"A trip to Espana" a Spain Travel Page by spgood301

Madrid is a city of culture, power and fun. It's the Spanish capital, a major cultural center, with plenty of good times to be had too.

Since I always like to see local people at play, my favorite spot is the Parque del Retiro. You can walk , run, bike, rollerblade, or sit in the sun and have a drink and a bite to eat. Or, rent a rowboat and go out in the lake. The park is best when shared with someone you love.

Madrid is also a city of museums. The most famous is the Prado. I'm not an art expert, but I'm struck at how art chronicles the distant past, just like dowloading pictures on our computers chronicles our time. It's looking someone who lived some 400 years ago in the eye-you feel like you know them.

Madrid has so much history: the Palacio Real & the Plaza Mayor. Walk along the Gran Via and the Puerta del sol, or check out the Madrid nightlife (I admit, I couldn't keep up). And, don't forget the beautiful people!

I know I missed a lot, but I hope I did this majestic city justice.

I've found that the best way to see a country's scenery is on a train. The trip between Madrid & Barcelona was so much fun-I brought a book, but never even opened it. Spain was my book-and it was all live!

I saw farmland, hills, & beautiful mesas, went through picturesque Catalan villages (no, I couldn't get out and look around), and wound along the coast into Barcelona.

It was a five hour trip, and so worth it, to see just a bit of Spain's diversity and beauty. A highlight, no doubt

My first stop in Barcelona was to walk along the beachfront, on probably the last summer weekend of the year. The whole city seemed to come out to play. There was a festival going on, with people flying these beautiful kites, hot air balloons...and, yes, I noticed all the beautiful ladies of Barcelona!!!

The next morning, while lined up for the tourist bus, we saw an air show by the Catalan Air Force-all sorts of trick flying. I can't imagine what talent and guts those pilots have-thanks for the show.

There's so much to Barcelona: the beach, the Gaudi architecture, Las Ramblas, Montjuic. What I remember most though are the people of Barcelona, from the bar and restaurant workers, to the friendly people who were so quick to smile at this out of towner. Special thanks to the beautiful cab driver who drove me to the airport- she was so sweet to me. It was the first and only time I ever kissed a cab driver, but I just couldn't help it. I'll never forget her-do you think she knows that?!!!

Barcelona, like all of Spain, is a special place. Thanks for letting me share a bit of it with you.