined, elegant and famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the most touristic places in the city, right in the centre. It goes from the majestic Duomo square to the exclusive Scala square. The first thing that catches your attention is the huge Arch of Triumph that characterizes it. The construction of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele dates back to 1861, when there was a contest to re-arrange the Duomo square.

Initially, the idea was to simply connect the two squares, but the architect Giuseppe Mengoni, who is responsible for its construction, presented a different project that we can still see today. His technique was not perfect, so the first paintings didn’t last very long, and new ones were placed just a few years later. Its floor is of exceptional beauty: a mosaic of images and decorative elements of great splendor. One typical attraction is the large bull on the left of the tunnel, where millions of tourists come every year to perform the ritual of luck, a practice known by all (placing a hand on its genitals and turn yourself around).

This gallery deserves more than one visit, not only for its beauty but also because there are many shops to discover. People call it the “Hall of Milan” due to its central position, because of all the shops and restaurants like Biffi or Savini. All of them are very classy and elegant and attract both wealthy tourists and people from high society. Inside the gallery there are ancient and prestigious bookshops such as the famous Ricordi.

If you visit Milan, you must enjoy this pleasant and relaxing stroll, to admire the details of the gallery, go shopping or just to have a drink sitting at the table of one of its bars. In the summer, many shows and concerts of all kinds are organized there. Book your vacation now! Visit one of the most contemporary cities in Italy, rent apartments in Milan and admire its beautiful and historical Gallery.

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Chueca in Madrid | Apartments in Spain

Madrid is considered a cosmopolitan capital which has changed in the last years, especially in the 80’s. After the four years of the dictatorship of Franco, the Spanish wanted to change their lifestyle, get rid of the taboos and free themselves from all the limitations and repression they had to suffer during the horrible dictatorship.

That was the origin of the word Movida a play on a Spanish word consisting of live and move, that means to go from one place to another. When the dictatorship ended, the district of Chueca changed in a very positive way because of the Gay- and Lesbian Community. After all the years of repression and loneliness the district opened its doors to life, architecture and innovation.

Nowadays Chueca is famous for its incredible Gay Community, but in reality this spectacular district stands as well as for diversity, tolerance and unity. Its streets are known for some of the best shopping in Madrid as well as all the fashionable bars and pubs where you can get to know all types of different persons: Spanish, immigrants, gays, lesbians etc. The people of that district get to walk through the romantic streets and to have a drink with their friends in a comfortable bar where they talk about God and the world. In other cities this would be something absolutely extraordinary, but in Madrid this totally normal.

When you walk through the district, it could be possible to meet a drag queen or a simple Spaniard selling his paella. In Chueca are a lot of alternative shops, libraries and nightclubs. Life in Chueca is very intensive and vibrant. A lot of famous fashion stores started off in this district of Madrid. Indeed, it’s the favourite place of Pedro Almodóver who was part of the social and fantastic change in Madrid’s past.

First you should go to the Mercado de Fuencarral. In that commercial centre you can buy all kinds of fashion products and alternative accessories. If you want to have your body pierced or a tattoo made in Madrid, well, no problem! This centre was built in contrary to the normal commercial centres. It aims to offer its customers something very special. So, for example, while you’re shopping there, you can dance to electronic music at the same time. Besides each year they organize an incredible rave party in this alternative centre.

The heart of the district is the wonderful Plaza de Chueca where you can find a lot of bars and uncountable nice places. Each Sunday morning the Spanish people meet at this place to have breakfast, read the newspaper or just to talk about the week. Chueca is made for everyone.

Come to Madrid and discover this beautiful district. You only really know Madrid, if you have been in Chueca. Rent one of the best apartments in Madrid and enjoy very special moments. Your stay in Spain’s capital will be an unforgettable experience.

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