La Pedrera, also known as Casa Mila, is the fantastical creation of Antoni Gaudi, one of Spains’ greatest architects. Famous for its undulating stone facade and twisting wrought iron balconies, the structure is a masterpiece of early 20th century architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built between 1906-12, La Pedrera is one of two … Read more
Casa Batlló is a Modernist gem in Barcelona. It’s Antoni Gaudí at his hallucinatory, dreamlike best. For Casa Batlló, Gaudí conjured a building in the image of a dragon. The strange bone-like facade commands your attention. It’s studded with skull mask balconies and capped by a sinuously scaled roof with a solitary sword-like tower. Casa … Read more
The Prado is special. It’s Spain’s premiere cultural jewel, boasting one of Europe’s finest and most sensuous classical painting collections. Founded in 1819 by King Ferdinand, the Prado opened as the Royal Museum of Paintings. The vaunted museum celebrated its 200th birthday in 2019. The artistic anchors of the Prado are Francisco Goya, Diego Velázquez, … Read more
Planning to spend 2 days in Madrid? You’ve come to the right place! The capital of Spain, Madrid offers up a beguiling combination of history, art, and culture. With this itinerary, you’ll discover everything to see, do, and eat in Madrid as you drift through its stunning outdoor plazas. Madrid is a genteel capital, a … Read more
Barcelona is rich in historic sites, with some of the world’s most unique and surrealistic architecture. The city is bordered on one side by mountains and the other by miles of golden sand beaches. Barcelona’s heritage ranges from Roman ruins to state of the art contemporary architecture to a good dose of Gothic and Art … Read more
Here’s my guide to the must-visit attractions in the underrated city of Bilbao, Spain. The birth of “starchitecture” came with the construction of Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum on the city’s riverbanks, attracting a significant influx of visitors. While the museum is undoubtedly a highlight of Bilbao, it is just one of several cultural attractions worth … Read more
Bilbao is a small city beautifully situated amid rolling green hills and mountain ranges — an urban landscape in a country setting in Basque Spain. Glimmering on the Nervion River, Bilbao is chock full of historic landmarks, modern starchitecture, Michelin restaurants, and world class museums. Underrated Bilbao is a bit of a hidden gem. Many … Read more
Here’s my guide to visiting the hidden gem town of Antequera in southern Spain. The guide covers all the top attractions and best things to do in beautiful Antequera. Have you been somewhere that unexpectedly stole your heart? The Spanish-Baroque village of Antequera stole mine. I intended to see the charming white pueblo as a … Read more
Tired of the big city and looking for some small cities in Europe to put on your bucket list? I’ve got you covered. Europe is a top destination for tourists, but we tend to gravitate towards big cities like Paris, London, or Rome when planning a city break. While these cities are undoubtedly amazing, they … Read more
Planning a visit to the magnificent Alhambra? You’re in for a treat! This Alhambra guide covers everything you need to see and do, from the mighty Alcazaba to the ornate Nasrid Palace to the stunning Generalife Gardens. In addition to highlighting the top sites, this guide also includes essential tips for visiting the Alhambra. As … Read more