Energy News You Can Use
5 Nov
If you can believe it, the hotels in Las Vegas pale in comparison to the average Madrid hotel. This world-class city exudes an air of sophistication, much like Paris, France or London, England. Madrid hotels in Spain have cosmopolitan exteriors and four or five-star interiors. Many people come to Madrid for its art museums and its fiestas. The people are friendly, the food is delicious and the nightlife is world-renowned. Spain’s best beaches are just a day-trip away in Valencia or Barcelona. Madrid holds many rewards for the seasoned traveler.
Hotel Ritz is perhaps the most booked Madrid hotel. This elaborate building has housed the likes of His Majesty King Alfonso XIII, but today it’s heralded for its excellent location, as it is mere steps from Retiro Park, Teatro de la Zarzuela, the Prado museum, the Thyssen Bornemisza and the Centro de Arte Monderno Reina Sofia. Hotel Ritz offers all the modern amenities, with marble bathrooms, hand-woven carpets, embroidered linen sheets and stunning views of the garden hotel, the lealtad square or The Prado. You can also feast until your heart’s content at Goya, which dishes out local favorites and international cuisine alike. For more information, visit www.ritzmadrid.com.
It may sound like a strange idea, but more and more long-term travelers are choosing a Madrid apartment flat over a Madrid hotel. If you are staying for 7 days or more, this type of accommodation can be very pleasant. Not only will you have your own kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and living room, but you will also pay a fraction of the price compared to other hotels or resort accommodations and you will be right amid the downtown action. At www.apartmentsapart.com, you will find a host of rentable spaces starting at $46/night. If you’re traveling with a few friends, then you may want to get a two or three bedroom flat for more privacy. Many of these places come with amenities like bath robes, hair dryers, cookware, kitchen utensils, coffee makers, furnishings, toasters, microwaves, internet connection and fresh towels.
There is yet another type of Madrid hotel to choose, and that is the bed and breakfast. At www.madridbandb.com, you will find a directory of charming, historic properties that serve sumptuous feasts each morning and offer more privacy than a typical hotel. Typically, guests will enjoy large beds, tranquil gardens, luxurious bathrooms and access to common areas and an outdoor swimming pool. Many of these bed and breakfast establishments even have dogs or cats on the property, so you can soothe some of your animal homesickness while you’re away. Most B&Bs are conveniently situated down quiet streets near the city centers. Why try to find hotels when you can stay in an elegant Spanish mansion?
3 Nov
Madrid is the capital of Spain, housing 3.3 million in the city centre and 6 million in its metro region. Travelers considering a vacation here will be happy to know that rental cars aren’t necessary, since the inexpensive metro system is one of the best in all of Europe. There is something for everyone in the Madrid neighborhoods. Malasa
29 Oct
Madrid is an enchanting city that is both historic and modern. You’ll have all the amenities of any world-class metropolis — museums, theatre, art galleries, parks, excellent public transit, retail centers and restaurants, but you’ll also catch a glimpse of times past with ancient medieval cathedrals, Renaissance art exhibits, civil war monuments and centuries-old architecture. Many travelers choose to hook up with travel guides and city tours to help them navigate this maze of wonderment, which can cost as little as $24 or thousands of dollars, depending on how much you want included in your ticket price.
It’s useful to have travel guides in the city, if for no other reason than to cart you around. Traffic in the city centre is unreal at times, with cars swerving, honking, parking and tailgating all over the place. While many museums, restaurants and monuments are within walking distance, you’ll miss out on the historic background, the colorful stories and the travel information that really brings this Spanish city to life. Your freedom might be somewhat hindered on a tour, but you will get an overview of many different places all in one day, so you’ll have a better idea where you’d like to spend more time once you’re back on your own again. A Madrid Vision city bus tour (www.madridvision.es) might take you to Royal Palace, the Paseo del Prado, the Puerta de Alcal
25 Oct
In the past, checking the major carriers’ websites was the only option to find airline flights to Madrid. However, these days, there are a number of competitive websites offering reduced rate flights to Madrid. Discount travel information can be found at www.wholesale-flights.com, for example, where flights to Madrid can be found for as low as $325 round-trip! All the other prices noted in this article refer to prices found on the carriers’ websites, however, to give you an overall idea of how these tickets are regularly priced. Estimates are assuming the trip goes from April 1 - April 7, although better deals may be found at other times throughout the year.
