Category: Spain/Portugal
Friday Night Skate Nights all over Europe.
Having started in 1994, the Paris Friday Night Skate is the best known in the world, with as many as 20,000 brave participants. The Rondo, as the event is called, begins at Place Raoul Dautry in the 14th at 10PM. The route changes each week, and the details are posted on Thursdays at http://www.pari-roller.com/index.php?p=101
The popularity of the Paris party has spawned dozens of imitators. So if you're in a major European city during the summer -- and you're an experienced roller blader -- chances are there's a group skate you can join. You'll burn some calories, make new friends, and see the city from a different point of view.
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Barcelona's free bike program.
While Paris's highly successful Velib bike-sharing program has received the most attention, Barcelona's "Bicing" celebrated its first birthday this week. Launched last year with 1,500 bikes and 100 station, the program now boasts 4,300 bikes, 286 stations, and 130,000 users.
The annual subscription fee of €24 lets users take a bike for a maximum of two hours. The first 30 minutes are free, after that, the cost is .30€ for 30 minutes. The small-wheeled, red-and-white bikes are tricked out with baskets, bells, and lights. And the swipe cards used to liberate the bikes from their stands have pretty much eliminated theft.
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Unique accommodations and great deals at Portugal's Pousadas.
Most savvy travelers know about Spain's paradors. Established by the Spanish government in 1928, they provide unique lodging in castles, monasteries, Moorish palaces, and historic estates throughout the country.
Less well known, but equally charming, are the pousadas of Portugal. Classified as historic, charming, or noteworthy due to natural setting, the pousadas feature traditional hospitality and regional cuisine and wine.
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