What you need to know about the 2012 Olympics in London

written by: bgray007 for Geo Travellers.com

The 2012 summer Olympics that is being held in the east end of London is the thirtieth Olympiad since they were resurrected in Athens in 1896. They are being held between the 27th of July to the 12th of August with events being held at locations across the city. Thanks to reading this guide Olympics 2012 will become that bit easier for you to explore with not only the games themselves but also with regards to what else there is to do around the city.

What are the dates and key times of the Olympics games?

As was mentioned earlier the Olympics run from the 27th of July to the 12th of August. You should also be aware that the Paralympics also take place in London between the 29th of August and ends on the 9th of September. Events will often have various sessions with breaks in between so you may have athletics in the morning and evening as an example with it giving you the afternoon free to explore other things. Sessions for the Olympics  usually begin just after 9am and the evening session will tend to end around 10pm so you can use public transport to get back to your hotel.

When are the various events taking place at the Olympics?

The football tournament actually begins on the 25th of July however Olympics games are being held in stadiums across the UK and the first event within London itself is the Archery which takes place at the Lords Cricket Ground on the 27th. The following day sees events such as rowing, cycling, swimming and basically most other things excluding track and field. If you are looking at the athletics then you need to wait until the 3rd of August with the blue riband event of the mens 100m final on the evening of the 5th.

What about the opening ceremony at the Olympics?

The opening London Olympics ceremony itself is being held in the brand new Olympics Stadium on the night of the 27th July between 19:30pm and 22:30pm GMT. The Oscar winning director Danny Boyle, the man behind Slum dog Millionaire, is organizing the actual display and as with every opening ceremony you can expect it to be promoting not just the Olympics Games but also the United Kingdom in general. If you wanted to attend then unless you have a ticket already you will be out of luck however, you can of course watch it in a bar nearby to try and at least sample some of the atmosphere.

How do I get to see some of the action at the Olympics?

If you want to check out some of the events at the Olympics in person then you need tickets however they can be difficult to get hold of depending upon where you are coming from. There will be very few tickets for the Olympics available on the days, unless you are looking at some of the less popular events or perhaps hoping to get in at Wimbledon for the tennis. However, you can still see things such as the marathon at various tourist points or the road cycling on their route so it is possible to catch some of it without it actually costing you anything but get there early to end up getting the best spots.

I have heard security is tight at the Olympics, is this the case?

Security at the Olympics is going to be the tightest that it has ever been for an Olympics games and in the build up to it there has been a series of test runs involving the various emergency services. Security is provided not only by the police but also the armed forces but you will feel safe there. Trial runs of the searching of the spectators have taken place at large scale football matches already so entering the Olympics stadium will be perfectly safe. Do be prepared to have various things taken off you such as unknown liquids or sharp instruments.

Where can I stay during the Olympics games?

London has a wide range of hotels and guest houses to stay in and they do tend to cover every possible budget. You can easily spend a fortune on an individual room however it is advisable to look out with the middle of the city if you are on a budget. Look at which hotels are close to tube stops for the Olympics or on the main bus routes for the Olympics so you can easily move around. Do be advised that you should look at booking a room as early as possible as clearly there will be a real influx of visitors to the city so do not be surprised if you need to look even further afield and basically commute in.

Will the Olympics cost me more than it normally would?

It is true that prices in the city will increase whilst the Olympics are taking place. There are worrying reports of some hotel rooms increasing their prices by just over 300% and you can expect most of them to have at least doubled their prices which is why looking further afield may be an idea. Flights to London have also increased so consider flying elsewhere and then book the train as this can work out cheaper. General costs in and around London are expected to result in eating out going up slightly so look at going more off the beaten track if on a budget.

The weather worries me, what should I wear at the Olympics?

The weather in the United Kingdom can be unpredictable to say the least however the timing of the games does come at a point in the year where London generally has its best weather. In July and August you are looking at average temperatures of 24C during the day and around 14C at night and one fact you may not be aware of is that it actually gets less rain than Rome. It does mean you can wear light clothes and expect to see some sunshine whilst you are there.

When I am not checking out the Olympics games what else is there?

London has a whole host of things to see and do and one of the best ways to get an idea of what is out there is by going on one of the tour buses. This will show you things such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the London Eye and gives you a number of things to explore later. Clearly the main thing is going to be history but if you want something to do at night then pay a trip to the West End, which is the heart of theatre land. If you have children then London Zoo is a must as is LEGOLAND in nearby Windsor is worth a trip and when in London you need to experience shopping at Harrods, which just epitomizes quality.

So with the information in this guide Olympics 2012 should indeed be easier for you to explore. It is fair to say that you need to plan ahead as the city will be busy and by doing so you should hopefully avoid some of the queues that will undoubtedly build up during the time of the 2012 Olympics in London. By taking some of the advice provided here you may also know how you can manage to take in some of the atmosphere in the city whilst avoiding spending the top prices you may initially come across online.

Download the Geo Travellers iPhone app with this Olympics Guide and more to come..

