Levante y Andalucia

About the destination: Welcome to Madrid, the vibrant heart of Spain! As the capital city, Madrid is a mesmerizing blend of rich history, stunning architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene. Whether you're an art enthusiast, a history buff, or just someone looking to experience the local lifestyle, Madrid offers a plethora of activities and sights that will undoubtedly captivate your senses. Begin your journey at the iconic Puerta del Sol, the bustling central square that serves as the perfect starting point for any exploration. From here, you'll find yourself just a short walk away from some of Madrid's most significant landmarks. Take a leisurely stroll to the Royal Palace, one of the largest and most opulent palaces in Europe, and marvel at its stunning architecture and lavish interiors. Don't forget to visit Almudena Cathedral, located right next to the palace, which offers an impressive contrast of modern and traditional architectural styles. Art lovers should not miss the "Golden Triangle of Art," which includes the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. The Prado houses masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco, while the Reina Sofía is home to Picasso's Guernica and works by Dalí and Miró. The Thyssen-Bornemisza offers an extensive collection that spans from the Renaissance to the modern era, providing a comprehensive overview of Western art history. No visit to Madrid would be complete without indulging in its culinary delights. Head to a traditional tapas bar and savor a variety of small plates, from patatas bravas to jamón ibérico. For a more substantial meal, try a cocido madrileño, a hearty chickpea stew that's a local favorite. Top off your gastronomic adventure with a visit to one of the city's bustling mercados, such as Mercado de San Miguel, where you can sample fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and delectable pastries. Whether you're here for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, Madrid's dynamic spirit and endless attractions ensure an unforgettable experience.

About the destination: Valencia prizes its huertas, orchards, of citrus fruit trees, which flourish despite the arid conditions. Here visitors will find monuments to water, or fountains, and celebrations of vegetation, or gardens. This provincial capital, the third largest city in Spain, also offers a variety of museums and ancient monuments and buildings, all with a distinctly Moorish and nautical flavour. Valencia is the birthplace of both paella and orxata de chufas, and it provides the most authentic setting for sampling them. From the Old Town rises the Gothic and neoclassical Seu, Metropolitan Cathedral. Its tower, the Micalet, offers a far-reaching panorama of the historic centre of the city. The inside of the cathedral is notable for its cool simplicity and simple, but beautiful, six-panel altarpiece. The Museu de la Seu, the Cathedral Museum, claims among other lesser treasures, two large Goyas and one of Spain’s several supposedly authentic Holy Grails. Nearby is the Llotja de la Seda, the former silk exchange, with its handsome pillars. No matter if you like the modern or the old, Valencia has everything to offer. You can get lost at night in the historic centre and walk in front of the illuminated cathedral or visit La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, the City of Arts and Sciences, the avant-garde side of the city.

About the destination: Malaga, the birthplace of Picasso, exudes art from every brick. Considered one of the oldest cities in Spain and Europe, this cosmopolitan port is buoyantly modern yet it hangs on to its vast historic past. The palm-lined Paseo el Parque will take you below Alcazaba, a Moorish palace whose fortified walls enclose fragrant gardens and an archaeological museum. The lofty Gibralfaro Castle crowns a nearby hill, with outstanding views of the sprawling city below. Also worth a visit is the Picasso Museum that, aside from an impressive artistic patrimony, offers educational activities and cultural events. Málaga deserves a good night visit: do not miss a good walk along the harbour where traditional fried fish is washed down with cold beer at chiringuitos (beach bars) and enjoy the illuminated Alcazaba, which watches over the city from Mount Gibralfaro.

About the destination: Barcelona is a city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within city limits,[7] its urban area extends to numerous neighbouring municipalities within the Province of Barcelona and is home to around 4.8 million people, making it the fifth most populous urban area in the European Union after Paris, the Ruhr area, Madrid, and Milan. It is one of the largest metropolises on the Mediterranean Sea, located on the coast between the mouths of the rivers Llobregat and Besòs, and bounded to the west by the Serra de Collserola mountain range, the tallest peak of which is 512 metres (1,680 feet) high.

About the destination: Seville has a special colour, this effervescent city is filled with captivating traditional architecture in colours of lemons, plums and oranges. The River Guadalquivir runs approximately north-south through Seville. Most of the city, including the old quarter of Barrio de Santa Cruz, is on the east bank, while the Barrio de Triana lies on the west bank. At midnight, impromptu singing, clapping and guitar playing fill bars and streets. By day, the diversity of the city’s heritage becomes apparent. The Romans, Moors, Catholic Spaniards, and now, hordes of tourists have all tried to claim Seville as their own. Indeed, Seville has never failed to spark the imagination of newcomers. From the street, the cathedral seems unimpressive; you must go inside to get some sense of its dimensions. Massive pillars support the vaulted roof, and the wealth of treasure is fabulous beyond belief. Another major sight of the city is La Giralda, which was the minaret of the Almohad mosque. From the top, there’s a fantastic view of the city across the barbed spires and buttresses of the roof. La Torre del Oro, a symbol of the city, originally covered in golden tiles, watches over the town as it has always done since 1220. Seville at night is wonderful, everything takes on a mystical air able to hypnotize and if you know how to live it, you will fall under its spell.