Where are the world’s most relaxing city breaks?

August 17, 2015 By pure

City breaks offer a great opportunity to experience the sights, tastes, and culture of your chosen destination. However, some cities can provide a more relaxed break than others. An analysis of tourist data from Tripomatic looked at how people spend their time away and where the most relaxed cities around the globe can be found.

We often think of city breaks as hectic and packed vacations where you try to see as much as possible in an extremely short space of time. This is certainly the case for visitors to New York, where the average tourist visits 5.32 attractions each day.

However, those who are booking holiday apartments in Barcelona tend to have a different outlook. They quickly get into the laid back Spanish way of life, and this is reflected in the number of attractions they visit. Tourists in Barcelona visit an average of just 2.87 sites each day.

The time visitors spend running between sites doesn’t seem to correspond to the number of attractions there are to see in their destination. London is one of the key city breaks in Europe, with plenty of cultural and historical attractions to enjoy. However, tourists go to an average of 3.09 sites every day they are in London. Many of them also find plenty of time to relax in the variety of parks, cafes, and pubs that are scattered around the UK’s capital.

Wherever you choose to go on a city break, planning your itinerary before you travel can make for a more relaxed experience.

City break prices vary throughout the year

June 15, 2015 By pure

A new study covering different city break destinations around the globe shows that the month in which you travel can greatly affect the price that you pay. For example, you’ll spend more travelling to Paris in March, while April is a more expensive month to visit Berlin.

The Travel Saver Calendar, which is a study of flight and hotel costs by momondo, shows that the best month overall in which to travel is January, with April and July being the most expensive. The survey shows that it really can pay to do your research and choose the month you’re going to travel wisely.

When to travel and where

January is generally the best month to book one of the holiday apartments in Barcelona, but November, February, and March are also good choices. Paris is dearer from February to June, but the prices drop from October to December.

For travelers who are looking for a summer break, July and August are always going to be expensive months. However, some of the best choices in terms of price at that time of year are Barcelona, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Rome, and Paris. If you want to go on a winter break, New York is one of the few cities studied where prices didn’t jump again in December.

By shopping around and checking prices throughout the year, you really can grab a great bargain. Travelling out of the general season, whether you go when it’s hotter or colder than usual, could save you enough money to spend on yourself while you’re on vacation.

Visit popular Gaudí attractions while staying in Barcelona

May 18, 2015 By pure

No visit to Barcelona is complete without exploring some of the fantastic architectural creations of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí.

You will thrill at the sight of the beautiful cathedral, La Sagrada Família, with its soaring spires, arches, and columns. This modernist cathedral is still under construction, although work on the building began in 1882. As you will discover, the cathedral is one of the most popular Barcelona tourist attractions, so be prepared to wait in line for tickets. Touring the inside of this fantastic church is highly recommended; you will not find architecture similar to Gaudí’s work anywhere else, and La Sagrada Família is the highlight of his creativity.

Casa Milí, also called La Pedrera (the stone quarry), is another Gaudí masterpiece you cannot miss while touring Barcelona. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built between 1906 and 1912, and it is now home to a cultural center that stages a variety of exhibitions and activities. You can join a guided tour to appreciate all the intricacies of this great work of whimsical architecture. Alternatively, visit La Pedrera by night to discover a totally different aspect of this unique building.

The famed Park Güell is yet one more Gaudí extravaganza. This fantastic Barcelona park features a number of stunning Gaudí designs, including the spectacular dragon fountain near the entrance, a variety of stone structures celebrating Gaudí’s love of nature, and colorful mosaic seating areas where you can admire the Barcelona skyline. A small house located in the park, once Gaudí’s home, is now a museum featuring a range of furnishings and objects designed by the multi-talented architect.

Barcelona is a fascinating city to visit and explore. These and other attractions are conveniently located near many different types of accommodations, from cheap sleeps to luxury rentals. The abundance of vacation rental choices provides you with the freedom to explore this traditional capital of Northern Spain at your own convenience.