Olympics App

Barcelona Travel Tips

Written by: suzanne – Geo Travellers

Barcelona Travel Tips

Barcelona is nestled on the northeastern portion of the Iberian Peninsula. The city is the second largest in Spain when it comes to total land area and population. In addition, Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, which makes up the 17 autonomous communities in the country.

For several years, Barcelona has become the center of style and dynamism to all parts of the world. Tourists can find majestic and historic buildings, outstanding shopping malls, and a wide selection of food and drinks. Many people consider Barcelona as the most desirable place to visit and live because of the fascinating views, excellent landmarks, and genial people in this cultural city.

Brief History Of Barcelona

Between 416 and 712 A.D, Barcelona  served as the capital of the Visigoth Empire. The Moors took over the city, and was conquered eventually by the Arabs. In the year 780, Charles the Great commanded his son, Louie, to conquer Barcelona. After a long battle, Louis took over the city, and it became the capital of Spain. When Charles the Great died, the Arabs ruled Barcelona, and the city became a commercial town. Several monuments, gothic buildings, and palaces were constructed, and these made Barcelona as the cultural capital of the country.

In 1469, the marriage of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabela I of Castille linked the two royal lines. The merging of these dynasties signaled a decline in Barcelona’s economy. Various Catalan revolts also weakened the city, and Madrid became the country’s capital and center of political power.

Population of Barcelona

Barcelona ranks second when it comes to the most populous cities in Spain. The city is home to 1,621,537 locals and foreigners. The urban districts of Barcelona have a population of about 4,200,000, which makes the city as the sixth most populous urban areas among European Union nations. About five million people live in the metropolitan areas of Barcelona.

Best Time to Travel to Barcelona Spain

Many people prefer traveling to Barcelona during spring because of the favorable temperature that ranges between 13 degrees to 20 degrees Celsius. They can enjoy engaging in various activities such as hiking, swimming, and boating. The autumn season is another excellent time to visit the city because of the perfect combination of cool and warm temperature. However, there are occasional rains that might not be ideal for some recreational activities such as hiking.

Main Tourist Attractions in Barcelona

Barcelona has an appeal of being an open-air museum because of the wide spectacle of attractions that tourists can find all over the city. It is easy to reach various scenic spots by train, bicycle, bus, or car. The following attractions are among the popular ones in Barcelona.

La Rambla

This bustling boulevard is one of the most popular locations in the city. Shopping enthusiasts will adore the long chain of shopping centers and malls. In addition, there are numerous cafes, theaters, shops, and markets at La Rambla. Those who look for a dynamic adventure will appreciate what La Rambla has to offer.

Barri Gotic

This gothic quarter presents the historic or old Barcelona. It connects La Rambla with the Mediterranean and Via Laietana through the Ronda de Sant pere. Tourists can find many ancient buildings constructed during the medieval era such as the squared Roman Walls, Avinguda de la Catedral, and the Jewish Quarter.

Tibidabo

This majestic mountain is one of the most popular natural landmarks of Barcelona. It overlooks several locations in the city such as the amusement parks, churches, hotels, and telecommunication towers. The wonderful view at Tibidabo provides nature enthusiasts with a placid and relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle of the cities.

Museum Picasso

The famous museum located in Carrer Montcada amazes art connoisseurs from many parts of the world. The Museum Picasso provides an extensive collection of Pablo Picasso’s work. Tourists will experience the brilliant lights and various colors featured in the Spanish artist’s paintings.

La Sagrada Familia

The Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family is a Roman Catholic Church that features an impressive façade and interior. The world-renowned architect, Antoni Goudi, designed this fascinating landmark in Barcelona. The church contains genuine mosaics, sculptures and a peaceful ambience that awe many people.

Best Hotels in Barcelona

Tourists will have a superb experience while touring around Barcelona. They can also find high quality hotel accommodations for a comfortable stay in the city. There are three types of accommodation in Barcelona such as the hotel, pension, and hostal. A hostal is like a guest house with a smaller building, as compared to a hotel. On the other hand, pensiones are family-run accommodations with inexpensive rates.

Those who look for top quality hotels might want to consider these five-star luxury and boutique hotels located in Barcelona.

Hotel Murmuri

This luxurious hotel is situated on Rambla de Catalunya, which is the center of Barcelona. Since the hotel’s opening in 2008, it has been delivering the best services and reasonable rates to tourists. Hotel Murmuri also offers a superb dining experience. Tourists will have the best gastronomic experience while dining at the Marfil Bar and Terrace and Asiatic Murmuri Restaurant.

Hotel Arts Barcelona

With 483 rooms and breathtaking views over the sea, Hotel Arts Barcelona is definitely one of the top choices when it comes to the best hotels in the city. The facilities are flawless and contemporary, which ensure tourists of an outstanding experience at the hotel. In addition, the hotel boasts of the duplex spa situated on the 42nd and 43rd floor. The spa, which is surrounded by a garden, provides guests with a tranquil experience of being in touch with nature.

