The Torre Agbar, or Agbar Tower, was created by French designer Jean Nouvel. It opened during June 2005 in Barcelona, Spain, and it has been inaugurated officially by the kings of Spain on the 16 of September of 2005.
The construction, which measures 142 metres in height, hosts the Barcelona Water Company, and Nouvel has designed it to evoke water: smooth and continuous, shimmering and transparent. The Agbar Tower is located in the Poblenou area of The catalonian capital and is named subsequent to its initial owners, the Agbar Group, a holding corporation whose interests include the Barcelona Architect water company Aig

1. Among the most recognized boulevards in the planet, La Rambla merits a walk down even when you have just a single day in Barcelona. A gateway to rural Catalunya, the mile-long road is filled with tourists, painters, human statues, fortune-tellers, dancers and musicians. Pulsating flower stalls, a cultural and exhibition centre, the fantastic La Boqueria market, a Joan Mir

To celebrate my concluding exam for the duration of my semester in Scotland at the Glasgow University, I treated myself to eight days in Spain (Barcelona and Madrid, to be specific). I went on my own, which I was a slight bit nervous about — I worried about safety, comprehending Spanish and also being alone. Those happened to be realistic worries, however it all turned out great, and it helped me feel a whole lot more positive about traveling alone in the coming years.

Barcelona

I travelled on Ryanair (a cheap airline) from Glasgow’s Prestwick Airport to Barcelona — though in characteristic Ryanair fashion we ended up in a secondary airport over an hour’s bus ride away from the city. I was staying at the Gothic Point hostel, which I eventually found in the end after walking the wrong way through Barcelona’s Barrio Gotico and accidentally finding the cathedral — a nice shock. It was lovely, dark and complex, and regrettably surrounded with building work. Ah, well. After walking through the nave I went back outside and eventually came across the hostel, which offered free Internet! I was quite impressed (though understandably there was a bit of waiting time to use the computers). I used this time to research Barcelona travel information.

I began my first entire day of sightseeing at Park Guell, designed by Barcelona’s famous architect Antoni Gaudi. I took the metro to what appeared to be the nearest station, but it was still a bit of a lengthy, walk to get there. My next station was Passeig de Gracia, where there were several more well known Gaudi creations. Casa Batllo was too cool for me to try to describe (and also too expensive for me to enter!). Just down the street was La Pedrera, an apartment building with a lot of curves, wavy lines, dazzling colors, oddly shaped windows, etc. After that I continued along the Gaudi trail to la Sagrada Familia, an colossal cathedral whose development has been in progress since about 1883 — and it’s only slightly over halfway done. Unbelievable. I primarily felt a bit robbed when I needed to pay eight euros to get in and then another two euros just to ride up one of its towers, but then I realised it was helping to sustain the construction. Maybe I’ll return to Barcelona in 30 years or so and see it when it’s done!

After that I headed to Placa Catalunya, where I strolled down La Rambla, Barcelona’s most famous street. Lined with trees and shops and street performers of all kinds, it was fun and crowded. La Rambla continues down to the statue of Christopher Columbus and the old port, where I sat and chilled out for a bit. Then I made my way back through Barri Gotic toward my hostel, stopping in a few pretty plazas — particularly Placa Reial, with palm trees and lovely historic buildings. I also entered into the cathedral. Barrio Gotico is a great place to get lost, with narrow streets, flowered balconies, wrought-iron railings and traditional street lamps.

The next day I decided to visit Montjuic, where the Olympic Village from the 1992 summer olympics is located, along with some countryside, a quite mediocre castle/fortress, and Poble Espanyol, a model Spanish town that had some really pretty buildings and lots of artisan crafts.

I made a pit stop at my room to get an umbrella, despite the fact that by that point it was sunny again, of course. Then I went on to the Picasso Museum, which wasn’t as thrilling as I’d wanted. A lot of the stuff there was very early work. The same can

Around the world there are lots of wonderful places to enjoy a holiday. But not many of these destinations cannot come close to Lanzarote for cultural attractions. As this small Canary Island located off the African coast is the birthplace of a famous artist called C

Despite the recent volcanic activity in Iceland and the chaos this caused for countless travellers plenty of tourists will still be heading for similar hot spots around the globe during 2010. With destinations such as Lanzarote still very popular. This little island still bears the very visible marks of huge eruptions that took place some 250 years ago. With the interior left resembling the stage set of a science fiction movie.

