The Hidden Beauty of Spain

Ah, Spain. When I think of this country, I think of royalty, monarchs, history, novels, and transformation. I immediately imagine the tapping sounds of the flamenco dancers as they gyrate to the tunes strung by a Spanish guitar. This country, I love it!

Casa Batillo, Barcelona

Casa Batillo, a UNESCO heritage site, displays the artistic mind of architect Antoni Guardia. This modern-day dream house is something out of a movie with its multi-layer design structure. It's in the middle of the city of Barcelona. The polychrome stone walls are decorated with ceramic and glass. The roof depicts the back of the dragon as Saint George slew it.

Alcazar of Seville

The city of Seville is famous for its standing traditions, culture, artistic heritage, and its monuments--especially the Alcazar. Seville is also the birthplace of the Flamenco. The Alcazar, a magnificent masterpiece depicting the perfect harmony between Christian and Mudejar architecture, is a breathtaking structure from the 8th century and is listed as one of the most stunning Moorish palaces in Spain. The palace is a stone's throw from the cathedral of the Virgin Mary, which is a part of the beautiful pavilion and extensive gardens. Alcazar was in the famous television series “Game of Thrones.”

The Casa Botin

Case Botin is the oldest operating restaurant in Spain. It has been operating since 1725 when Frenchman Jean Botin and his wife founded it. They changed the name to Sobrino de Botin after their nephew took over, but it still functions the same old way; they still use wood fire to cook delicious delicacies like roast suckling pig and lamb as they have always done throughout the centuries. They refurbished it in the 19th century with large window panels and a pastry section added to it. To dine at the Sobrino de Botin is to eat a delicious piece of Spain’s history. And a taste of Spanish wine will complete your meal at Casa de Botin.

Gothic Quarters, Barcelona

As the name suggests, the Gothic quarter is in the heart of the old city of Barcelona and got its name because of the remnants of the Roman village that was once in the vicinity. The Gothic quarters are the best way to behave like a local and learn about the Jewish past of Spain or see Antoni Gaudi’s first project. The quarters are filled with the life and history that Barcelona has to offer.

Wine Tasting in Spain

Spain is known for its beautiful wines, but winding roads and lush vegetation with breathtaking views border the path to any wine tasting. It doesn't matter where you are visiting in Spain; there are lots of vineyards and good wine to be gulped down with the delicacies of Spain. One of my favorite wines is El Grifo. The winery is in Lanzarote, Canary island. The best wine introduction starts in the Rioja Region of Bilbao. The wine tasting comes with lunch at a local restaurant with a history of Spanish wines or a visit to the Montserrat winery in Barcelona, at the 10th-century castle, Oller del Mas. The tour ends with a home-cooked meal and an organic red wine tasting for an unforgettable experience.

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

The Sagrada Familia, meaning holy family, is the largest unfinished Catholic Church and the longest still under construction. The first stone was laid in 1882 by architect Antoni Gaudi. The basilica has been under construction for 130 years and will be finished by 2026. The Sagrada Familia, when completed, will have 18 towers – 12 of which will represent the apostles, 4 for the evangelists, 1 for the Virgin Mother Mary, and the highest means the lord, Jesus Christ. The Sagrada Familia experience evokes the presence of godliness and holiness, which the church represents. This breathtaking church is in Barcelona. The architectural masterpiece attracts tourists from near and far every year.

The Alhambra Palace, Granada

The Nasrid Dynasty assembled this palace, the last Muslim dynasty to rule Spain. Alhambra, meaning crimson red in Arabic, comes from the red hues reflected from the surrounding hills and walls. The palace was originally a city before it became a fortress or an Alcazaba. This 13th-century Moorish palace consists of carved wood and hand-crafted ceramic tiles with impressive architecture and extensive gardens, courts, and yards. The fortress was built for military purposes and became a Christian court in 1492 when Catholic Monarchs; Ferdinand and Isabel conquered the city of Granada. In 2007, over 90 million people voted that the palace should be one of the world's wonders due to its marvelous architecture and immersed history.

The Santiago de Compostela

The Santiago de Compostela had its roots in the 9th century when King Alphonse II walked the path to confirm the death of its patron saint, the Apostle St. James. Over the years, pilgrims visiting the tomb grew, and a cathedral was built on the spot and called the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela. Over 300,000 tourists walk this past annually. It allows them to see the different landscapes, hills, lush vegetation, and forests and enjoy the wines of Spain at Rioja.

Royal Palace, Madrid

The Royal Palace is the largest in Western Europe.t It has a dimension of 135,000 square meters with 2800 rooms. After a fire destroyed it on Christmas Eve in 1734, they reconstructed it with bricks and stones. The interior decorations are rich and exotic: Spanish marble, mahogany doors, and windows with wonderful art pieces from leading artists like Giaquinto, Mengs, and Tiepolo. It has stunning courtyards, statues, and gardens. The yard is made better by its view; it overlooks the Almudena Cathedral.