US Airways is one airline that flies from the United States to Madrid, Spain. This company sends out over 3,200 flights each day and serves over 200 communities in Europe, North America, the Caribbean and Latin America. Passengers are allowed one carry-on bag weighing up to 40 pounds and one personal item like a laptop bag, purse or briefcase. A checked bag will cost $15 extra and any additional bags are $25. Round-trip airline tickets to and from New York City to Madrid in April will cost around $544, plus taxes and baggage fees and will take about 15 hours one way, stopping in Philadelphia and Washington-Dulles airport. To fly from Los Angeles, you’ll pay $714 for a 14-17 hour flight, stopping only in Philadelphia.
The Delta airline can fly to Madrid from New York City with one stop for $634.20 or non-stop for $50 more. The shortest April flights take between 8 and 10 hours. Flights from Los Angeles range from about $884 - $934 and take around 14 hours. Baggage check is $15 for the first extra bag and $25 for the second bag. Many fliers find that Delta has a wide range of amenities, including movies and refreshments. Delta services 170 million passengers each year and takes passengers to 368 destinations in 66 countries.
“We are delighted to inaugurate this new service between DFW and Madrid,” said Dan Garton, American Airline’s Executive VP of Marketing. “This flight is about opening up new business destinations, new leisure destinations, connecting cultures, and bringing forth new economic opportunities that previously did not exist.” Just recently AA added Dulles/Fort Worth, Texas to the departure points for Madrid travel. According to officials, Flight 36 will depart from Texas at 5:30 pm and arrive in Madrid at 9:55 am the next day on a 9 hour and 25 minute flight. To return, Flight 37 will leave Madrid at 1:10 pm and arrive back in Texas at 4:45 pm, which will take 10 hours and 35 minutes. Standard baggage charges are $20 for the first checked bag and $30 for the second.
Sarah Lomas is a foremost expert in the natural treating yeast infections. She has had extensive experience and conducted countless experiments in finding natural remedy for treat yeast infection. She is also a highly acclaimed writer in the yeast infection field.
23 Oct
If you were to type “cheap hotels in Spain” into a search engine, then you would find over 43 million results. Websites like www.travelzoo.com, www.hotwire.com, www.lastminutetravel.com, www.travelocity.com and www.orbitz.com make their livelihood by finding discount hotels to meet your needs. The great thing about these websites is that you can check off the amenities you need and let the search engines do the work for you. You’ll be happy to know there are a number of hotel travel deals for Spain listed on these sites.
One of Madrid’s cheap hotels, Hostal Armesto, goes for around $73/night and offers six rooms in a classic 19th-century building of the Huertas neighborhood. You’ll enjoy three museums, restaurants and bars all within walking distance. Though Madrid isn’t known for its quiet nights, the early-to-bed/early-to-rise crowd will appreciate this hostel’s location down a strangely quiet residential street. The bedrooms have tiled floors, wrought-iron beds and vintage style bathrooms. The rear rooms also overlook a beautiful Spanish garden. You can book your room at www.hostalarmesto.com.
Plaza Mayor is another of the cheap hotels in Madrid — and arguably the best of the area discount hotels. The historic exterior has been in place for more than 200 years and is reminiscent of a British pub on the ground level and a colorful traditionally European building on top. Inside, the 33 rooms and one suite feature ensuite bathrooms, satellite television and free wireless internet. The contemporary bar and restaurant is very handsome, with brilliant red furnishings, cozy lighting and polished wood surfaces. The suite features a loft bed area and its own private top-floor sun-deck. It’s also nice to have buffet breakfasts offered on-site, which you can’t find at all the popular hotels. Starting at $143/night, you’re paying a bit more but you receive more amenities and you’re located in an equally bustling part of town.
