Torremolinos is one of the best known resorts in Spain with thousands of holidaymakers flocking here every year for its beaches and nightlife. The town had been popular among the rich and famous during the late 1950's and early 60's when the likes of Frank Sinatra and John Lennon both stayed here, but it would later become known as a major package holiday destination. In recent years the authorities have invested a lot of money into the town which has resulted in major improvements to the beach and seafront. Hundreds of palm trees have also been planted to help bring some greenery to this built-up resort.
In the centre of Torremolinos is the main shopping street of calle San Miguel which leads towards the former fishing district of El Bajondillo. This area is always popular with tourists who come here for the many restaurants and souvenir shops. A flight of steps known as Cuesta del Tajo zigzags its way through El Bajondillo to the beach. Torremolinos has a long seafront promenade which runs past the old fishing village of La Carihuela all the way to the neighbouring resort of Benalmadena. La Carihuela has retained much of its original character and is renowned for its fine seafood restaurants.
One of the biggest family tourist attractions in Torremolinos is the Crocodile Park next to the bypass. The park is home to the largest crocodile in Europe, Big Daddy, who is around 4.5 meters long and weighs over 500 kilos. Children will particularly enjoy their visit as they have the opportunity to hold a live baby crocodile. The park also offers informative guided tours around the crocodile enclosures, as well as a petting zoo, souvenir shop and cafeteria. Another family attraction on the outskirts of Torremolinos is the Aqualand water park with rides such as the Boomerang, Twister and Black Hole. The highlight of Aqualand is the Kamikaze which is one of the highest water slides in Europe.
Torremolinos has a reputation for being a nightlife hotspot, especially amongst young people. El Palladium is one of the most popular nightclubs with several dance floors, bars and even a swimming pool in which to cool off if things get a bit too hot. For a more traditional type of entertainment, the Taberna Pepe Lopez in the Plaza de Gambre Alegre puts on regular flamenco shows. Torremolinos has several gay bars, many of them situated around the Plaza de la Nogalera. The most popular gay disco in town is Passion on the Avenida Palma de Mallorca.
There are several fiestas which take place throughout the year, including the International Tourist Day (September) which is marked by processions, musical entertainment, and free servings of fried fish and paella. More free samples of fish are handed out to the public during the Dia del Pescaito in early June.
Torremolinos is situated just 7 miles (12km) west of Malaga. The resort has a railway station in Plaza de la Nogalera and there are trains from here to Malaga city centre, Malaga airport and Fuengirola. Portillo operate regular bus services from the coach station in calle Hoya to Malaga, Benalmadena, Mijas Pueblo and Marbella. There are also long-distance services to Granada, Jerez and Cordoba.
Tourist Information Rome Italy
Toledo is situated around 40 miles (64km) southeast of Madrid, and is capital of the Castilla y La Mancha region. This unmissable old city, surrounded on three sides by a tight bend in the River Tagus, boasts a wealth of historic attractions and artistic treasures. It is also famous for being the home of renaissance painter, El Greco, who came to the city from Crete in the 16th century.
Due to Toledo's strategic location, the Visigoths made it their capital in the 5th century AD. The Moors took control in 712AD, before the Christian king, Alfonso VI, captured the city in 1085. Toledo then enjoyed its golden age, until Philip I moved the royal court to Madrid for political reasons in 1561. Afterwards the city went into economic decline, although this has meant that many of Toledo's historic buildings have been preserved. Toledo remains the chief city of the Spanish church and seat of the Primate of Spain.
Begun in 1227 and completed in 1493, Toledo's magnificent cathedral is regarded as one of the finest in Spain. The cathedral houses a variety of artistic masterpieces, including paintings by Velazquez, Goya and El Greco. Pride of place goes to the huge golden monstrance, which is carried through the streets of Toledo during Corpus Christi.
A short distance from the cathedral is the tiny church 14th century church of Santo Tome. Tourists flock here to admire El Greco's enormous masterpiece, El Entierro del Conde de Orgaz (The burial of the Count of Orgaz). The painting depicts Saints Augustine and Stephen lowering the count into his grave. To discover more about its artist, head to the Casa y Museo del Greco in the old Jewish quarter. Although El Greco didn't actually live here, the museum contains several of his paintings. There are more examples of El Greco's work in the Museo de Santa Cruz. This former 16th century hospice, which also contains paintings by Ribero and Goya, is especially notable for its spectacular facade.
The huge Alcazar fortress, which dominates the skyline of Toledo, is famous for the Spanish Civil War. Nationalist forces, under the command of Colonel Jose Moscardo, managed to hold out against the Republicans for 68 days, although the Alcazar was almost completely destroyed in the process. Today the rebuilt fortress houses a military museum, which traces the story of the siege. There are also some magnificent views across the river valley from the Alcazar's terrace.
Toledo had a large and important Jewish community during the Middle Ages, and there are two surviving synagogues in the old Jewish quarter, El Transito and Santa Maria la Blanca. El Transito, built by Samuel Levi in the 14th century, now contains a small museum, while Santa Maria, which dates back to the 12th century, was converted into a church after the Jews were expelled from Toledo in 1492.
The nearest airport to Toledo is Madrid (Barajas). There are regular trains from Madrid's Atocha station to Toledo, although buses are usually quicker and more convenient. The city's tourist information office is situated at Puerta de Bisagra and is open daily.
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