TRAVEL TIPS FOR SPAIN

 SPAIN THE LAND OF HEAT AND PASSION

Europeans seem to either have a love for France, Italy or Spain. Spain has always been my first choice and I have been countless times, always to a different place and never been disappointed. Spain has everything, great weather, culture, both European and Arabic architecture, sunny islands, soulful music, seductive dance, beautiful beaches, party life and peace, all in one country. Here is a list of some superb places to see.

1. MADRID

A world class modern city with wonderful architecture, super efficient transport, palace gardens, against a white backdrop of Palace walls, it's an artist's dream. There are plenty of different European squares everywhere to rest with your coffee con leche and just watch busy life go by. You need at least three days for a decent city trip and as everywhere in Spain, shopping is super! The Spanish dress well and their summer collections host so much variety ladies, you'll shop till you drop. Visit the tapas bars, watch, yes, alas, bull fighting on TV with the locals and drink espresso until 0300 am in the morning. Tip: Shop in the afternoons in summer for cool air conditioning, as the streets are otherwise deserted and many small shops closed. Don't forget to explore the plentiful beautiful parks, which I think are best in spring, they really are well maintained with fountains, flowers, statues, puppet shows and a real treat to be outside instead of a museum.

2. BARCELONA

An absolute must in this fantastic city are tapas on the beach front's boats in the afternoon. Furthermore, you need to explore Gaudi park, admire La Sagrada Familia and meander through Las Ramblas and the wonderful side streets. It has great nightlife, different cathedral visiting and I would advise staying in the Latin quarter. Barcelona's architecture is stunning, the beachfront is long and alive at night. Go for walks to the hills, admire Gaudi architecture constantly, because it's the real Disney land of imagination. Of course, you should shop and enjoy the vibrant vibe of the city. It is energetic and has a constant artistic buzz to it.

Underneath intricate architectural iron balconies
Playa de Cataluña fountain bubbles
Brewing its cool water flow to silent statues
Who stand tall, listening to city square bustle

Further east, in the Gothic Latin quarter
The hustle of lively street locals
Echoes on medieval stone walls, with ringing cathedral bells
Clanging like chimes against Spanish tiled kitchen walls

Chorizo sizzles, sending a trail of scent
Past the beggars and pick-pocketers
Who weave through crowds strategically
To the royal, navy hectagons on Carrer de Gracia

The museum boasts marble walls, stairs and pillars
With emerald water pools on each floor
Its stately, observatory a circle of windows,
Through which to gaze at clouds kissing adjacent mountains

The antiquated railway station cafeteria
Offers strong coffees at its wooden bar
The cool, marble top matching its tiled floor
But contrasting to the warm, passionate service.

 3. IBIZA

The largest of the islands, this is a fabulous place for a summer holiday. If you're with friends, hire a villa with pool and you can avoid all the busy night life if you wish by simple not going. Though that is worth tasting if you're young enough. I saw a 24 hour Danny Tenaglia set in Club Privilege which had a pool around the DJ table and the VIP area was as cosmopolitan as NY. Use the evenings after dinner if you're in town to amble with ice-creams along the beachfront in Saint Antonio, visit the fort, on the other side of town and yes shop.  

But the best place at sundown is the main beach with Cafe Del Mar lounge bars and famous record label lounge grooves. It's the only place in the world where I've watched the sunset with hundreds of others on the beach and when the sun went down... the huge audience CLAPPED IN APPRECIATION! So memorable! So laid back. Do hire a car to view the island. Mystic Es Vedra, an absolute must and all the beach cafes and restaurants are a real treat.

 4. SEVILLE - ANDALUSIA

A famous area and rightly so as there is so much to see and do. I spent 5 days in Seville, hiring my own apartment. Architecture and monumental churches to visit and admire are never ending, and you can do it by foot or bicycle. Seville hosts the largest cathedral in Europe and it is beyond description! Just visit. Hundreds of wonderful restaurants, cafes, Spanish music and dancing at night, tapas, Palm trees and flowered gardens, parks, and orange trees lining certain avenues. Seville is even nicer than Barcelona and it's dripping in culture whichever way you turn.  Don't forget your siestas  or go shopping, as once again the choice is endless and variety very broad. From Seville take a day trip by train to...

5. Cordoba 

Arriving in Cordoba you walk through a delightful park to get to the old city centre, with Arabic fortress remains and old Roman like city planning with moats here and there, among beautiful gardens. This city is small and quaint and the train ride through the countryside is scenic. A must do.

6. MALAGA

A 2.5 hour train ride from Seville brings you south to little Malaga, which is  no less charming than other cities. The beaches are not the best but the atmosphere of sidewalk cafes, the walk to the old castle at sunset, the harbour and marina, traffic roundabouts decorated with fountains, shopping, and rocks on the beach for morning walks is all splendid!  Just a lovely laid-back city there for enjoyment.

7. TORREMELINOS

You cannot visit Malaga and not go to this enchanting little seaside city. Spanish tiled cafes, and the most beautiful quaint beach entrance, which is winding wide stone step path to the beach, with colourful Spanish nick-knacks and earthy pottery to admire on the way. I fell in love with it. The beach is lovely, long, well catered for every pocket, palette and taste, with trees and restaurants galore. A real treat. I wouldn't stay there though as it's extremely busy, popular and packed with younger travellers, and I know why....

8. VALENCIA

Where to begin! So much to do and see. It's  a small beautiful city with stunning architecture, cafes, restaurants, massive long beaches, museums, and nightlife for every taste. A pretty city, with a small centre and easy to find your way around. Spanish public transport is also always excellent. Amble the cool, shaded tree lined streets, visit the massive food market for all Spanish delicacies and visit the many sidewalk cafes and beach restaurants. I would stay outside the city close to the beach and walk to the bus stops on the beach to get to town. No hassle, easy living and wonderfully hospitable people, as always in Spain. Even though they tend to not speak a lot of English. I have always managed with my broken mixture of Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.

9. San Sebastian - Donastio

This place was so beautiful I had to write a poem about it, after waking up with a view to the oystered pearl of a bay between two delightfully forested hills that hug San Sebastian.

Atop the hill, as Lord of the World
Sheltered by mountains of fauna
Sight is mesmerized by the view below
The morning sun ignites birds to song
In its offered shadows
As nestled in trees they hop,
From branch to branch.

Wild seas surround the bay,
The sky is a mass of blue
Fluffy clouds dangling
As souls who have found a place to rest
Inhaling the fresh pine tree scent,
Where dew drops have now vanished
Nature's naked beauty for all whom gaze upon it.

                                            With thanks to Lonely Planet for the image

Spanish Literature

Cervantes, the 1500's Spanish author wrote the masterpiece  Don Quixote and it's theme, Chivalry is still very alive and well in Spain. I never tire of this country, its passionate charm, warm hospitable people, stunning nature, plus wealthy architecture and culture. Spain, despite its heat is not dis-organised in any way. It's efficient, has European speed and so much to offer I will keep returning, with Granada, Malljorca and Minorca as future spots on the agenda. Viva Espana! 

ps. This last pic is a guitar, engraved into the cemented sidewalk somewhere on a Sevillian street near the river.