If you’re looking for cheap hotels in Barcelona, then you’ll find a number of lodges for under $100 at www.venere.com. Hotel Atenea, for example, enjoys high guest ratings for its delicious breakfast buffet, its simple modern decor and its business travel facilities. The location is also convenient for business professionals because it’s located right in the business district, although it is also not far from football stadiums, beaches and shopping districts. If you’re looking for someplace close to the airport, you might like Hotel Porta Barcelona, a three-star hotel that is just 10 minutes from your flights, but also close to tourist destinations like Gaud
21 Oct
Naturally, every college student pines to spend that week of spring break in some far away, exotic place, having a blast with friends and experiencing the world. Unfortunately, many of us resort to staying home, working at our jobs and studying some more because we feel we can’t afford to take week-long vacations. Yet travel prices have plummeted over the last few years, offering ample opportunities to get away for less than $1,000. Did you know you could fly to Vegas for less than $50, or stay a night in Madrid for $19? Check out some of the latest travel deals to see if a spring break vacation may be in your near future.
Madrid vacations are rewarding for students who’ve had a hard semester that involved more libraries than wild parties. You’ll find many of the daily traditions appealing in Spain. For instance, there are afternoon “siestas,” where the cafes fill up with locals who need a break for lunch, conversation and resting. Later, after dinner, the Spanish like to stroll through the streets on evening “paseos” (walks). The heart of the city, Puerta Del Sol, is filled with diverse shops and world-renowned restaurants. While in town, you can visit the Prado Museum, the El Escorial Palace and the Museum of Natural Sciences. Madrid travel within the city is easy using the inexpensive and efficient metro line. Hostels can be found for as low as $19/night, which will help you meet other travelers and have the best spring break possible. Even though Madrid is 3 1/2 hours from the nearest beach, which is in Valencia, you will find much to do in this metropolitan playground.
Another one of the surprisingly affordable spring break vacations is Las Vegas. They’re well-known for all-inclusive vacation packages that offer travelers a 10-15% savings. If you can believe it, there is a hostel in Vegas on Fremont Street with a swimming pool and a hot tub! USA Hostels offers all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts, wireless internet, Sunday barbecues, day trips to the Grand Canyon and numerous activities for as low as $19/night. Another great bet for Vegas discount hotels is the Sin City hostel, which caters specifically to spring breakers with a young and rowdy crowd and starts at $17/night. There are also many Las Vegas hotels for under $50 if you’re looking for a little more privacy. While in town, you’re not relegated to just spending tons of money gambling. In fact, you can walk through just about any hotel/casino and marvel at the architecture, catch a host of free shows and soak up the excitement of the city that never sleeps.
Buenos Aires is one of the best vacations for students because of the rich culture and ample amenities within this Argentinean city. First off, the food is excellent, with delicious beef barbecues at parrilla restaurants, healthy vegetarian dishes in Palermo, crispy crust pizza downtown and fresh-baked cookies in the cafes. Shopping is sensible, as three pesos are equal to one US dollar, so be sure to visit Florida and Lavalle Street in MicroCentro or the Palermo Viejo in Palermo. For nightlife, this South American city is full of pub crawls, rock concerts, Latin dance clubs, discos and 24/7 bars. With a legal drinking age of 18, any college student can party up a storm here!
Matthew McMillan is a leading expert in the genital wart removal. His works are regularly featured in online health publications on matters relating genital warts cream. For more information, visit treatmentforgenitalwarts.com.
11 Oct
Since Spain joined the European Union, their highway funding has improved and the roads have gotten much better, so you won’t have to worry so much about losing your car rental in a pothole. Even so, there are many other hassles while driving car rentals around the city. Before you arrive, be sure you have a solid travel plan. Stock up on maps, a GPS system, read up on road work information and have a pleasant navigator in the car with you. The best type of Madrid travel downtown is to simply hop aboard their excellent metro system. If you’re traveling outside the city, you will find that the highways outside of the Madrid metro move fairly quickly.
To obtain a car rental, you must have a valid passport and driver’s license issued by your home state. You must also have insurance, which is usually negotiated by the travel professionals at the rent-a-car office. On the autopista toll roads, the maximum speed is 75 mph. On the autovia, they can range from 50 to 75, depending on where you are. Carretera local highways are as signed, but do not exceed 60 mph. The main roads are between 40 and 60 mph, generally speaking. The laws benefit motorists more than pedestrians, so exercise extreme caution when crossing an intersection by foot, even if you are at a designated crosswalk. On the highways, passing on the right is illegal unless you are exiting. If there is a solid line in the road, do not pull into the intersection to make a left; instead, look for special lanes that aid your turn. Everyone in your car should wear a seat belt and do not drink and drive. The blood alcohol limits are about half those in other parts of Europe. If you get busted for a traffic offense, you will not be allowed to leave the country until you pay your fine or appear in court. In fact, many fines need to be paid right on the spot!
