The Spain Travel Deals Blog

As my last post dealt with Spain travel deals that can be found on accommodation in Seville, I thought it appropriate to highlight one of the many good restaurants to be found in the city for this article.  Today, I want to tell you about Taberna Coloniales, a bar and tapas restaurant at Plaza Cristo De Burgos 19, in central Seville.

The first thing to take note of regarding this establishment is it’s seemingly wide spread popularity among both tourists and locals.  If you ask people about reasonably priced restaurants in Seville serving authentic Spanish dishes, they are almost sure to mention Taberna Coloniales.  Indeed, if you are looking for a good Spain travel deals in Seville; this is one restaurant you will not want to miss.  The prices here are lower than almost any similar establishment.  (You won’t pay more than 10 Euros, or $15 US dollars, for anything on the menu).

In addition to the excellent prices, Taberna Coloniales is simply an interesting place to dine.  The building is in a scenic location with a number of outdoor tables which allow you to enjoy the sights and sounds of one of southern Spain’s most vibrant city centers.  The inside of the establishment is quite small, and because this place is so popular, you do need to be prepared to wait for a table.  I would recommend arriving early in the evening if you plan to go for dinner.  You can always have a drink at the bar inside while you wait for a table, and just enjoy the atmosphere.

The small size of Taberna Coloniales, coupled with the flurry of activity you will find on any evening here, gives the restaurant a cozy and inviting feel.  The decor adds a uniquely Spanish touch to the environment, making this location one of the better Spain travel deals in Seville for tourist looking for a truly authentic experience.

In addition to being quite inexpensive, you will find that this restaurant offers very generous portions.  Any of the tapas on offer here will make a delicious full meal.  You will also notice that the menu is quite large and varied.  There are some interesting varieties of tapas that you might not find in other establishments.  There are many tasty options, so you are sure to find something here that appeals to you.  If you plan to stay in Seville for awhile, I recommend visiting this place more than once to try out some of the different items on offer.

You’ll also be pleasantly surprised by the staff at Taberna Coloniales.  They are friendly and quite helpful to visitors.  Even though the restaurant is almost always full, they seem to have orders ready in a very timely manner, and are quite equipped to handle the large daily crowds.

All in all, this is an excellent place with a good reputation throughout Seville.  Visitors are sure to enjoy a good inexpensive meal here.  I hope this review is useful to you in your holiday planning.  Please come back to the site soon for more information about Spain travel deals.

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As accommodation can be one of the most costly components of any holiday, I have featured a number of articles about Spain travel deals on offer at hotels throughout the country.  Today I want to look at a hotel in the southern city of Seville.  Seville is brimming with activity and culture.  The city has many interesting sights, and is a tourist experience you won’t want to miss.

If you want a peaceful and affordable stay during your time in Seville, then I recommend taking a closer look at Silken Al Andalus Palace.  Located at, Avenida Le Palmera s/n, esquina C/ Paraná, the hotel is a quiet and comfortable option for your stay.  Now, one thing you need to bear in mind is that Silken Al Andalus is outside of central Seville, so if you are looking for something in the midst of the city, this option may not suit your needs.  However, if you want to avoid the extra noise and crowds that you will often face with city center accommodation, then this hotel does offer good Spain travel deals for your money, along with excellent service.

As far as on-site amenities go, Silken Al Andalus is fairly well endowed for the price.  Within the grounds you will find a large swimming pool, a number of restaurants (including a cafeteria style option and a good Italian option), and a nice fitness room.  A sauna and a bar are also available to guests.

You will find that the hotel has quite a modern feel, with uniquely decorated rooms, and a large comfortable common area.  Business travelers will also find that conference space is available to them, and wifi internet access is available throughout the building.

Although the hotel is fairly large, the staff is attentive and helpful, and the suburban setting of the property feels quite safe.  As I have said, this particular property is a bit outside the city, but you will find that it is well connected to Seville’s town center when you want to venture in and see the sights.  A taxi stand is located just outside the hotel, and you will also be very close to a bus stop.  Buses arrive here every few minutes throughout the day, and for just over two Euros, you can reach the city in about 10 or 15 minutes.  If you have a car, the hotel also offers parking within the grounds for a price of 12 Euros per day.

