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An island of surprises

Even though it's famous for fantastic clubbing, Ibiza is so much more and makes a surprisingly good family destination.

Booking.coms range of apartments, B&Bs and hotels in Ibiza cover all types of vacation. The main nightlife is centered around San Antonio, where superclubs Es Paradis and Eden only kick off after midnight.

Playa den Bossa also has amazing clubs including Space, which attracts big-name DJs year after year.

Nearby Ibiza Town (or Eivissa) is the islands capital, and although it has its fair share of bars and restaurants, the feel is more laid back.

The cobbled streets in its walled Old Town, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, provide some shade from the Spanish sun. Along the coast is Santa Eulalia del Rio, a much more exclusive resort where the marina is lined with expensive yachts.

However, the best family hotels in Ibiza are in northern resorts like Portinatx and Port de San Miguel.

Here, crystal-clear waters lap sandy beaches hidden in rocky coves.

The scenery is simply stunning and the vibe couldnt be more different from down south.

Inland, Ibiza still retains much of its original character.

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Booking.com: 474 hotels on Ibiza, Spain. Book your hotel now!

Manila, Philippines Instead of passing through MacArthur Bridge, this years grand Traslacion procession of the Black Nazarene will pass through Jones Bridge amid safety concerns.

Msgr. Clemente Ignacio, rector of Quiapo Church, made the announcement yesterday as thousands of devotees from around the country of the revered Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno are expected to join the procession of replicas of the Black Nazarene at 3 p.m. today through the streets of Quiapo, Manila, as a prelude to the 407th grand Traslacion procession on Thursday, Jan. 9.

Ignacio said the change in the processions traditional route was for the safety of the devotees. This is for the safety of our devotees because we know that the structure of the MacArthur Bridge is problematic, he said in a press briefing yesterday.

Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Romeo Momo earlier warned on the structural integrity of MacArthur Bridge, noting that the structure has minor cracks and is subject for retrofitting.

In the same press conference, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno said Jones Bridge will be safer for devotees since it was recently retrofitted.

From Jones Bridge, the procession will turn left to Escolta then right to Palanca St.

Ignacio, however, admitted that the slight change in the traditional route will result in longer procession time.

Last year, the procession lasted for nine hours, so maybe with this change we will add another two to three hours, he said.

Bigger Crowd Expected

Organizers are expecting a bigger crowd this year due to the series of calamities that struck the country in 2013. Since the first day of the year, busloads of devotees have begun to arrive at the Quiapo Church (Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene) to attend the parish thanksgiving mass and procession last Jan. 1, as well as the First Friday masses last Jan. 3.

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Nazarene Procession route changed on safety grounds

To celebrate their return to Australia, London genre-benders Crystal Fighters have made us an eclectic summery mixtape, featuring some of the acts theyve just toured with for Southbound/Falls. The band are bringing their party jams to Melbournes Corner Hotel tonight and Sydneys The Hi-Fi this Thursday. Their latest release, Cave Rave, features the singles You And I, Wave and LA Calling.

The opening track off their divisive second album Congratulations, that for me is a stunning and bold piece of work that I respect them wholeheartedly for. Its Working is a psychedelic roller coaster full of deep truths about biology, ecstasy and love.

VW are a band who have gone from strength to strength across their albums and having seen them in Portugal when they played just before us at Alive festival I can confirm they are a very fine live act to boot. We picked this older song of theirs because I think it captures some of the energy you will get when you see them live, and sums up the good time Upper West Side Soweto vibe they have had in the bag from the very beginning.

This track is ridiculously loveable. Somehow old and new sounding at the same time, and so rowdy about fellatio! This guy really wants that Becky! A great song for your slightly shy friend Becky to bless the dance floor to.

If you dont mind your music videos raunchy and a little disturbing, then check out the one for Papi Pacify. A brilliant modern track with an Espanglish title to die for, and beats by the incredible Arca we are in awe and appreciation of Twigs.

Surely a massive Ibiza anthem, this 11-minute latin-techno gem from 2013 really lights up the mood, certainly in every room I have tried it in. Peacetime could be achieved with more records like this. Turn it up!

