If you love the sun, the beach and that romantic vibe of Southern Europe, I know your next travel destination—Spain! It really is a perfect destination that just keeps on giving. Think metropolitan cities like Madrid, think picturesque medieval towns like Toledo and think exotic islands like Mallorca—it has something for urban travelers, history buffs, beach lovers and everyone in-between. And the best thing: you can cram all those different destinations into one remarkable travel experience!
The capital
My travel adventures always start very enthusiastically, so I chose Madrid for my first destination. With over three million residents, amazing nightlife and great food and drink, this city will stimulate all your senses and tear down all your walls. Don’t miss a chance to give your camera a workout and visit the city’s highlights like Metropolis building, Palacio de Cibeles and Palacio Real and Museo Del Prado. When you have time to relax from the city and catch some breath, make sure to visit one of Madrid’s gardens. For instance, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Jardines de Aranjuez which is a monument of interesting duality: between nature and human ingenuity, wild water flows and streamlined architecture and rural and urban environment. However, one thing that will probably leave the biggest impression in Madrid is its vibe. If you’ve ever watched any Pedro Almodóvar movie, you’re probably familiar with that special spirit the capital has: It’s lively, hectic, colorful and full of amazing characters and adventures that will change your life forever, so make sure to soak it up.
Taste the history
Madrid is quite hectic and many travelers start craving more chill spots to recuperate from the capital. Luckily, south of Madrid lays Toledo or the “Imperial City”, one of the most picturesque towns I’ve ever had a chance to visit. It’s also known as the City of the Three Cultures, since it’s greatly influenced by Christianity, Islam and Judaism both historically and architecturally. This means you can see churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, fortresses and palaces standing proudly right next to one another! Toledo really has a huge spirit and historical value, even though it’s quite small (it has only a bit over 80,000 citizens). It’s also known for their artisan bladed weapons, so feel free to take one as a souvenir!
Visit Barna
For another rush of adrenaline, I suggest traveling to Barcelona. Even though it’s a bit smaller than Madrid, it definitely isn’t any less interesting, lively and fun! It’s quite hard to tell the story of Barcelona, since it has so much to offer, but you might want to start from the basics that are really worth your time. For instance, no matter if you’re a culture vulture, history buff, architecture lover or just a casual traveler, you’re going to be in awe once you stand across Sagrada Família. This basilica is something truly unique and something you can only see in Barcelona. Of course, you simply must take a walk down La Rambla, a huge boulevard that runs from the Plaça Catalunya all the way to the beach. It’s full of cafes, stores, restaurants, but don’t waste a chance to splurge some money on fresh fruit, spices or Iberian ham at La Boquería food market. Plus, Barcelona is very easy to visit and enjoy. Aside from various flights, train rides and even bus rides, there are amazing Spain holiday packages you can check out. That’s by far the most fuss-free way to travel and explore Barna, since packages include accommodation, transfer and even some fun tours! So, if you’re too busy to organize your own trip, just book a travel package and enjoy!
Finish off with a relaxing island trip
Sure, the exploration of Spain is hard work, so I chose to finish off my adventure not with a bang, but with a nice beach getaway to Mallorca. No matter when you decide to go, you’ll always be able to find a nice little oasis of peace and quiet just to relax, unwind and enjoy the azure views, ravishing beaches and remote mountains. And even then, you can find a bit of excitement in cliff diving or pine-covered mountain hiking!
Spain is a destination that just keeps on inviting you to come back, explore new regions, see new vistas or revisit old memories. So, as soon as you visit this Mediterranean jewel, you’ll start dreaming of returning. I know I do!
