STAY

Hotels to stay in Madrid

• Principal Madrid Hotel

At the Principal Madrid Hotel, you’ll come to a land of elegance from the corridors to the rooms, the luxurious furnishings and somber color palettes. Their executive rooms give an interior courtyard view and the premium rooms give spectacular views of the famous street. They also have Deluxe and Superior rooms which give free access to the sauna.

• Gran Melià Palacio de los Duques

Receive a regal welcome when you arrive at Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques after sunset; you’ll be met with majestic lighting that glows spectacularly on the building’s Elizabethan façade. This luxury hotel is situated close to the Royal Palace and the Opera House. Rooms have theatrical drapes, oversized Velázquez prints, and dreamy comforters.

• Hotel Ùnico Madrid

This posh hotel located in the city of Salamanca hotel delivers on everything that makes this neighborhood come alive: residential design, fashion & elegance

The rooms have clearly been designed for an international crowd; you’ll notice things as littles as various types of power outlets.

Hotels to stay in Barcelona

• Hotel Arts Barcelona

A contemporary five-star hotel positioned right on the beach. Guests have access to a swimming pool, there’s also a children’s pool, a well-equipped gym and spa

• Grand Hotel Central

Grand Hotel Central is a hotel with character and charm, art and artistry and the icing on the cake is the fabulous rooftop infinity pool. In addition, there is a spa wellness centre, a thermal suite with a hammam & sauna and a fitness centre.

• Mandarin Oriental Barcelona

This hotel is for the lovers of everything stylish, those who are avid shoppers love art and striking architecture. Rooms in the hotel are smart and bright, the hospitality from the staff is excellent and guests can relax in the lovely Mimosa Garden area on the first floor, or up on the rooftop with pool and panoramic views.

Hotels to stay in Seville

• Hotel Alfonso XIII

The atmosphere at Alfonso XIII is luxurious and lavish. It was built by King Alfonso XIII for the 1929 Expo’s VIP guests; it was the grandest hotel in Seville, and much of the original décor is still intact.

With mirrored wooden lifts, crystal chandeliers, the shaped leather headboards and the graphic patterned rugs give the rooms a contemporary touch. The Andalusian patio, with its fountain and gardens, makes a wonderful spot for breakfast. The outdoor pool is an added treat as the hotel is in the midst of the city.

• H10 Casa de la Plata

This premium hotel from the H10 group occupies a central spot in the middle of the main shopping zone. The H10 Casa de la Plata displays the Sevillano character with vibrant colours, triana ceramic tiles and quirky pseudo-paintings.

Featuring a pleasant open-air breakfast room and patiocomplemented by a rooftop swimming pool.

• Mercer Sevilla

The hotel’s style is a fusion of contemporary European furnishings and the 19th century traditional Andalusian palace house making the hotel stand out.

With a magnificent light-filled patio with glass panelling, glamorous curved marble staircase, grand arches and a fountain, the Mercer Sevilla is the place to be. Their hospitality is second to none as they deliver urban sophistication to the fullest.

EAT

Spanish cuisine is a burst of colors, aromas, and Mediterranean flavors. It’s a fusion of past and present cultures. It’s also reason enough to visit this superb country

Here are some Spanish meals of try

• Paella

Paella is one of the most famous Spanish dishes. Authentic paella originates from the region around Valencia,

Paella comes in two varieties: Paella Valenciana, (white rice, vegetables, chicken, duck and rabbit meat, and spices) and Seafood Paella (rice, seafood, and seasoning)

The saffron gives the rice colour and the base is crusty. It’s an ideal meal for lunch

• Tortilla

Tortilla is a Spanish omelet that can be made with chorizo, peppers, onions, etc. but purists believe it should only contain potatoes and eggs.

The potatoes are diced and fried lightly before the egg mixture is added and fried on a high heat; Tortilla can be found in tapas bars in Spain

• Gazpacho

This tomato-based Andalusian soup is most famous for being served cold. This can be quite a shock for those who aren’t expecting it, but in the Seville summer, the attraction becomes clear. Aside’s tomato, other principal ingredients include olive oil, peppers, garlic and bread. It’s perfect for a late lunch.

