We spent most of our trip in the capital in order to visit my boyfriend’s family. It’s no wonder that Santo Domingo is a city teeming with hospitable and cheerful people who really put themselves out for us. We stayed there for almost 15 days and we enjoyed every single detail of it: the lively streets, the restaurants where we could taste authentic homemade cuisine (for example Mofongo) or the historic centre with  stunning and mind-blogging architecture from the colonial period. 

During our visit  to the capital, we were  wandering around this historic centre. We felt amazed by the the majestic Colon Palace, which was illuminated at night, and enjoyed the breathtaking views of the rugged coastline on one side and the colorful colonial houses on the other. Besides, there was an enormous square plenty of native people singing or dancing traditional songs. What struck me most was the lack of native buildings because of the colonial invasion.Nevertheless, I strongly recommend visiting this beautiful and charming city, a must-see destination that will live up to all your expectations. 

After spending that time in the capital we wrapped  up our trip by visiting the most popular tourist attraction in the country: Punta Cana. We stayed at Hotel Occidental Caribe Punta Cana hotel and it turned out to be the perfect bet! Despite being a little overpriced, our booking was an all-inclusive plan so it was worth paying. 

During the day, we went to the swimming pool where we took part in some activities, for example aqua gym, or relaxed in the pristine beaches with calm turquoise waters where we could book an extra activity, such as diving or swimming with dolphins.  During the night, we could taste a delicious dinner with homemade cuisine and have fun at shows performed by the hotel staff. 

Even though the hotel was a little overrun with tourists, we enjoyed our stunning and unique experience. No doubt, if you visit this amazing place, you will love the welcoming atmosphere and the opportunity to cut yourself off from the world for a while.

An amazing village hanging on a cliff, whose houses, roofs, bridges and churches seem to be a part of the rock itself. A breath-taking destination which makes you feel like being back in time, getting lost in the Middle Ages. One of the most charming and quaint villages of the eastern area into the Lot department in France.

You can explore it on foot, but there is also an elevator available to go upstairs to the top of the village (a really good help and solution for people with reduced mobility). I highly recommend walking up to the top as I did, because the views are something you will probably never forget.

Rocamadour has one and an only street. A very lively one, with its tourist shops and restaurants clustering along the winding path built by the cliffside. Historically, pilgrims would cross the whole of Europe to come and pray there. They even used to climb their stairs on their knees to as part of their penitence. That's why you can find several churches, chapels and hermits beneath the cliff. 

The are some must-see places: “The Lady Chapel” (where you will find the Black Virgin in black wood) and “The Château” as it provides you with a stunning view over the village (not recommended for anyone afraid of heights, I must say so).

In my opinion, the only negative point of Rocamadour was the large number of tourists scattered all over the shops on the narrow streets. That was a bit overwhelming and stressful for me.

However, the entire experience of visiting Rocamadour is delightful. That's why I consider my trip was worthwhile as it's one of the best-looking places I've ever seen.
Teresa Blázquez C1A

Italy is picturesque country. We stayed with my family for a weekend in December in Verona. We stayed at San Luca Verona hotel – a modest hotel in a residential area. It a was pretty rustic but the owners were very courteous and really put themselves out for us. Our suite  was appropriate and large. To our surprise, it cost just €65.00 per night, including a pleasant breakfast with a wide variety of cereals and fresh fruits, cooked by a skillful chef.

 

We took some free tours around the city. We spent most of the day wandering around Piazza Bra. The architecture is gorgeous and with a staggering mixture of cultures form from every period. All sites were absolutely immaculate and skillfully restored. However, we found some places were a bit overcrowded with tourists like us. In addition,  some narrow souvenirs shops were a bit of nightmare to buy fewer presents for immediate family. 

 

On the other side of the city, we found a warm cozy restaurant where we were eating delightful dishes and typical homemade desserts in front a large window from where we could sit and admire the buildings around the Piazza delle Erbe.

 

We wrapped up our day in the city with a visit in Juliet’s home. It is a tourist attraction in Verona. I love this part of the city – still has such a romantic Shakespeare atmosphere. You can remember Romeo and Juliet dialogues. I believe it is a must-see place. Took hundreds of photos. Verona was undoubtedly  an earth-shattering discovery!.

Part of the attraction of the city is the well-preserved fortification that surrounds the historical ensemble, known as “The old town”, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. The old town is divided into the upper and the lower part and it’s full of slopes, cobbled streets and steps.

