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Spain is 6 hours ahead of the US East Coast, and 9 hours ahead of the West Coast. Spain is an ideal destination for persons interested in:
- Art and Architecture
- Religious pilgrimage
- Ancient, Medieval and Contemporary History
- Wine and Tapas
- Flamenco
- Walking and Hiking
- Sun and Sand
Major Regions of Spain
Madrid
Madrid is the capital of Spain and a great place to start. This is the home of fabulous museums, all within walking distance of each other. The world famous Prado is central. Here you can see a wonderful collection of Velasquez and Goya. Across the street is the Thyssen Bornemisza and its new, critically acclaimed addition. This is based on the excellent collection of Baron Heinrich Thyssen Bornemisza and spans everything from early Western European primitives to 20th Century Pop Art. Down the street is the Reina Sofia Art Center, the home of Picasso’s enormous Guernica, and a superb collection of contemporary art (Dali and Miro among others).
From here you can enter into Madrid's Old Quarter where you will find lots of shopping, restaurants and bars. You will certainly pass through the Puerta del Sol, a major hub. Have a drink or take a break at the Plaza Mayor, a huge square in the middle of the city.
Coming out the west side of the Old City, you will find the Palacio Real or the Royal Palace. Rebuilt to its grandiose proportions in the 18th century, it was home to the monarchs until 1931. This is certainly worth a visit. Next door is the Plaza de Armas which houses a collection of weaponry.
Outside of Madrid
There are several day trips you can take from Madrid. Toledo can be a half day jaunt or a full day in depth tour. In either case, it is a must-see.
Segovia, with its Alcazar and its double-decker aqueduct, can be visited on its own. Or it can be combined with the beautiful walled town of Avila. This was the hometown of Saint Teresa. Visit the Cathedral and its accompanying museum.
Another worthwhile excursion would be El Escorial. Built in the 16th century, it holds some of Spain’s most important works of art from the Habsburgs. The complex contains museums, a monastery, basilica, library, chapterhouse and royal apartments.
Barcelona
There is no city in the world like Barcelona! Located in Catalonia on the northeastern coast of Spain, it is ringed by low hills and faces the Mediterranean. Here is the fabulous array of buildings designed by Antoni Gaudi in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They are unmistakable with their wavy lines, mosaics and decorated chimneys. Casa Mila (La Pedrera), Casa Vicens and of course, the unfinished Sagrada Familia are the most famous examples of his work.
You can begin your adventure strolling down La Ramblas. This is the famous street that stretches from downtown to the Sea, where you find open stalls selling everything from books to birds. From there, you can wander around the Gothic Quarter and visit the Picasso Museum, tour the Cathedral and meander through La Boqueria, the market. You may also stumble upon the new Mercat Santa Caterina which sports a wavy tiled Gaudi-style roof and contains very nice shops and boutiques. There are plenty of restaurants and shops to satisfy you.
You can visit the Miro Foundation, a museum dedicated to 20th century Catalan artist Joan Miro, and nearby are where festivities for the Barcelona Olympic Games were held.
If you prefer something farther afield, you can take a day tour to Figueres to visit the Dali Museum. Or a little closer, you will find the Monastery of Montserrat, a long inhabited holy site that was destroyed and subsequently rebuilt in the 19th century.
Seville/Cordoba/Granada
Southern Spain is distinctly different from the rest of the country. It is the land of flamenco, sherry and Moorish architecture. Here you can enjoy all that Andalucia has to offer. It is the home of the tapa and the region’s specialty ham, jamon serrano .
Seville is a major city here. You can visit the Cathedral and its beautiful Moorish bell tower, La Giralda. Or tour the Real Alcazar, the royal palace that has been used for 700 years. Take a leisurely stroll through narrow picturesque streets of the old Jewish quarter, the Barrio de Santa Cruz.
In Cordoba you will find the Great Mosque, the Mezquita. Built in the 8th century and renovated over time, it is so huge that a church is built within it.
Granada is the home of the Alhambra, the Generalife and the gardens. This is a must-see if you are touring this part of Spain.
Southern Spain
The famous Costa del Sol stretches across the southern part of the country. Marbella and Torremolinos and everywhere in between offer Mediterranean sun and sand. A little extra time will take you over to Gibraltar.
Basque Country
Bilboa is the home of the Guggenheim Museum. Opened in 1997, it was designed by American architect, Frank Gehry, and has done much to revitalize this northern city.
A short distance away is San Sebastian, a classic turn of the century elegant seaside resort. Curved around a small bay, its beaches still draw a fashionable crowd. During the summer, several arts festivals are held here.
A Spain vacation offers so many possibilities, that it warrants a trip in itself. Whether you are planning an in-depth visit to Spain, or just a few days, contact one of our Spain vacation experts for their expertise and personal contacts.