Hotel Bagues

The five-star hotel offers 31 luxurious rooms that provide an excellent view of les Rambles and Carme Street. Guests will delight on the comfort and relaxation that the hotel provides. The El Regulador, located at the ground floor of the hotel, features a wide choice of Mediterranean dishes. The appetizing meals are both healthy and scrumptious because of the fresh ingredients used.

Shopping in Barcelona

Shopping is another popular pastime in Barcelona. Tourists will be impressed with the large department stores and independent shops that offer quality items.

El Corte Ingles and Fnac

These are the two largest department stores in Barcelona. Those who like to find various types of clothing, footwear, and other items under one roof will adore these shopping malls.

Custo Barcelona

Custo, a renowned Spanish designer, features a line of clothing with wacky prints and eye-popping colors. The store provides shoppers with an excellent choice of good quality clothes that appeal to brand-conscious individuals.

Zara

Shoppers who look for high fashion outfits with reasonable prices should check out Zara. The smart and stylish tailoring will fascinate people of all ages and lifestyles. Zara offers a multitude of designs and cuts that go well for casual or formal events.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Barcelona

No matter what time of day or night, tourists will enjoy dining at the famous restaurants in the city. These restaurants are among those that tourists prefer to visit because of the great menus with exquisite taste.

Dos Palillos

Asian cuisine makes most of the menu at Dos Palilos. Tourists will love the scrumptious taste of cuisine from China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan. Among the best-sellers include tempura, steamed vegetables, seafood, tapas, and grilled dishes.

Arola

This famous restaurant is found at the second floor of Hotel Arts. The dynamic ambience of the place is seen in the contemporary design, live music, and entertainment. The restaurant is also popular because of various dishes such as fritas y rellenas de salsa, picante y recubiertas de alioli, and classic tapas.

El Vell Sarria

Tourists will never pass the chance to dine at the El Vell Sarria, a beautiful restaurant located at Sarria, Barcelona. This restaurant comes with a rustic and traditional ambience. The top menus include sapietas with onions, grilled vegetables with anchovies, plancha, and cod with vegetables.

Exciting Recreational Activities

Children and adults will have the time of their life while engaging in exciting activities and sports.

Parc de la Ciutedella

The main park offers a wide choice of activities for the whole family. Children will love to explore the open spaces and gardens, and tourists of all ages will love to paddle around the lake by hiring a small rowboat.

Barcelona Zoo

The zoo is located in the Parc de la Ciutedella. It is the perfect place where tourists can check out different species of animals. There are picnic areas, electric cars, pony rides, mini-trains, and restaurants inside the zoo.

Illa Fantasia

This impressive water park includes 3 large pools and 20 water slides. The Illa Fantasia is the ideal spot to cool off during the warm months in Barcelona. Numerous water activities will amaze the little ones such as the Splash n Slide, which provides a safe place for children to swim.

Barcelona Beaches

The beaches also offer exciting activities for locals and foreigners. Many people can try windsurfing, kite surfing, snorkeling, swimming, and dining on the nearby beach huts.

These activities and places are only a few of what Barcelona can offer. A tour around the city will surely enrich the mind and body because of the scenic views and fantastic menus. Barcelona remains as one of the most frequented cities in the world because of the memorable and enriching experience it provides tourists.

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  Resource Links: Information about Barcelona Tourist Attractions Best Hotels in Barcelona Best Restaurants in Barcelona Shopping in Barcelona

Sizzling Summer Secrets at Nikki Beach Marbella

(Behind the Scenes with the Nikki News team)

written by: J.Peter

Marbella is gaining wide recognition as one of the must-go-to resort towns for jet setters all over the globe. It has become an icon of high-class sports including sailing, golf, and tennis. In Marbella, you also get the chance to experience upscale and down-to-earth with just the right balance. And with the summer re-opening of Nikki Beach Marbella, things would surely be even more electrifying.

Here are some exclusive behind-the-scenes about the Grand Kickoff for the Summer Opening of Nikki Beach Marbella this 2012. Presenting us with this luscious scoop would be headed by the Nikki Newsteam from the iPhone video shot from Mike Penrod.

Nikki News host, Russian model extraordinaire, and Nikki Beach jet-setter Jeniya Penrod talked with the Director of Public Relations (PR) and Marketing of Nikki Beach Marbella – Ms. Gretel. Ms. Gretel told Jeniya about the success and fun everyone had been having at the first Sunday party at Nikki Beach Marbella for summer 2012.

Ms. Gretel showed great excitement and delight as she related to Jeniya the number of new faces that attend the Sunday party. She further concluded that the summer season will bring lots of new faces, especially, on the Grand Opening White Party or Nikki Beach Marbella that will be held on the 31st of May.

Bad news though because, if you haven’t got a ticket yet, because you will have to wait for the next White Party of Nikki Beach Marbella as the one that will be held this month has already been sold out 4 weeks in advance to 3,500 people!

