The trip to Spain was part of my Second International Trip with Thomas Cook to PS, which is Portugal and Spain. This is part 2 of the 2 part travel visit.
Visiting abroad is a dream for many Indians, be it for work, study or simply as a tourist. After completing my 10th standard, I felt it was a perfect time to visit abroad. But the question was, where do I go? Your first trip needs to be a memorable one, after all, the first impression is the last impression [doesn't mean that if I had a bad experience, I would never travel abroad].
In my previous blogs, I have talked about Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand. This time I wanted to travel Europe. For most people travelling Europe means visiting France, Germany, Switzerland. But I wanted to visit Barcelona, mainly Football Club Barcelona, which is why we chose Spain and Portugal as our next destination.
- Things to do before any international trip
- The most important thing is to plan everything well in advance, at least 3-4 months just to avoid last minutes confusion and problems.
- Plan your trip based on your budget. For this trip, we spent almost 5-6 lakhs.
- Keep your passport ready [the most important tool for travel abroad]. If you are planning to apply for a new passport or want to renew an existing one, I would suggest doing that 3 months prior to planning a trip.
- Most countries need a visa for Indian visitors. So make sure to be prepared for that, keep all documents in hand. You may need to visit the Visa office for some countries, but in the case of Singapore they provided E-visa for 30 days [in 2016], Thailand gives visa on arrival, and for Malaysia to you need to show documents [passport, proof of accommodation, return flight tickets, photograph].
- Don't forget to store all your images in Google photos or on your laptop/Pc. If you don't do this you will end up losing almost all of them [Like me]. Do clean your phone storage before you travel anywhere.
If it is your first trip abroad and you plan to visit with your family, I would suggest taking the help of a travel agency, why? they take care of everything:
Spots to visit, especially the places where you need to buy tickets
Hotels to stay
Flights to take
Food to eat [for vegetarians you need to be cautious, you never know the food you are eating can be made of fish oil.
There are many options for travel agents: Kesari travels, Thomas cook, Veena travels, SOTC and many more [from Mumbai], but choosing the best is absolutely necessary.
We chose Thomas Cook. They took care of everything except our lunch. Any other expense? If you buy some artifacts, souvenirs, or something that is not mentioned in their itinerary.
Spain, a southern European country with a rich culture and stunning landscapes.
More than 49 million people travel to Spain every year to see for themselves the landscapes, culture, astounding history, and marvellous cuisine. The second-largest country in continental Europe doesn't seem so big when you explore the richness of its natural diversity lurking just below the surface.
With its history, land and people, Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Its cultural heritage is also what makes it one of the most sought-after locations in Europe. The architecture, food and music are even more reasons why you should visit the wonders that are Spain."
The best places to visit in Spain are definitely brimming with regional charm, cultural vitality and natural wonder. There are four regions you should set out to explore, each offering its own assortment of fascinating sights.
Spain, or España as it's more often called, is the largest country in the Iberian Peninsula and as such has a wide range of geography, culture and cuisine. Read on to find out about some of Spain's best-kept secrets – from its most famous destinations to those you haven't heard of before – everything you need to know is here!
Important cities in Spain -
Some of the best tourist attractions in Spain are Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Zaragoza, Mérida and Vigo. There is something for everyone in these cities - culture, monuments, beaches with warm water, natural parks where you can go walking or climb the mountain during the day.
Tips on visiting Spain -
Spain is a top tourist destination for good reason. The climate is sunny and mild with less extreme fluctuations of summer and winter. It also features a rich history with a blend of cultures. There's a wide variety of food to try too with many dishes, wines, and cheeses from French, Italian, and Spanish traditions. One thing to keep in mind while exploring Spain is that the culture may seem conservative but the people are friendly and love to share their culture!
Alternatives in the country -
There are also some incredible places in Spain that qualify as the best places to visit, but which can provide a refreshing change of scenery from the mountains and villages. Head to the coast and you'll be surrounded by sandy beaches and coves, or inland and explore Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, Park Güell or Tibidabo Hill. Cultural cities such as Seville, Granada or Madrid aren't just worth a visit because they're perfect for holidays, but offer a great opportunity for cultural vultures too.
On the first day in Spain, we visited -
1. Flamenco Show - Flamenco, in its purest form, is an art form based on the various folkloric music traditions of southern Spain, developed within the Andalusia region's gitano subculture. Casa de la Memoria (Memory House). They have a nightly traditional flamenco show that combines guitar, singing, and dancing and is performed in a small and intimate setting.
THE FLAMENCO SHOW
After spending a day in Seville our next destination was Granada.
1. Ronda - Ronda is the birthplace of the modern Spanish bullfight and the home of the country's most powerful dynasty. It is famous for White washed Village
2. Puente Nuevo Bridge - The Puente Nuevo is the newest and largest of three bridges that span the 120-metre-deep chasm that carries the Guadalevn River and divides the southern Spanish city of Ronda.
