On the Menu…Tapas 24, Barcelona (Spain)

Foodies looking for a dining experience in Barcelona that won’t break the bank should make a beeline to Tapas 24, where the atmosphere is casual and the menu offers everyday favorites that have been raised to new heights. Tapas 24 is one of chef Carles Abellan’s three restaurants in Barcelona, which include Comerç 24 (with 1 Michelin star) and Bravo24 in the W Hotel. Chef Abellan worked for many years alongside chef Ferran Adrià at his world-renowned restaurant El Bulli on the Costa Brava, before opening his own restaurants in Barcelona.

The first thing you need to know about Tapas 24 is that it does not take reservations, and it is a very small restaurant with limited seating. Most diners sit at a counter facing the bar and kitchen where you can watch your food being prepared. There are additional tables indoors (high-top tables with stools), as well as a handful of tables located outdoors on the sidewalk terrace. The next thing you need to know is that this is a very popular place, with both locals and tourists, so if you want to eat here you’ll have to arrive early (by Barcelona standards) between 7:00 - 8:00pm. Once 8:30pm rolls around the locals will start streaming in and there will be a long wait for your chance to sample the delicious tapas on the menu.

While you’re deciding which tapas to try, start out with the Pan con Tomate (bread with tomato, olive oil and salt), an absolute staple in any Barcelona restaurant. Another must-try is the Bikini Comerç 24, which is a grilled ham and cheese sandwich that has been elevated to a whole new level. The ham in question is actually the fine cured Spanish Jamón Ibérico, the cheese is a mild white cheese, and the special ingredient that takes the Bikini out of the realm of a normal sandwich is the shaved black truffle that they add to it. Don’t be surprised if you order seconds on this one, you won’t be alone. Even if you don’t normally order fried eggs for dinner, you really should try the Huevos Estrellados (literally “smashed eggs”), which is a delicious combination of fried eggs, french fries, and a selection of meats that you get to choose from. This is an egg dish that is delicious at any time of the day. The tapas menu also includes traditional dishes, such as Patatas Bravas, Croquettes, Lentils with Chorizo, and Tripe, which makes it hard to select from so many great choices.
Be sure to leave room for dessert so you can try the Xocolata Amb Pa Oli i Sal, which is a chocolate mousse, drizzled with olive oil and sea salt, and topped with toasted bread. While you may not normally add olive oil and salt to your chocolate, you may start doing so after tasting how well they all come together at Tapas 24.

• Carrer de la Diputació, 269
• Phone: (93) 488-0977
• Barcelona, Spain
• Website: Tapas 24

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Checking In…Suites Avenue (Luxe) Apartments, Barcelona (Spain)

Visitors to Barcelona looking for spacious accommodations that are contemporary in design, centrally located, and offer a fully equipped kitchen, need look no further than the Suites Avenue (Luxe) Apartments.

Located in the heart of Barcelona on the Paseo de Gracia, the Suites Avenue (Luxe) is a modern building with a sleek stainless steel façade that was designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito. Its prime location, directly opposite Guadí’s famed Casa Milà (La Pedrera) in the upscale Eixample neighborhood, provides easy access within walking distance to the city’s finest shops, restaurants and sites of interest.

Suites Avenue offers 1 and 2 bedroom suites that are fully equipped with high-quality furnishings, a living room with a large flat screen LCD TV, small dining area, full bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen. Some suites face the interior courtyard, and others offer a view of La Pedrera and have a terrace facing the Paseo de Gracia.

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Sites to See – Santuário Bom Jesús do Monte, Braga (Portugal)

The city of Braga has had a long-standing importance as a religious capital. This is evidenced by the nearly three dozen churches you will find, one of which is the Cathedral of Braga. The Cathedral was begun in 1070 and is the Portugal’s oldest church.

An important pilgrimage site in Braga is Bom Jesús do Monte (Good Jesus of the Mount), which was begun in 1722 and is located just 5 km east of the city center. Considered one of the masterpieces of European Baroque style, its centerpiece is the hilltop granite double staircase lined with chapels representing the Stations of the Cross, the Stairway of the Five Senses, and the Stairway of the Three Virtues (Faith, Hope and Charity). Sitting atop the staircase is the twin-towered neoclassical church that was begun in 1784.

Visitors can make the 381 ft. climb on foot, or you can follow the pilgrims’ tradition of ascending on your knees. There is also an old-fashioned funicular that will take you to the top of the hill, which was the first to be built in the Iberian Peninsula and is still in use today. The views of the city below from the hilltop are quite stunning. For more information on the city, click here.

