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In Valencia at the Costa del Azahar, which means coast of the orange flowers, is located a wonderful sight in Spain: the Albufera Park in Valencia. Albufera means lagoon and this is also the name of the lake who gives his name to the Albufera Park in Valencia.

The Albufera Park in Valencia is a natural park with around 21.000 hectares, an incredible sanctuary of the plant and waterworld of the lake, a must see sight during your Valencia holidays. It is a wetland area of incredible worth and beauty, because it gives shelter to many different species and plants. The Albufera Park is located only 10 km from Valencia, so it is easily accessible during your Valencia holidays in an apartment in Valencia. You can visit and admire the park as a day tour, or even spend more days in this unique wetland region.

Especially holiday makers who enjoy observing the nature will have a pleasure wandering around the Albufera Park in Valencia. It is attractive throughout the year. The history of this natural park is also very interesting, as this lake and wetlands have always lived from fishing. Therefore, the fishermen moved near to the lake in order to live their lives.

Another important product of the Albufera region, and logical result of the wetland surrounding, is the rice from Valencia, which is especially delicious and grows well in the wet Albufera area. It was introduced around 800 years ago and is now a staple food in the area.

 And what comes to your mind when you think about rice in connection with Valencia? Of course the paella! In the region of the Albufera lake the fishermen created the paella, a dish made from rice of the Albufera rice fields. The original paella was a "poor man's dish", like many other popular dishes today, and the original recipe from the Albufera fishermen in Valencia contains rabbit and snails. But today the seafood paella is also very popular, with fish or gambas giving a unique flavor to the rice dish.

If you want to visit the wonderful Albufera Natural Park in Valencia during your Valencia holidays, you will experience a wonderful time there and can truly enjoy the nature of the wetlands. It is however important to keep in mind that this a natural protected area, so respect the environment if you decide to visit the Albufera from your apartment in Valencia. By helping to preserve this wonderful region at the Costa del Azahar, you will make sure to continue enjoying this sight in Valencia for future visits, too.

 The Albufera Park in Valencia is one of the most importants sights and natural parks of the area, so add a special experience to your Valencia holidays by visiting this park!

Hotels in Madrid can be full in February quite easy, when the SIMM 2011 Fashion Fair in Madrid will take place from 3^rd to 5^th February 2011 in Spain's capital. The SIMM 2011, Salón Internacional de la Moda de Madrid, or Madrid International Fashion fair will concentrate in the 65th edition about the Fall - Winter 2011-2012 fashion collections and also Spring - Summer 2011 in the Feria de Madrid.

The Feria de Madrid fair centre is located in the Parque Ferial Juan Carlos I, an important location for events. It is near to the airport, which makes the Feria de Madrid a very accessible fair centre and Hotels in Madrid near the fair centre are a good solution for accommodation in Madrid. Deciding to visit the SIMM 2011 in Madrid will definitely be a good decision if you like fashion as a private person or if you are interested in this because of your business.

This event has a leading position in the fashion industry of Spain and attracted around 9.700 visitors in September 2010 (the SIMM 2011 is twice every year) and even more visitors and exhibitors are expected this year. The winter fashion part this year will be about charm, class, ego, gala, man and woman, also a special section about fur and leather fashion for winter.

But if you are staying in your accommodation in Madrid, don't forget to see the spring and summer part of the fair, which will focus on ready to wear clothing and fashion. It is an excellent chance to see the newest fashion items and bring them back to one of the hotels in Madrid you are staying in, also to receive a lot of information about fashion trends of the future during the SIMM 2011 in Madrid.

To have access to the SIMM 2011 during your stay in Madrid accommodation in one of the Hotels in Madrid, you can use the metro lines of the Madrid metro system. The Feria de Madrid, where the SIMM 2011 will be held, can be reached by the metro line 8. The bus lines stopping at the Feria de Madrid are: 112, 122 and 828.

The SIMM 2011 will be held in the Feria de Madrid showrooms or halls 12 and 14, and will be open from 09:30 to 19:30 every day from the 3^rd to the 5^th February 2011.

It is wise to book accommodation in Madrid in one of the many suitable hotels in Madrid in advance in order to easily avoid a stressful holiday travel.

Artists and art interested of you will have heard from the art gallery and museum in Spain's capital without a doubt: the Prado Museum in Madrid, or Museo del Prado. Not only exhibiting one of the best collections of painting art in Europe, but also displaying sculptures, coins, medals and different objects, the Prado Museum in Madrid is a must see sight not only for artists during a stay in Madrid holiday rentals for vacation.

