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Archive
June 17, 2021
Iberia Airlines
Colombia & its Extraordinary Natural & Cultural Legacy
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R.M. Nunes
The landscapes of South America‘s fourth largest country – more than five times the size of the United Kingdom and more than twice that of Texas – are amazingly varied, encompassing tropical jungles, temperate forests, plains, steppes, soaring Andes peaks, glaciers, deserts, wetlands, and beaches/coral reefs, among others. And all this is home to some of the planet’s most wideranging biodiversity (in some case, the most, as with bird and orchid species). Its president commented not long ago that “biodiversity is to Colombia what oil is for the Arabs”, and furthermore, the importance of preserving this land’s natural wealth has mostly been prized by the various cultures that have contributed to the national identity as far back as 7000 BCE.
So today in 2021, this astonishing eco legacy is an integral part of the appeal of this country to its millions of annual visitors, including nearly 60 nationally designated protected areas. Here’s just a little taste of several of its top ecosystems:
June 10, 2021
Iberia Airlines
11 (Mostly Adventurous) Musts on Magical Madeira
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Henrique Seruca
Part of Portugal, this three-island Atlantic Ocean archipelago just over a thousand kilometres (some 670 miles) southeast of the Iberian Peninsula offers a a balmy, subtropical climate (averaging 25º Celsius/77º Fahrenheit in summertime and 17ºC/63ºF in winter); dramatic, craggy landscapes that are among Europe‘s loveliest; charming villages; and of course the chance to visit vineyards producing the famous fortified wine named for it.
That name, of course, is Madeira,and its allures include dreamy beaches and exuberant nature (most notably a swath of 150 square km (58 sq. mi.) of laurisilva (laurel) forest – around 20 percent of its territory – which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it’s one of the last remnants of Europe’s ancient, primeval forests.
There are so many fantastic experiences awaiting you here, and here are 11 of the top options to consider (including exciting adventure options, as Madeira has in recent years become increasingly popular for activities that will definitely get your adrenaline pumping):
June 3, 2021
Iberia Airlines
Captivating Corfu: Beaches & Beyond
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crazycroat
Known to Greeks as Kerkyra, one of Greece‘s easternmost islands is located in the Ionian Sea to the west of the mainland rather than the Aegean to the east, and just a short hop offshore from the Greek border with Albania. For millennia, Corfu has been an inextricable part of Hellenic history and classical mythology (for example, site of momentous deeds of Zeus, Poseidon, Odysseus, and Jason and the Argonauts). In the era of modern tourism, of course, its main allures are its stunning beaches, but one of the beautiful things about this 611-square-kilometre (236-sq.-mile) bit of Mediterranean real estate is that it also provides a full and fascinating menu of history, nature, dining, and nightlife to make your holiday a truly multifaceted marvel.
May 27, 2021
Iberia Airlines
Dreamy Beaches & Beyond in Olbia, Gateway to Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda
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Travel Wild
Sardinia‘s fifth largest city, with around 60,000 inhabitants, is known especially as the gateway to and base for visiting the fabled nearby Costa Smeralda. But besides paradisiacal beaches, there’s quite a bit to keep you engaged and entertained in and around Olbia – its international airport just five kilometres (three miles) away served by Iberia during the summer season – from history (including ancient archaeological sites) to culture, and delicious dining. Here are the reasons why its name – from the ancient Greek for “happiness” – is so very fitting.
May 21, 2021
Iberia Airlines
The Eco Side of Faro, Capital of Portugal’s Algarve
Leave a commentAlexander Savin
Not long ago, this blog covered the charms of the Algarve‘s capital (pop. 118,000) – its Vila Adentro historic quarter, its interesting museums, even the ruins of an ancient Roman villa nearby called Milreu. But the Faro area also has a fair bit to offer nature lovers. Keep reading
May 14, 2021
Iberia Airlines
Dubrovnik: Medieval Splendour on Croatia’s Adriatic Coast
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WitR
Astride the intense blue waters of the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik remains the uncontested reigning queen of Croatia‘s Dalmatian Coast. Its doughty walls encircle a cobblestone-paved, red-tile roofed old town dating back to the 11th century and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here’s a quick rundown of what makes the “Pearl of the Adriatic” such a delight for visitors.
April 28, 2021
Iberia Airlines
Mexico City’s National Palace a Historical Trove
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Many travellers flock to Mexico to partake of its paradisiacal beaches and the hopping après-plage nightlife and dining scene. But others are drawn as much or more to its truly amazing history stretching back thousands of years, to colonial and precolumbian times. One remarkable historical repository in the country’s capital is the Palacio Nacional, seat of the Mexican presidency, located on the enormous Zócalo square at the heart of old Mexico City. Keep reading
April 22, 2021
Iberia Airlines
5 Comely Coastal Communities in Asturias, in the Green North of Spain
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Photitos2016
The picturesque Cantabrian Sea towns and villages of Asturias in northern Spain, where the annual fishing season is now getting underway, are a key component of the appeal for visitors of a region whose tourism authorities have justifiably long promoted with the slogan “Nature Paradise”. So today come along with me to discover a quintet of Asturias’ most charming coastal towns – many of which have earned places on the lists of Spain’s prettiest villages, and all an easy drive from capital Oviedo and largest city Gijón – from east to west:
April 15, 2021
Iberia Airlines
Enjoying a Gem of Guayaquil, Ecuador: its Malecón 2000 Promenade
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flocu
All major cities throughout the world have a corner – great or small in size – which are home to much of their daily lives. In coastal Guayaquil, Ecuador‘s largest and economically most important city, it’s Malecón 2000, a 2.5-kilometre (1½-mile) promenade along the Guayas River inuagurated in that year – and these days it’s a top destination for both locals and visitors, and helped by its proximity to the colonial quarter of Las Peñas (seen in the background at top). Keep reading
April 5, 2021
Iberia Airlines
Exploring Psiri, Athens’ Happening Hipster Hub
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photos | Dimitris Kamaras
Most tourism in the capital of Greece understandably on ancient sites or traditional neighbourhoods such as Plaka. But to get a fuller picture of Athens, visitors might want to turn their attention to some more modern districts – not just from the 19th and 20th centuries but also places such as Ψυρή (Psiri, also latinised as Psirri, Psyri, and Psyrri), just a ten-minute stroll north of the Acropolis (and easily reachable from the Monastiraki metro station). This gentrifying neighbourhood has become a bastion of the city’s bohemian and avant-garde scene, similar to others this blog has covered in Iberia destinations such as Lima‘s Barranco, Kreuzberg in Berlin, Santiago‘s Lastiarra, and the Wynwood section of Miami.