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News: Crystal Fighters: 6 summer tracks we love

As recommended by Agoda.com | In partnership with the Lifestyle Section, InterAksyon.com Monday, January 6, 2014 9:09 am

Sun, sea, white sands, and upscale amenities await guests at Movenpick Hotel on Mactan Island, Cebu. Photo courtesy of Agoda.com.

Mvenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu is a five-star beachfront hotel located in the luxurious and tropical island of Cebu. Guests will initially experience the true meaning of Swiss hospitality with a touch of the Filipinos rich culture. The resort was recently recognized as the second most searched destination in the Philippines, according to Googles 2013 year-in-review search list.

Under an international upscale hotel management company, Mvenpick Hotels and Resorts, the establishment is passionate about delivering premium service and culinary enjoymentall with a personal touch. The Mediterranean-inspired hotel takes pride in its 245 elegant guest rooms offerings a remarkable view of the ocean, its out-of-the-box dining concepts, the ultimate beach club experience, and various island activities for all types of guests. A stay here definitely gives sophistication and luxury a whole new level.

Hotels site Learn more about Mvenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebus discounted rates on this site.

Location, easiest way to get there Address: Punta Engano, Mactan Island, Cebu 6015, Philippines

Moevenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu is only 10 minutes from the Mactan Cebu International Airport and 30 minutes from the city of Cebu. The hotel offers a scheduled shuttle services to SM Mall or Ayala Mall. Reserving a slot in advance is highly encouraged since the vehicle gets full easily. The jetty port is also right beside the establishment, which makes it convenient and accessible to the dive sites and other breathtaking islands.

Take a moments breath at Movenpick Hotels stylish lobby before going up to your room. Photo courtesy of Agoda.com.

What makes this hotel stand out Details enhance the unique experience in this five-star hotel. The furniture and interiors, for instance, were put together by world-class Filipino designers Manny Samson, Ivy and Cynthia Almario, and Fred and Butch Valdes.

The cool, contemporary colors inside a Deluxe King room instantly makes guests feel relaxed. Photo courtesy of Agoda.com.

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HOTEL OF THE WEEK | Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu

Property sales prices in Spain at the upper end of the market will continue to fall modestly in the first half of 2014 and begin to stabilize as the year goes on, it is claimed.

Popertywire.com reported that in the last 12 months luxury independent estate agency Lucas Fox says it has seen its sales revenue nearly triple, mainly due to Northern European buyers returning to the market as well as a surge in interest from Russia, the Middle East and China who are attracted by the introduction of Spains recently introduced golden visa scheme.

In its latest report it says that 2013 was its best year to date for its Barcelona office with the average transaction value close to the one million Euro mark. The number of transactions almost tripled, a trend that the company expects to continue in 2014.

Co-founder Alexander Vaughan, Lucas Fox, said the last 12 months have been a pivotal year in the Spanish luxury property market. Confidence returned and, along with it, increasing numbers of international buyers, enticed back to the market by historic low prices in some of Spains most desirable areas.

The new Spanish residency laws allowing non-European clients to gain Spanish residency if they invest 500,000 or more in property means that British and European clients are now competing with their Russian, Chinese and Middle East counterparts for the best deals. There are good investment opportunities to be had but in some areas, sellers still need to adjust property asking prices in order for the market to regain momentum, he said.

With prices in prime locations expected to level off in 2014, Lucas Fox head of business development, Jason Ham, predicts that the new wave of foreign investors will not be able to resist some of the attractive prices on offer.

What we are witnessing is a combination of investment factors. These include attractive opportunities for quality property in desirable internationally famous prime locations such as Barcelona, Marbella and Ibiza; confidence rapidly returning to the market with the real possibility of capital appreciation in the medium term; the Golden Visa effect; the Spanish lifestyle factor and the need for many overseas investors to put their money and sometimes their families in a more secure and politically stable country. All of these factors combined have created a unique window of opportunity, Fox said.

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Spanish luxury home prices to fall