With rooms averaging around 81 Euros ($120 USD) per night, Silken Al Andalus Palace is offering some very reasonable Spain travel deals for tourists to Seville who are looking for a quiet stay in a modern hotel.

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I have spent several blog posts telling you about various Spain travel deals which can save you money when traveling to some of Spain’s busiest, and most popular tourist cities.  However, you may be interested in seeing some areas of Spain that are less frequented by tourists.  Perhaps you are looking for a short getaway from the major cities so that you can enjoy Spain without all the large crowds, and get a feel for what the country is really like.  If this sounds like you, then I would like to suggest a visit to the city of Zaragoza.

Zaragoza is located fairly close to the cities of Barcelona and Madrid.  This makes it a wonderful idea for an addition to your holiday if you have already visited one of these two larger cities.  Luckily for tourists, the city is very well served by various forms of mass transit.  You can quickly visit Zaragoza via Spain’s high speed rail system, or you might choose to fly into the city’s airport, which is served daily by a number of airlines.  If you are really looking to save money, and you have a bit of time, you can find Spain travel deals for coach service to Zaragoza as well.

Once you arrive, you will be pleased to learn that because of its small size, Zaragoza is very walkable.  So, you can see all the sites quite easily without spending a lot on transportation.  If you do want some help getting around the city, and finding all the must see locations, a trip on the tourist bus is only 7 Euros.  As I said in a previous post, bus tours like this can be some of the best Spain travel deals for first timers to a city.

I think you will find that despite its small size, Zaragoza has many great sites to see.  Cathedral de la Seo (a beautiful Gothic church),  and Palacio de la Aljaferia (a magnificent castle boasting golden ceilings), are among the best tourist destinations.  There is also a very large, and wonderfully maintained city bark that you are sure to enjoy.

If you want to visit Zaragoza, I can recommend a good, inexpensive hotel as well.  Hotel Sauce, at Calle de Espoz y Mina 33, is a privately owned hotel which is ideally placed for visiting Zaragoza.  You will find that the city cathedral, along with a wide variety of restaurants is within easy reach.

In addition to its prime location the hotel has a very attentive staff.  Rooms are kept very clean, and employees are happy to help travelers.  If you prefer to eat in the morning, a good sized Spanish style breakfast is made available.  Free wifi internet is also conveniently available for guests to take advantage of.

This hotel’s small size and excellent staff give it a more personal feel than you might find elsewhere.  On top of that, with rooms starting around 60 Euros ($90 US dollars), Hotel Sauce represents one of Zaragoza’s best Spain Travel Deals.

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Any European travelers looking for Spain travel deals on airfares have undoubtedly come across both easyJet and Ryan Air.  For those who don’t know already, these two companies are among the biggest players in discount air travel within Europe.  Today, I wanted to do a quick post about some of the advantages and disadvantages you may face when using either of these two companies to travel around Spain, or within another area of Europe.  (Please not that this post will not be relevant for anyone looking to book tickets to Spain from outside of Europe.  However, if you ate planning to visit multiple Spanish cities, or go on an extended European holiday, you may find it useful).

First let’s take a look at Ryan Air.  A look at the front page of their website will usually reveal the current deals that are being promoted.  This airline is well known for advertising very low fares (sometimes as low as one British pence) for a one way trip.  This may sound unbelievable, but you need to remember that this price is before taxes.  In, my experience, it is also unlikely that you will find such a cheap price for both the outgoing and return segments of your trip.

Another issue that I have has with Ryan air in the past is that they offer service to more out of the way airports for some flights.  For example, if you want to travel to Barcelona, Ryan Air only offers flights to Reus.  From this airport, it is roughly a 90 minute journey to Barcelona’s city center.  With easyJet, you can book a ticket directly to Barcelona airport.  The trade off here is that easyJet tickets can be a bit more expensive.  However, when looking for the best Spain travel deals, I feel it is important to factor convenience into the equation.

While on the subject of ticket price, I have to say that I prefer easyJet’s method of including all the taxes in their quoted price right from the start.  (Everything is included except for an optional fee for any hold bags, and a third party tax.  Both of these fees are revealed later in the checkout process).

