Spain is always a wonderful idea. Country with rich heritage, vibrant culture, delicious cuisine and landscapes to die for. What to do first, was the question that was bothering me. Should i go for the historic streets of cities, relaxing on the beaches, indulging myself in the variety of tapas or go straight to Prado Museum in Madrid. Spain is like wonderland.
Planing my trip to Spain took me a lot of time. And also i had to plan my vacation days so i can have time to see everything i want to see. One might ask, why Spain. Once, at a friend house i got a chance to hear the travel adventures of her sister and how she is desperately in love with Spain. Listening to her amazement when talking about it, i felt, that i have to go to. Decisions decisions! Where to go first, Spain is big country, with many places of interest. Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Costa del Sol, Majorca, Cadiz, Marbella, Valencia, Malaga, where first to go? Oh, traveler pains.
Discovering the oldest city in Spain
Did you know that Cadiz is one of the oldest city in Spain. I decided to go as south as possible and then go up, until my last stop Barcelona, and from there flying back to Brussels. Reaching Cadiz took some time, because i had to fly from Brussels airport to Seville, and from there I took bus to the Seville train station where i caught train ride to Cadiz. What is important about this, is that you can’t rely on English as language of correspondence, because most of the Spaniards are not talking English, and you might get stuck if you don’t speak Spanish as I. You better plan your trip to detail before you get on road. So, here i am, leaving rainy Brussels in September and arriving in sunny Spain. What a bliss, to feel the sun rays on the skin. Once i got to Seville, everything went smooth, because of my meticulous plan. In no time i was in the train bound for Cadiz, and in less than 2 hours i was there. I rolled my luggage to the hotel i booked previously and it was close to the train station and as well just few steps away from the main square. This beautiful coastal city in southwestern Spain is located in the Andalusian region. If you want to experience the unique culture and lifestyle of southern Spain, Cadiz is the place to be.
Known for its delicious seafood, Cadiz offers a culinary experience not to be missed. The food is delightful reflection of the region’s culinary heritage, showcasing a mix of traditional Andalusian flavors with a strong emphasis on fresh seafood and local ingredients. One of them is pescaito frito, a platter of assorted deep-fried fish, typically including varieties like anchovies, squid and baby squid. Shrimp fritter is another tasty dish. Basically it’s a shrimp mixed into batter of chickpeas flour, onion, and parsley, and then fried to create crispy fritter. I literally ate this one in every tapas bar in the town. For dessert i always went for the magnificent churros, fried dough pastries dusted with sugar and served with thick chocolate for dipping. In Cadiz i ate a lot, that resulted in gaining some extra kilograms. But lucky me, i decided to go there in September, because the last week of the month is happening “The World tourism day” sponsored by the Cadiz City Council. This event normally covers full weekend, and different activities are proposed by the organizers. The one that was important for me, was the cycling route along the Paseo de Canalejas and the area out of the city walls. This really helped me to shed those kg from the super tasty food. If you are interested in this event, you can choose different activities, like the free hop on and hop off bus tour, free tours in the old town and also a tour into the government building.
One of the main spots for me in Cadiz was the cathedral which serves as reminder of the Golden age of the city. It is officially known as the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. It’s a stunning Baroque-style cathedral located in the historic center of Cadiz. The construction began in 1722 and was completed in the 19th century, making it one of the last great cathedrals to be built in Spain. It was built on the site of an older cathedral that was destroyed in earthquake in 1755. The yellow-domed bell towers are dominating the city skyline. The cathedral’s architecture is a blend of Baroque and Neoclassical styles, with ornate facades, grand arches, and intricate sculptures adorning its exterior. The interior is equally impressive, with the collection of religious artwork, including sculptures, paintings and altarpieces. Beneath the cathedral lies a series of crypts where one can find the remains of various bishops and prominent figures from Cadiz’s history. One of the most interesting part about visiting the cathedral is the opportunity to climb to the top of the bell towers for panoramic views of the city and the surrounding coastline. To this day, the cathedral remains an active place of worship, hosting regular religious services and events.
Domingo Benitez
This very talented Spanish artist is known for his contributions to the world of painting. Born and working in Cadiz, he developed his passion for art from a young age and honed his skills through formal training and independent exploration. He is creating diverse body of work that is showcasing his unique style and creative vision. Benitez’s art is reflecting his deep appreciation for the contemporary art forms. He is master in capturing the beauty of everyday life, nature and the human experience, infusing his works with emotion, symbolism, and personal expression. His understanding of color, form, and composition allowed him to create pieces that resonate with the viewers and elicited a sense of wonder and introspection. He also in his works incorporate the influence from another famous Spaniard from Barcelona, Pablo Picasso.
