Spain

A country of stone castles, snowcapped mountains, vast monuments, and sophisticated cities. All of these and more make Spain a favorite travel destination. 

I have traveled to Spain a couple of times with my kids on different occasions. It is one of my daughter's favorite destinations, and I must say, mine as well. 

We visited MADRID . . .

Madrid is the capital and the largest city.

Plaza Mayor is a central public space in Madrid's heart and once the center of Old Madrid. I love seeing those colorful and elegant "Flamenca" outfit. I would like to wear one someday. 

The King's statue on horseback is one of the most valuable works of art in the street of Madrid.  

Puerta Del Sol (Gate of the Sun) is another public square and the most famous in the city. There is a famous clock here with bells that mark the Twelve Grapes' traditional eating during a new year.

El Retiro Park is a "green oasis in the heart of the city," covering  125 hectares with more than 15,000 trees. It is filled with sculptures, fountains, monuments, and gardens. It was a beautiful day to walk around this huge park and witness the golden sun sets on this side of the world.

Royal Palace is the largest royal palace in Western Europe, with over 3000 rooms. Touring the inside of the palace was indeed a majestic experience. The changing of the guard ceremony at the Royal Palace was a great opportunity to see as well. 

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium was named after the club's legendary president who headed "Real Madrid" between 1943 and 1978.  It was opened in 1947 and has a capacity of 81,044,245 VIP boxes and 4 restaurants. The stadium is massive and to explore this historic stadium was an iconic experience.  I am not a sports-minded person, particularly a football game, but this tour gave me a good perspective and appreciation of football and what Madrid is all about. 

We explored BARCELONA . . .

Barcelona is the cosmopolitan capital of Spain's Catalonia region, known for art and architecture.  

La Sagrada Familia is at the top of the list of Barcelona's top ten tourist attractions.  It was designed by a famous architect Antoni Gaudi in 1882. The exterior is still under construction and expected to be finished in 2026.  "He died after being hit by a tram, and he knew he would not live to finish the temple.  He once said, 'My client is not in a hurry.' He was referring to God as his client."

Park Guell is also one of the most artistic works of Gaudi.  It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located on Carmel Hill.  The park is one of the largest green spaces in Barcelona, with more than 17 hectares. It was built from 1900 to 1914 and was officially opened as a public park in 1926.

The Magic Fountain of Montjuic is a great attraction at night.  "This fountain sprays 700 gallons of water a second to create its effect."

This cosmopolitan city has beaches that are popular during the summer months. We had a peek at the Mar Bella beach, where locals are going for a swim on their lunch break. Enjoying a paella lunch and having a siesta with locals and tourists, with the sight and sound of this place, was a wonderful experience. 

We traveled to SEVILLE . . . 

Seville is the capital of southern Spain's Andalusia region. It is famous for historic churches, palaces, and flamenco dancing.

Traveling by train in the early morning, watching the sunrise was a beautiful day trip to Seville. 

Seville Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Sea, is one of its most beloved landmarks.  The Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the world's largest Gothic cathedral.  

Alcazar Castle is an extensive complex with a Muslim architectural style. It is a part-time residence of the Spanish Royal family. When the Royal family is in, the complex is closed to tourists. And when they are not in town, there is an extra cost if you want to tour their quarters.  

Giralda Tower is the symbol of Seville. It is the bell tower of the Cathedral, which is the 3rd biggest church in the world. We climbed the tower and witnessed this amazing view of the city. 

Plaza de Espana is a plaza in Parque de Maria Luisa, built in 1928.  It is a mix of baroque, renaissance, and Moorish styles of Spanish architecture.

Spain is not just about these beautiful places. For me, Spain is also about our favorite paella, sangria, and churros. We don't leave Spain without having these every single day.  

Watching a Flamenco show enjoying a pitcher of sangria with my daughter was such an authentic experience. 

Speaking of history, Spain colonized the Philippines in the 1500s. The Philippine islands are named after King Philip.  Hence, the Filipino culture, language, and traditions were profoundly influenced by Spaniards.

We've seen more places and have done more things than what I've written here. Spain is geographically, physically, and culturally beautiful. There are still a lot more for me to see and experience.  

I can't stress enough that Spain is one of my favorite countries. And traveling with my kids made these trips even more wonderful.