Hindustan Times ST (Jaipur) - Hindustan Times (Jaipur) - City
SPAIN: THE LAND OF SUN, SAND AND SANGRIA
Watch a flamenco performance, drink some wine, admire the architecture and enjoy your afternoon siesta — welcome to Spain.
STUNNING SEVILLE Our first pit-stop was Seville. After a glass of sangria and some tapas (Spanish word for appetiser), we proceeded to explore Catedral De Sevilla and its bell tower, La Giralda. This architectural marvel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is big enough to fit a football stadium, and the 100m tall structure offers panoramic views of the city. The next day, we decided to rent bicycles to explore Triana, a friendly neighbourhood with parks, paved streets and quirky shops and restaurants. Seville is known for its dedicated green-coloured, 160km cycling lane, which means it’s best explored on two wheels.
BEACH-HAPPY BARCELONA Next on our itinerary was Barcelona. On day 1, we hit Barcelonata — the popular beach. It was crowded, as it was summer. To get the real feel of the city, one must head to Las Ramblas, a long stretch of street that houses markets, souvenirs, live performances and museums. Walk down the street to head to Plaça de Catalunya, which is a shoppers’ paradise. It is almost impossible to talk about Barcelona without mentioning renowned architect Antoni Gaudi’s astonishing piece of architecture — La Sagrada Familia. Interestingly, the foundation of this church, which is still under construction, was laid long back, in the year 1882. And it’s completion date is still nearly a decade away. It is best that you book a guided session to know more about its history, culture and significance.
MANICURED MADRID The third largest city in Europe and the capital of Spain, Madrid is known for its expansive roads and beautiful parks. Stroll down Gran Via to experience the best of shopping and nightlife in Spain. Dotted with restaurants, bars, casinos, theatres and shopping centres, the buildings are an architectural delight, especially when they’re lit up in the night. Manicured lawns, marble fountains and monuments and a peaceful lake best describe The El Retiro Park. To get a panoramic view of the city, head to Faro De Moncloa, which houses an observation deck 92m high.