Leaving beautiful Cadiz and heading to Madrid
Cadiz, is place that you want to visit more than once, because once is not enough. When the vacation days are limited, you have to sacrifice and move to another place to see more. But i promised myself i will return to Cadiz again in the future.
Madrid is the vibrant and bustling capital of Spain, known for its rich history, cultural heritage, art museums, lively nightlife, and delicious cuisine. It is located in the heart of Spain, making it a hub for transportation and business. There are plenty of places to visit, yet Madrid was kind of important for me. As you know, i hold bachelor in Art History, and that means, that beside travel and keeping fit form and trying different cuisines, the museums and art galleries are my passion too. And this particular city has that one special museum called Prado, that holds works of art, that i am so interested to see.
Museo Nacional del Prado
Prado, my friends, is the cherry on the cake when it comes to museums in Spain. I know, i know, is not the only one, but for me is very special. Everyone knows about the super famous Mona Lisa painting in Louvre from Leonardo Da Vinci. Well, in Prado museum, there is one copy of that famous work, painted couple of years later, from one of the Leonardo’s students.
Further more, the Prado museum is offering captivating journey through the history of art, showcasing an unparalleled collection of European masterpieces. The museum holds a diverse range of artistic styles, from Renaissance to Baroque to Romanticism and beyond, providing insight into the evolution of art across different periods.
The other painting that i wanted to see live is the one of the Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch, “The garden of earthly delights”, painted 1490-1500.
The triptych is painting divided in three panels. The first or the left panel (Heaven) depicts the biblical story of the creating of Adam and Eve, and their initial innocence in the Garden of Eden. It shows Adam and Eve standing before God, surrounded by animals in lush landscape. The central panel (Earthly Delights), is the most iconic and mysterious part of the triptych. It portrays a surreal, fantastical scene filled with bizarre and grotesque imagery. The central panel features a multitude of figures engaged in various activities, often interpreted as representations of earthly pleasures, desires, and sins. The right panel (Hell), depicts a nightmarish vision of hell, with tormented souls suffering in grotesque and surreal landscapes. The artist filled the hell with horrifying creatures and scenes of punishment, reflecting the medieval Christian conception of damnation
This museum, holds big collection of works of Goya, as well Velasquez, and Rogier van der Weyden, Tintoreto, and El Greco. If you ever go to Madrid, make sure you visit the Museum Prado.
Food
When it comes to food, Spain for sure will mess up with your diet. It is very difficult to say no, to so many mouthwatering dishes. It’s very difficult to avoid the local favorite “Bocadillo de Calamares”. A must try street food available in the bars and food stalls around Plaza Mayor, it is a sandwich made with crispy fried squid rings. If you want to experience the bustling atmosphere of Madrid’s culinary scene you have to visit the vibrant food market near PLaza Mayor. And be aware, if you want to remain fit and not gain extra kg don’t overeat, of course if you can control your urges.
Planning the trip
As always i booked beforehand dormitory room in hostel in the very center of Madrid. As you know, i like hostels cause it is easier to meet new people and explore the city with them. What i see this days on the phones, like how to plan your trip, there are so many apps that literally help you every step of the way. For example you can use Google Trips, it’s an app to make your journey easier. Google trips is your tourist guide in your pocket.
I wish i had more time to dedicate to Spain, but unfortunately i had to head home, the job is calling. I chose to travel home from Barcelona airport, and of course to spend one day there before the flight. I didn’t book the hostel, and guess what, i was so lucky to find bed in the hostel called Sun and Moon. It is a small but cozy hostel near the most famous street La Rambla, close to everything i might need. And not to forget, very very quiet place. Arriving in Barcelona from Madrid took me around 7h with the midnight train, arriving early in the morning in Barcelona. I went to scout for hostels, and found the one mentioned above, i left the bag there and went to check Barcelona. It was not my first time there, so pretty much i knew what i wanted to see, where to go to eat and how to spend the day. Having in mind, that i ate a little bit to much, i took my yoga mat and went to Parc de la Ciutadella, perfect place for exercise. I spent the next two hours there, and after i went to Barceloneta beach for a stroll next to the sea. All in all, it was awesome day.
The next morning, i took the airport shuttle bus and went to the El Prat airport to catch my flight to Brussels.
Thank you Spain for everything. I really enjoyed your weather, food and people, and especially Prado Museum.