The main site in the upper part of the old town is the “Place d’Armes” where you will find the authentic icon of the city: “The Château Frontenac”, a hotel built in the 19^th century to promote luxury tourism. Additionally, there is a comfortable cable car that takes you directly to the Place d’Armes.

Located in the lower part of the old town, stands out the “Place Royal” overrun with tourists and plenty of restaurants with the authentic French cuisine in a cosy atmosphere. In this square  you can also find the “Québécois Fresco,” a mural painting of more than 400 square meters that portrays four centuries of the city’s history.

Another important attraction is the “Citadelle of Quebec,” a military enclosure built on the top of a cliff to defend the city from a possible US invasion. It remains intact basically because it was never attacked. Nowadays, the Citadelle is the quarter of an active military regiment and lodges several museums.

Last but not least, it’s necessary to mention “The River Saint Lawrence” on whose margins the city rises. From Place d’Armes you will find breathtaking views of the river.

To conclude, despite being an overpriced city, Quebec is a safe bet if you like historical cities.

A must-see attraction in Brussels is La Grand Place, it is a breathtaking place with Baroque and Gothic architecture All these eras made their marks on the square giving it an eclectic flavor. Considered one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Europe, the ornate Grand Place is the center of Brussels, where many historic buildings dating from the 17th century are located. It was a pleasure to enjoy such a picturesque square.

The place was lined with stalls, where you could buy souvenirs, among other things .

Festivities and cultural events are frequently  organized on the Grand Place.  As we went during the Christmas period, we could  enjoy light and  sound shows. 

From our arrival in Brussels I was eager to discover all the city and having  walk by the surroundings of the hotel was the best way to begin with that amazing “task”.  Belgium as a whole might be best known for its chocolate and beer. People come from all over the world to taste the widely known Belgian chocolate, which was the reason why we visited some of the best chocolate shops in the city.

 But Brussels itself is also often mentioned in connection with the European Union and other international institutions. Consequently,   I was really  interested in visiting other tourist sites, such as , The Atomium, which is  the most famous landmarkof in Brussels. Nowadays it is  recognized as the icon and symbol of Belgium. That is why  we did  not miss the chance to see and explore it. The Atomium  considered by many people as  the most best Belgian monument is also a museum with its permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, as we could  check on the very spot.

What struck me the most was the breath-taking views that Brussels' Eiffel Tower provides. It was, by far, one of the best  tourist  attractions.

To conclude, I can assure you that I keep such a fond memory of that trip that I can’t recommend Belgium enough. 

Luis Miguel Fernández C1- B

I don't remember the name of the hotel where I stayed but I do remember the astonishing views of the Acropolis from the hotel's roof. Every morning I  would have breakfast enjoying this amazing image.

As we had a reduced trip schedule, we decided to do go on a freetour guided visit. On the one hand, we had the opportunity to learn something about this city and the Greek culture and,  at the same time, that we took a perfect stroll through the different neighborhoods and must-see monuments. In my opinion, it was a perfect option to come in contact with this culture.

We had the meeting point in Sintagma Square, which is the Athen's Main Square. It is located in the historic center in front of the Hellenic Parliament. Also, the Tomb of the unknown soldier is in front of the palace. Two soldiers guard the tomb in a traditional outfit and perform ceremonial exercises each hour.

We went on to visting the Olympic Stadium , Hadrian's Arch and Temple of Olympian Zeus. We took great photos  of each and every one of them. 

Moreover, we spent a while wandering through Plaka neighborhood. Plaka is the oldest and most charming districts in Athens. Winding medieval alleyways with quaint narrow steps, Neoclassical mansions and with red- tiled houses and balconies with colorful flowers, full of typical Greek taverns and street cafes and of courses, millions of souvenirs shops. By the way, I recommend going to Bretos Tavern  which has a handful of colourful bottles decoration and excellent spirits.

Going down this area, we found the Agora. Agora was the  Athenian market place, the heart of city and the birthplace of the world’s first democracy. It served as the center for all civic civilized activities (politics, religion, philosophy,commerce,arts and athletics).  

We continued our stroll through Psirri - new modern craftspeople producing leather sandals and souvenirs . At night,  nightlife floods the centre of the city, as most pubs set their stools out on its narrow streets.

Finally, we arrived at Monastiraki square. It was really overcrowded. When we looked up from the square toward the illuminated Acropolis, our line of sight crossed with the Mosque and a Byzantine church.

Of course, the crown jewel is, without  a doubt, the stunning Acropolis. Highlights are Parthenon and Erechtheion with the well-known caryatids. Even if we knew that these caryatids are just a copy, we could feel overwhelmed. How many extraordinary feelings we had! 

