The Kilkenny Observer Friday 08 October 2021
19
kilkennyobserver.ie
Travel & Leisure
Five Spanish cities well worth the visit 1. GRANADA Located in southern Spain’s Andalusia region, Granada is steeped in history, culture, and Moorish architecture. Stroll through the narrow, winding cobbled streets and whitewashed houses dotted with flower pots in Albaicin – the Old Arabic Quarter. Or enjoy authentic flamenco shows in the ‘Gypsy Quarter’ in Sacromonte. The beautiful city is nestled at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, providing plenty of trekking and skiing opportunities. One of the city’s highlights is the Alhambra, home to an ancient royal palace, a citadel, serene gardens and courtyards hailing from the Nasrid dynasty. 2. SEVILLE Considered one of the most
romantic Spanish cities located in southern Spain, Seville boasts endless charm. The capital of the Andalusian region boasts several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, incredible food and wines, stunning Moorish style architecture and pretty urban parks. Seville is a treasure trove to explore. You can saunter through the maze of narrow alleyways in the bohemian El Barrio de Santa Cruz neighbourhood, thereafter discover the stunning tile work on the buildings in Plaza de España. If you are into Game of Thrones, check out The Royal Alcazar of Seville, or what we know as ‘The Kingdom of Dorne’. The city also holds the largest Gothic church, The Cathedral of Seville, and the fourth largest cathedral, La
Giralda, in the world. I highly suggest taking a tour to learn about the history of these magnificent structures. As the birthplace of flamenco shows, you’ll certainly want to pop into one of Seville’s rooftop bars and enjoy a steamy performance with a cocktail in hand. 3. BARCELONA Barcelona, the capital and the largest city of Catalonia, is one of the most beautiful centres in Spain. The city is located directly on the northeastern Mediterranean coast, rich in history and home to the famed football club FC Barcelona It’s the epitome of a beautiful European city, where you’ll find plenty of outdoor markets, shops, museums, churches, and restaurants. While you’re in the city, a must-see is the intricate
architecture of the La Sagrada Familia. Other marvel creations from Antoni Gaudi’s works to see are Park Guell, Casa Mila, and Casa Batllo. While you’re here, don’t forget to check out the Gothic Quarter. Take a stroll down Las Ramblas, and sample some delicious street food at the La Boqueria. I suggest taking a bike tour to explore Barcelona’s vibrant neighbourhoods. 4. SAN SEBASTIAN A stunning coastal town on the Bay of Biscay, just 20 km from the Southern French border, San Sebastian boasts pristine beauty all around. Donostia, the city’s Basque name, is famed as a culinary hotspot, with nearly a dozen Michelin star restaurants. It’s also a prominent arts and culture centre. Embark on a
food tasting tour and sample as you stroll through Parte Vieja (Old Town) and marvel at the Basque sculptures dotted throughout. Enjoy sweeping views at Monte Igueldo or hit a hiking trail to Monte Urgull. Take a boat ride to Santa Clara Island, or ride some gnarly waves at Zurriola Beach. Don’t miss taking a stroll on one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe at Concha Bay. 5. PALMA Palma, officially known as Palma de Mallorca, is considered the gem of the Balearic Islands autonomous community. With a mixture of medieval streets, bustling plazas, Baroque churches and gothic cathedrals, there’s something for everyone in this stunning Mallorcan capital.
Palma sits nestled on the edge of the sparkling Mediterranean sea and is best known for its swanky beach resorts, limestone mountains, and Roman and Moorish remains. Take a stroll through the old town and soak up the bohemian vibe in the Santa Catalina neighbourhood. You’ll find Placa Major dotted with curbside cafes and vibey summer scenes in the historical heart of the city. Visit the most prominent landmark, the Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca, a 13th-century Gothic landmark that overlooks the Bay of Palma. Embark on a Segway tour (or stroll) through the Old Quarter’s maze of cobblestone lanes. Alternatively, hop on a catamaran cruise tour from Palma to explore the south coast of Mallorca.
Travel to UK just got easier, and cheaper NEW rules introduced to make travel to the UK “easier and cheaper” have come into force. The UK’s traffic light system involving green, amber and red lists has been scrapped, with locations categorised as either on the red list or not. It comes amid reports the number of countries on the red list will be slashed to nine from 54 later in the week, with destinations such as Brazil, Mexico and South Africa expected to be opened up to quarantine-free travel. Fully vaccinated residents – and unvaccinated under 18s – from more than 50 countries and territories can now enter the UK without needing to complete a predeparture lateral flow test, take a day-eight post-arrival PCR
test costing around £65, or self-isolate at home, with just a single day-two post-arrival test needed. Under 11s were already exempt from pre-departure testing. People arriving from a red tier destination will still be required to spend 11 nights at a quarantine hotel costing £2,285 for solo travellers. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We are accelerating towards a future where travel continues to reopen safely and remains open for good, and today’s rule changes are good news for families, businesses and the travel sector. “Our priority remains to protect public health but, with more than eight in 10 people
now fully vaccinated, we are able to take these steps to lower the cost of testing and help the sector to continue in its recovery.”
The easing of the quarantine and testing regulations – announced last month – has been welcomed by the travel sector.
Airlines and tour operators have been hit hard during the coronavirus pandemic, and have accused the Government of being too slow to relax and simplify the rules for international travel. Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, a trade body representing UK carriers, said: “Things are moving in the right direction and the removal of these restrictions will make it easier and cheaper for people to travel. “We’ve seen a good response to the announcement in terms of bookings and, given current trends, we would hope to see more countries come off the red list and further mutual recognition of vaccine status.
“There is still much to do though. This is not job done, and ministers need to keep in mind that we remain an outlier on arrivals testing for vaccinated passengers. “In the short-term the removal of PCR testing by the October half-term week is critical, and we look forward to clarity on the start date for this as soon as possible.” No date has been set for when eligible fully vaccinated travellers arriving in England will be able to use a cheaper lateral flow test rather than a PCR version for the day-two post-arrival test. The Department for Transport said the Government “aims to have it in place for when people return from half-term breaks”.
