You should always stop and smell the roses. You can do just that in Retiro Park in Madrid. But that is just the beginning of the magic at the Parque del Buen Retiro. While the park is only 300 acres, not massive for a park, that space is well used to display sculptures and monuments. A number of events for the holidays call the area around the park’s lake home, and this small space has grown from a place just to take a stroll into a not-to-miss attraction in the city.
If you have a desire to see some of the best art in Spain, look no further than the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia on Calle Santa Isabel 52. Among the masterpieces hanging on the walls are works from Solana, Miro and Picasso. One of the most famed pieces of the hundreds of works hanging on the walls of the Queen Sofia is Picasso’s Guernica. That joined with the other works have ranked this museum’s modern art collection as one of the most important not just in Spain, but in all off Europe.
The island of Fuerteventura is part of the Canary islands ( so called as the first settlers discovered many large dogs - canes - inhabiting the island originally, nothing to do with the Canary bird!) The Canary islands are actually an African archipelago but fall under Spanish rule. Herein lies possibly the major attraction of the Canaries, African weather in a politically stable island forming part of the European Union. Fuerteventura is actually the most Eastern of the isles and is closer to Morocco than mainland Spain (only 60 miles from the coast of Morocco). Because of this location the island enjoys over 300 days of beautiful sunshine per year. Even in winter it is rare for average temperature to drop below 18 degrees and during summer months will average over 26 degrees. Lying on the same latitude as Florida and Mexico, Fuerteventura enjoys a similar climate despite being only a 4 hour flight from any UK national or regional airport. perhaps the perfect getaway for Northern Europeans during the winter months, the only other locations offering winter sun with a similar flying time being Egypt and Cyprus.
One of the first things you’ll notice about the culture in Barcelona, and in Spain in general, is that time is pushed forward. In many cultures, you eat lunch between noon and 1:30; in Barcelona, you eat lunch between 3 and 4. Dinner is often not served until very late, between 10 and 11:30 in the evening; if you’re lucky, you may find eateries opening at 9:30, but that is the very earliest; if you try to eat too early, you will end up stuck in a tourist trap and over-paying. Make sure that you pack light snacks to take with you through the day if you are not used to eating at such times.
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The island of Fuerteventura is part of the Canary islands ( so called as the first settlers discovered many large dogs - canes - inhabiting the island originally, nothing to do with the Canary bird!) The Canary islands are actually an African archipelago but fall under Spanish rule. Herein lies possibly the major attraction of the Canaries, African weather in a politically stable island forming part of the European Union. Fuerteventura is actually the most Eastern of the isles and is closer to Morocco than mainland Spain (only 60 miles from the coast of Morocco). Because of this location the island enjoys over 300 days of beautiful sunshine per year. Even in winter it is rare for average temperature to drop below 18 degrees and during summer months will average over 26 degrees. Lying on the same latitude as Florida and Mexico, Fuerteventura enjoys a similar climate despite being only a 4 hour flight from any UK national or regional airport. perhaps the perfect getaway for Northern Europeans during the winter months, the only other locations offering winter sun with a similar flying time being Egypt and Cyprus.
Barcelona is a city of unique architecture, tasty treats, and that oh so Mediterranean feel. The entire city, largely thanks to the architect Antoni Gaudi, is like an outdoor art museum. Getting a taste of that culture can be frugal or even free. Park Guell Park Guell gives the frugal traveler one of the best views of Barcelona and for free. Within the park is the Gaudi Museum and numerous examples of his work. How to get there? Barcelona’s subway system is easy and economical to use. The Metro stop for Park Guell is Lesseps.
One of the first things you’ll notice about the culture in Barcelona, and in Spain in general, is that time is pushed forward. In many cultures, you eat lunch between noon and 1:30; in Barcelona, you eat lunch between 3 and 4. Dinner is often not served until very late, between 10 and 11:30 in the evening; if you’re lucky, you may find eateries opening at 9:30, but that is the very earliest; if you try to eat too early, you will end up stuck in a tourist trap and over-paying. Make sure that you pack light snacks to take with you through the day if you are not used to eating at such times.
If you have a desire to see some of the best art in Spain, look no further than the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia on Calle Santa Isabel 52. Among the masterpieces hanging on the walls are works from Solana, Miro and Picasso. One of the most famed pieces of the hundreds of works hanging on the walls of the Queen Sofia is Picasso’s Guernica. That joined with the other works have ranked this museum’s modern art collection as one of the most important not just in Spain, but in all off Europe. |