Only a problem- It’s necessary to visit very early in the morning before tourists arrive as it’s quite overrun with tourists.

Then back to the center, we could eat the famous gyros (Greek dish made from cooked wrapped in a pita bread with tzatziqui sauce) with a greek beer (Alpha).

We had the possibility to visit the market as well. Special attention to feta cheese, herbs, spices and dried nuts. I was really surprised when I found rose petal confiture. It’s a truly delightful product.

Don’t forget tasting the greek coffee and seeing how to prepare it. It’s a real ceremony!

 

Nowdays, Athens is a very beautiful city with reasonably prices, so don’t hesitate and pay it a visit!

About this last theory I have to say that from my point of view it is totally untrue. Actually, one of the things that I loved most about Chicago was the nice people on its the lively streets.

 

Chicago is a huge city with a lot of tourist sites. So if you don’t want to miss any of the must-see attractions, better plan your visit ahead.

 

We started with a walk across Millennium Park, where the Cloud Gate, better known as ‘’The Bean’’ is located. Great photo ops from here. 

Continuing with our walk through Magnificent Mile we arrived at Downtown where we could admire some sculptures from Picasso and Miró which resulted quite surprising, by the way.

 

After that, we decided to go up  the Willis Tower’s 103rd floor, and over there we could enjoy the stunning views from “The Ledge·”, a crystal cube where it seems you are floating over the city. SIMPLY AMAZING. 

 

This exciting experience sapped all of our energy so we went to taste the authentic cuisine. We tried the Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza, which is a delicious thick pizza baked in a pan and covered with a lot of cheese, fillings like meals or vegetables, and tomato sauce – in that order. 

 

In the afternoon, we took a walk around Navy Pier and finally we went up to the John Hancock Tower’s 96^th floor lounge, where we delighted in the breathtaking views of the whole city from the “360 Observation Deck”.

We wrapped up our day in House of Blues, dining having a real Chicago Style Hot Dog for dinner while we were enjoying live blues music.
All in all, Chicago has lots and lots of things to offer, so… what are you doing? Book the tickets right now!]

One of the best decisions we could have ever made was to stay at a hotel on the outskirts of the city instead of choosing the overpriced hotels of in the heart of the city. Although the accommodation wasn’t so luxurious, the hotel staff were very hospitable and we were able to sleep far away from those bustling streets.

The next three days were full of sightseeing and learning. There’s no doubt that Amsterdam is a city with something special because it’s teeming with positivity and friendly citizens. What I did not know is that it is also a place steeped in history, which we were able to learn by visiting three different museums, including Anne Frank’s house. 

It’s true that Amsterdam is famous for its nightlife. However, our best memories were made during the daytime. If you are visiting this amazing city, the beautiful stalls of the flower market at the edge of the stunning canals are a must-see, even more so when eating their typical vlaamse frites served with homemade mayonnaise!

Santiago is a city steeped in history and it is known as the pilgrims’ city as well as the Spanish rain city. Furthermore, there are plenty of souvenirs with rain as the main topic.

 

Despite this, the city is always packed with tourists whatever their nationality or  social status. In addition, due to  the well-known ‘Camino de Santiago’ you can see  hundreds of pilgrims end their routes  every day by entering  the Cathedral, thus achieving their personal vows and being pleased with their own wonderful  experience.

Taking a walk across their streets overcrowded with pilgrims or entering into one of its numerous restaurants where you can taste typical dishes like ‘Galician pie’ or ‘scallops’ is a must.

From September to June, Santiago is a youthful city full of students. 

Obradoiro Square and Santiago Cathedral are the most important places and on 25th of July is the patron’s saint day. Due to that bank holiday, there are a variety of activities into the Cathedral and there are also fireworks at the Obradoiro Square that makes colorful the Cathedral facade.

 

To sum up, Santiago is a city that you need to visit at least once in life. 

Luckily, one of my friends was from Granada and he took me to very special spots. The Mirador de San Nicolas is, in my opinion, one of the best lookouts where you can admire the city. A must-see place, I would say. The only negative point of this place is that, at dusk, it is always packed with tourists. However, I have to say that it is quite logical because if at daytime the views are absolutely stunning, at twilight they are amazingly magical. 

Although, with a little patience, I remember that I was able to take at least one picture of the impressive canvas: in front of me the Alhambra and its gardens, beneath a maze of old red tiled roofs, and during winter, at the back, the snowy mountains of Sierra Nevada.