• Churros

Churros are snacks made from fried dough pastry, cut into sausage shapes and doused in sugar. They’re best suited for fiestas, or street parties, and they’re also sold by roadside vendors. Dipping them in hot melted chocolate is pretty much standard

• Fideuà

This meal is not well known to tourists, fideuà is a type of Spanish pasta similar to vermicelli. It’s a popular seafood dishes that rivals paella for their taste and intricacy. It is usually cooked in a paella dish.

EXPLORE

Explore Madrid

Madrid is full of energy and packed with cultural attractions. As a modern metropolis it offers a taste of the real Spain. Take in all the historic sights and get the background on the Spanish Empire

Here are some places to explore in Madrid:

• Prado Museum

The Prado is a world class museum, one of the most popular art museums in the world. You’ll find a collection of masterpieces by baroque and renaissance masters.

If you’re an art lover, you’ll find many classic art pieces from the greats – Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Botticelli and Tintoretto

Of the many must-see works are Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights and David with Head of Goliath by Caravaggio.

• The Royal Palace

This magnificent palace is a royal court designed to impress. The Royal Palace of Madrid is not just a museum but it’s still the official residence of the King of Spain

The fortress palace is the largest royal palace in western Europe, and has a blend of baroque and neoclassical styles.

You have to go inside for the full experience There are classic artworks by Goya, Caravaggio and Velázquez, and stunning displays of watches, tapestries, porcelain and silverware.

• Pierre Del Sol (The Heart of the City)

The Puerta del Sol was named after the sun emblem on the old city gate, which formerly stood here. This spacious town square aligns with the rising sun. This grand square, that permeates meaning for both city and country.

The Puerta del Sol is one of the liveliest squares in Madrid to have fun and hang out.

Explore Barcelona

Nowhere is like Barcelona, it’s one of the few must-see cities with its own identity due to its generation of early-20th-century artists like Antoni Gaudí, whose unforgettable buildings are like nothing you’ll see anywhere else.

Here are some places to explore in Barcelona

• Casa Milà

This is one of several of Catalan modernist works to be UNESCO listed and was the fourth and final Gaudí building on Passeig de Gràcia. Cass Milà is also known as La Pedrera, as the front of the building looks a bit like the face of a quarry, The building was completed in 1912 and is another emblematic Gaudí building.

• Basilica de la Sagrada Familia

This breath-taking monument is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of Europe’s most unconventional churches. The Basílica de la Sagrada Família stands in the northern part of the city, dominating its surroundings with its 18 spindly towers soaring high above all the other buildings.

• La Rambla

This is the social hub of Barcelona, it’s a wide tree-shaded avenue that divides the Old Town into two parts. This street consists of expansive pedestrian sidewalks, lined with restaurants, shops, and outdoor cafés, making it one of the most popular hangouts in the city.

Explore Seville

From the moment you set foot in Seville, you’ll know you’re in an enchanting city from the elegant buildings to the old-fashioned street lamps to the quaint cobblestone lanes, you know you’re in for a great time.

Here are some places to explore in Seville:

• Alcázar of Seville

Alcázar is the Royal Palace of Seville. This Moorish palace complex is by far the most famous Seville attraction. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Real Alcázar was originally the medieval fortress of Moorish rulers and later of the Christian kings.

The Alcazar palace is still in use today by the Spanish King, with beautifully manicured grounds, courtyards, decorative pools, and refreshing fountains

• Seville Cathedral

This is one of the largest cathedrals in the world. It was built over the remnants of a Moorish Mosque. Once in the cathedral, you can admire the tomb of Columbus, a treasure trove, and the royal chapel. You can have a beautiful panorama of the city when you climb the Giralda tower.

• Plaza de España

Located inside the Parque de María Luisa, the Plaza de España is one of Seville’s most impressive landmarks because of its scale and grandeur. The ‘Plaza de España’ was created for the Ibero-American exhibition of 1929 to symbolise peace with the former colonies.

It’s a 50,000-square-meter plaza built in a Renaissance Neo-Moorish-style. There’s a monumental fountain at the centrepiece of the square, you can rent a rowboat for the afternoon to experience the “Venice of Seville” or go for a horse carriage ride through the park.