Recommend December 2017 - 59

SPAIN
Spain is known for its sunshine, tapas,
flamenco and bullfighting, but a trip around
this Iberian nation shows it has that to offer
and more with its natural beauty, its rich
and varied history, and its artistic prowess.
MADRID is synonymous with Spain
and with good reason. As the nation's
centuries-old capital and home to over 60
museums featuring the work of artists like
Picasso and Salvador Dali-not to mention
the royal family and one of the world's
most popular soccer teams-Madrid is
the logical location to jumpstart a vacation
for both newcomers and repeat visitors.
Start in Plaza Mayor, a 16th century city
square that serves as Madrid's courtyard,
where friends and family gather for peoplewatching, sipping espresso, and munching
on the fried calamari sandwiches that the
city is known for. Nearby, the opulence
of the Royal Palace awaits, but the real
heart of the city can be found in Puerta
del Sol-a plaza at the intersection
of several shop- and restaurant-lined
avenues. Festivals, parades and most
major celebrations pass through Puerta
del Sol, but this area of Madrid shines
brightest on Dec. 31 when thousands
of people gather to ring in the New Year
and gobble one grape with each midnight
chime of the Real Casa de Correos
clock-12 grapes in total for good luck in
each month of the year. If Puerta del Sol
is the heart of Madrid, El Retiro Park is its

Gaudi's Casa Mila in Barcelona.

lungs, providing a breath of fresh air and
an escape from the city amongst its 300plus acres of open space, 15,000 trees,
numerous gardens, and a lake for rowing.
For a stay close to all the action, consider
the avant-garde luxury hotel Gran Melia
Palacio de los Duques. With views of
the Royal Palace from its rooftop pool,
a Thai-inspired spa, spacious suites fit
for families, and a garden, this art-filled
property is an oasis in the heart of Madrid.

the other CApitAl City
Less than three hours on a train heading
to the northeastern coast will land
visitors in Spain's other powerhouse city:
BARCELONA. A port city with its own
distinct and at times internationally fueled
culture, Barcelona is especially known
for the artists who transformed the entire
city into an art gallery with unique murals,
statues and architecture to be discovered
at every turn. Antoni Gaudi, an architect
with a sense of abstract artistry in his
buildings, set the tone for Barcelona's art
scene and shaped the cityscape with his
works-such as the famously unfinished
Basilica de la Sagrada Familia-
serving as a major symbol of Barcelona.
Walking through the city will bring visitors
past these architectural beauties, art
galleries, museums and more, but a stroll
through Barcelona would be incomplete
without experiencing La Rambla. On the

3/4-mile boulevard, visitors and locals go
to shop, socialize, and admire landmark
buildings along the way, including the
must-visit Boqueria Market with its
hundreds of stalls selling locally grown
produce, Iberian ham, fish, pastries and
more. After a full day of exploration, rest
at the Picasso studio turned boutique
hotel, The Serras, located in the heart of
Barcelona: the Gothic Quarter. Sea-view
rooms, a Michelin-starred chef on site and
a chic rooftop terrace with a bar and DJ
give the perfect blend of relaxation with
elements of Barcelonan nightlife.

A Different KinD of SpAin
On the northern Atlantic coast close to
the French border sits Basque Country-a
region with a unique culture that comes
with its own cuisine and even its own
language, Euskera (Basque), which
is unrelated to any other language ➤

FASTFACTS
GETTING THERE:
Madrid: ATL, JFK Barcelona: JFK;
seasonally through ATL Malaga:
Seasonally through JFK
Bilbao: Connecting through AMS
ENTRY DOCUMENTS: Valid passport
INFORMATION PLEASE: spain.info
37


http://www.spain.info

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend December 2017

Recommend December 2017 - 1
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