Archive for 'Must See Attractions in Spain'

For art-lovers looking to holiday in Spain, a villa in Madrid is always an excellent idea. The city is a serious cultural hub, steeped in history, full of architectural gems and churches stuffed with incredible works of art, and is home to many brilliant museums. The incomparable scale and quality of the collections of the world-renowned Prado Museum are, of course, a must-see but there are several others wonderful galleries and museums located across Madrid. Among them, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, often referred to merely as the Thyssen, is particularly noteworthy and another key example to include in an itinerary of the city if you have a passion for art.

Located only a short walking distance from the better-known and aforementioned Prado, the Thyssen (or Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza) is part of the so-called, "Golden Triangle of Art", which is comprised of it and the Prado and Reina Sofia national galleries. Filling in the gaps of the other two museums' collections quite nicely, the Thyssen's holdings are vast and it was even once the largest private collection after the British Royal Collection, boasting a whopping 1,600 paintings.     Read More

When one thinks of the fairytale castles that inspired the illustrations that we all grew up with in storybooks and cartoons and in Disneyland, the buildings romantically perched over lush valleys of Germany and the ornate chateaux of France are probably what springs to mind. No doubt, if you are interested in bringing a little bit of magic into your life and seeking out such incredible architectural gems IRL, these are two excellent destinations in which to do so. However, did you know that one of the most influential castles to inspire the likes of Disney is actually in Spain?

Located in the town of Segovia, northwest of Madrid and an excellent day trip destination for those who find a holiday rental in Madrid, the Alcázar de Segovia is quite the sight to behold. A massive cream castle punctuated by little arched windows, a castellated tower, and several charming pointed turrets, it is the quintessential sort of fairytale, picture-perfect palace that many might imagine when conjuring such things. It is no wonder, then, that it was used as a model for the design of the queen's castle in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and for Cinderella's castle as imagined in Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland.     Read More

Barcelona is one of the world's most vibrant, diverse, and interesting cities. If you browse our villas in Barcelona and plan a trip to this part of Catalonia, you will quickly discover an endless list of things to see, do, taste, and experience. From days at the beach, to watching nail-biting matches at the city's football stadium, to shopping her markets and dining in incredible restaurants, to wandering museums full of some of the greatest works of art from both ancient and modern masters alike, to taking in impossible architectural gems, and much more besides, you'll never be short of things to occupy your days. However, for those who love the outdoors, this is a particularly charming city as it combines both cosmopolitan delights with some of the loveliest parks in the world. One of the most gorgeous among them is the Parc del Laberint.     Read More

As the capital of the region of Catalonia, Barcelona is home to many incredible attractions, sights, and institutions and is also a major cultural hub. If you have found a villa in Barcelona or a vacation rental in Catalonia and you are looking to sprinkle some culture into the sun and fun that will be afforded by any holiday in the region then you will very much be in luck. From Gaudí's architectural gems to the Picasso Museum and its vast collection of the artist's work to concerts experienced in the stunning surroundings of the Palau de la Música Catalana, there are all sorts of cultural pursuits and venues to be discovered while exploring Barcelona. However, if you have a particular interest in modern architectural gems and modern and contemporary artworks, then the city's must-see cultural institution is, without a doubt, the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, or Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, IPA (MACBA).     Read More