Sold Out Nikki Beach Marbella White Party

After letting us in with an exclusive from Ms. Gretel on the happenings at Nikki Beach Marbella, Jeniya took us to Nikki Beach Marbella’s very own DJ Mario Z. Jeniya and DJ Mario talked about the funky and crazy amazing music that DJ Mario plays on Nikki Beach Marbella to keep the Nikki Beach vibe.

The cheerful DJ Mario also promoted his Nikki Beach Marbella album entitled, “Spring Season 2012: DJ Mario Z Vol. 1 (Tell Only Your Best Friends) consisting of soulful remix with funk and craze. Like Ms. Gretel, DJ Mario also reminded everyone to be at Nikki Beach Marbella on the 31st of May for the Grand Opening White Party.

Following the interviews with Ms. Gretel and DJ Mario, the Nikki News team was offered the very first mojito of the summer at Nikki Beach Marbella. The balance of rum, lime, and mint was just the right drink for a fun in the sun at Nikki Beach Marbella.

Lastly, Jeniya interviewed Julian Lewis, the new General Manager of Nikki Beach Marbella, joining Marian Roman who moved up as regional director of Nikki Beach Marbella & Mallorca.

GM Lewis shared that they worked on an exciting project for Nikki Beach Marbella to last until the end of the year. Aside from the anticipated parties and events, GM Lewis announced the celebration of Nikki Beach Marbella’s 9th year that will be held on the 5th of July. And if you want to learn more about Nikki Beach, you just have to visit nikkibeach.com or their official page on Facebook.

Vist our website for more events Nikki Beach Marbella

White Party at Nikki Beach Marbella

written by: mcstir for Nikki News.com

Make this Your best summer ever – White Party at Nikki Beach Marbella

If you are looking for a truly memorable and spectacular event to attend this year, you should consider travelling to a resort called Elvira, located in Marbella, Malaga, Spain. This exclusive resort is located approximately 35 minutes from the Malaga Airport. Nikki Beach Marbella is located at the Playa Hotel Don Carlos, Carettera de Cadiz. What you will find here will make you wonder how the clubs back home even held your attention for a few moments in time.

Nikki Beach Marbella Summer Kick off…

The world renowned Nikki Beach Marbella White Party is an exclusive dance club party, marking the opening of the club for the summer season, and offering party goers a chance to rub elbows with celebrities and VIPs alike. The lavish décor invites you to make yourself comfortable and enjoy a full evening of entertainment and dancing.

Tickets go very quickly, so if you want the chance to attend Nikki Beach Marbella, be sure to purchase yours well in advance. Once a specific number are sold for Nikki Beach Marbella, no more will become available and you will miss out on the event of the year. Attending the Nikki Beach Marbella white party will make every event you attend afterwards seem substandard, but that’s how we roll.

No other club offers such a festive environment as Nikki Beach Marbella, and you will be treated to circus performers, acrobats, go-go dancers, fire throwers, singers and bands and DJs to get you into the party mood. Celebrity DJs have been known to make an appearance occasionally, so be sure to get in early when the doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Watch videos and light shows on the jumbotron while you take in the live acts adding to the sophisticated atmosphere. As the night falls, you will see that lasers and lights move around the dance floor and create a club atmosphere outdoors. The club is close to the ocean and offers incredible views of the surrounding area. Carefully choreographed fireworks at the end of the night end the evening with a bang, literally.

Throughout the Nikki Beach Marbella club you will find long tables with ice buckets for drinks and bottles. Waitstaff are everywhere, eager to fill your order and get your night going for you. The seating is lavish, comfortable and inviting, and a massive dance floor invites you to rhythmically dance to the music. The bouncers are dressed in black from head to toe adding a sharp contrast to the sea of white.

If you are lucky enough to be one of the privileged few to be attending the Nikki Beach Marbella annual party, be sure to wear white or you will be turned away at the door. If you need to get some ideas on what to wear to the hottest summer dance party of the year, you should watch our videos of the White Party at Nikki Beach Marbella from past years.

Watching the Nikki Beach Marbella videos should have you extremely excited about attending our party, and we promise to deliver an even better event this year!

For More Information, contact us in Marbella.

Travel Tips for Marbella Spain

Written by: Simon23  for Geo Travellers

Located in a unique microclimate between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sierra Blanca mountains Marbella is famous for it’s beautiful weather, stunning highland vistas and glitzy social scene. To think of Marbella as Spain’s Monte Carlo is relatively accurate however there is more to this harbour city than luxury, a distinctive history and architecture make Marbellaa rare jewel just waiting to be explored.

With 320 days of sunshine every year there is never really a bad time to visit Marbella, you can go celebrity spotting all year round! Even the winter months are mild and relatively dry. June and October are famous for their festivals in the town, both honouring patron saints of the region and lasting for a full week. This is a great time to discover the local cuisine and culture with various performances held in the towns many beautiful squares througout the weeks.

In addition to the more traditional celebrations numerous international events take place in the city too, the International Jazz Festival takes place during June, Marbella Reggae Festival takes place during July and the Marbella International Opera Festival takes place during August. There is also the Marbella International Film Festival, the Spanish Film Festival and the Festival of Independent Theatre. There is always something to see in Marbella.

