Travel Articles

Spain is one of the great tourist destinations in the world today, and this is deservedly so. Many visits from northern Europe you the country of the place with a can tape from the cold by relaxing on the beaches while soaking up the hot sun and swimming in the warm, clear blue waters of the Mediterranean.

While this is the view that most people hold of Spain, there is also much more to this beautiful country. Spain is a land of startling contrasts, offering the traveler large modern cities with the usual urban amenities. In addition, the country is full of beautiful tiny villages with ancient churches, and looming castles that bring the traveler back to ancient times.

The capital and largest city of Spain is Madrid, and the city hosts a variety of things to see and do.

1) La Puerta del sol – this is considered to be the center of the city and is a major trade patient on, any visitor to Madrid but more than likely start their trip from here.
2) The Prado Museum – this health is one of the most magnificent art collections in the whole world, it’s particularly strong in Spanish and Italian art and is a must see for any visitor.
3) La Palacio Real – this is the royal palace, it is only used at the moment for important state functions. This means you can visit the luxury throne room and see the collection is so beautiful porcelain, Crystal, tapestries, and fine art. The carriage Museum and the Royal armory are also worth a look.
4) Retiro Park – this was previously the palace grounds, and is now a popular park with tree shaded paths, rose gardens, and a huge artificial lake that can be used for boating, there are also several outdoor cafes.
5) Archaeological Museum – this speech is a reconstruction of the 30,000 year-old prehistoric cave called Altamira. This cave is where the famous prehistoric paintings were found, along with more than 2000 archaeological objects and rare statues.
6) Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum – Madrid’s newest resume, contains an extensive collection of works of the great masters, including Manet, Monet, Dali, and many others.
7) Temple of Debod – and Egyptian temple of the fourth century, transported from Aswan to rescue it from the flooded dam area.

If you are thinking of taking a trip to Spain, I would highly recommend that you learn the language before you go. Spanish is one of the easiest languages for native English speakers to learn. It is based on the same principles as English, uses the same alphabet, and the pronunciation of many words is very similar. There are many great resources available for people who would like to learn Spanish, and while many community colleges offer night classes, I’ve always found that learning from the comfort of your own home is easier and more productive. I have put together a fantastic resource for anybody who is looking to learn to speak Spanish. You can visit my web site here http://www.squidoo.com/Learning-SpanishSoftware