The Almudena Cathedral

It was on the site of a medieval mosque destroyed in 1083 and was initially dedicated to one of Madrid's patron saints. The cathedral is now the seat of the Roman Catholic archdiocese church, consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993. The main tourist attraction to this cathedral is the Neo-Romanesque crypt which is the oldest section of the church, built in the 19th century. It houses the picture of the Almudena Virgin Mary from the 16th century. Another exciting aspect of the mosque is that it has a museum that houses fantastic artworks that explain the church's history.

El Prado Museum

Madrid Spain is known for its history and culture, and what better way to learn about it than from the country’s national museum? The El Pardo is the most visited museum in Spain. The walls are with masterpieces from Spanish, Flemish, and Italian schools. The Museum boasts over 8600 paintings and 700 sculptures, which is a lot to see in one day. Painting in the museum dates back to the 11th century, from Mozarabic murals from the church of San Baudelio de Berlanga to canvas paintings by Juan de Juanes and Pedro Berrugute and beautiful Gothic images from the Spanish Flemish period. If you are an art or history lover, visiting the El Prado museum is a must for a complete tour around Spain.

Mosque of Cordoba

Spain The mosque of cordoba is home to the third largest mosque in Cordoba, Spain. It is a standing testimony of the religious transformations throughout Spain in the past ages. The mosque/church has a rich history surrounding the building, with its hypostyle hall, pillars, and beautifully crafted designs at the mihrab and the minaret. The mosque-cathedral is a UNESCO world heritage site and a Muslim pilgrimage center. Over 1.5 million tourists visit annually to marvel at the beauty of its construction.

La Rambla, Barcelona

You can’t visit Spain and not come to La Rambla. The most iconic street in Spain. There are different activities and choices on this street that tourists can partake in: how-to tours, walking, cycling, and there’s even a helicopter ride. A walk through the city displays the timeless artwork of Juan and Gaudi that flank every turn. The street is also the best place to taste Spanish cuisine. It has numerous cafes, restaurants, stalls, and souvenir shops.

Gran Canaria, canary island

Gran Canaria is one of Spain’s Canary Islands, off the Northwest of Africa. It is the third largest island with beautiful mountainous terrain and green vegetation giving it a lovely distinction. The hills and valley extend to the beautiful white coastline of white beaches and pristine waters. Little hotels and resorts dot the area for holidaymakers. The best place to visit in Gran Canaria is the bustling capital and waterfront of Las Palmas, where tourists can enjoy various water sports and ground exercises such as hiking and cycling. The island is the home to an extinct volcano-- the Caldera de Bandama-- and prehistoric cave dwellings, some of which are inhabited by the locals in the Barranco de Guayadeque valley. Tourists enjoy warm weather year-round. They can use that weather to lie on the beaches, go surfing, and delight in the local restaurant cuisine of goat cheese, rabbit, parrotfish, and wines. Then they can spend the evenings dancing the night away at a vibrant club on the island.

The Santiago Bernabeu

Stadium The Santiago Bernabeu is the home stadium of the famous football club Real Madrid. The stadium has been used since its completion in 1947 and seats 85,454 spectators. Major refurbishments increased its seating area to 93,000, which makes it the third largest, and one of the world’s most modern stadiums is well on the way. The stadium is a UEFA-classified elite stadium and was awarded 4-star in 2007.

The Buen Retiro Park

Opened to the public in the 19th century, it is the biggest park in Madrid, covering an area of 125 hectares. It has 15,000 trees in an oasis in the middle of the city. The park is full of exciting places to see. It has numerous gardens, flowers, and the Parterre Frances, a Mexico conifer believed to be Madrid’s oldest tree at over 400 years old. If you are not bothered by the age of a tree, you can walk with the statute and learn a bit of Spanish royal culture and history as you stroll through the Paseo de la Estatuas. Or you could enjoy a bit of nature and some quiet time at the lake. If you are not tired, take a walk through the lesser-used gate to see the miniature, brightly colored house set on a small pond with waterfalls and a mountain known as the Casita Del Pescador, or see the Palacio de Cristal. This iconic building is made complete with glass. The building is by a lake where frogs, ducks, and terrapins live harmoniously together. If you can get to the front, you will get one of the gorgeous pictures where the lake, vegetation, and sunlight unite perfectly.

The La Tomatina Festival

ç If you ever felt like throwing a tomato at someone, attend the Tomatina festival. This festival began 70 years ago and has become a withstanding tradition. On the last Wednesday of August 2018, have fun throwing tomatoes. La Tomatina is part of a more significant celebration that ends with a week of parades, fairs, street markets, and parties with plenty of music and dances. It is a fun way to enjoy Spain. A visit to Spain transports you through medieval times into the modern age with more architecture, history, art, and politics than anywhere in Europe.