Are you fed up of boring Christmas presents like socks or pyjamas? Here are a few brilliant ideas and the best thing about them is that you have to travel in order to buy them!

Do you hate the cold? Do you get depressed when you have to get your winter clothes out? Do you try and plan trips to the nearest beach during the winter? You can do something about it! You might have already been to these destinations to get away from the cold and this will bring back memories... or maybe it will inspire you to get away to a warm place in the next few months! Let's enjoy the good weather!

By Eddy Lara de www.destinosactuales.com

There are hidden parts of Barcelona capable of surprising even those of us who live in this city. One of those concealed treasures is the Plaça de la Concordia.

Far from the tourism bustle of the city emerges a place whose location camouflages the treasure it can represent. Right next to one of the vibrant financial centres of Barcelona (the western end of Avenida Diagonal) and the district of Les Corts (famous for being the home of the Camp Nou football stadium) we come across the Plaça de la Concòrdia.

It seems as if the name of this square (Harmony Square) was given to it for a reason because, although a significant part of the tourism and financial work in the city takes part around it, time passes at a different pace within the square itself. Tranquillity oozes from all four sides of this square and therefore makes it the perfect place to spend a summer’s afternoon on a terrace with a beer or a glass of wine while observing a lifestyle among the inhabitants that would perhaps be better suited to a small village than a large city such as Barcelona.

One of the iconic places in this square is the Centro Cívico Can de Deu, created especially to promote jazz together with the importance of a sustainable environment in the city. It has a garden and a bar in which to enjoy a vermouth while soaking up the sun and tranquillity of this spot.

If what you’re after is something to eat, the Fragments Café restaurant offers one of the most varied selections of tapas in the city. The ‘patatas bravas’ (chips in a spicy sauce) are especially good and the most popular dish among the patrons. Other delights to be had here, whether on its terrace, in the garden, at the bar or sat at a table inside or out, include the ‘gildas’, parmesan cheese with modena vinegar, anchovies with confit onion, scrambled eggs with mushrooms and foie… all to be washed down with an excellent selection of Spanish wines. And why not top it off with Belgian chocolate cake?

In one of the streets off of the square you will find Infussion Bar, perfect for spending an afternoon while enjoying teas of the Mediterranean, Middle East and beyond. The décor evokes the atmosphere of a souk in Marrakech… the perfect place when visiting the square in the depths of winter.

Life in the square can also be appreciated at weekends, thanks to the market that adds colour and sounds to the place. However, every place that calls this square home has its own charm: the cake shop, the chemist’s and the Florentine Cup&Cakes – somewhere to enjoy freshly baked cakes, biscuits and cupcakes.

By Eddy Lara de www.destinosactuales.com

So you feel like visiting Barcelona, do you? Book your flights here! 

Fez, also known as the mazy city of Morocco is one of the country’s most ancient and best-preserved cities, conserving its authenticity and exoticism with a an architecture that has remained practically untouched for centuries. What is perhaps most striking in this North African city is the fact that its less touristy and crowded, especially if you compare it to its neighbour, Marrakech. For this reason, it has a special charm that allows oneself to submerge into the culture of the citizens, without feeling suffocated by the sellers and merchants that often bother travellers in other Moroccan cities.

1.- Medina Fes el-Bali

The highlight of our trip to Fez is precisely in the maze that is made up by more than a hundred districts ofFes el-Bali, that are full of narrow streets with thousands of turning points and dead ends. UNESCO has protected it since 1967, as it is considered the oldest part of the city, which concentrates some of the most important monuments.

In the past, according to the law, each district was obliged to have a mosque, a religious school, a bakery, fountain and hammam. The Mausoleum of Moulay Idris and the Al Karaouine, together with the Koranic schools Attarine and Bou Inania boast an exquisite architecture that deserves to be seen. The latter, Bou Inania can be visited by non-Muslims, with an exception of the prayer rooms.

The Medina Fes el- Jdid or New Medina was raised by the Merindia dynasty in the twelfth century, outside the old town. It is full of mansions with Andalusian patios, gardens, mosques and new souks, but mostly what makes it interesting is the swanky Royal Palace of golden gates, every so often cleaned with a curious mixture of lemon juice, salt and vinegar. The Mellah or Jewish quarter, which stands in the heart of Fes el- Jdid, close to the palace also offers a large market thanks to the Grand Rue, Boulevard Bou Ksissat, contrasting with the of the facades and balconies of traditional Muslim architecture, where privacy reigns.

3.- La Ville Nouvelle

In order to complete our tour of Fez, we must not forget to visit the Ville Nouvelle, the newest part of the city that was built following the French protectionism during the twentieth century. Most urbanites enjoy this area reserved for the more affluent locals, with their walk through the Avenue Hassan II and the Boulevard Mohammed V. There’s an entire collection of glamorous bars with terraces, restaurants, ice cream parlours and bakeries. Boutiques fill the streets of movement and make the Ville Nouvelle an ideal place for the classic mint tea with typical pastries that help regain strength after an afternoon of shopping.

Picture by NaSz451

Text by Blanca Frontera