The surreal terrain of Lanzarote and the other Canary Islands has attracted TV and moviemakers from around the globe and the area has been used for films such as Enemy Mine and The search for treasure island to name but a few.

Fortunately for tourists today these peaks are no longer active. However the volcanic region is always alive with visitors as it is the most popular sight on Lanzarote. But there is still much more to the island than just lava fields and volcanoes – as there are also hundreds of great beaches to explore along with a host of other sights.

Holiday villas in Lanzarote: There are lots of places to stay too – with plenty of self catering properties and hotels for visitors to select from. Villas in Lanzarote have proved very popular with British and Irish tourists over the last decade. Whilst Spanish and German guests tend to book Lanzarote hotels instead. With plenty of luxurious five star options available.

Lanzarote is home to three main tourist resorts. During the colder months of the year Playa Blanca villas tend to get booked up more. Reflecting the fact that their location at the southern foot of the island guarantees more sunshine. However visitors in search of more nightlife should plump instead for villas in Puerto del Carmen. As the islands oldest resort is home to an abundance of restaurants, bars and clubs.

The third largest resort of Costa Teguise is located to the north of Arrecife airport on the south east coastline. It was created around 35 years ago with the help of C

Escaping the daily routine of work and household chores and the stress they cause is usually only possible when you get away for a holiday. The best way to switch off quickly is to ensure that your destination has lots of sunshine and a laid back atmosphere.

Of the hotspots around Europe, the Canary Islands are probably the most reliable for year round good weather. This is thanks to their location off the coast of Morocco, making them the most southerly port of call in the whole Eurozone. And of these seven islands it is Lanzarote that has the lowest annual rainfall and is the most easterly in location. As a holiday destination it is well developed, with a good infrastructure that has been maintained and updated throughout the last forty years.

In terms of places to stay, there are three main resorts and a host of smaller rural settings, with a wide choice of accommodation style and price range. For those who like self-catering, Lanzarote apartments are amongst the most cost effective to select from. Alternatively, a more spacious kind of accommodation can be found in one of the many holiday villas in Lanzarote. Private swimming pools and spacious comfortable living arrangements are the norm, with entertainment facilities on hand to boot.

A large number of Lanzarote Villas are also visited by their owners during certain times throughout the season and this is one of the main reasons that a majority are maintained in tip top condition and contain a lot of the normal items many families would normally have to pack.

The resort of Puerto del Carmen has numerous good restaurants, many of which are located close to the atmospheric old town area, with views of the harbor. Several of the best can be found just on the outskirts of the town, only a short cab ride from most of the accommodation. During the day, most visitors enjoy strolling along the recently improved seafront promenade, which gives access to the glorious golden sandy beaches Puerto del Carmen is home to. With wider pavements and less traffic it is now even more pedestrian friendly.

At night, there are many bars and clubs that make good destinations for an after dinner drink, with most open until the early hours. For those who are more active during the day, there is a huge array of activities to select from, Lanzarote golf holidays for instance are very popular which is perfectly understandable due to the great weather.

Excursions are very popular for those who don’t wish to drive, whilst there are also many sports to participate in, including fishing, sailing, cycling and hill-walking to name but a few. Many visitors to the island are charmed by the tranquility and unspoiled scenery, often choosing holidays in Lanzarote year after year.

The Canary Islands are now tempting holiday-makers from all across the world for decades and in particular those from European destinations, mainly because the fairly short flight times to this group of islands make it ideal for vacationers that are looking for a sun kissed holiday location, however do not specifically want to spend thirteen hours or more on their flight journey.

One type of island in this beautiful archipelago is considered to be a hidden jewel patiently waiting to get discovered by guests. It has long been tarnished by the completely undeserved tag of ‘Lanzagrotty’ however as any visitor to Lanzarote would certainly gladly testify, this holiday destination is undoubtedly genuinely one-of-a-kind which results in numerous travelers and tourists returning every year.

So what precisely makes this specific island stand out from its sister islands inside chain?