You will find there are ample parking lots for your car rental around the downtown city centre. As a general rule, you may not park where the curbs are painted yellow or where “no parking” signs are posted. There are blue parking spaces and meters located in many places around town, although there is usually a two-hour maximum here. You may find it extremely aggravating when someone blocks you into your spot, but this happens commonly. The proper protocol is to sit in your car and honk your horn until the owner comes out and moves. While this may seem terribly rude, it’s just part of every day life in this busy city. Be especially careful when parking in Madrid because the “grua” — local tow truck drivers — will charge you an arm and a leg to get your car back. If you can’t speak any Spanish, then you may have an exceptionally hard time negotiating with them. When in doubt, look for underground parking with security.
An excellent road trip for you and your car rental is the hour drive to Toledo, a town with over 2,000 years of history. Toledo was once inhabited by members of three major religions — Islam, Christianity and Judaism — which are evidenced by the local architecture. Most visitors stop at Baroque and medieval churches like the Toledo Cathedral, for instance. The army museum at Alcazar is also worth a visit. Travel packages to Toledo often include admission to the Museo de Santa Cruz, which houses some impressive medieval and Renaissance artwork. The quaint town itself is a sight to behold, with narrow cobbled streets, Spanish style houses and picturesque hills. You’ll be glad you took the time to visit some of Spain’s historic past.
Sarah Lomas is a foremost expert in the yeast infection home remedy. She has had extensive experience and conducted countless experiments in finding yeast infection medication. She is also a highly acclaimed writer in the yeast infection field and you can find out more at remedyforyeastinfection.com.
9 Oct
The Internet is a vast sea of travel information and honestly, it can be a little overwhelming at times. It feels good to sit down with a printed book in hand, complete with colored pictures, easy-on-the-eyes print and predictably organized chapters. Whether you plan on visiting Madrid for a weekend, a week or an extended stay, a travel guide will come in handy to help you find your way around. Many books have maps, addresses, phone numbers, websites and other tips to make your vacation as wonderful and fulfilling as possible.
Fodor’s has been a well-respected publisher of travel guides for more than seventy years, and is spearheaded by a team of over 700 professional writers. The vision of founder Eugene Fodor was to “bring to life the people and customs” of a destination, rather than spouting dry facts and figures. At www.fodors.com/world/europe/spain/madrid, you will find topics like “Top Reasons To Go,” “Getting Oriented,” “Where to Go,” “Planning Your Time” and “Spain’s Top 15 Values For Travelers on a Budget.” You can also read about their top recommended restaurants, the most popular hotels and learn some additional travel tips. At a glance, you’ll have a good idea of why people are drawn to Madrid.
Rough Guides (at www.roughguides.com) is another great travel guide. Here you can search “Madrid Freebies” for a list of all the free museum hours, so you can make the most of your trip. You’ll also find a section on “Madrid’s Vegetarian Restaurants,” which is perfect for the health-conscious herbivore. Learn about Madrid’s “Fiestas” or get travel info on “Madrid in the Summer.” You’ll also be able to buy books of directions and maps to help you get around the city centre with ease. Whether you’re looking to find hotels, flights or food in Madrid, it’s all on the website for free. There are also great day trips outside of Madrid if you feel a sudden impulsive whim to venture across the rest of Spain.
The Eyewitness Travel Guide series has been highly touted by many reputable sources. According to Travel & Leisure, the books are “Encyclopedic in scope, it’s meant to be used before, during, and after your stay.” The NY Times Syndicate touts the “hundreds of 3-D aerial maps of districts, streets and buildings” and “unique graphics” that give you an insider’s glimpse at museum floor plans and short cuts. The Travelers’ Need section will help you find hotels, entertainment, shops and restaurants, while the Survival Guide navigates you through airports, public transit, restrooms and keeps you out of crime-riddled areas. You can find the Madrid travel book written by Michael Leapman at Barnes and Nobles.
Being a professional, Matthew McMillan only recommends the best cure possible for the treating genital warts. His methods are highly recommended and information of natural cure for genital warts can be found at treatmentforgenitalwarts.com.