• N103-3 (5 km east of Braga)
• Phone: (25) 367 66 36

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Next Stop…Arraiolos, Portugal

Arraiolos is a charming town nestled in the hills of Portugal’s Alentejo region, located only 1 hour and 15 minutes from Lisbon. Driving through the open, rolling plains to Arraiolos makes for a great day trip for visitors who want to get out of the city and experience a traditional town in the country’s heartland.

The history of Arraiolos can be traced back to the 2nd C. BC, and the remains of the 14th C. castle and 16th C. church can still be visited today. But most visitors to Arraiolos come to visit the stores and workshops that sell the famous hand woven wool rugs that the town is best known for. The history of rug making in Arraiolos dates back to the 13th C., when it is believed that Moors introduced the craft of rug making to the local residents. The rugs continue to be completely hand made today by local women using a needlepoint stitch that is applied on a sturdy canvas. The original designs were inspired by traditional Persian rug designs, and over the years the styles have evolved to include figures and animals, as well as more contemporary designs. Don’t worry if you fall in love with one of the rugs, as local merchants can either fold the rug down to a manageable size, or ship it home to you to avoid the hassle of having to carry it back. For more information on the town, click here.

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Itinerary Suggestion: An Introduction to the Treasures of Spain I

 

 

First time visitors to Spain will often ask us where they should go or what they should see on their first visit to the country. This is a difficult question to answer, as Spain is so very rich in history and culture that it is impossible to do more than just skim the surface on any one trip. That’s why we recommend that people plan to visit Spain more than once, and on each trip they can concentrate on a specific area so that they can truly appreciate the beauty of the treasures that abound.

A good way to get a quick introduction to the people, the culture and some of the country’s most iconic cities and sites is to follow this 8 day 7 night itinerary. It is designed to give travelers an overview of some of the most significant sights to see. Once you’ve had this overview and gain some insight into what Spain has to offer, you are sure to return, and hopefully you will be able to incorporate time in your itinerary, outside of the sightseeing, to experience those intrinsic things that make Spain – and its people – uniquely special. Spaniards have a unique love of life and appreciation for living life to its fullest, and this can be seen in the simplest activities they enjoy, such as taking an evening stroll through town, meeting friends and going for tapas, or sitting in an outdoor café and watching the people go by.

This first itinerary begins in Madrid, the capital of Spain, and takes you to the enchanting Andalusian cities of Seville, Córdoba and Granada, where you can visit some of the country’s iconic sites, including the Cathedral of Seville (world’s largest Gothic cathedral and burial place of Columbus), the Mezquita in Córdoba (8-10th C. mosque that was converted into the Cathedral of Córdoba), and the Alhambra (14th C. Moorish palace). 

• Day 1: Arrive in Madrid in the morning; sightseeing in the afternoon
• Day 2: Sightseeing in Madrid
• Day 3: Sightseeing in Madrid
• Day 4: Leave early in the morning. Drive (400 km) or take the high-speed AVE train (2.5 hours) to Córdoba; sightseeing in Córdoba
• Day 5: Take morning AVE train to Seville (45 minutes); sightseeing in Seville
• Day 6: Morning sightseeing in Seville. Depart in afternoon to Granada (about 3 hours by car, bus or train)
• Day 7: Sightseeing in Granada
• Day 8: Return to Madrid for trip home (4 hour drive or train ride, or a 1 hour flight)

Information on what to see and do, and where to eat in these cities can be found on our website or on our blog. Simply search by city.

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Checking In…Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza, Seville (Spain)

Ask anyone who has ever been to Seville and they’ll tell you that there’s something about the city that captivates you with its charm and beauty, and puts you under its spell. In addition to taking in Seville’s remarkable sites, including the Cathedral, the Giralda, the Alcazar and the Plaza de España in María Luisa Park, be sure to leave enough time to truly experience the magic of the city. Take a stroll along the river and through the Barrio Santa Cruz, enjoy the delicious food at one of the many tapas bars or restaurants, and strike up a conversation with the locals, who have an amazing love for life that is truly contagious.

The perfect place to feel at home in Seville is at the Hotel Las Casas del Rey de Baeza. This charming 4-star hotel located in the heart of the historic city center was formerly a residential mansion that was built in the 18th C. You will feel as though you have been transported back in time as you pass through the reception area and step out into the charming interior patio at the center of the mansion, and you can see the exterior walkways above that lead to the guest rooms.

The guest rooms are furnished in traditional colonial style furniture with natural fiber carpets, a neutral color palette, and views of the courtyard through either windows or French doors that open onto the patio. There are Dreamer rooms, larger Deluxe rooms, and Junior Suites that offer a living room area (some separated by a door).

