Shopping in Madrid

If you get a chance to shop in Madrid definitely stop by la intrusa showroom . They have some pricey but also some very affordable items. In general just want around the neighborhood of Tribunal metro station, and there is bunch of small cute boutiques around :)

Madrid

The train from Valencia to Madrid only goes 1.5 hours, the speed of high speed rail is great! When you get to Madrid one of the things to do is to definitely take a walk around a night Madrid, but tuck in and hide all your wallets and documents this city is notorious for pocket thieves. In Madrid definitely stop by at Lolina's Vintage Cafe. It has a very unique vibe, and a decent choice of interesting appetizers, it is located in a vibrate night neighborhood that is worth exploring on the weekend when all the people are out enjoying the night. 

ABC Museum is pretty from the outside and the inside. The exhibitions are free to public and are featuring old cartoons. Walk in and enjoy their cafe the prices are very reasonable :)

Rio Madrid is a park that is still in progress, the trees are still growing, and the shade is yet to be found, but the fun is already in the air. It is definitely worth to spend a portion of the day in an 8km long park with different activities and elements. Go see for yourself!

Valencia

Oh Valencia, the gorgeous town where Calatrava claimed his land. This is one town where one can truly enjoy the Spanish culture, from food, to music, to people. Valencia is the 3rd largest city in Spain and has 5th busiest port in Europe. It is very simple to get here from Barcelona, all it takes is 3 hours and a train.

Gaudi's Barcelona

In touch with nature! Gaudi is all over Barcelona - just beautiful and natural.
Park Guell.

La Pedrera is a gorgeous building, build in the 1920s it was an apartment building mostly serving higher middle class. Today it houses offices and a cultural center.

Gaudi's design is so unique and eating in its presence in so fantastic. There is such a place! Face to Face cafe in Barcelona has a simple menu, but the right kind of interior! 

Sagrada Familia is the most beautiful Cathedral ever! It should definitely be on the list to see before you die, it is just breath taking. Well it better be, it has been building for the past 100 years, and the construction is still going, well lets give it another 30 years or so.  

 

Barcelona

Great way to start a trip to Barcelona is to go on a free walking tour provided by Travel Bar. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and in three hours was able to show us the main highlights of the old Barcelona. Placa Sant Felip Neri is known as the most romantic square in Barcelona, but its also known as the square that marks tragic historic events from Spanish Civil War when about 50 people were killed when a bomb dropped on them. 

A wall was bombed during Civil War in 1936. 

Placa Sant Felip Neri  

Placa Sant Felip Neri

In order to hear some really awesome street music it is worth walking around Placa Nova, where Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia (aka Barcelona Cathedral) is located, towards Palau Reial Major. On the big steps of Palau Reial Major is where Columbus informed the king and the queen of discovering the American continent.  

Barcelona Cathedral

Palau Reial Major

Steps of Palau Reial Major

It is also worth to see the Temple of Augustus four roman columns, this is where Barcelona started in 1century BC. They are located in the courtyard of Centre Excursionista de Catalunya.

I can't forget the beach and the port! The beach is probably the most crowded place in Barcelona. The sand was brought in from the Sahara Deserts, and the palm trees have also traveled from the south.