Hola! Today’s post is written especially for Ana from Naturanafotos.

Ana has a wonderful blog dedicated to nature photography and challenged me to visit Spain as part of my Blogging from A-Z challenge. Or maybe it was an invitation to revisit Spain. That would be nice!

We never realised quite how our family had such a love of Spain until last December. We had the pleasure of hosting an American Tennis player and her Spanish coach in Melbourne for the Australian Open 2019.

Amongst our family, and especially with the kids on their “Seeing Europe” adventures, we have had numerous holidays in Spain. Although thank goodness no-one’s been off to do the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. Yet.

It was fun to share and relive our Spanish wanderings with our Spanish visitor, whilst being introduced to the best of Spanish Flamenco music.

Or cue the Fandango:

‘Thunderbolt and lightning very very frightening, me Galileo’ … 

Oops sorry to get carried away with the Fandango!

Oh yes, I reckon I trip back to Spain should be on the cards, in the next few years, don’t you? They always seem such a welcoming nation.

What do you think of as quintessential Spain?

For me, what stands out is Spanish creativity. There is a point of difference which is interesting. Whether it is Gaudi’s architecture, a Picasso painting or a tapas menu. When I think of Spain I also think of beaches, La Barca football, long siestas and dinners starting at 9 pm!

Spain is the fourth largest country in Europe, includes 17 autonomous regions. I like the way Spain has its own unique identity within Europe and yet has so many regional differences within the country.

Politically the Catalan Independence movement is the cause of some strain within the country and the upcoming European and General Elections will be interesting to see how these impact political stability…

Talking of which, Great Britain is no better,  we were in last Madrid as the UK Brexit referendum result was announced. We decided it was time for a nice cup of time and to…

Madrid Royal Palace

The Cities:

Each Spanish city has its own charm.

BARCELONA

When I think of Catalonia’s capital, Barcelona, I think of wandering through the streets searching for the unmissable Gaudi architecture, Antoni Gaudí was a Spanish architect known for his unusual Catalan Modernism style. He broke all the rules and was highly criticised for his radical designs, I like the Guy.

1. La Sagrada Familia

Shall we start at the most famous Gaudi masterpiece, the church of the Sagrada Família?

When we are there it is covered in scaffolding that is because this church has been in construction since 1892, and it’s not expected to be finished until 2026. That’s some work in progress!

As chief architect, Gaudí transformed the project from a typical cathedral to the masterpiece we can see today. He had a unique geometric style combining Gothic with curvilinear Art Nouveau forms.

When Gaudí died in 1926, the Cathedral was less than a quarter complete.  He is buried in Sagrada Familia’s crypt.

2. Casa Milá (La Pedrera)

A Gaudi wow for sure.

This UNESCO World Heritage building is one of Barcelona’s most popular modernist buildings.  Apparently, they call it   “the stone quarry” due to its unusual rough-hewn appearance, I loved the balconies,

3. Casa Batlló

If we thought the Casa Mila was a wow, it was a double balcony wow when we came across the Casa Batilo. Originally built in 1877 it was given a total restoration in 1904.

I just think this is an amazing Art Nouveau building. The locals call it Casa dels Ossos, or House of Bones, due to is visceral skeletal organic design.

Which is your favourite Gaudi building? I just picked a few here.

4. CAMP NOU

I loved our tour of Camp Nou and would recommend it to anyone whether you are into soccer or not. It will give you a real insight into why FC Barcelona is one of the worlds most famous football clubs.

For us, the experience was heightened sitting in packed Camp Nou stadium watching FC Barcelona. Lionel Messi scored a hat trick and we perfected our flag waving with the best of them.

Of course, you wouldn’t expect anything less from your Crazy Soccer Mum, would you?

MADRID

If we loved Barcelona, we really LOVED Madrid and it’s vibrancy! Here I think of the Royal Palace and the wonderful Only You Madrid Boutique Hotel and Brexit! Being in Madrid as Britain had just voted to leave Europe was a bittersweet moment.  We were all in shock that the Europe that we had the freedom to enjoy as a European, was about to profoundly change … or was it is? Hmmm Let’s not go there on Brexit.

Madrid serves as the political, economic and cultural centre of Spain. Art enthusiasts will want to visit the Prado Museum, which features one of the world’s finest collections of European art.

We loved Madrid, three generations of our family here to meet my son just about to start a seven-week European adventure with his mates. 

You can read all about our time in Madrid and

• Sunflower Boy here
• When one door shuts

WE LOVE THE HOTELS

I never go far on my holidays without searching out a memorable stay and two hotels stand out for me in Spain Only You Boutique Hotel Madrid and Seville’s Parador de Carmona. 

The fact that I’m still raving about Only You years later says a lot. I loved the styling and quirky design features. And no, all those bottles of Veuve were nothing to do with yours truly.

Only You Boutique Hotel in Madrid

I mean look at this at every turn there was something interesting whether it was a rhino in the wall or a giraffe bathrobe. This modern trendy look has been copied the world over now, but at the time I found it really innovative. They market this hotel as

‘A real Luxury Experience, Unique Style

with a sophisticated spirit and a non-conformist touch’

and I would agree. I absolutely would put this hotel in my top twenty hotels in the World.

The hotel looked after us really well, breakfast was fantastic and was in a great location for a wander or to catch the Hop on, Hop Off bus which we enjoyed.

Where is your favourite place in Spain?

Is it a beach or a city? Or perhaps it’s Valencia or Seville?Do tell!

It’s a beautiful world out there, let’s go wandering…

Thank you for joining me today part of the Blogging from A-Z challenge Wren’s Worldwide Wanderings:

Q is for Quintessentially Spain

If you get a chance to pop over to the other participants of the A – Z challenge, I’m sure they’d appreciate it.  Also, do visit, if you can Ana at Naturanafotos & tell her a little bird sent you!

Happy Travels.