Spain's Hotspots

Spain is awash with experiences that will stir the senses and feed the spirit. There’s no better place to start exploring than in the capital city of Madrid, a heady mix of art, architecture and culture. Museums are a star feature here, and top among them is the Prado Museum, housing some of the world’s most superlative collections. Also meriting time are Madrid’s traditional open-air flea markets, with El Rastro a popular favourite. Spend hours trawling through records, antiques, hats and much more, before hopping over to a quirky tapas bar for drinks and light bites. Close to Madrid, the city of Toledo stands apart in its seamless synthesis of diverse traditions. Also intrinsic to the city is the art of El Greco, among the most influential artists of the Spanish Renaissance. Head north to Barcelona next, where the work of master architect Antoni Gaudí pervades. His towering legacy is the Sagrada Família basilica—which has been taking shape over more than a century! A simple way to truly engage with this city is to take a leisurely stroll through Las Ramblas, the city’s chic and vibrant central boulevard, lined with food markets, theatres and cocktail bars.