Of course, anyone would agree that the prospect of getting a Ryan Air ticket for just one pence is enticing, but I would personally prefer to see all the taxes included in the price up front.  With regard to customer service, I have been reasonably satisfied with both airlines.  They both offer the basic level of service that you might expect from a discount service, and both offer the convenience of an electronically available boarding pass.

Overall, I tend to choose Ryan Air for price, and easyJet for convenience, when they offer a route closer to my end destination.  I would recommend that that you check with both companies before booking a ticket.  I would also suggest that you do not discount large carriers, as research will often uncover some excellent Spain travel deals from them as well.

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There are many ways to tour Spain, but if you have never visited the country before, it can be difficult to find the places you really want to see.  Luckily, there are a number of bus companies that offer great Spain travel deals for tourists who want to take in the highlights of a city.

I won’t go into detail about specific tours that are available in this post.  (That is something that will be covered in future writings).  Rather, in this auricle, I simply want to go over some of the things that you need to consider when deciding which tour is right for you.  You’ll have many options here, and it is important to select a tour that caters to your specific needs.

First, you will want to consider how the tour is conducted by the touring company.  I have been on city tours where passengers remain on the bus for the duration of the trip.  If you choose one of these tours, you will generally be driven to key tourist sites in the city, and given a detailed explanation of each site.  You may be told about the landmarks by a tour guide hosting your trip, or, as is often the case on a bus tour, you may be given an audio device that provides recorded narration in your language of choice.

While these types of tours are very useful on a rainy day, or when you have only a very short time to visit a city, these are not the tours that I generally recommend.  If you are planning your first trip to a city in Spain, I would suggest that tours which allow you to get on and off the bus, and visit each site at your leisure, generally offer the best Spain travel deals.

One selecting one of these types of tours there are a number of things to consider.  Firstly, I would recommend that you start a bus tour of this type in the morning, so that you have enough time to complete the entire loop of the tour.  You should be able to find out how long it takes to go from start to finish on a tour, and which sights are included that you would like to see,  If you also remain mindful of what time buses will be available to pick you up at each site, you should be able to budget your time accordingly.

Also, if you are interested in a particular type of sightseeing experience, try to locate a themed tour.  For example, some tours visit primarily historical sites, making them an attractive option for a history buff.  Finally, there are often special Spain travel deals for people of a certain age or status (ie. students, children or senior citizens).  Be sure to check if anyone in your part is eligible for a discount.

Bus tours can often be excellent Spain travel deals for the first timer to a city.  Just be sure to do your research first, so that you can book the perfect tour for your trip.

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Today, I have another article for you about Spain travel deals in Barcelona.  This time, I want to tell you a bit about how you can get around the city itself without wasting a lot of time and money.  Now, before I go on, I want to say that it is definitely a good idea to do some walking around in the city if you are able. Barcelona is a beautiful city, and you will want to be out and about so that you can see all that it has to offer.  I would always recommend getting a centrally located hotel, and doing some exploring on foot if time permits.

That being said, you may only have a short time to visit Barcelona.  It may also be the case that you have booked accommodation outside of the main city, or that you or a traveling companion has mobility issues.  If that is the case, then I would suggest that you take advantage of some of the excellent Spain travel deals offered by Barcelona’s cheap and efficient public transport service.

In this post, I want to talk about an excellent deal that can be had when you choose to purchase a T10 transport card.  As in many cities you can either purchase individual travel tickets every time you use public transport, or you can buy a T10 pass, which is valid for several journeys.  More specifically, the pass can be used for up to ten journeys.  It is useful for trips carried out on several modes of transportation including the city’s metro, busses, and train service.

In addition to the convenience it offers by allowing you to utilize different forms of transport, the pass can also be shared with other members of your travel group.  (Please note: If two members of your party use the pass to take the same single journey, this will count as two individual uses).

It is also worth noting that a journey which combines two or more forms of transport (ie. Metro and bus), can be counted as a single journey if the total travel time does not exceed 75 minutes.  This can also be a big money saver, as you will not need to waste another use on the card just to change forms of transport.

Do keep in mind that you will usually want a T10 pass for zone 1.  (There are six zones in the transport system, but most sites are in zone 1).  The price for this type of ticket is just 7.70 Euros, as opposed to 1.35 per ticket, should you choose individual tickets.  This makes the T10 one of the best Spain travel deals for intercity transport in Barcelona.  Pick your pass up at the city airport or at a metro or train station once you start your trip.