History of Marbella Spain

The history of Marbellabegan as early as the Roman times with a small Roman town having once stood on the site of the present day “El Casco Antiguo”, the old town. Evidence of Roman settlement is still seen today in the shape of the old town wall which contains Roman materials recycled in the building of the old towns defences by the Moors. During the Roman era the town was known as Salduba which means “the salt city”.

The Roman town stood for some centuries before being pillaged and burnt by the Normans who were then followed by the Moors who occupied Southern Spain for nearly 800 years! This huge period of time accounts for the distinctively Moorish architecture of the region and the presence of many Moorish buildings in Marbella, as well as the fortifications.

Marbella did not return to Spanish hands until 1485. The following 500 years were marked by the peaceful life of a jasmine lined fishing town, with the notable events mainly being the construction of the Fuerte de San Luis de Marbella as well as numerous beautiful churches in the El Casco Antiguo.

In 1943 Ricardo Soriano, Marquis of Ivanrey purchased an estate in the area and began to encourage his wealthy friends to visit. This was the beginning of Marbella as a luxury tourist resort and by the 1970′s the presence of movie stars had evolved into the presence of Sheikhs. An idea of the rapidity of the grwoth is evidenced by Marbella’s population 900 in 1945 to 300,000 today.

Town Districts and their Attractions in Marbella Spain

El Casco Antiguo in Marbella Spain

The backstreets of the old town are a particular pleasure to explore with small beautiful chapels sitting alongside tapas bars and family restaurants with many streets being intersected by beautiful shady squares lined with jasmine. The old town is composed of the Bairro Alto (high town) and the Bairro Nuevo (new town) and still retains many features of its 16th century Castilian renaissance origins.

The most famous square in the region, the Plaza de los Naranjos is to be found here overlooked by Town Hall, the Mayoral House and the Santiago Chapel which is the oldest religious building in the area. The other notable churches and chapels of the old town include Capilla de San Juan de Dios and Church of Santa María de la Encarnación. The high town is also known as San Francisco due to the previous presence of a Franciscan Convent.

Historic Example of Marbella Spain

Built around the Avenida del Mar which runs from the old town to the sea, Eixample is home to the botanical gardens called Paseo de la Alameda, not to mention numerous other beautifully designed parks and fountains. In one small park stands ten sculptures by the artist Salvador Dali, a lasting testament to Spanish creativity.

District of Las Chapas in Marbella Spain

The area of Las Chapas is the site of the oldest phoenician remains to be found, near to an ancient iron mine. There two ancient watchtowers also present here, the River Tower and also the Tower of Thieves. The famous Hilton Hotel of Marbella was also located here however today it has new owners and is called the Don Carlos. There are numerous other modernist buildings in this part of the town which will be of interest to architectural buffs.

San Pedro de Alcántara in Marbella Spain

Las Chapas is not the most important archaeological site in the town though, nextled amongst the 19th century buildings of San Pedro de Alcántara are various remains including the Roman Baths, an ancient Christian Basilica and yet another ancient watchtower. Those with an archeological passion will also want to visit Cerro Colorao which is a still active archaeological site charting the progression of pre-Roman settlement onwards.

Puerto Banus and Puerto de la Bajadilla in Marbella Spain

One of the most famous aspects of Marbella are its harbours. The rows of yachts and even superyachts are an instant reminder of the resorts luxury status. There are numerous bars and restaurants to treat yourself to and the culinary delights certainly rival those of the old town, though with a distinctly different atmosphere. The Puerto Banus is however designed in the traditional style of an Andalucian village and was world famous for its beauty when opened in 1970. The new black and white restaurant which overlooks Puerto Banus is building itself a very good reputation. The Al Dente and Champagne Bar is recommended if you feel in a spending mood.

Day Trips and Activities in Marbella Spain

Beach-life and Clubbing in Marbella Spain

Marbella is blessed with 24 beautiful beaches which run for some 27km. The waters are clean and swimming is considered safe.
There are numerous beachside clubs in the Marbella area, offering every kind of music imaginable. The beach close to “The Golden Mile” is home to many luxurious venues with a very classy feel. One particular club that has a very good reputation is Nikki Beach Marbella, an upmarket nightclub which plays funky house alongside salsa inspired grooves.

Yachting, Fishing and Diving in Marbella Spain

With the presence of two harbours and so many boats it’s very easy to find boating trips, whether you want to go sightseeing along the coast or you want to relax with some fishing rods hanging off the back, there are plenty of options available. There are numerous diving expeditions also available not to mention accredited PADI schools offering certification. As with all things in the city, the prices are not exactly cheap.

Caving in Marbella Spain

Caving involves exploring underground caves and chambers formed by water that has dissolved soft rock like limestone. It involves a combination of walking, climbing, abseiling and sometimes even a little swimming! A safe but unforgettable experience highly recommended.

