2010 is a very good moment to visit Madrid, as it celebrates 100 years of the “Gran Via”, one of its most famous streets. If you are planning to visit the capital of Spain, Gran Via should be on your list of places to visit, but also you shouldn’t miss the market of San Miguel.

The building was first built in 1916 and it represents the architecture of iron. It was renovated some years ago and from then on it has been the place to be, a place for people to meet and eat, the perfect combination.

The market consists of more than 30 little food shops: from traditional Spanish food to Japanese sushi, good fish, a shop specialized in cheese and some wine. Top it up with a very good ambience; whenever you go it is always full of people. Opened until 2 am and in the centre of the city (off the Plaza Mayor) it is a wonderful way of discovering the real Spain. Make your reservation in Madrid in Hotelopia.

Today we want remind you that the Hotelopia facebook page is more than the company’s image in the social network. The number of users in our page is increasing little by little.  In the page our fans can interact, ask questions, dicover the last and best offers, good hotels… and of course we have a very good customer service.

Our team is happy to answer your doubts as soon as possible but the good thing. But also, the rest of fans are hotel users and have ideas and experiences to share. The whole community can help you decide what hotel or which is the most suitable destination, so don’t miss this opportunity! We are more than 300 travellers willing to share our experince!

Google Maps has its very special way of travelling from Japan to China. Do you want to check yourself? Follow the instructions:

1.    Go on to google maps.

2.    Write from: Japón

3.    Write on the destination China

4.    Look at step 43 of the list of directions.

Incredible! Google always has a funny side and this idea is at least, a little bit weird. The direction is clear “Jet Ski across the Pacific Ocean” although we are not sure this is the best way to cross the ocean.  Thanks to virality on facebook and other social networks, this joke that google developers have introduced in the directions has expanded over the last few weeks. We hope it made you smile but if you are trying to find a good hotel in those countries, do not forget to use Hotelopia.

TUI Travel PLC has been ranked 6th in the FTSE 350 Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index [CDLI] for its approach to carbon disclosure.

This year TUI Travel has received a carbon disclosure score of 90 which is a 27% improvement on last year’s score (71) and places TUI Travel in the top quartile of the CDLI. TUI Travel is the ONLY leisure travel company to be featured in the CDLI this year.

The whole group, to which Hotelopia belongs is working hard to achieve our goals of reducing our carbon emissions.

Book “green” with Hotelopia and its Sustainable Hotels

On the 11th of the November (11/11) we conmemorate the armistice day. There are several events organised for this time of the year and they include the Festival of Remembrance and Remember Sunday but today we will focus on the Poppy.

The Royal British Legion, the charity providing financial, social and emotional support to people who has served or still serves the British Armed Forces, organizes during this time of the year a fund raising event known as “The Poppy Appeal“. Artificial Poppies, that are normally worn on clothes, are offered to the public in return for a donation. People who donate, wear the poppy to symbolize they remember all of those who have been injured or killed in wars around the world. The idea of poppies comes from a poem about the I World War and they have become very popular over the years.

Moreover, nowadays the poppies are not only worn on clothes but have extended to internet (people wear poppies on their avatars on Twitwer) and to public and private transport, as poppies are also placed on buses, trains or cars.

Have you heard about Padel (also called Paddle Tennis)? It is a relatively new sport, invented in Mexico in 1974 by Enrique Corcuela. It is a mixture between tennis and squash that can only be played in doubles.

In the last few years it has become a very popular sport, specially in Spain and Latin America and there are more and more people who practice this sport. The reason may be that it is a very complete sport, combining team work, speed and skills.

In 2010 the Paddle World Championship will be held in Riviera Maya (Mexico), starting on the 29^th of November until the 5^th December. Hotelopia is the hotel provider of the Mexican Padel Federation. The Grand Palladium will be the venue, the perfect combination of relax, sport, sun, beach and party.

Don’t miss this very special opportunity and make your reservation at an incredible price now with  Hotelopia.

Christmas is coming and with it the Hotelopia’s offers.

We focus on traditions such as the Christmas Markets in different European destinations with the magic and charming atmosphere or the Gala Nights with dinner included. The sportier can enjoy our special
Ski offer in the French Alps, Austria, Pyrenees or Sierra Nevada.

This month we propose Edinburgh, as special destination. We also think about people just like you, who need to enjoy a unique and unforgettable holiday. We have prepared a selection of the best Historic Hotels.

Don’t esitate

Book now with Hotelopia!

Since 2004 pets can travel around the European Union as long as they have the European passport. This passport has to be filled in by a veterinary and it certifies the animal has the required vaccination to travel abroad (within the Union). With this new document it will be easier to check all the data about the animal and its owner.

Depending on the destination there are different requirements. The UK, Ireland, Finland and Sweden are stricter than the rest of countries, in which a blood test is not needed. It is necessary to know where you are travelling to before you ask for the passport to be expedited.

Do you want to know more? Check this link!

The history of Scotland’s capital and second largest city is fascinating and full of curiosities. One is its name, which has undergone several changes and has various meanings: “Auld Reekie” in the times when coal was used, “Fort of Eidyn” for being a fortified city, “Edina” an old Latin name and even “Athens of the North” for many common characteristics between both cities, including flat plains and fertile land.
Be sure to visit the historic centre of Edinburgh, one of Europe’s most characteristic and special downtown areas as it maintains a perfect medieval air contained over the entire city.

If you are looking for fun, the city is full of life all year round thanks to its festivals and an extensive program of events to suit all likes.

Book your hotel in Edinburgh. Continue Reading…

Attention! This video has shocked a lot of people in the last few weeks, do you want to discover why? Keep reading…

This is a scene from “The Circus”, a Charles Chaplin film released in 1928. So what is so creepy about it? Some weeks ago a young lad from Scotland discovered in it what he claims to be a Time Traveller. In the scene there is a woman, the second person to come in the screen, carrying what seems to be a mobile phone. She seems to be talking on the phone while walking… Some people claim that she is just scratching her head because of the hat but some others just can’t think of any other explanation than time travelling. Judge yourself!