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Of all the places I have visited in Europe, Barcelona is certainly one of the cities I have enjoyed the most.  For this reason, I am pleased to say that there are many Spain travel deals that will save you money no matter what you want to do in this fantastic city.  I realize that not everyone will want to spend their entire visit to Barcelona seeing the tourist sites, so today, I thought I would write a post telling you about some of the good deals you can get on a night out in the city.  Specifically, I want to talk about two clubs that I think offer a good opportunity for you to have a great evening in Barcelona that should be a less touristy experience for you.

First of all, I want to tell you about a nightclub called Rita Blue.  The club is located at Plaça Sant Agustí 3 in the Ramblas area of town.  Rita Blue can best be described as a modern, somewhat funky club with a laid back atmosphere.  It is popular with local residents, and is quite active as far as the nightclub scene goes.  Whether you are looking for a night of dancing, or just a relaxing drink and a meal with friends, Rita Blue has something to offer you.

The food and drinks here are mid-range in price, but are of a good quality.  You will find meal options from a variety of countries, and of course a good selection of Spanish tapas that you must sample.  The drinks available here are especially good.  So, even though this may not be the cheapest option on the club scene, the variety and quality of the items available at the club restaurant makes Rita Blue one of a number of notable Spain travel deals on the Barcelona club circuit.

To top it all off, you will find a very welcoming staff here, and an impressive number of live musical acts for your enjoyment throughout the week.

If you’re looking for even more live music, then the second place I want to recommend today may be for you.  Sala Monasterio, a popular nightclub and concert venue, is located at Passeig Isabel II 4, in Barcelona’s port area.  Monasterio is small but atmospheric offering a great selection of live music throughout the week.

This place has something to offer regardless of your musical taste.  Featuring everything from jazz, rock, salsa and more, you’re sure to enjoy an evening here.  They even offer free jam nights where visitors to the club can come in and play music of their own.  Jam nights are a great way to see some of the new local talent you might not find elsewhere.

On regular concert nights, established musical acts are booked for your enjoyment.  The price for getting in to these concerts is quite reasonable (usually about 6 Euros). Drinks are also reasonably priced here making the club an excellent choice for a night out.

For more information about Spain travel deals on evenings out throughout the country, and on enjoying all Spain has to offer, check back here soon.

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When looking for Spain travel deals to suit your dining needs, you will be pleasantly surprised to find that the city of Madrid has quite a few reasonably priced eateries where you can sample the local cuisine.  If you are looking for a delicious, authentically Galician meal in the capital, I’ve got a recommendation for you that I think you’ll be very pleased with.  I want to talk to you about the Tabernna Maceiras on Calle Jesús, 7 in Madrid.

Tabernna Maceiras offers some of the best Galician food that Madrid has to offer at exceptionally reasonable prices.  The specialties here are seafood dishes, and there are many to choose from.  Some of the better options include the delicious mussels, and the various fish plates.  Also, if you haven’t tried tapas before, the ones on offer here are exceptional.  No matter what you order, you are getting an excellent value here as several lighter meals are available for less than 10 Euros, and you can get nearly everything for less than 20.

What really makes this restaurant one of the exceptional Spain travel deals for you dining pleasure is the size of the portions.  You are certainly going to get a lot of food for your money here.  Also take note that if you’re in the mood for wine, the selections available here are of a good quality, and are also reasonably priced.

Apart from the exceptional food, I think you are also going to enjoy the atmosphere at Tabernna Maceiras.  The restaurant is small and rustic, but very lively.  The decor and the music are distinctly Galician, and serve to offer   the visitor an authentically Spanish experience that you might not find at a larger less personal establishment.

The residents of Madrid certainly seem to enjoy the restaurant as much as any tourists.  No matter what time you go to dinner, Maceiras is always bustling with people looking for a good meal.  Please keep in mind that due to its popularity and small size, you will want to plan ahead for your visit.  Maceiras does not offer reservations, so if you plan to go, I would recommend that you arrive as they are opening for the dinner crowd at 8:30.  If you can’t be there at opening time, be advised that you may need to wait in line for a table.