The Prado Museum in Madrid is located at the Paseo del Prado in Spain's capital and was founded in 1785, originally being the Natural History Cabinet. The first visitors came in 1819, when the museum was opened for the public people, and soon it gained a reputation as one of Europe's finest galleries of art, attracting almost 3 million visitors per year today.

The collection exhibited at the Prado Museum in Madrid is wide ranged, pieces of art from the 12^th century until the 19^th century are exhibited in the museum, with different temporary exhibitions during the seasons. Because of this fact, it is wise to plan in a whole day for the Prado Museum in Madrid when spending your holidays in Madrid holiday rentals. This way, you have time enough to explore all of the museum's treasures without having to hurry from one exhibition to another.

The tour through the Prado Museum in Madrid during your Spain holidays in the capital city will not only show you incredible art pieces, whether painting or sculpture, it will also take you to a journey through time and space.  With art and paintings from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance or famous works from all over the world, like Goya, Titian, Rubens, Rembrandt, Rigaud or Dürer, you will truly be astonished when seeing their famous works in person.

The painting "Las Meninas" by Diego Velázquez showing the Infanta Margarita is regarded as the most famous work in the Prado Museum in Madrid and should not be missed in any case if you are staying in a Madrid hotel! Also Picasso has a rich amount of work exhibited in the museum, and did you know that he actually has a work inspired by "Las Meninas" de Velazquez? This connection is explored in the Picasso Museum in Barcelona, if you are interested spending your holidays there.

But also the incredible sculptures are interesting sights during your holidays in Madrid; ranging from Greek to Roman to Iberian, the Prado Museum in Madrid does not leave your heart unsatisfied.

Current exhibitions at the Prado Museum in Madrid include Dürer's famous "Adam and Eve" until the 20^th March 2011 and a exhibition dedicated to Rubens until the 23^rd January 2011.

Opening times for the Prado Madrid are:

Tuesday until Sunday from 09:00 to 20:00.

On Mondays the Prado is closed, also on 1^st January, 1^st May and 25^th December.

On 6^th January, 24^th and 31^st December there will be reduced opening hours, from 09:00 until 14:00.

If you decide to spend your holidays in Madrid to visit the world known Prado Museum, it is recommended to book a Madrid hotel in advance to ensure you a stress free holiday in Spain's capital. Go on a journey of art with the Prado Museum in Madrid!

When visiting Salamanca in Spain to spend holidays, there are plenty of sights in this student city, known to teach the best Spanish in Spain. But besides the Salamanca University, you should the Salamanca Cathedrals during your holidays in Salamanca.

The two Cathedrals of Salamanca, the New Cathedral and the Old Cathedral, were built in the 15^th and 12^th century respectively, and are located in the city centre, not far away from each other. Near the University of Salamanca you can the these two wonderful pieces of art and architecture standing next to each other, towering over the city like huge statues.

The Old Cathedral of Salamanca was founded by Jerome of Périgod, a bishop, and is over 700 hundred years old. Filled and decorated with Romanesque styles as well as Gothic inspirations, the Old Cathedral or Catedral Vieja combines these two styles with ease, due to the fact that it was founded in 1140 and a lot of time to be finished.

On the Old Cathedral in Salamanca is also the famous Torre del Gallo, which you should see during your Salamanca holidays. Benefit from the unique experience in Salamanca, enjoy the Salamanca weather and sights and visit this old cathedral.

However, to enter the Salamanca Old Cathedral, you have to enter through the New Cathedral of Salamanca, so if you are staying in a Salamanca Hotel, keep in mind to prepare for visiting two cathedrals in a row.

With the construction starting in 1513, the Salamanca New Cathedral or Catedral Nueva is the newer one of the two, but nevertheless old and impressing. From baroque to gothic style you can find elements on this breathtaking sight in Spain. Now this monument is directly next to the Old Cathedral of Salamanca, which is handy and practical if you want to see both of them.

Unfortunately the Salamanca New Cathedral was affected by an earthquake in 1755, the effects of which can be seen still today. But nevertheless, the majestic impression of this famous sight in Spain is something that you have to visit during your holidays in Salamanca, especially if you are in a near Salamanca Hotel and can walk towards it.

Also famous is the astronaut on the façade of the New Cathedral of Salamanca, which was designed during restorational workings a few years ago. It is now part of the cathedral that combines so many different styles and epochs, and therefore fits with the overall impression of Salamanca. So take a picture of the Salamanca Cathedral astronaut while visiting this place!

So if you want to learn Spanish and have a fondness for impressing old monuments, especially cathedrals, spend your holidays in Salamanca and visit the famous Salamanca Cathedrals!

