BARCELONA In Bilbao, the Spanish are LANDS place to relax in STYLEBudget airlines have brought us one step closer to Europe and the climate has always been an attraction for us northerners pasty, but recently Iberian cities do not seem to be out of the press. A whole new world of style was born in Spain. Chef Ferran Adria cullinary led the Spanish scene with his world revered restaurant three Michelin-starred El Bulli, located on a remote, rocky beach 2 hours from Barcelona. His support for products noisy Spanish Sherry and wine made the world of gastronomy sit and take notes and propelled Spain to new heights of international standards. The list of fantastic restaurants and bars within the borders of Spanish is endless, but we have compiled a selection of sites not to be missed for a weekend in the sun.
IBIZA
Ibiza or Eivissa, depending on where you come from, the island's most famous of Spain and its double name is in a peculiar split personality that has developed over the last ten years. She is known as the clubbing capital of the world, drawing connoisseurs of the music world for its jaw-dropping DJ lineups and its range of SuperClubs, which hold thousands of people. At the same time, thanks to reality TV as "Ibiza Uncovered", the so-called Isla Bonita is charged with a reputation for attracting the worst elements of Brits abroad. Lary tired boys and loose tripping in streets of San Antonio spreading damage, making mischief and collapsing in a heap at the end of the night. But beyond all this, it is a very sophisticated life of Ibiza - a third personality which escapes most tourist trade. A new generation of bars have turned into world-class sites with a sleek interior design, mood lighting, menus, cocktails and some of the best resident DJ in Europe.
When the bar opened in December 2001 Warhol, his mission was to attract anyone beautiful and elegant, and now is in knowledge in music, fashion and media worlds is flocking to it for launches albums, collections gateway or photoshoots. The base bar continues to attract music lovers and Cafe Mambo on the opposite side of the island has stolen the glory of the Café Del Mar to side as the best place to watch the sunset. Wine Bar is a new development, including the nearby nightclub Pacha has sealed its future as a fashion all year-hang-out where you can empty vodka slimes for fine wines and Fino. Then there is Mao cushion strewn rooms, crew Chinawhite in London, which became a first-class lounge on the scene Ibiza.
For food, The Elephant is the island's top French restaurant, located in the small town of San just outside of Ibiza town Rafael. Sa Capella is a beautiful and impressive restaurant located in a beautiful 16th century church of stone statues, foliage and excellent service. La Casita in Cala Llonga is a terrace restaurant serving refined and elegant gourmet cuisine of his old farm site.
BARCELONA
Physically compact, but culturally huge, bohemian, and at the same time chic. Barcelona is one of these cities are all things to all men. It is a hub of creativity, art galleries internationally renowned boutiques and architectural wonders that are unrivaled. Glitzy modern facades juxtaposed with the unique architecture, winding is the legacy of Gaudi. Charming squares and winding boulevards that invite you to stroll along for hours, looking through the luxurious shops north of Plaça Catalunya. Then break your journey in the basement of the basement and tapas bars of La Rambla. In summer, guests can relax by the beach in one of the many bars and restaurants along the Mediterranean coast of the Olympic Port, eat fresh seafood in the morning with a cold Manzanilla at your side. Aqua is a favorite meeting place of the bleached wood tables and chairs spill onto the beach. For something more urban, Lupino, in one of the alleys in the grip of graffiti Raval is a fashionable place with an outdoor terrace in a style similar to one of the dens Hoxton London. His slick, warm interior lit is in direct contradiction to the industrial park and the Boqueria market he overlooks. Gourmands prefer to venture into the commercial district to the critically acclaimed Comerç 24 (closed in August), where chef El Bulli-trained, Carles Abellan, serves fantastic tapas style modern property-do crowd work. For those with a more adventurous, a trip to Mount Tibidabo offer a view of the bustling city. A day at the amusement park can be followed up with drinks at Mirabelle, and then supplemented with cocktails and dancing to the old mansion, known as Partycular. The Eixample district offers a sophisticated number of escapes in fashion such as sleek lounge bar, with its incredible selection of wines and sherry, and velvet clad Snooker, which has won design awards at it opened a decade ago. El Ascensor in Ribera attracts young and beautiful things with a little luck you'll be caught in the elevator with one of them while you go to the club with modern design.
MADRID
He is big and bustling, and it is very crowded, lascivious characters skulk in dark corners, and taxi drivers will try to rip you off. This is a capital and no mistake. Slap bang in the middle of the coast of Spain, Madrid is hot - and with none of the forgiving sea breeze blesses Barcelona, the urban landscape teracotta looks almost cooked in the oven. But not all the stress and conflict. The best place to begin the expansion is the Paseo del Prado, the expansive promenade, which puts all the stress of city life on hold. In the back of the Prado are three fountains gurgling which are fed by an underground river. Prado is adjacent to the beautiful, landscaped park Retiro, alive with street performers, bandstand and boat rides on its artificial lake. Sandwiched between the two is the botanical garden, an oasis of peace in the heart of the city. Café Miranda captures the spirit and color of Madrid. Modern European cooking with a dinner show vampish with drag queens and a psychedelic backdrop. function drag queens at Gula Gula (Gran Via 1) as where to eat self-service buffet is a colorful and fun experience. A more sophisticated La Vaca Veronica where ingredients are fresh from the market combined with tremendous results. For something on the cutting edge of fashion, Larios Café is a glamorous location and delicious Cuban cuisine is popular with the arty crowd designer. But if you're looking for upscale, Salamanca is the area to head for. The Beverly Hills of Madrid, Salamanca is awash with restaurants and bars, high class luxurious. Mentidero el de la Villa (C / Santo Tomé 6) or grandiose Pedro Larumbe (C / Serrano 61) for fish exquisite tapas Estay for contemporary or Boulevard of thirst with all A-listers who are in town. Another trend is getaway El Viso Madrid (C / Juan Bravo 31) fixed on a number of floors with a terrace bar, club basement and a wealthy young clientele. For a change from the norm, The Ida is a funky bar fridge without signs to give the interior design and unconventional. Frequented by those "who know" is certainly worth looking at.