My recommendation: as this lookout is located at the top of the district of the Albaycin, you will have the opportunity, while wandering through its narrow streets, to pay a visit to the typical stalls and small teahouses where you can drink amazing teas and eat delicious oriental pastries. 

What I love from Granada is that you can go everywhere walking around and that it is a city steeped in history: from the Albaycin to the Alhambra, you can enjoy the mixture of Arabian and Spanish culture and architecture and observe how well preserved everything is!

My last advice is: don’t forget to try the tapas! I remember how I enjoyed the gastronomic side of my stay: the city center is full of bars where to have good tapas! The advantage? It's fun and quite inexpensive. It's typical to move from a place to another having only one drink and one tapa in each bar you visit! 

When you decide to travel, you have to clearly know where to go. Therefore, I  would like to recommend the destination of my greatest travelling experience travelling. It took place this summer, in Argentina, when I chose this country to relax and disconnect with my family. We will always remember those days and I will tell you why. 

 

 To begin with, let me tell you about the quality of my trip, a special trip needs to be magical, which was precisely what we were looking for. We discovered a country which lived up to all our expectations, no other than was Argentina and its nature. 

 

Argentina is a unique country.You can see immense icebergs in the south or goats running up the steep hills in the north. Furthermore, its culture is an unbelievable mixture of nationalities, who live in harmony sharing their traditions. In consequence, you will be able to communicate easily and you will definitely feel yourself at home. 

 

I am going to give you some tips and examples of historical landmarks we have visited. The first one is 'Perito Moreno'. This area has a huge iceberg next to a mountain range where we hiked. Secondly, we  saw 'The Iguazu waterfalls', it was a must-see in the trip, without a doubt, it is by far one of the most majestic landscapes in the world. Nevertheless,  we had to book months before travelling in order to get good accommodation and affordable tours. Despite  that, it is a cheap country and we didn't have any economic issues during this trip. 

 

To sum up,  I can’t recommend this destination enough, if you have the chance to visit it, take the plunge: you won't regret it. I have visited almost fifteen countries, but  none of them has  has made so big an impression on me. Now it is your turn, will you follow in my footsteps? 

Carlos Rodrigo Rivero C1 MJ 19-21

I stayed there for four days, enough time to appreciate the most touristic attractions and enjoy its famous spas (yes, there are indoor and outside à outdoor spas!). It was a really nice experience 😊).

A must-see attraction is the Parliament and the Bastion (on the other side of the river). In addition, there are great photo ops from the bridge overlooking the river which flows through the city .

We took a free tour so we had the opportunity to understand the Hungarian culture through its history, and we soon realised that, in spite of the fact that they didn't have good luck in any war, natural disasters or political decisions, Hungarians somehow managed to move on and overcame all their problems.

Apart from its inexpensive delicious local food, it was surprising to us to find out that Budapest has a diverse nightlife, from sophisticated restaurants to weird pubs in abandoned buildings.

It was such an incredible experience that I wouldn´t mind coming back! 😊

Sandra Angulo C1 MJ

We stayed in a B&B  located in the heart of Central London, close to Borough tube station. The hotel was within walking distance of many of the Capital’s greatest sites. And location is what counts in a big city. Our deluxe double room was both comfortable and modern.

We started our the day at 8.30 a.m. and we spent the whole morning wandering around Westminster district, which is crossed by the still waters of The Thames.

The Thames riversides are home to the most famous landmarks in United Kingdom, and probably in the whole world. We could see the iconic and recognised sight of Big Ben, the magnificent London Eye and the widely known Westminster Abbey.

Unfortunately, Big Ben conservation works will continue up to 2021 and, thus, the striking clock was covered in scaffolding. For all that, it is worth seeing.

We were lucky because we were in the right place at the right time to watch the Changing of Guard at Buckingham Palace. The Changing took place at 11.00 am and lasted around 45 minutes. It is a unique performance and the best part? It’s free and no tickets are required!

We could not miss a visit to The National Gallery, one of the most famous art museums in the world that contains some of the biggest and most diverse painting collections on the planet. Personally, I loved admiring the painting Sunflowers by Van Gogh.

Furthermore, the museum is located in Trafalgar Square, a historic square that has always been centre for protests and demonstrations. And we could bear witness to that since an anti-Brexit rally was taking place right at that moment.

When it was time to eat, we knew what the ideal place was, the vibrant Borough Market. Before entering you become intoxicated by amazing spicy aromas. No doubt, a must-visit place for anyone  who is fond of traditional homemade food.