3. Alhambra - The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex in the Spanish province of Andalusia. The Alhambra is the most significant surviving relic of Islamic rule in the Iberian Peninsula.
Ronda
Alhambra Granada
On the third day of our trip to Spain we had a chance to visit Toledo - The sword city
1. Cathedral of toledo - Toledo Cathedral, also known as the Primatial Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo, is a Roman Catholic church in Toledo, Spain. It is the administrative centre of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Toledo.
2. Sword Factory - Carlos III established the Royal Sword Factory in Toledo (Real Fábrica de Espadas de Toledo) in 1761 in an effort to preserve the techniques, methods, and quality of Toledo steel production. By 2021, Toledo will have only two artisan steel-producing workshops left.
Cathedral of Toledo
Toledo Sword Factory
On the 4th day of our trip, we visited the capital of Spain Madrid, The home of legendary football club Real Madrid.
1. Las Ventas Plaza De Torros - The plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, also known simply as Las Ventas, is Spain's largest bullfighting ring, located in the Guindalera quarter of Madrid's Salamanca district. I got a chance to watch a bull fight for the first time. We Indians cannot tolerate the fight for more than 20 mins.
2. Church of San Francisco El Grande - The Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great is a Roman Catholic church in the Palacio neighbourhood of central Madrid, Spain. The main façade faces San Francisco Plaza, at the intersection of Bailén, the Gran Via de San Francisco, and the Carrera de San Francisco.
3. Fountains of Paseo del Prado - The Paseo del Prado was Europe's first tree-lined urban promenade. It was conceived by King Philip II in the 16th century as a space where all citizens, regardless of social class, could enjoy nature within the city's boundaries.
4. Santiago Bernabeu - The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, is a football stadium. With a current seating capacity of 81,044, it has served as Real Madrid's home stadium since its completion in 1947. After Camp Nou and Westfalenstadion, it is the second-largest stadium in Spain and the third-largest home to a top-flight European club.
Las ventas plaza de torros
Church of San Francisco El Grande
Fountains of Paseo del Prado
Santiago Bernabau
Day 5th of Spain trip was a visit to a Scientific city called Valencia.
1. Plaza Reina - With a fountain and shaded benches, this lively square is surrounded by cafes, bars, shops, and historic buildings.
2. Central market - The Mercado Central, also known as Mercat Central, is a public market in Valencia, Spain, located across from the Llotja de la Seda and the Church of the Juanes. It is regarded as one of the most important works of Valencian Art Nouveau.
3. City of arts and sciences - Valencia, Spain's City of Arts and Sciences is a cultural and architectural complex. It is the most important modern tourist destination in Valencia and one of Spain's 12 Treasures.
Plaza Reina
Central Market
On the 6th and 7th day of our trip to Spain, we visited the famous city of Barcelona, home to the Football club Barcelona.
1. Olympic village - When the decision was made to build an entire neighbourhood for the 1992 Olympic Games, the Olympic Village was built in the Sant Mart district.
2. Montjuic - Barcelona's scenic hilltop neighbourhood boasts breathtaking views, lovely gardens, and world-class museums. Montjuc, named after the old Jewish cemetery that once stood on this site, rises more than 200 metres above sea level, its cliffs plunging into the stunning blue Mediterranean waters.
3. Placa de Catalunya - Plaça de Catalunya is a large square in central Barcelona that is widely regarded as both the city's heart and the location where the old city and the 19th-century-built Eixample meet.
4. Sagrada Familia - The Basilica of the Holy Family, also known as the Sagrada Famlia, is a large unfinished minor basilica in Barcelona's Eixample district, Catalonia, Spain. The building was designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaud and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Olympic Village
Montjuic
Placa de Catalunya
Sagrada Familia
5. Montserrat - Montserrat is a multi-peaked mountain range in Catalonia, Spain, near Barcelona. It is located within the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range. Sant Jeroni, Montgrós, and Miranda de les Agulles are the main peaks.
6. La Rambla - La Rambla is a street in the heart of Barcelona. It is a 1.2-kilometer-long tree-lined pedestrian street that connects the Plaça de Catalunya in its centre to the Christopher Columbus Monument in Port Vell. This area is filled with shops selling a variety of items. Here you will also find migrants from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
7. Camp Nou - Camp Nou is a Football stadium located in Barcelona, Spain. It was completed in 1957 and has served as FC Barcelona's home stadium ever since. With a seating capacity of 99,354, it is the largest stadium in Spain and Europe.
Montserrat
Spain is a wonderful country with many pleasant places. Some of the best have been listed in this article. In addition, I have tried to include a variety of not so well-known locations too.
Let me know if you are planning to visit Spain soon.
Already in Spain or if you previously visited Spain, let me know your favourite place.
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