Lying close to the Alicante airport, it could be a good decision to spend your Costa Blanca holidays in Elche or Elx, if you are fond of history and palm trees. The city of Elche or Elx is located at the Costa Blanca in Spain and a perfect holiday destinations thanks to the Elche weather and the good quality Elche hotels in Spain.

Elche is only about 23 km away from Alicante, so it is also possible to stay in Alicante and plan one or two day tours to this wonderful historical city. But of course, it is also recommended to stay in a Costa Blanca hotel in Elche to fully enjoy your holidays in Spain.

The palm tree filled city offers a lot of sights, thanks to the interesting history of the town. Originally Elche was located about 10 km away from its actual position when it was established around 600 B.C and was originally called Helike, resembling its status as Greek colony.

After being conquered and reconquered by Romans, Moors, Carthaginians, Goths and the Spanish Kingdom again, the city survived and presents its diverse history in the Elche museums: the Archaeology and History Museum or Museo Arqueológico y de Historia de Elche, the Elche Palaeontological Museum, the Elche Municipal Festa Museum and the Palm Groves Museum.

If you have the chance to visit any of the Elche museums during your stay in a hotel in Elche, make sure not to miss it, as they offer the most interesting exhibitions and history.

Adding to Elches reputation of being a palm tree city and at the same time being  UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the Elche Palm Grove or Palmeral de Elche. In case you are not staying in one of the Elche hotels in Spain, but in the near Alicante and planning a day trip to Elche, make sure to visit this jewel of Elche first.

For those of you enjoying history and exotic recreation during their Costa Blanca holidays in Elche it is a good possibility to relax while walking along the immense palm trees, which exist since around 500 BC.

Of course this is not the only sight you can visit during your stay in a hotel in Elche. Near the original location of Elche an ancient statue was found, the image of a woman with ornaments in her hair. This statue, the Lady of Elche or also Dama de Elche, is today exhibited in Madrid, but there is a replica in the museum in Elche. The bust of the Lady of Elche dates from around 400 BC and was discovered in 1897.

Sightseeing in Elche still comes to no end, because there is still the Mystery Play of Elche, which is a play dedicated to Mary and takes place yearly in the middle of August. The Mystery Play of Elche is impressing, and if you have the chance to see it during your Costa Blanca holidays in Elche, definitely see it.

The palm tree city of Elche is, thanks to the close location to the Alicante airport, a perfect holiday destination for all those interested in Spain's early history, as well as people in search of recreation who can walk around the Palm Tree Grove of Elche or along the beaches of the Costa Blanca, which are not too far away (about 20 km). Elche or Elx has interesting sights to discover, so book your hotel in Elche in advance to fully enjoy your Spain holidays!

Taking place on 28^th December, in a small village called Fuente Carreteros near Cordoba, an interesting event is going to take place: the Dance of the Mad Ones, or Baile de Los Locos.

The day of 28^th December is also the Spanish equivalent to Aprils Fool's Day and is called Día de los Inocentes, perfectly fitting the amazing and funny dance with swords.  The village of Fuente Carreteros is about 55 km away from Cordoba and therefore suitable for a day tour from Cordoba to the Dance of the Mad Ones.  Booking Cordoba Hotels in advance is therefore recommended to better organize your stay and tour to the Dance of the Mad Ones in Fuente Carreteros.

The number 6 is what an important element of this exciting event in Spain 2010, as there are 6 dancers with swords, six drummers and the beginning and end of the dances are indicated by shooting 6 shots into the air. The Dance of the Mad Ones in Cordoba consists of three different dances, each dedicated to Mary. Impressing and astonishing, this event captures the eyes of the visitors with ease and makes you retreat to your hotel in Cordoba pleased and satisfied, having enjoyed a wonderful dance and cultural tradition in Spain.

Usually the Dance of the Mad Ones 2010 in Fuente Carreteros is followed by another dance event: El Danza del Oso, or Dance of the Bear. During this dance, one inhabitant of the city is chosen to be dressed up as a bear, with the help of a detailed costume. Another chosen inhabitant then chases after the "bear" along the streets of Fuente Carreteros. This funny event is a must see during your holidays in Spain, so prepare your stay in one of the Cordoba hotels and a tour!

But the small village is not the only one celebrating the Dance of the Mad Ones 2010 on 28^th December, there are different villages as well and each of them will give you a wonderful time during your holidays in Spain. In whole Andalusia this tradition is celebrated, as well as in other regions of Spain are celebrations for the Dia de los Santos Inocentes, or April Fools' Day.

If you want to experience a wonderful event in Spain in winter, why don't you book your hotel in Cordoba and spend a day in Fuente Carreteros to witness the Dance of the Mad Ones 2010?