Spain
Such and incredible variety of places to visit. From the beaches of the south, he green parks of the north, the mountains of the east, and the unforgettable cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and Bilbao. A wonderful places for those who love life; and wine and food, and art and history.
Barcelona
Somebody needs to invest in a School for Optometry in Barcelona. They cannot keep their buildings or sculptures straight, nor their paintings focused. These guys, Gaudi and Picasso, really needed eye glasses.
Madrid
Madrid is also scattered with architectural gems, including a bull fighting ring (I didn't realize that was still a thing), and of course, Plazas galore!
Madrid
I spent a week in Madrid, exploring art and architecture and history.
The naive side of me wasn't expecting the art scene that I encountered. But, I should have known better coming to the home of Velazquez, Goya, Miro, Picasso, Dali, and many others. The Prado was amazing, and Reina Sofia was cool (it has Guernica after all); but I honestly liked the Thyssen the best. It is a smaller museum but has a great selection and variety from the 13th century all the way to mid 20th century art. It also has the best international representation including the Dutch masters, the impressionists and the Americas.
Favorite Places in Madrid
Plaza Mayor
Huge Plaza in the center, with a statue of Felipe III.
Royal Palace of Madrid
18th century, 2000 room palace, on a ridge over looking town. In front of the 20 acres gardens of Campo del Moro
Catedral de la Almudena
Next to the Royal palace, A young, and beautiful cathedral (built 1993), It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madrid
The Prado Museum
a huge, and incredible museum with a collection for the 12th century to today.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
compared to the Prado, this museum seems quaint from the outside. But, inside, the collection is amazing. Classical and modern art.
Barcelona
Somebody needs to invest in a School for Optometry in Barcelona. They cannot keep their buildings or sculptures straight, nor their paintings focused. These guys, Gaudi and Picasso, really needed eye glasses.
Favorite Places in Barcelona
Sagrada Familia cathedral
Antoni Gaudí's renowned unfinished church, started in the 1880's.
Park Güell
a park designed by Gaudi with mosaics, parks and sculptures.
Casa Batlló
an apartment building and one of many Gaudi designs in town. This curving, dragon topped building is now a museum.
Montjuïc Castle
17th century hilltop fortress overlooking the Mediteranean
Segovia
Segovia, just outside Madrid. That is an amazing town with a castle, a 1st century Roman aqueduct; a grand cathedral, and many wondeful little streets and churches, dating to the 13th century.
Bilbao
Bilbao is just so pretty to me because it is a green contrast to what I think of Spain normally being...think Madrid and Seville.
But, the highlight is certainly the Guggenheim. One of the premier museums of the world, and my favorite modern art museum anywhere.
Seville
A great mid size city if you want less hustle and bustle then Madrid or Barcelona. But, there will be crowds because the place is great for exploring architecture, especially if you are interested in Moorish history.
Plaza de España
large plaza with water features next to the University of Seville and connected to Maria Luisa park.
Iglesia Colegial del Divino Salvador
colorful former mosque that is now a baroque church
Torre del Oro
defensive tower built in 1220 along the Canal of Alfonso XIII