The market is crammed with stalls. We found the  biggest selection of cheap and tasty food and we enjoyed  delicious street food. A great atmosphere!

After having lunch, we went to the City, the financial district in London. There we found the Tower of London, one of the most important historic buildings in England, and St Paul’s Cathedral. Crossing the London Bridge was one of the most unforgettable moments of the trip. 

On our way, we could often find very talented street performers that got big audiences. We chose  the local pub located opposite the hotel for dinner.  amazing food, super cool staff, board games and drinks to round off  our day.

There is so much to see and do in London. We really could have spend spend a couple of weeks (or more!), so I strongly recommend you pay a visit to this unforgettable destination. You won’t regret it! 

Gema de Lago 

The big apple is a must-see destination where everybody should go. Last summer, after saving a lot of money, I had the opportunity of making my dream come true and visit New York.

 

Although flight prices are reasonable from Spain, unfortunately, the city itself is overpriced. In order to book a hotel or rent a flat, you have to organize your trip with a minimum of two months in advance. However, even taking into account all the tips in order to save money, it was the most expensive place I have ever been to.

 

Bloggers and travellers don’t recommended renting a flat, due to the fact that in Manhattan letting a flat for a period of time inferior to a month isn’t allowed . It is only permitted if you share your home. However, we decided to book an apartment at Soho on AirBnb. A cozy flat owned by an artist who usually spends a long period of time in Europe, so we enjoyed the whole flat for us. 

 

The Soho is a very trendy spot, full of original shops. It is a place where all appreciated fashion brands must have a shop. It was really close to all tourist attractions, we could walk to Wall Street, base to the  World Trade Center with its stunning views. Besides, we visited the breathtaking Empire State Building, Central Park and many other famous landmarks and neighbourhoods.  

 

Wandering around the city, it embraces you and makes you feel as if you were a New Yorker  inside of a movie. Every corner, every building you pass by, you have seen it before. The skyline, the light, the underground, even the people are exactly how we see them in movies. 

 

New York is a city that constantly is constantly changing, importing new tendecies and building new places, it is impossible to say the I have seen everything, so this is the prefect excuse to go back one, twices,or more... 

Antonio Pontiveros

My first stop was in the town of Étretat, where I booked a cute little hotel with stunning views of  the  sheer white cliffs. Barely had I arrived than I went to wander along their  edges of them. Thanks to wooden walkways hanging over the void, I could admire its majesty and beauty. Great photos ops!

After the hike I enjoyed a well deserved dinner at one of  its many local restaurants, where there was a wide variety of dishes, like the typical fried fish, at a reasonable price in a lively atmosphere. Had it not been so cold, it would have been a perfect night! 

The next three days I was touring along the coastline in a rental car, with stops on the most important beaches such as Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah, steeped in history, with hundred of memorials, museums and historical sites related to the D- Day. The visit to the American cemetery was especially affecting, however, it is important to keep this chapter of our history alive in our memories so it will be never repeated.

Finally, to wrap up my trip, I spent two days  Mont Sant Michel, a must- see attraction in France, with breathtaking views from the bridge and the top of the abbey. What struck me most was that there were not as many tourists as I expected, although I would recommend buying tickets  in advanvance to avoid queuing, and, in addition, avoid the overpriced and crowded restaurants on the island.

If you have enough time, you should not miss the villages of Dinan, Saint Malo and Honfleur, as wonderful as the others I have named before.

Definitely, I cannot cannot recommend this place enough!

Lucía del Mar 

There are so thinks to visit that is dificult watching in a few days. You can visit crown of museums very importants worldwide as Prado, Thyssen or Queen Sofia. Likewise, the person who comes to Madrid cannot leave without visiting the Royal Palace, historic center and hallmark of the Spanish Monarchy.

One of the most importants tourist attractions is taking a walk by the centre of town, specially The Austria’s Madrid. Part of their cobbled streets are full of popular stories that they’ll help to understand why in Madrid no one feel strange.

You have to visit “The Rastro” in the Latina neighborhood. The streets lined with stalls let us to buy anything we want.

Despite not having a beach, this city offers us two huge parks that are the lungs of the city, “The Retiro” and “The Casa de Campo”. Doing any sport or just walking around them, it can become an unforgettable experience.

To sum up, I strongly recommend you to visit it some time in a life. There are so many things to see and enjoy all of them, that Madrid is a city for everyone and for everything.

Francisco Romero B22E