Viva España

Spain has got to be one of my favorite countries in the entire world. This vibrant and energetic city is composed of grand architecture, scrumptious food, and beautiful people. Last May, I was very fortunate enough to visit this wonderful country, and here are some of the highlights of my trip.

Sagrada Familia

How can one not fall in love with this magnificent creation? Designed by Gaudi, this has been an ongoing project since the late 1800's. The Church boasts multiple spires and beautiful facades, the most famous one being the nativity scene. Even though the outside of this building is quite grand, the interior does not disappoint as every inch is full of intricate details. Gaudi himself said that this project of his is dedicated to show the immense beauty of God's creation- something which I truly believe he succeeded in executing

Park Guell

Another noteworthy creation of Gaudi, this park was originally made to be housing area. Fortunately, this original plan did not push through, thus, paved way for the creation of a whimsical land dedicated to Gaudi's mentor: Eusebi Guell. The park, which took its inspiration from Hansel and Gretel, is literally a fairy tale. From giant glass lizards to hypnotic halls, this is one place where we can all live out our childhood fantasies.

Restaurant Sobrino de Botin

From all the tourist spots, why in the world did I put a restaurant? Well, not only does it serve the most delicious Spanish cuisine, it is actually the world's oldest restaurant! Established in 1725, the specialty of the house is the cochinillo asado, or roast suckling pig. This restaurant also has quite an interesting history, including having the very famous Francisco de Goya working as a waiter and being part of Enest Hemingway's novel, The Sun Also Rises

Montserrat

A few hours drive from Barcelona, Montserrat is a quaint and beautiful place. This place has a breathtaking rock formation that is a must-see. However, the highlight of this place is the old monastery. A popular place for pilgrims, hundreds flock to this place to see the famous black Madonna

Toledo

Toledo seems to be frozen in time. Classified as a UNESCO heritage site, Toleda still has a very medieval look (and feel to it). The highlight of course is the grand cathedral, which is not only architecturally beautiful, but holds the works of many masters such as Raphael, Rubens, and Goya. Most notably, it also holds one of El Greco's major works: The Disrobing of Christ.

So there you have it, a few spots in Spain that will truly leave you in awe. Though this list does not fully contain the total beauty of the country, hopefully it encourages you to go on an adventure and explore the magnificent Spain.