Obviously there are actually resemblances with the other islands, which is without a doubt unsurprising given the close proximity of the islands to each other, nonetheless pretty much any similarities shortly fade away and when it comes to tourist development Lanzarote has carved out a distinct segment of its very own, as this relatively small volcanic outcrop effectively manages to combine a few of the best facets of beachfront vacations with unspoiled scenery, a flamboyant and colorful culture and several fascinating points of interest which are appealing to the young and more mature visitors to the island.

Lanzarote’s beaches might be best described as beautiful, golden as well as sandy, and because of the islands great weather conditions and year round sunshine, these will be enjoyed in almost almost any season. The key areas here each boast their share of palm fringed playas, in addition to a great collection of amenities in order to meet the demands of local people and visitors alike.

Such is the popularity of the island, presently there definitely is already a decent collection of short term as well as long-run holiday accommodation that ranges from small but well appointed self-catering apartments in Lanzarote to the even more spacious and definitely luxurious Spanish style Lanzarote villas, it is usually extremely seldom you’ll find yourself not able to find the sort of accommodation you are searhing for however in the high season as you may would anticipate availability really does get limited.

If you are searching for something out of the ordinary and unusual accommodation can even be found, for instance you can go natural and live in a holiday home formed from caverns in the side of a mountain as well as an underground dwelling formed from a renovated subterranean water tank.

Probably the most significant residence of all and one that needs to be on every person’s travel agenda happens to be the former home of local legend Cesar Manrique, the Lanzarote artist who has been responsible for the majority of the natural developments throughout the island that fuse with the very fabric of the island itself.

Having stumbled upon five underground volcanic pockets, Manrique then proceeded to rework them into his own home with simply stunning inspiration and planning. Word about the uniqueness of this architectural wonder dispersed quickly, so much so that in the later part of the eighties the artist relocated out and the former home developed into the Foundation Cesar Manrique.

Many holidaymakers and visitors are now selecting to stay in more rural holiday accomodations, the calmness coupled with the tranquillity that these types of holiday accommodation provides is often quite definitely complemented by the tension free and relaxed feel of the small villages and towns that makeup the rural interior.

In a time warp of its own you still find neighborhood farmers working with donkeys to plough their fields every so often, whilst many others produce wines in their own small bodegas using extremely distinctive techniques, with the vines being harvested within spherical beds hollowed out from the charcoal volcanic picon and surrounded by small stone walls to protect them from the incredibly hot dry wind.

If you’re planning to visit the Canaries on a summer getaway or possibly a winter break Lanzarote is simply the perfect vacation destination to suit your needs.

Thinking of booking a holiday in Lanzarote this year? Plenty of other tourists did just that during the course of 2009, with the island welcoming just under 1.4 million tourists last year. An impressive figure given the impact of the credit crunch and the weakness of the pound.

Despite these factors around 750,000 tourists from the UK are expected to visit the island during the course of 2010. Around half of them will book self catering accommodation – such as villas in Lanzarote – direct online. With many booking specific dates to coincide with one of the many fiestas and festivals that take place on the island every year.

For independently minded tourist there is a plethora of holiday villas in Lanzarote to pick from throughout the year.

The most colourful event of the year takes place next month. As the annual Carnaval season gets underway throughout February. And whilst not as riotous as Rio this event is still well worth a visit. Featuring brightly decorated floats, marching samba bands and a host of beautifully dressed dancers. The event rolls across the island throughout the course of February – with the biggest celebrations taking place in the oldest resort of Puerto del Carmen and the capital city of Arrecife.

May sees the arrival of over 1000 super fit athletes on the island. As the annual Iron Man contest gets underway. This is widely regarded as one of the hardest events of its kind in the world. Entrants have to swim 3km, cycle 180km and then finish all of that off with a full marathon. Many don’t even make the finish line but for the top 60 a place in the Grand Final in Hawaii beckons – along with a slice of the $75,000 prize money.

There’s no shortage of great music events on Lanzarote. With the Musica Canarias Festival taking place in February and Jazz Canarias hitting the island in July. Which showcases the best emerging talents from the world of jazz. In the past this event has featured performers such as the guitarist Kyle Eastwood – offspring of the famous actor Clint Eastwood - and the prodigious young jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding. All of whom appear free of charge in a big top erected in the main square in Teguise.