Horse Racing Marbella Spain

Visit the Hipodromo Mijas Costa and experience some Spanish horse racing, the races feature what are arguably some of the best raised horses in the world. Rivaling the Arabian breeds.

Parasailing in Marbella Spain

Near the Puerto district is the option to go parasailing, this is very much recommended as the price is very reasonable for Marbella. Probably because it only attracts the young as opposed to wealthy older clientele!

Golf in Marbella Spain

There are many top quality golf courses in Marbella, which means no golfer will ever be bored. The views from many of the courses are spectacular which is yet another reason why Marbella is so popular with the international jetset.

In summary then, Marbella has everything one could ask for from an upmarket Mediterranean resort, it may well have a reputation as a playground for the rich but its deep historical legacy not to mention natural beauty means there is something for everyone here.

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Also you can visit Nikki Beach News for more entertainment options.

Castlewood Group brings the world renowned Nikki Beach brand to six markets in Asia

Nikki Beach Hotel and Spa, Phuket to Open in 2013

May 2, 2012, Singapore – Commercial Real Estate Developer, The Castlewood Group Singapore, announced today they are expanding the world-renowned lifestyle brand, Nikki Beach, in Asia, commencing with a Hotel, Spa and Beach Club in Phuket in 2013.   Nikki Beach which has already seen massive success with its Koh Samui Beach club which opened 2009, plans to operate and expand its brand with Castlewood Group in Singapore, Koh Samui (hotel property), Bali, Langkawi and Hai Nan – potential investors will have the opportunity to own a slice of one of the hottest and exclusive properties which attracts celebrities and trendsetters alike.

In 1998, Nikki Beach introduced the world to the ultimate beach club concept bringing together dining, fashion, art, music and entertainment and was quoted by the London Observer as the ‘Sexiest Place on Earth.’  Over a decade later, the Nikki Beach concept has transcended its international venues and grown into a global luxury lifestyle brand – Nikki Beach Lifestyle which comprises of a clothing line, global events such as the famed Cannes and Toronto Film Festivals and the upcoming London Olympic Games, plus a Nikki Beach music label, VIP membership and concierge program as well as a hotel and resort division.

The Nikki Beach way of life can now be experienced in twelve cities, in nine different countries: Miami Beach, Florida, USA; St. Tropez, France; St. Barth, French West Indies; Marbella, Spain; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Marrakech, Morocco; Koh Samui, Thailand; Mallorca, Spain and also at the Cannes Film Festival, France; the Toronto International Film Festival, Canada; and this year at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Founder Jack Penrod is so respected in the industry that the State of Florida, Miami Dade County and the City of Miami Beach honored him with the phenomenal success of Nikki Beach and his contribution to the transformation of the infamous South Beach Miami over the past 25 years by declaring Tuesday, April 17, 2012 ‘Jack Penrod Day.’

Castlewood Group CEO Chris Comer said, “We are delighted to contribute to the expansion of this hugely exciting and successful brand in Asia and offer our investors the chance to become part of the Nikki Beach lifestyle.   The Nikki Beach Club plus The Nikki Beach Hotel and Spa in Bang Tao, Phuket will be our first offering to the market and will comprise a 5 star hotel with 151 luxurious suites and a mix of 23 sky villas and exclusive villas all with private pools and gardens.  In addition there is a 45 m free form swimming pool, roof top infinity pool with bar and lounge overlooking an external yoga area.  Combined with the glamour of the Nikki Beach Club this will be the place to be seen in Phuket.”

Castlewood Group has seen a strong interest across Asia to purchase commercial real estate.   Investors can buy into the Nikki Beach Hotel and Spa, Phuket starting from S$60,280 and can select fixed returns with a 5% guaranteed returns for 8 years or variable returns which have the potential to achieve up to 30% per annum.  The investment offers an early exit in 2016 and a full term managed exit in 2020. The investment has no stamp duty and is HDB friendly.

The investor is fully insured for the full amount of each individual purchase. This insures the title of the land and the subsequent value of the property and the business built upon it by First American Title Insurance, itself a fortune 500 company and one of the world’s largest underwriters.  Also added to the insurance and in an effort to provide the safest buying environment possible, Castlewood Group has placed the development and its assets in a fully secured third party trust based in Singapore and managed by Intercontinental Trust – an independent member of Baker Tilly, the 8th largest provider of accountancy and business services in the world. This trust deed will remain in place until the hotel exit which is planned for December 2020.

“We’ve gone the extra mile to make this an attractive and safe investment.  This financial assurance combined with the exciting lifestyle experience with Nikki Beach has prompted a great deal of interest and we look forward to achieving our goals to launch Nikki Beach properties in Singapore, Koh Samui, Bali, Langkawi and Hai Nan”, Chris Comer added.