If you are looking for an excellent seafood meal in Madrid, this is the best place I have come across thus far where you can get an inexpensive meal.  It is surely worth a visit for anyone wanting to try authentic Galician food at a reasonable price.

I hope you enjoyed this article, and that it is useful to you on your next trip to Madrid.  Please come back to the Spain Travel deals Blog again soon; to read more about how to enjoy an affordable Spanish holiday you won’t soon forget.

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If you are planning a trip to Spain’s Andalucía region, Granada with its beautiful Alhambra Palace is not to be missed.  Luckily there several good Spain travel deals on hotel accommodation for visitors to the city.  In this post, I want to tell you a bit about the very reasonably priced Abadia Hotel.

The Abadia is situated in an excellent location for those wishing to tour the city of Granada.  Located at Triana Baja 7, the property is within walking distance of many major tourist sites.  However, the location is just far enough away from the city center to allow for a quiet restful stay after a long day of exploring Granada.  The property is well maintained, and has a beautiful courtyard for guests to enjoy.

The hotel staff members at the Abadia speak excellent English, and are very helpful and receptive to tourists.  They are also very knowledgeable, about Granada and its attractions, and are willing to offer advice about what to see and do during your stay.  The small size of the hotel allows for more of a personal touch, and a higher level of customer service than you will find at many larger establishments.  Indeed, if this is your first visit to Granada, and you are looking for more personalized service, then the Abadia offers one of the best Spain travel deals for your accommodation needs.

With regard to the rooms available, they are of adequate size, and seem to be kept very clean.  In each room you will find air conditioning and a mini refrigerator for your use.  Tea and coffee is available to all guest, as is free internet access.

Near to the hotel, you will find a variety of restaurants and cafes where you can get a reasonably priced meal.  You will also find that the city’s cathedral, a must see attraction, is just a short walk from the property.  When you want to venture farther into Granada, a bus stop that will give you access to all areas of the city is just a few minutes’ walk away.

If you will be continuing your travels through Spain after leaving the city, you will be pleased to know that the hotel is also conveniently close to the train station.  This makes the Abadia a great option for guest looking to cut transportation costs by staying close to public transport.  For those traveling by car, the hotel is also convenient, as there is parking available very close to the building.

With rates typically starting at just under 68 Euros (or $100 USD) for a double room, the Abadia hotel offers some good Spain travel deals for your holiday in Granada.

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If you are planning to venture away from mainland Spain to the Canary Islands, Lanzarote offers some great Spain travel deals for visitors looking for beachfront accommodation at a reasonable price.  One of the best places to find a good deal is H10 Lanzarote Gardens, located at  Avenida de las Canarias, 13 in the Costa Teguise area of the island.  The hotel is situated right along the Playa de las Cucharas beach, making it the ideal base for swimmers and sunbathers.

Lanzarote Gardens offers several different levels of accommodation.  Standard apartments for up to four guests (2 guests per room), come equipped with a refrigerator, freezer, and microwave for your use.  The rooms are clean, and offer wonderful views of the area.  The rate for a double occupancy standard room is just 33 Euros ($48 USD) per night during the off season.  If you choose to upgrade to an all inclusive package, the price would increase to 81 Euros ($118 USD) per night.  Keep in mind that prices do increase in the busier summer months.  However, given the location and the options available, the Lanzarote Gardens still offers one of the best Spain travel deals on the island.

If you do choose to go with an all inclusive package here, the restaurant on the grounds offers a wide variety of traditional Spanish and international food choices for you to select from.  For those booking a standard room, there are many restaurants within easy walking distance of the property.

Additionally, you will also be pleased to find two beautiful swimming pools, a bar near the pool area, tennis courts, and daily entertainment.  Lanzarote Gardens even has a good selection of activities for children if you will be traveling with your family.

With regard to service, the hotel staff is friendly to travelers, and is English speaking.  Check in procedure at the hotel is quick and efficient, and both the apartments and the grounds are kept clean and orderly.

The hotel even allows pets should you choose to have them accompany you during your stay on the island.  All in all, this accommodation offers some great Spain travel deals for guests who want to enjoy a beach vacation in comfortable surroundings, with amenities close at hand.

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