It’s also well worth booking up holiday apartments in Lanzarote during September. As the island plays host to the Costa Musica Festival. Which showcases an eclectic selection of dance orientated acts right on the beach at Playa Bastian in Costa Teguise. And in the past has featured acts such as the James Taylor Quartet and the Killer Barbies. Along with a host of leading DJ talent.

Click here for details of Playa Blanca villa Accommodation .

The Canarian island of Lanzarote is one of the few European destinations that already have several green credentials under its belt. Whilst this may surprise some visitors, there are several good reasons why this is the case, due largely to the island’s climate and position.

One major factor in Lanzarote’s favour is its closeness to the rest of Europe, with most major cities only four hours or less away. Meaning that fuel consumption on flights to and from the island is less than half that used on flights to the other popular winter sun destination, the Caribbean.

Even the Lanzarote accommodation contribute to lessening the eco footprint of the island.

Across the island many of the apartments and villas on Lanzarote already use solar panels to produce heated water for their swimming pools. Whilst larger consumers of water, such as the island’s two golf courses, use recycled liquid to ensure that demand on the desalination system is kept to a minimum. Wind power is also popular, with several large turbines generating a proportion of the island’s electricity and smaller turbines used individually.

Whilst most villas in Lanzarote actually run on more conventional sources of energy, there are several which work entirely on these alternatives, and as a result can claim an excellent green pedigree. And as the technologies continue to improve, more residents are choosing to use wind and solar power.

Even Lanzarote’s attractions themselves blend in to their surroundings as much as possible, illustrating how important it was to the world renowned local artist and natural architecture visionary Cesar Manrique, to create visual harmony between the manmade and the natural. Such as the incredible Mirador del Rio which almost disappears into the rock cliff face it inhabits.

These factors combined have turned Lanzarote into an ideal holiday destination for the environmentally conscientious. There are even several places to stay that run entirely on solar and wind energy, as these alternative sources of power have gained in popularity and effectiveness in recent years. Making eco holidays in Lanzarote a reality.

More detailed information about available Lanzarote holiday accommodation can be found on the Lanzarote1.com website.

There are many good reasons for booking a holiday in Lanzarote during 2010.As the most easterly of the Canary Islands is home to over 90 great beaches and enjoys great weather all year round. Whilst also hosting some fantastic fiestas and festivals throughout the course of the year.

There are plenty of places to stay. With lots of good quality hotels and holiday villas in Lanzarote available for rent in the three main resorts of Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise – as well as across the unique volcanic countryside.

Lanzarote car hire is very inexpensive too, so it’s easy and affordable to get around and take pleasure in colourful events that are going on.

2010 gets off with bang as the island plays host to the 26th annual Festival de Musica Canarias. A showcase of cotemporary classical music staged across all of the seven islands in the archipelago. Lanzarote hosts five concerts during the first month of the year – including performances by Sphera Antigua and the The Prague National Chamber Theatre Orchestra.

Carnaval kicks off across the island in February. And whilst the celebrations are not quite as riotous as in Rio they still attract thousands of revellers. With many holidaymakers planning their holidays in Lanzarote around this colourful event, which pretty much brings work across the island to halt for a couple of weeks every year.

Carnaval is staggered – so it takes place in different towns and resorts on different days. The biggest and best events take place in the island capital of Arrecife and the oldest resort on the island of Puerto del Carmen. Where huge decorated floats and marching batacuda drum bands beat out a frenetic rhythm. Attracting thousands of residents and tourists alike – with many donning colourful costumes and partying late into the night.

During May Lanzarote is the venue for one of the toughest triathlons in the world. As the annual Iron Man event gets underway. With thousands of super fit competitors taking place in a gruelling contest that includes a 2km swim and 180km bike ride. Which is then topped off with a full marathon along the main seafront promenade in Puerto del Carmen.

Corpus Christi is one of the most colourful festivals on Lanzarote. And is celebrated by the creation of unique carpets of coloured salt. Each municipality has a team of participants with their own specific designs and the best displays can be viewed in the capital of Arrecife and the historic town of Teguise.

You can find details of Lanzarote villas to rent and other self catering Lanzarote apartments and villas on our website.