Plans for the Nikki Beach hotel and Spa, Phuket have been warmly received.  At the recent Asia Pacific Hotels Awards sponsored by RICS ( Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors,) and HSBC  held on April 27, 2012 – Nikki Beach Hotel and Spa Phuket won an award for New Hotel Design and Construction Thailand 2012 & 2013.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Castlewood Group as they have a rich pedigree in selling, managing and marketing outstanding properties worldwide. Our first property in Asia was the Koh Samui Beach club which is proving to be a great success.  We can’t wait to expand  the excitement of Nikki Beach in Asia as we know we have many fans and followers of the brand and our choice of partner is absolutely critical to making this an outstanding experience for everyone,” said Founder and President of Nikki Beach, Jack Penrod.

Nikki News

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About Castlewood Group

Castlewood was first established in 2006 as Castlewood International Dubai. In Dubai, Castlewood provided a new product and service that was new to both Dubai and United Arab Emirates (UAE) market – the company sourced and acquired plots of land in desirable locations, then project designed concepts with a team of architects and collectively marketed the project in its entirety to large-scale real-estate developers.

In 2008, the company moved to Singapore and set up the Castlewood Investment Properties Pte Ltd, a division of Castlewood International. Utilising Singapore as a global hub for the company’s real estate development sales and marketing function, Castlewood grew its marketing base to cover China and the Middle East with future plans to expand in markets such as India, Taiwan, Russia and all the former Soviet Union countries. In 2010, Castlewood Group Pte Ltd was formed with a number of companies that fall under this umbrella.

Castlewood Group’s mission is to bring affordable Commercial Real Estate Investments to the masses.  This is been achieved by developing hotels and setting up investment opportunities in hotel rooms which cater for both small and large scale investors  The concept of hotel room investment has been around for many years and has been undertaken by business leaders such as Donald Trump and brands such as Ritz Carlton & Radisson.  The key to its success is transparent and verifiable future growth at the destination in which the hotel is to be built along with a clear and proven demand within the 5 star luxury key markets at the location. .

Castlewood Group is ensuring investors see maximum returns by engaging a high end luxury brand to manage hotel properties which will assist the hotel achieving both maximum room rates and occupancy levels.   In 2012, a partnership was formed between Castlewood Group and Nikki Beach seeing Nikki Beach set to manage the groups properties.  Nikki Beach brings with them a loyal and high end clientele synonymous with a jet setting lifestyle and all things high end.  Works on the Nikki Beach Hotel and Spa Phuket commenced in 2012 with opening scheduled for 2013.

In the coming years Castlewood Group plans to open properties in Singapore, Koh Samui, Bali, Langkawi and Hai Nan all of which will be manage by Nikki Beach.

About Nikki Beach

In 1998, Nikki Beach introduced the world to the ultimate beach club concept bringing together dining, fashion, art, music and entertainment. Quoted by the London Observer as the “Sexiest Place on Earth”, over a decade later, Nikki Beach continues to make its mark in the world’s hottest addresses and trendsetting locales, recently claiming the #1 spot in Travel Channel’s World’s Sexiest Beach Bars. The Nikki Beach concept has transcended its international venues and grown into a luxury global lifestyle company: Nikki Beach Lifestyle, launched at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009 with a clothing line; Marketing and Public Relations Divisions; Global Sponsorships and Special Events; Nikki Beach Music label; a VIP membership card and concierge program; and a Hotel and Resorts Division.

Nikki Beach lifestyle can now be experienced in twelve cities, in nine different countries with more locations to come in the near future: Miami Beach, Florida, USA; St. Tropez, France; St. Barth, French West Indies; Marbella, Spain; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Marrakech, Morocco; Koh Samui, Thailand; Mallorca, Spain; and also at the Cannes Film Festival, France; the Toronto International Film Festival, Canada; and this year at the 2012 Olympics in London. For more information on Nikki Beach, please visit www.nikkibeach.com.

For further information please contact:

Linda Fulford

Fulford PR

lfulford@fulfordpr.com

6324 2268/9088 3757

Rachel Lo

Fulford PR

rlo@fulfordpr.com

6327 6177/9847 8839

Cannes Film Festival 2012 Guide

GeoTravellers has launched a great Free guide for the . This handy travel guide is a free download so Travellers can bring it on the trip with them.

The Cannes Film Festival 2012 Guide has some great information for anyone travelling to the festival de Cannes with information on:

• History of the Cannes Film Festival
• What to wear
• Time  of year
• Information on the Cannes Film Festival awards
• The movie selection
• and great information to impress your friends….

We hope you enjoy the free Cannes Film Festival 2012 download by GeoTravellers.com

Miami Travel Guide

GeoTravellers.com has released a free Miami travel guide you can download to bring along on your next trip or just to find out some new things about Miami.

In the new Miami Travel Guide you find information about;

• History of Miami
• Best time to travel to Miami and Miami Beach
• Best hotels in Miami and Miami Beach
• Best Restaurants in Miami and Miami Beach
• Miami attractions
• and more about Miami and Miami Beach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jack Penrod’s Proclamation Ceremony at Nikki Beach

April 17, 2012 Named Official “Jack Penrod Day”

By the City of Miami Beach and Miami Dade County Officials

Miami Beach, Florida (April 17^th, 2012) – On Tuesday, April 17, an exclusive group of Miami Beach residents, politicians and state officials gathered at the world-renowned Nikki Beach Club to celebrate its founder Jack Penrod.

