Escape to Barcelona
As soon as the Christmas weeks roll in I am one of those people who just jumps ship. I hate this country around winter time and I cannot wait to get away. Luckily enough for me, and for you if you are canny enough to join me, there are plenty of off season bargains to be found. Especially to the more traditional summer resorts.
Take Barcelona for example. As the second largest city in Spain and the capital of Catalonia, it is a vibrant and beautiful place to spend a week or two, no matter what you are looking for in a holiday. Flights during summer time regularly top a hundred pounds one way but in the winter you can get there for almost half the price. What’s more, if you want to take full advantage of the city and the climate whilst spending as little money as possible, and if you are back to work by then like most of the population, then the short flight times make sure that a weekend break is definitely on the cards.
Barcelona’s warm and dry Mediterranean climate – with temperatures averaging at 30 degrees Celsius over the summer months and still only 10 degrees at the coldest time of year – is just one of its most attractive features. Of course the place isn’t going to be as warm as it usually is, but compare that to the icy winds of the British Isles then it is somewhat of a no-brainer. Whilst sunbathing may be out at this time of the year the city still offers something for everyone. For entertainment and performing arts, look no further than Barcelona’s many venues for live music and theatre, including the world famous Gran Teatre del Liceu.
Apart from all of the above, the nightlife is one very good reason to come to Barcelona. Whatever you’re into, it is a great night out, simply because there is a huge variety and great concentration of bars, pubs and clubs, appealing to all tastes and budgets. From classy and chic chill-out lounges and indie bars to the more demanding electronica dance floors and Latin clubs, there is truly something for everyone. Moreover, as a popular destination at peak times, travel insurance companies such as AA Travel have incredibly good deals even though you are travelling in the winter.
Essentially, what a city like Barcelona affords you in these winter months is something of a safe haven. Sure it isn’t exactly baking hot, but compared to the UK it is positively tropical. And Barcelona has so much more to it than just a beach; the cultural side of the city is beyond compare. Throw all this together with the incredible flight and travel insurance deals you can get hold of simply through going at off-peak times then you have the making of a really good, and really cheap, holiday.