What you shouldn't miss in Madrid at Christmas

The Christmas market in Madrid opened last week in Plaza Mayor. So, what are you waiting for? Go there to buy your Christmas decorations, food and sweets. You can already smell the Christmas spirit surrounding this historic square which once was the stage for public executions and has turned into a meeting place that gets full of good vibes at this time of the year.

Apart from this awesome Christmas market, you should buy funny items in the jokes and costumes market in Plaza Santa Cruz, a few steps from Plaza Mayor. There you will find funny stuff for New Year's Eve and the Día de los Inocentes on 28th December (Spanish equivalent to April's Fool).

Buy your Christmas presents in the thousands of shops in the center of Madrid or in El Corte Inglés department store. But first, take some time to watch the amazing and beautiful Christmas shows and decorations. Outstanding is the Cortylandia Christmas show which you can see on the facade of El Corte Inglés in Preciados street. If you have children, they are going to love it! Friendly, colorful robots dance at the rhythm of the catchy Cortylandia song.

After your Christmas shopping, you might be hungry. Why don't you have some churros with chocolate? Have a cup of hot chocolate and dip your churros into it! These typical strip fried doughs are delicious and the hot chocolate will help you stand the cold temperatures in December.

Would you like to go ice skating? Take your children to the artificial ice rink in Plaza Callao, very close to the Cortylandia show. This ice rink is only for kids and you will find a beautiful, decorated Christmas tree next to it. If you go to Plaza La Luna, you can go ice skating as well.

But the best of Christmas holidays in Madrid is that they are very long (at least for children), since they don't finish until the 6th January! That's great, don't you think?

Although Santa Claus also visits the city, Madrid children wait more impatiently for the Three Wise Men arriving on 5th January. These three magicians, in Spanish culture, go on a parade around the city, smile at children, greet them and throw them sweets. Their pages and lorries full of presents go with them. At the tail end of the parade, a lorry full of coal is the most feared and least loved by children. Tradition says that naughty kids will not get presents, but a piece of coal!

"If you don't go to sleep soon, the
Three Wise Men won't leave you any gifts!"

Once the Three Wise Men parade is finished, go quickly to your Madrid apartment to have dinner and go to bed early. If you don't go to sleep soon, the Three Wise Men won't leave you any gifts! And, don't forget to leave them a glass of water and some biscuits for them and their camels. They still have a very long night ahead!

Melbourne Accommodation

Any one visiting Australia will of course want to visit Melbourne, the famous center for the arts, commerce and education. This city has been ranked as the world’s most livable city in the World’s Most Livable Cities ratings by the Economist Group. Accommodation in Melbourne comes in all types and to suit every budget. Punthill Hotels and Apartments in Melbourne brings you some of the classiest options available on www.punthill.com.au

Bed and Breakfast

The Bed and Breakfast experience in Melbourne combines personal attention and privacy in a quality blend which will leave you wanting for more. The best of Melbourne is combined in the bed and breakfast kind of accommodation enabling you to enjoy delectable breakfasts and stunning surrounds like laid-back bayside areas or the cosmopolitan inner suburbs. These bed and breakfast accommodations are found in some of the city’s most interesting locations where you will be enthralled by the architecture as well as the history of the place you stay in.

Apartments

With Melbourne accommodation you can enjoy a privileged place in the midst of classic surroundings. These apartments are perfect for art lovers, food connoisseurs and shoppers of the most compulsive order. The apartments consist of one, two and three bedrooms and you can choose according to your need. The services in these apartments are 4-star rated and are fully furnished and contains all modern facilities. Some of these apartments are just a stone’s throw away from the Etihad Stadium, the Crown Casino, the Melbourne Aquarium and the Docklands and Harbor Town shopping center. For business related stays, there is efficient business accommodation available near Melbourne. These apartments can be rented for reduced rates for weekly and monthly stays.

Apartments in Burwood are located 14 km to the South East of Melbourne’s CBD. You have access to lovely parks and creeks at the end of short walks. On a short day trip you can visit the Dandenong Ranges and the Yarra Valley. A visit to “the fashion capital” Chadstone will have even the most sober of shoppers shop compulsively. This area is especially suitable for university students as the apartments are located very close to Deakin University.

In Victoria, you can find cheap priced hotel style accommodation in serviced apartments. With 4-star facilities and easy access to all important points in the city, these modern apartments are suitable for long or short term stays in Victoria.

The apartment complex is surrounded by a central courtyard which has a breathtakingly beautiful landscaped garden. The facilities of an in-house fitness room and conference facilities are also available here.

There are beautifully furnished apartments in the Melbourne Inner Suburbs of South Yarra Grand, South Yarra and Stanton. Accommodation is also available at city locations like Flinders Lane, Little Bourke and Manhattan.

Hope Island Stays

If you are off to the Gold Coast, congratulations! This is the perfect getaway for anyone! Hope Island is full of great attractions, beaches, surfing and restaurants. In order to get the most out of your trip, it is imperative to choose the perfect accommodations for your adventure. Luckily, there are several ways to stay on Hope Island.

Bed and Breakfasts:

Without a doubt, the B&B is the cozy way to stay on vacation. If you prefer a charming getaway with the personal touch, check out some of the Island's bed and breakfasts. One that has a touch of a resort feel is A Lighthouse on Hammersley. It's spacious, themed rooms are kept by a couple who ensure you a great stay. There are several high end amenities such as brilliant fireplaces, theater rooms, and private Adirondack chairs to watch the sunset with your loved ones. A Lighthouse on Hammersley has not missed a single detail and with reasonable prices, is a great choice for a relaxing getaway.

Apartments:

If staying on the Gold Coast for a longer trip, try renting an apartment. The Azzura resort boasts large fully furnished apartments along with great poolside features, golf and tennis courts. The beaches are right there ready to explore. This is a great accommodation for a large family or group looking to stay at Hope Island for an extended stay.

Hotels:

For a more luxurious vacation, there are several exclusive hotels to accommodate your private vacation. Club Watermark, a five star hotel, is certainly on the high end of most budgets, but is much more exclusive. Guests must be over 21 and children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. The large, spacious rooms and suites have great amenities, and the location of the hotel, right in Surfer's Paradise, is ideal for beach lovers. For an even grander experience, book at Donatella Versace's new luxurious resort, The Palazzo Versace. The rooms are breathtaking and are designed to accommodate different needs. There is even a "What's Kickin'" room for expectant parents on their Babymoon. Another suite, the Lagoon Suite even has a private lagoon to enjoy. This hotel is certainly a slice of Australia paradise.

All Inclusive:

While Australian all-inclusive resorts usually imply that you will get a kitchen to cook in, there are some resorts on the Gold Coast that will include activities, drinks, and food with your accommodations. Hope island accommodation is ideal for the person who wants to have minimal worries and focus on exploration and relaxation. Lizard Island, located nearer to Queensland does offer a restaurant; Osprey's offers a rotating menu for variety. Activities such as snorkeling and surfing are included and available. There a large villas for more private excursions.

Hostels:

On the other end of the luxury spectrum is the economic hostel. Since Hope Island and the Gold Coast cater to backpackers and surfers, there is a plethora of hostels for the low budget traveller. Islander Backpacker Resort is a little more expensive than a typical resort, but allows some luxuries such as a pool, bar and suite bathrooms. The bare minimum can be found at hostels like Backpackers in Paradise, located near the bus station for easy mobility.

No matter how you stay, it will be worth it to experience this one-of-a-kind island!