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Cataluña’s Priorat Wine Region (Spain): Location and history of the region (Part 1)

This is the first in a series of posts about Cataluña’s Priorat wine region. Over the series we will introduce you to this region and wine type, which has been gaining popularity, and then share with you information from our recent visit to a few of the vineyards in the region.

The Priorat wine region is located about 1.5 hours south of Barcelona in the province of Tarragona. It is easily accessed via the motorway AP-7 (toll road) south towards Tarragona. Get off the AP-7 at exit 34 and follow the signs to T-11 towards the town of Reus. Once past Reus look for signs to N-420, which is the smaller, local road that will take you to Falset, which is the capital of the region, and a good place to select as a base for exploring the surrounding villages and wineries.

The wine region received its Denominació d’Origen (DO), which means Designation of Origen, in 1954. But winemaking in the region can be traced back to the 12th C. when the monks from the Carthusian Monastery Scala Dei (Ladder to God) began planting vineyards on the steep terraced hillsides of the region and making wine. The monks ruled over the seven nearby villages for over 600 years, until their land was seized by the state in 1835. The monks fled and the monastery was subsequently ransacked and burned down by the local peasants who revolted against the oppression they had been subjected to by the church. The ruins of the Scala Dei Monastery can still be visited, and this site is a must see for visitors to the region. For more information on the monastery, click here.

Our next post in the series will provide info on how this region was revitalized in 1979 and caught the attention of wine lovers and critics the world over.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Sites to See…Royal Equestrian School, Jerez, Spain

Be sure to include in your Jerez itinerary a visit to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, which is comparable to the famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria.

Located adjacent to the historic 19th century Palacio de las Cadenas, visitors can watch the world-renowned "dancing stallions" at either one of the riding shows that take place twice a week, or at one of the training sessions held throughout the week. Besides taking in an equestrian show, visitors can also tour the facilities, including the Stables, Harness Shop, Carriage Museum, and Equestrian Art Museum.

• Avda. Duque de Abrantes, s/n
• Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
• Phone: (956) 318-014
• Website: Equestrian School

As usual, thanks for reading.  Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Next Stop…Málaga, Spain

The city of Málaga is located on the southern coast of Spain, on the Costa del Sol. This gateway city is bordered by the Mediterranean to the south, and by mountains to the north, and offers something for every visitor.

A must see for visitors is the Cathedral of Málaga. It was built between the 16th and 18th centuries, and combines a Baroque style façade and a Renaissance style interior. Other must see sites include the Castle of Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba fortress. They are located nearby on a hill within the city.
After taking in these sites, you can relax and take an evening stroll with the locals who crowd the popular pedestrian street, Marqúes de Larios. Do as many do and sit at an outdoor café, or do some shopping in the stores that line the busy streets of the historic city center.

Art lovers and fans of famed artist Pablo Picasso will find plenty to do in the city. Picasso was born in Málaga in 1861, and his birthplace is open to the public. In 2003, the King and Queen of Spain inaugurated the Picasso Museum, which is housed in the 16th C. Palacio de Buenavista. The impressive museum displays nearly 300 of the artist’s works which came from his heirs’ private collection. For more information on the museum:

• Palacio de Buenavista
• San Agustín, 8
• Málaga, Spain
• Phone: (952) 12 76 00
• Website: Museo Picasso Málaga

The latest addition to Málaga’s thriving art scene is the Carmen Thyssen Málaga Museum, which was inaugurated in 2011. The museum houses 230 pieces from the baronesses’ personal collection of primarily 19th C. Spanish paintings. For more information:

• Plaza Carmen Thyssen (C/Compañía, 10)
• Málaga, Spain
• Phone: (902) 30 31 31
• Website: Carmen Thyssen Malaga

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

On the Menu…Bodegas Campos, Córdoba, Spain

 

 

 

Located in the residential San Pedro neighborhood, just a short walk from the Mezquita, you will find Bodegas Campos. It was founded in 1908 as both a wine cellar and tavern. Today Bodegas Campos offers a number of dining options: La Taberna (tavern), a formal restaurant, a wine cellar, and rooms that are used for catered events.

The interiors are rustic and classic Andalusian in design, with terracotta tile floors, wrought iron accents, and wood-beamed ceilings. The Sala Célebres room features pictures of 30 famous locals, including painters, dancers and mayors. Be sure to stop and look at the oak barrels that line the rooms and corridors, as they are signed by many of the famous people who have dined at Bodegas Campos, including members of the Royal family, celebrities, and foreign dignitaries.

