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Discover Gaudi on a Barcelona School Trip

Teachers booking educational trips overseas for their art students should look at the benefits of going to Barcelona, home to some stunning examples of architecture courtesy of designer Antoni Gaudi.

By heading off to Spain and spending some time in Barcelona – the country’s second largest city – your students could well have a very illuminating experience and come away fully prepared for their next big art exam.

Once they reach the destination, they will find many examples of beautiful gothic Catalan architecture in Barcelona, with some of the city’s treasures including unique modernist works by Gaudi – such as his astounding Sagrada Familia Cathedral.

This stunning church is, no doubt, one of his most famous works and is undoubtedly one of the most recognised symbols of the metropolis itself.

Work was started on the cathedral by architect Francisco de Paula del Villar in 1882, but was then taken up by Gaudi in 1883, who stayed on the project until his death in 1926.

Christian symbolism is very strongly evident in the church. The 18 bell towers represent Jesus, the four evangelists, the 12 apostles and the Virgin Mary. The church’s three facades represent the human life of Jesus, marking his birth to his death, while the interior of the building – symbolic of Jerusalem – is home to a series of columns that represent the apostles once again.

You should also make sure you include a visit to the Gaudi House Museum on your study tour travel itinerary. This gallery – set up after his death in 1926 – is dedicated to showcasing the architect’s works.

It originally opened to the public back in 1963, with exhibits including documents and objects relating to the artist, as well as examples of furniture designed by Gaudi.

Guell Park would also certainly be worth a visit, as this is where many more of the architect’s works can be found. Here, you will discover a fantastical world filled with stunning mosaic dragons and mushroom-shaped pavilions, as well as other architectural curios.

In addition, Casa Batllo, a prominent feature in the modernist architecture of Barcelona that was built between 1904 and 1906, is a great place to head to.

Much like the cathedral, its face has become one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. The building is now home to a set of works by some of the most famous architects in the world.

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Key West Florida Vacation Rental: Your best Destination

Aptly named the sunshine state, Florida reigns as the most popular holiday destination for its long stretches of sandy beaches, larger-than-life theme parks and near perfect climate all year round. Fringed by 1,200 miles of sugary white beaches and lapped by clear blue seas, the Gulf Coast of Florida offers a unique blend of tropical sunshine, modern Miami culture and warm Southern hospitality. The best way to experience the true spirit of Florida is through a vacation rental home and A1 Florida Vacation Rentals is just the destination for choosing an ideal vacation rental.

A beachfront condo on the Gulf Coast offers enthusiastic beach lovers the perfect sand and sea holiday. Whether it is enjoying a round of golf in the cosmopolitan city of Naples; canoeing through the waterways of Sarasota; fishing at Fort Myers Beach or savoring delicious seafood in Tarpon Springs; Florida Vacation Rentals ensures you have a good time both indoors and outdoors with its exclusive vacation homes.

Shopping buffs can loosen their purse strings in the fashionable city of Miami. Literally a melting pot of cultures, Miami has something for everyone and a beachfront condo or an apartment from Florida Vacation Rentals provides the perfect outlet to this vibrant city.

A vacation in Florida would be absolutely incomplete without paying a visit to Mickey’s homeland, Orlando. Brimming with extravagant theme parks, shopping malls, late-night bars, restaurants and family catered entertainment; it’s no surprise why Orlando is called America’s theme capital. In this larger-than-life city, why confine yourself to a boring hotel room, instead opt for a spacious beachfront vacation home from Florida Vacation Rentals. Whatever region or activity you plan to choose in Florida, there’s only one choice for vacation rentals and that is Florida Vacation Rentals.

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Luxury Hotel Or Boutique Hotel? Tips For Booking the Best

A short break is the perfect excuse to push the boat out and spend a little more on a luxury hotel with all its additional benefits. A weekend away is ideal for indulging in the very best and enjoying every precious moment, surrounded by attentive service. Generally it is those little extras which turn a good hotel into a great one.

1. Location
Whether you are looking for a city break or a romantic stay in the countryside, location is the single most important factor, so do your homework carefully. If you want to explore a European city using your luxury hotel as a base, you need to be right in the heart of the city, such as the Ritz in the heart of Mayfair, London. The extra you spend per night on the room will be more than saved by not having to spend time and money on taxis.

2. Service
Generally it is the little things which make a great luxury hotel stand out from the rest. Although you have to travel to Raffles in Siem Reap, Cambodia to experience the “World’s Best Service” according to Travel and Leisure Traveler, you should be able to find others closer to home!

Fresh flowers around the hotel and in your room are a good sign. Hotel staff that appear unbidden to carry your suitcase, call the elevator and show you where the breakfast room is located, all make great first impressions. Complimentary coffee in the foyer or hors d’oeuvres on the bar all make you feel comfortably at home. Consider choosing a boutique hotel, where personal service should be paramount.

3. Style
Choosing a hotel with its own style or theme is important. While some luxury hotels are all about marble flooring and chandeliers, more contemporary hotels showcase great modern artworks. A great luxury hotel should be somewhere you remember fondly years after, so it needs to be uniquely individual and special. Smaller boutique hotels are often the best choice, such as the Hotel Art in Rome.

4. Food
A great luxury hotel should provide a memorable breakfast to start the day perfectly. If gourmet cuisine is an important part of your vacation, choose a hotel with a Michelin starred restaurant, such as Le Meurice in Paris. Hotel guests generally get priority reservations and you can enjoy wine with your meal and an after-dinner port or brandy in comfort without having to arrange a taxi back to your luxury hotel afterward.

5. No Annoying Add-Ons
A truly great luxury hotel is one that does not have annoyed added charges for valet parking, breakfast, newspapers etc. It should all be part of the top-notch service you are paying for.