Well, officially the Kingdom of Spain (thanks Wikipedia).
We can't explain it, Spain has just been on our minds this past week, we just had to write about it. Europe's Iberian Peninsula really offers the epitome of the Mediterranean lifestyle. It's almost unexplainable but completely understandable, like a "when you know, you know" kind of situation. The trick to exploring a breathtaking place like Spain is to truly envelope yourself in what it's all about. We're not talking just the perfect architecture and the definitive "vibe" of the place, we're talking about their history, their people and their landmarks.
Here are some must-see places in Spain:
Basilica de La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
First of all, LOOK at this place. It’s absolutely unreal. It’s no secret that the architecture in Spain is wonderful but the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia is a minor basilica that was consecrated in November 2010 by Pope Benedict.
Even though construction began in 1882, the initial architect; Francisco de Paula del Villar resigned from the project and it was then handed over to Antoni Gaudi. As chief architect he transformed the project with his architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. Gaudí devoted the remainder of his life to the project, and he is buried in the crypt. At the time of his death in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was complete and to this day the minor basilica is still not complete.
Bioparc, Valencia
Bioparc, Valencia is a unique zoo. Its design employs the “zooimmersion” concept, in which visitors are surrounded by meticulous recreations of the natural habitats being presented. Social animals that live together in groups are displayed, as well as groups of different species that coexist in the same habitats. Predatory species are integrated into the visual space, but are separated from other species by barriers invisible to the eye of the visitor, ensuring the safety of both the animals and the people. The animals, vegetation and landscape provide opportunities for discovering the complexity of natural ecosystems.
The other amazing offering the Bioparc has, is a hotel on premises for guests to stay over and completely immerse themselves in its unique concept.
Marbella Old Town, Malaga
Think old neighbourhood, think romance, think narrow, winding cobblestone streets, think evening strolls… well there we go, we're in Old Town Marbella.
The quaint Old Town is home to Renaissance-era whitewashed buildings, flower-draped balconies, and narrow, winding streets. Plaza de los Naranjos draws visitors with its orange trees, 15th-century Ermita de Santiago church, and restaurants with terraces, serving traditional dishes like gazpacho and meatballs. Avenida del Mar is a long, narrow plaza dotted with palm trees and bronze sculptures by Salvador Dalí.
Truly, the travellers dream.
The Alhambra de Granada, Granada
The 2nd most visited site in Europe, The Alhambra is an ancient palace, fortress and citadel located in Granada, Spain. The eighth-century-old site was named for the reddish walls and towers that surrounded the citadel: al-qal'a al-hamra in Arabic means red fort or castle.
The Alhambra was begun in the mid-thirteenth-century under Muhammad ibn al Ahmar, Emir of Granada, to serve as the palace and fortress complex of the Moorish Nasrid dynasty. The Alhambra is the most important surviving remnant of the period of Islamic rule in the Iberian Peninsula (711–1492), you can literally smell the history when you arrive.
Well, that's our Spain Spotlight. It truly is a traveler's dream, with an abundance of things to see and do in every nook and cranny.
Spain, Te Veo Pronto.