The restaurant menu features classic Córdoba cuisine. Ingredients are from high quality local vendors, and the fresh fruits and vegetables come from the restaurant’s own orchard. Some signature dishes include the Ensalada de Bacalao y Naranja (a salt cod salad with orange dressing), Paté de Perdiz Casero y Aceite de Trufa (homemade partridge paté with truffle oil), and Solomillo de Ternera con Migas al Vino Tinto (sirloin with red wine sauce). There is also a wide selection of wines to choose from, and be sure to leave room for dessert.

La Taberna menu features a nice selection of traditional tapas, including the local favorite Salmorejo soup, traditional Gazpacho, Boquerones en Vinagre (anchovies in vinegar), and Habitas con Huevo y Jamón (beans with egg and ham). There is also a selection of main dishes, including Rabo de Toro Deshuesado (oxtail stew), Arroz de Verduras (rice with vegetables), and Puntas de Solomillo con Verduritas (sirloin tips with vegetables). For dessert try the Flan Casero (homemade caramel custard), Pastel Cordobés (local cake), or the Leche Frita con Helado de Lima (fried milk with lime ice cream).

• Calle de los Lineros, 32
• Córdoba, Spain
• Phone: (957) 49 75 00
• Website: Bodegas Campos

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Checking In…Hotel Roger de Llúria, Barcelona (Spain)

Barcelona is one of those cities that you can visit over and over again, and discover something new each time. It is a truly cosmopolitan city that embraces the old and the new, as well as the classic and the contemporary, whether it be in art, architecture or even food.

The city has an extensive metro system that can get you just about anywhere, and taxis are readily available. But the best way to see the city is on foot, as most sites are just a short walk from the city center.

The Roger de Llúria is a 4-star boutique hotel that is located in the heart of the city, near the Plaza Cataluña, and just 2 blocks from the Paseo de Gracia, the city’s main shopping thoroughfare. The hotel is housed in a traditional 19th C. building that previously formed part of César Ritz’s original landmark hotel.

The classic styling of the hotel gives it a timeless elegance, and with just 48 guest rooms, guests can feel at home in an environment that is intimate and welcoming. The hotel offers Classic rooms and larger Deluxe rooms. The Classic Family rooms are a rare find in European hotels, in that they are large enough to fit 2 full size beds and can accommodate a family of 4 people comfortably. The two Junior Suites in the hotel are truly special, in that they offer a living room with a wood-paneled ceiling, and a separate bedroom with either a king size bed or 2 queen beds. The Junior Suites can also be combined to create a large Suite with a large living room, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Happy New Year, Feliz Año Nuevo, Feliz Ano Novo

International Lodging wants to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. We are starting 2012, as we ended 2011, with a poem.

The poem we chose was written by Lord Alfred Tennyson, who was born on August 6, 1809, in Lincolnshire, England. He was a popular poet and was admired by Queen Victoria. For those who would like some more information on Lord Tennyson, visit Poets.org by clicking here.

We hope you enjoy our selection to ring in the New Year.

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Feliz Natal

On this Christmas Eve we want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, and Feliz Natal. We end this year with the following poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” written in 1822 by Clement Clark Moore.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle,
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

On the Menu…Taberna Bar Santos, Córdoba (Spain)

Located across from the Mezquita, Bar Santos is a great place to take a break from sightseeing and have a snack. If you have trouble finding it, just look for the crowd of people lined up against the Mezquita wall that are enjoying their food and drink outdoors. Bar Santos is a very small tapas bar with no seats, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in the delicious food it turns out.

On the menu you will find the dishes that are traditional in Córdoba, such as Salmorejo (a creamy chilled soup made of tomatoes, bread, garlic, vinegar and olive oil), Rabo de Toro (oxtail stew), Morcilla Ibérico (Iberian blood sausage), and a variety of Bocadillos (sandwiches). But what most people come to Bar Santos for is the Tortilla Española (Spanish omelet made with potatoes), for which they have won awards. Besides being absolutely delicious, the Tortilla at Bar Santos is renowned for its size – it’s easily twice as high as a regular tortilla found elsewhere, and many would say it’s also twice as good.

So after seeing the Mezquita, do as the locals and enjoy a slice of tortilla with a cold beer or a nice glass of sherry, and soak up the ambiance of this beautiful city.

• Calle Magistral González Francés, 3
• Córdoba, Spain
• Phone: (957) 48 89 75
• Website: Bar Santos

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Time to Save…Valencia Tourist Card (Spain)

Be sure to purchase a Valencia Tourist Card for your visit to this beautiful city. The card offers free public urban transport, as well as discounts at museums, leisure activities, shops, and restaurants.

Cards are available for 24, 48, or 72 hours, and range in cost from €12 – €22, so you can pick the one that best fits your needs. For more info on the card, click here.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.