Camino de Santiago: A Journey for the Body, Mind, and Soul “A pilgrimage across northern Spain to the sanctuary at Santiago de Compostela is the finest journey in Spain,” wrote Pulitzer Prize winner, James Michener, in his non-fiction classic Iberia. The Camino de Santiago: At first it was hard to wrap my mind around taking six weeks to walk 500 miles from France through Spain, along a ... Read Full Article
Hunting Down the Best Tapas Bars in Granada
Hunting Down (a few of) the Best Tapas Bars in Granada Sincere congrats and daggers of jealousy: You’ve landed in Granada, and you’re ready to eat and drink your way through town and maybe explore the Alhambra since you are already in town. You’ve heard that this city – unique to Spain in so many ways – is particularly unique when it comes to gastronomic custom: that is, every bar in town dishes ... Read Full Article
Barcelona like a Local
Experience Barcelona like a local I have the good fortune to have a friend, born and bred in Barcelona, who kindly took me by the hand, sometimes literally, to let me experience Barcelona like a local. Of course, there are many places every visitor to Barcelona just has to see, like the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi buildings, the Liceo and Palacio de la Musica or the Montjuic mountain and park. But, ... Read Full Article
Alhambra: Spain’s Last Stronghold of the Moorish Kings
Looming above Granada as a reminder that all things must pass over time, stands the red stone walls of Alhambra. The castle, visible from most points in the city, is nestled in the hills like a mirage of some Medieval memory. While Granada is one of those European towns that proffers an air of the old world, Alhambra is in itself a true monument to an Age. While its origins are debated, it ... Read Full Article
Mystery of the Black Madonna
The History of the Black Madonna The Black Madonna has been a figure of mystery for centuries. Some say she’s simply a statue of the Virgin Mary carved from black wood, or perhaps has soot on her skin from the smoke of thousands of candles. But speculation goes much deeper than that. Throughout Europe, especially in France, about 500 Black Madonnas, painted or carved in wood or stone, stand ... Read Full Article
The Thyssen Bornemisza and Reina Sofia Museums in Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art
Earlier, I wrote about the Prado Museum in Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art. The Thyssen Bornemisza and the Reina Sofia Museums complete the triangle. Thyssen Bornemisza Museum Across the Paseo del Prado from the Prado Museum, a short walk past colorful flower beds takes you to the Thyssen Bornemisza, a museum that opened in 1992 in a former palace. The spacious, light-filled galleries hold ... Read Full Article
Eco Travels in Lanzarote, Canary Islands
The history and beauty of the Canary Islands is easily missed if you're hopping over for the party, sun, sea and sand. But, just booking yourself on an island tour will begin to give you a flavor of just how fascinating the diverse history and landscape of the Canary Islands really are. We spent five days at the end of our Spain trip exploring these fascinating islands and found that eco tourism ... Read Full Article
A Tapas Tour of Northern Spain
Tapas. Pinxtos. Or less formally, little bites of Spanish goodness. There are plenty of reasons to go to Spain; tapas just happen to be the tastiest. In northern Spain, typical tapas styles and the dishes that represent them can vary widely, as can the protocol for ordering and eating them in different regions. Here’s a primer on enjoying these small bites in three northern ... Read Full Article
Cala Figuera – Mallorca’s Sleeping Beauty
Cala Figuera, a tranquil and picturesque fishing village situated in a bay surrounded by cliffs, is one of the most scenic spots on the island of Mallorca and a world away from the tourist crowds. The setting is postcard picturesque with houses hanging off the cliffs above whitewashed boat houses with green colored doors. In the harbor below, sail boats peacefully rest on crystal clear turquoise ... Read Full Article
Tenerife: Spain’s Botanic Treasure
The best-known of Spain's Canary Islands is Tenerife, its touristic fame established nearly a century ago by the British who still wait out winter at its beach resorts. Its beaches are not the best on the islands – Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura have those – but it has more variety than most other islands. The Treasures of Tenerife Spain’s highest point, the snow-capped cone of El Teide, stands ... Read Full Article