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The best way to truly appreciate the drama of Ávila and the enthralling views of the province itself is to walk along the city walls. Start at Puerta de Alcázar near the cathedral and finish at Puerta de Rastro. It costs 3.50 euros to do the walk.
Lovely island just off the coast near Pattaya. No commercial pressures or cars, just lots to explore in peace and quiet, including the ruins of a royal palace, a Chinese temple and great views of the sunset. Eat at Pan and David restaurant.
Boat from Si Racha, Chonburi
Travel the length of this bus's route. It's a cheap fare and passes through most of the tourist sights.
The KaDaWe chocolate department is also WELL worth a visit.
The bus starts at the Zoo station and terminates at the Alexanderplatz
This steep and spectacular gorge is the most famous sight in Ronda as it acts as a natural border between the old and new parts of Ronda. Birds fly off the towering cliffs to feed in the Guadalévin river some 130m below the Puente Nuevo bridge. Best of all it costs nothing to admire the views which stretch right through the gorge.
El Tajo is clearly signposted from both the bus and train stations
This church acts as the Cathedral of Ronda. It was originally an Arab mosque, but apart from the belfry which stands on top of the old minaret, most of the mosque's foundations have been covered over with a graceful combination of Gothic and Renaissance building styles. The views from the top of the belfry are amazing.
Plaza Duquesa de Parcent in the centre of Ronda's La Ciudad district.
Entry fee is 2 euros.
Open daily from 10am-7pm (Oct-March closes at 6pm)
The Puente Viejo of 1616 is slightly less admirable than the Puente Nuevo but the views of El Tajo gorge and La Ciudad are still good and it gives a chance to get your bearings as you enter or leave La Ciudad. The single span Puente San Miguel is not on such an epic scale as the Puente Nuevo or the Puente Viejo but it is a much more peaceful spot (apart from when coaches full of day trippers stop there to drop them off).
Puente Viejo is at the end of C/Marqués Parada not far from La Casa del Rey Moro and the Puente de San Miguel lies below the Puente Viejo over the tricking Guadalévin river.
The Casa del Rey Moro is a spectacular 18th century mansion which is built on Moorish foundations. Unfortunately, only the gardens and not the house itself are open to the public. But the garden hides a treasure of it's own - an underground stairway down to the balcony which looks over the Guadalévin river (take care after it's been raining as they are slippery). The view takes in the Puente Nuevo and the whitewash houses which lean precariously on the opposite bank of El Tajo gorge. If you want to avoid paying the ridiculous 4 euros entry fee and queuing for a vantage point on the small balcony then stick to the Puente Nuevo from where you can get the same view for free! I recommend that you go in the late afternoon to avoid the throngs of day-trippers crowding the balcony and stairs.
17 C/Marqués de Parada
Entry fee is 4 euros
Opening hours: daily 10am-8pm
The arched Puente Nuevo is the very symbol of Ronda. It was built in the 18th century to connect the Moorish side of the town to the modern quarter known as 'Mercadillo' (where the bus and train stations are situated). The views of the El Tajo gorge and of the hills are breathtaking. There is an information centre just underneath the bridge which has an informative exhibition about the construction and history of the bridge. The Puente Nuevo also has a rather macabre link with Ernest Hemingway as it was once the site of a prison, and the inmates there were massacred on a huge scale as they were thrown to their deaths into the 130m El Tajo gorge below. This act provided the inspiration for Ernest Hemingways's famous poem 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'.
The Puente Nuevo is clearly signposted from the bus and train stations and is the main entry point into La Ciudad.
La Ciudad is the most attractive part of Ronda on the right bank of El Tajo gorge. It is where the Moorish past of Ronda comes to life with it's Renaissance mansions and palaces. The best way to see the delights of La Ciudad is to wander aimlessly through the narrow streets which offer enticing views of the Serranía de Ronda.
La Ciudad is a 20 min walk from Ronda's train station. Just follow the brown tourist signs for Puente Nuevo and El Tajo.
Bar/restaurant with panoramic views across the mountains.
You can eat traditional Savoyard specialities on the terrace or sit in a deckchair in the snow on a sunny day for a drink.
Good place to meet non-skiiers for lunch as you can reach it by the Pas du Lac cable car from Mottaret, and for learners there are lots of blue runs leading all the way back down to Méribel.
At the top of the Pas du Lac 1 cable car from Méribel-Mottaret
www.restaurant-lechardonnet-meribel.com
A town in central spain that you can easily get to from Madrid.
It is my favourite place in Spain - it has an amazing aquaduct, a beautiful castle which is supposed to be the inspiration for the Disney/Cinderella Castle, a lovely cathedral and the usual well kept central plaza with lots of great bars/restaurants.