SEVILLE
It is the flaming heart and soul of Spanish culture and city living tradition. Religion, which is incorporated in its essence, football, politics, food and drink, the Andalusian capital nourishes its roots. Bull fighting and flamenco are central to its cultural agenda. And tapas is just the thing done, because he was in Seville that the world was born.Languishing obsession to the extreme south of Spain, basking in the sun baked streets in honor of a quasi-tropical heat . He is explosive and colorful architectural gem, its foundations carved a multitude of occupations spanning three millennia. The people smile, things move very slowly and never seems to come mañana. A weekend is not enough to Seville. It takes time to wander from tapas bar to tapas bar, soak up the atmosphere and local manufacturing Sherry; to meander along the river at sunset, stopping to open a bottle of Amontillado mix with the rays of a setting sun to wander through the charming squares and winding, cobbled streets of the Jewish quarter, and the drift of a trendy bar to another in the trendy Alameda. Restaurants are less commonplace than Barcelona or Madrid and tapas bars precedence. Egaña Oriza (C / San Fernando 41) combines bar and restaurant with a mix of elegance Basque and Andalusian cuisine in a wide Terazza early 20th century. Another experiment is the magnificent dining room Albahaca - an exclusive town house which serves imaginative fusion Spanish. Casa Robles cuisine kitchen Seville and is promoted by the Spanish royal family. Its sister restaurants and Tapas Robles Robles Piacenza offer a less formal environment. The Colonial Meats Vinos y (C / Valpaiso 13) is the place to head for lovers of Spanish wine - an incredible range of wines are served with Cuban cigars and delicious tapas. Or try the Mediterranean cuisine at La Madraza (C / Peris Mencheta 21), where you can titilate your taste buds while admiring the artwork on the walls that double as a gallery space.
BILBAO
Fifteen years ago, Bilbao was just a busy port and an old iron mining town. Affectionately called "Botxo" by locals (Basque for "hole"), Bilbao escaped into a hole (literally) in the 90s with the gentrification of the Docklands and the creation of such cultural magnets like the Guggenheim Museum and the room together, the development of the park, and Sir Norman Foster designed Metro. The best way to make the most of Bilbao is using a txikiteo (the local version of a pub crawl) with a glass of sherry and a plate of tapas at each bar. Otherwise, go upscale with Michelin Zortzika - the lunch menu is the best value. There is also relaxed but fashionable El Perro Chico, overlooking the river cleaned recently. tapas bars tend to be more traditional on the dark side, but Harizki (Ledesma 7) goes against the grain gourmet style dishes offering a slick, bright interior. As with other bars around Calle Ledesma, this place remains open later than the rest of the city. Worth a visit is too Artajo (Ledesma 4), where people swear by the mussels in a sauce of anchovies.
JEREZ
The people of Jerez Sherry live. Flamenco is a favorite pastime and while drinking and dancing are woven into the fabric of life, there is still a relatively peaceful and unspoilt Spain. The beaches and mountains are within reach of each side, vineyards and orange surround the ruins of castles and magnificent once dotted the landscape. It is a beautiful old city, which, although served by low cost airlines, still manages to escape from mass tourism to develop a broad avenues of downtown are filled with shops and tapas bars are everywhere . Las Bridas to go through the kind of games you can share around the head or the Abacerio (Plaza Rafael Rivero) for a lively evening outdoor surroundings. Tradicional good food is to be had at El Gallo Azul or Gaitán (Calle Larga) something a little more experimental. And whatever you do, take time to visit one of the many wineries are open for tours and tasting Sherry. It is an unforgettable experience that will ensure that you are going to want to return.
SAN SEBASTIAN
One of the most popular in Spain for a holiday in San Sebastian could not be further from the southern resorts cheap. Golden beaches are beautifully manicured, landscaped parks and gardens, majestic mountains and seas of the Gulf of Biscay stolen combine for dramatic effect. Designer shops keep the upper classes prodigal happy as some of the best bars and restaurants in the country. Arzak is atop the list of restaurants to visit for lovers of good food (it is recommended to reserve at least one month in advance). Chef Juan Mari Arzak is often at your side to help you choose the dishes that change daily. Akelarre with its mountain location and views of the Atlantic offers a combination of traditional local cuisine and modern interpretations of Basque and not to be missed. All measures of late night happening in Parte Vieja, where tapas bars along the street (try La Cepa, Martinez, Ormazabel Gaztelu and everything on C / Agosto) and you can dance and drink until the number hours early.