Archive for 'Must See Attractions in Spain'

If you have found a vacation rental in Madrid, then a visit to the Royal Palace of Madrid is really an absolute must. The palace is one of the city's most famous, important and extraordinary landmarks and attractions and is an exquisite gem that really needs to be seen with one's own eyes. Still the official residence of the Spanish royal family, though not actually their home, it housed the Kings of Spain from Charles III to Alfonso XIII and was an important site for a large chunk of Spanish history. In addition, it is quite the looker and, all in all, shouldn't be missed if it is your first time in the city!

The site can be traced back to when the islamic ruler Emir Mohamed I chose it as the place to build a fortress to protect Toledo from the advancing Christians. Then this fortress was used by the Kings of Castille and eventually became the Antiguo Alcázar (Old Fortress) in the 14th century. Under Charles I and his son Philip II it was made a permanent residence for the Spanish royal family. In 1734, the Palace of Los Austrias was burned to the ground and a new palace was commissioned under Philip V according to designs by Filippo Juvara. When Juvara suddenly passed away, his pupil Juan Bautista Sachetti took over the project. Charles III was the first Spanish king to occupy the new building and the decorative details and schemes from frescoes to clocks to chandeliers to chairs were added by subsequent kings to create the magnificent building that exists today.

Madrid's Prado Museum is celebrating a very big birthday this coming year, turning 200 in November. Opened in 1819 after the Spanish queen, Isabella of Braganza, came back from a visit to the Louvre and found herself wanting to display her own remarkable collection in an amazing building, it co-opted a space originally designed by Juan de Villanueva to house the Natural History Cabinet. This vast and grand 18th century structure is a Neoclassical gem that is home to the extraordinarily rich royal collections, which includes works by great masters such as Rembrandt, Titian, Goya, Raphael, Rubens, and Bosch, among many others. If you have found a vacation rental in Madrid, it is certainly a must-see, as one of the finest art galleries in the world.

In order to celebrate this special occasion, there is a bicentennial exhibition currently on display in the museum and there will be a calendar of events throughout the year, as well as a program of lending travelling exhibitions and works to other institutions all over Spain. The “Museo del Prado 1819-2019. A place of memory” exhibition, curated by Javier Portús (the Museo del Prado Senior Curator of Spanish Painting up to 1700), opened last year and will continue until the 10th of March 2019 and was the launching event of the extensive program. It surveys the museum’s history, the relationship between the Museum and the public, the trends in the collection over the years, its growth into the incredible institution that is it today, and some of its particular treasures including works by El Greco and Murillo.

Granada is a stunning and historic city in the Andalusia region of the south of Spain. Positioned at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, it is famous for its striking architectural character, which largely reflects Moorish occupation during the Middle Ages. While the most famous attraction in the city is, no doubt, the Alhambra palace complex, there are plenty of other things to see and do. Many make a day trip to see the Alhambra or just spend a couple of days in the area but if you find a vacation rental in Granada you'll find that there will be lots to keep you occupied. Or find a vacation rental in Andalusia and take a few trips to the charming city. Whatever route you decide on, be sure to pencil in these excellent activities...

Here's what to see and do in Granada.

As in the case of Greece in our last article, you may not immediately associate Spain with skiing, and yet, it is quite a popular ski destination. There are plenty of high-quality resorts with excellent facilities, pretty settings, and wonderful views to choose from. And, if you don't want to spend a whole winter break in Spain skiing, you could even base yourself in a nearby town or city, soak up the culture, try out the local restaurants, visit various cultural institutions and just set aside a day or two for some day trips to a resort. It's all very flexible and perfect for designing just the right winter getaway of your dreams. We have rounded up a list of ten excellent resorts to visit around Spain so what are you waiting for? Get planning your winter break in Spain today!

There are lots of beautiful stores, cool eateries and little gems tucked into the pretty streets of the historic centre of Madrid but if you have found a vacation rental in Madrid and want to find all three under one roof, then you need to visit Pinkoco.

Pinkoco is a beauty, fashion and homewares store, as well as a café and bar, that is impossibly cool and chic and also boasts incredible products. Whether you want to grab coffee and take a breather while exploring the city, go for drinks with pals or pick up some unique souvenirs for others (or yourself), it is an ideal location!