Spain Travel Answers

Let's start with the obvious, Charlene. The big 3 museums in Madrid are must sees (even though I've only been to 2!). My favorite museum in Barcelona was the Picasso Museum, which is amazing. From Toledo, you should make a one day excursion to Toledo, home of El Greco and many of his most famous works. The town is magical too. And hey, artist have to eat. You'll eat well in Spain. My pages have more details . . . SirRichard is a great contact for specific info on Madrid. What type of hotel are you looking for (I'm a low-budget, hostel guy myself, so I might not be much help)?

Since you and your sister are both artist I'll focus on what I think will inspire the both of you to create. When in Madrid, the artists trifecta are: 1. Museo del Prado (been there 1999), 2. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (missed it during my trip last year - oh well next time), and 3 Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. You can also vist the murals surrounding Plaza Mayor. You can probably do the major atttractions of Madrid in 2-2.5 days and you can fill out a half day maybe by a VT meeting with the Madrilenos. You can spend 2 - "1 day trip" to Toledo and Segovia. Last year I did a day trip to Toledo via bus from Madrid during the weekday. Very easy and took a little over an hour to get there. Definitely see the Cathedral, Museo de Santa Cruz ( El Greco's "Assumption of the Virgin", some stuff of Goya), and Iglesia de Santo Tome ("El Greco's Burial of Count Orgaz"). I have not been to Segovia but would love to see the Aquaducts and El Alcazar. The last time I was in Barcelona was in the last 90's but it was a very short stay mainly focused on clubbing. But I did see the main sights such as the Barri Gotic neighborhood, La Sagrada Familia, and Las Rambles. A friend of mine raved about the Picasso Museum. I also did a day trip to Montserrat to see the monestary and view from this mountain. In Barcelona you can get several views of the city on Montjuic Hill and Tibidabo Mountain. You can also get inspiration from other Gaudi modernista architecture such as the "La Pedrera" building or Ciutedella Park.

as you surely know where you have to go in Madrid, I'm gonna suggest a few places in Barcelona. Apart from the Picasso Museum, and all the other artistic (and very turistic attractions, such as all the Gaudi buildings) there's also the Miro Foundation, on the Muntjuïc Hill. On the same hill there's the MNAC museum, mainly on middle age (romanesque, gothic) art. The modern art section of this museum is located (I think it's still there) inside the Parc de la Ciutadella. And if you want more...try the Dali Museum, it's 2-3 hours far from Barcelona by train (in the town of Figueres) have a nice (and surely artistic) trip.

Another great musseum that deserves a visit could be Guggenheim in bilbao.. Also not a musseum... but a must see ... the Alhambra in Granada... but both choice are not in your itinerary ... toledo should be a must as well ... The 3 musseums of Madrid: Reina Sofia (modern) Prado, or Thysem ... deserve a visit sure

Thanks to all, I am now reviewing my itinerary. Looks like Granada and Alhambra are going to be musts too. Thanks so much!!! Charlene