Spain

"Spain is Different" goes the phrase from the national tourist board ... "Europe ends at the Pyrenees" is another well quoted phrase from the guidebooks.

Although not factually correct, there is a some truth in this phrase as this fun loving country in south-western Europe bears little resemblance to any of its European neighbours.

Top most Spain Destinations are Barcelona and Madrid (Capital of Spain)

Barcelona
Barcelona has become Europe's most popular short break destination thanks to its superb location on the Mediterranean, its vibrant street life, fascinating Gaudi architecture, superb cuisine and its world famous football team.

Gaudi architecture

Sagrada Familia

In a weekend you'll get a taste for the magnificent Catalan capital which will have you wanting to return over and over again. And why not with budget airlines offering great deals into Barcelona airport all year round and the easy accessibility of Girona airport to the north.

Rambla

Things to do in Barcelon

1	Wander up and down the Ramblas
2	Visit the Sagrada Familia
3	Watch a football match at FC Barcelona's Nou Camp stadium
4	Visit the Picasso Museum
5	Eat Paella at one of the restaurants at La Barceloneta
6	Half Day Excursion to Montserrat
7	Gaudi Walking Tour of the architect's main works
8	Visit the FC Barcelona museum
9	Drink Cava - Catalan champagne
10	Excursion to the Salvador Dali Museum in Figueras

Madrid

The capital of Spain, located in the heart of the peninsula and right in the center of the Castillian plain 646 meters above sea level, has a population of over three million. A cosmopolitan city, a business center, headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family, Madrid also plays a major role in both the banking and industrial sectors. Most of its industry is located in the Southern fringe of the city, where important textile, food and metal working factories are clustered. Madrid is characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity and a very lively nightlife.

The Plaza de Cibeles is a square with a neo-classical complex of marble sculptures with fountains that has become an iconic symbol for the city of Madrid. The fountain of Cibeles is found in the part of Madrid commonly called the Paseo de Recoletos.

Cibeles

At the end of the 17th century, a defensive wall was built for the protection of the new outlying areas, tracing the roads of Segovia, Toledo and Valencia. During the 18th century, under the reign of Carlos III, were designed the great arteries of the city, such as the Paseo del Prado and Paseo las Acacias.

Palacio de Cristal

Retiro

At the beginning of the 19th century, Joseph Bonaparte undertook the reform of the Puerta del Sol and vicinity. The commercial street known as the Gran Vía was built as an east-west avenue at the start of the century. In the 1950's the north-south boulevard called Paseo de la Castellana was extended and modern buildings were erected, housing the major financial institutions. Remainings of the distant past are mainly the Baroque and neoclassical strcutures of the 17th and 18th centuries, such as the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) and others which will be described later during our guide of the city.