You can get a local train from Madrid to Segovia station.
Inland from the dreadful Costa Blanca, the Alicante countryside turns mountainous and is the most wonderful place for hillwalking.
I'm used to Yorkshire and the Dales - well, this is limestone too but rugged and forested with the advantage of excellent trails and routes for walking or biking.
Sometimes there are even waymarks. But wandering shepherds with herds blessed with goatbells! Of the many little villages I pick out Sella because it's just 12k from the A7 motorway (exit 66) has several bar restaurants (lively! No tourist stuff, little English) and there are even a couple of excellent B&Bs, one of which does self-catering stays too. In winter you´ll bump into rock climbers here but spring and autumn are the best times.
Sella, Alicante www.casaroc.com www.villapico.com www.sella-alicante.com
To fully appreciate the beauty of Baeza there is a short but illuminating walk to be done. Walk through the Puerta de Jaén off the Plaza de Leones, go along the Paseo Muralles (following the route of the old city walls) around the edge of Baeza. From this street there are fantastic views of the surrounding plains and the mountains of Cazorla national park. Cut back to the Plaza Mayor via the stone-walled arched alleyways which hide behind the Cathedral.
Although the majority of natural and historic attractions are outside the town Antequera itself is worth a day trip from Granada or Málaga. The Baroque church of El Carmen has a fine exterior and the views from the ruins of the Alcazaba take in the green and lush Sierra de Ronda.
The locals are really friendly and welcome the few tourists who visit their town. There are plenty of hill walks starting from Antequera and leading to El Chorro gorge and the natural park of El Torcal.
Antequera is one of the most authentic country towns of Andalucía with a comforting village atmosphere.
Antequera lies 55km to the north of Málaga on the main rail line to Granada. There are no buses from either Granada or Málaga to Antequera so you have to take the train from either of these cities. The once daily train from Málaga to Granada stops at Antequera, but 7 trains depart daily from Granada to Seville (calling at Antequera) giving you more time to spend in Antequera.
Palma is the most pleasant city anywhere. It is wonderful for walking, browsing and shopping.
The architecture is splendid, it abounds in cafes, restaurants, dancing, nightclubs etc. The beaches and yacht marinas are part of the city. It has an international airport and ferries to the other islands and mainland.
The coastline and scenery on the island are unparalleled in their beauty, the climate is perfect.
Spring and early summer is the best time to visit. To really admire the wonderful scenery and mountains, it is essential to have a car. The springtime flowers are almost beyond belief in their boundless colours and magnificence.
Palma is THE PLACE TO BE.
The Hancock building offers a better view of Chicago than the taller Sears Tower. Go at sunset and rather than pay to visit the observation deck, spend what you saved on a couple of cocktails in the bar two storeys higher. Sit back and watch the whole of Chicago light up.
Michigan Ave
The fortress (or Alcazaba) is a tremendous triumph of Moorish architecture which towers over the once independant kingdom of Almeria. The old city walls can be clearly seen branching across the mountain down to the suburbs of modern Almeria. It is much better than the Alcazaba at Málaga - with three huge walled enclosures, in the second of which are the remains of a mosque. The views down to the coast are amazing.
Plaza de Joaquin Santisteban
Entry is free to EU citizens (passport needed), otherwise 1.50 euros.
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 9am-8.30pm (Oct-March closes 6.30pm)
This is the only hostel by the sea in Rome. I stayed here and loved it. It's a newly renovated building, very spacious and comfortable. Staff is the best...really fun and helpful. It's about a 30 minute train into central Rome very easy, and more relaxing than staying in Rome. Mediterranean is just across the street...and rooms have views of the sea.
www.litusroma.com
via cozza, 7
00121 Roma, Lido di Ostia
train from Piramide to Ostia Centro
This is a goodie...
A great short drive north of Canberra (20+ mins), down a small road and along another lies this gem. Poachers packs a culinary punch, local wines, cheese, smoked meats and an amazing cafe set in the stunning rural setting of limestone plains and sheep paddocks complete with hens and horses. A total package, book a table, sink a bottle over any one of the platters on offer with a good mate.
www.poacherspantry.com.au
02 6230 248
Nanima road, off the Barton Highway, towards Yass.
Google map: tinyurl.com/mqzwba
The last stronghold of the Moors in Iberia, the Alpujarras is an unspoiled region of hilltop villages spilling down from the Sierra Nevada mountains south of Granada. Up here the mule is still an essential form of transport and tapas are still free when you buy a glass of wine in a village bar. Fabulous area for walking and birdwatching.
We stayed in a lovely, newly reformed holiday let with stunning views in Juvíles, one of the highest and prettiest of the villages, about an hour and a half from Granada city.
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