After 25 years in business on Miami Beach, the State of Florida, Miami Dade County and the City of Miami Beach proudly honored Mr. Penrod with a Proclamation to celebrate the phenomenal success of Nikki Beach and his contribution to the successful transformation of the surrounding area. As a tribute to Mr. Penrod’s undeniably important role in changing the face of South Beach forever, the City of Miami Beach and Miami Dade County, officially named Tuesday, April 17, 2012, “Jack Penrod Day.”

Amongst the guests on Tuesday evening were Ms. Ana Rivas Logan (The Honorable Representative for the State of Florida), Mr. Luis Garcia (Florida House Representative), Mrs. Lynda Bell (The Honorable Commissioner for Miami Dade County), Mr. Russell Benford (The Honorable Deputy Mayor of Miami Dade County) and Mr. Michael Gongora (The Honorable Commissioner for the City of Miami Beach) whom were eager to celebrate both Nikki Beach and the man behind it, Jack Penrod.

While his business is legendary, few know the man behind the Nikki Beach vision. Jack Penrod, an avid diver, pilot and all-around outdoorsmen built his empire from the ground up. His illustrious career in business now spans the globe, with locations in 8 countries and a lifestyle brand that reaches even further.  But the Nikki Beach founder had a modest start. A hard-worker and aspiring entrepreneur, he joined the McDonalds Restaurant Corporation in 1969 as a line cook making $.85 an hour.  Due to his innate marketing skills, he put his savvy into over-drive and moved up the ranks at warp speed. Mr. Penrod eventually became the largest franchise owner in the State of Florida.

After his success with McDonalds, Jack Penrod turned his attention toward the entertainment, nightlife and hospitality industry, opening several clubs in Daytona Beach, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. His success with Penrod’s Beach Club in Ft. Lauderdale was astronomical and it seemed everyone wanted to get in on the action. The City of Miami Beach, in particular, was interested in having Mr. Penrod open a business in South Beach on the once sleepy Ocean Drive.

Things to do in Cabo San Lucas

Written by: Stas Sotiropoulos

A few decades ago, Cabo was nothing more than a sleepy village and a fish cannery. Nowadays, it is a hotspot for tourists who come to enjoy the climate, whale watching, fishing, beaches, golf courses and eclectic nightlife. There are plenty of things to do in Cabo, no matter your budget or age.

Things to do in Cabo – Whale Watching

Whale watching tends to be on everyone’s “things to do before you die” list; Cabo offers tourists the perfect opportunity to tick this off their list as each year a plethora of Gray Whales migrate 6,000 miles from Alaska (a summer feeding ground) to come to the calving grounds of Cabo.
You will be greeted with the spectacular sight of whales sounding (showing their flukes), breaching (leaping out of the most and falling back in with a huge splash), and spouting (spraying water from their blowhole).
The best time to visit Cabo for whale watching is between December and March; it is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience.

Things to do in Cabo – Fishing

Cabo is home to an amazing variety of marine life and the Cabo fishing on offer is some of the very best that can be found anywhere in the world due to a nutrient rich environment which allows 650 different species of fish to thrive.
While there isn’t a bad time to take a fishing trip down to Cabo, different times of the year will offer different types of fishing. As a rule of thumb, the peak fishing season runs from July through November as most species of game fish are in the area. You can also expect to find marlin, roosterfish, sailfish, dorado, wahoo and yellowfin tuna to make up the bulk of the catch.

It is not just fishing and whale watching that attracts tourists. Year after year, a few major events are held in Cabo further boosting tourism numbers; Stars & Stripes Fishing, Golf, and Music Festival is held in June, Los Cabos Billfish Tournament and Bisbee’s Black & Blue Tournaments is held in October, and the Yamaha/WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot in November

Things to do in Cabo – Boating

One of the must things to do in Cabo is to visit the iconic landmark, El Arco (The Arch). The meeting of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez enabled El Arco to be formed by the wind and sea eroding and shaping the large cluster of rocks into a distinctive formation.
As it is only accessible by boat, you will have to either rent a kayak and paddle out there or take a sightseeing or whale watching tour.
Near the Arch, there is a beautiful golden sandy beach called Playa del Amante (Lover’s beach), reachable by boat, which allows tourists to get a good look of the Arch of Poseidon; an eroded passageway.
You will be pleasantly surprised by the sight of colonies of sea lions and seals living right by The Arch. Make sure you take a camera as you might not have another opportunity to get so close to these playful mammals.

Cabo is a popular destination all year round due to its favorable climate. However, you will see the most tourists from December through March as the weather is ideal, whale season is in effect, and many people want to escape the colder temperatures up north.
June through November is the least popular time to go due to the Pacific hurricane season, but it is the best time to save money with cheaper accommodation and travel packages on offer.

By Geo Travellers