Madeira, Portugal

Geography: Try tracing a route from Lisbon southwest for approximately 1000 kilometers and you will come across the Madeira Archipelago, consisting of two inhabited islands (Madeira and Porto Santo) and two groups of uninhabited rock formations (‘Ilhas Desertas’ and ‘Ilhas Selvagens’). Madeira is part of  Portugal which is in southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain.

Currency: Euro

National Symbols: Armillary sphere (a spherical astrolabe modeling objects in the sky)

National Anthem: " A Portugesa" (The Song of the Portuguese)

Language: Portuguese

Area Comparison: Portugal is slightly smaller than Indiana.

Distance from Pittsburgh: 5579km or 3466 miles

Terrain: There are mountains north of the Tagus River and rolling plains in the south.

Highest Point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in the Azores 2,351 m

Weather You Should Expect: Madeira has lots of sun and a fair bit of sun. Most people who live there find that Madeira has just about the most perfect climate in the world. It is never too hot!

What You Must See: See attractions from Funchal’s stunning jacaranda-lined avenues to the daring cliffs of Cabo Girão. Embark on an interactive journey through Madeira’s past at the Story Centre or simply wander the streets of the capital to encounter charming historical areas and picturesque squares. Numerous churches and convents date back to the 15th century, from the tiny basalt cave of Capela de São Vicente to the ornate interiors of the Sé Cathedral. Madeira’s abundance of protected reserves are a true wonder for nature lovers. Myriad walking trails through rare Laurissilva forests reward hikers with breathtaking mountain views, while scuba divers can explore the crystal clear waters of Garajau Natural Reserve. Numerous parks and gardens boast fascinating subtropical plants and a spectacular carpet of color, culminating with the annual Flower Festival in springtime. You can spend your days exploring the coastline of majestic cliffs, pebbled beaches and natural rock pools that attest to the island’s volcanic origins, or take a ferry or flight to Porto Santo and enjoy miles of golden beaches. 

Places to Eat: Traditional street markets brimming with colorful pyramids of produce are a great way to experience local life.

Historical Fact: Following its heyday as a global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of its wealthiest colony of Brazil in 1822.

Everything You Need to Know About the Flag:

The flag is two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the national coat of arms (armillary sphere and Portuguese shield) centered on the dividing line. Explanations for the color meanings are ambiguous, but a popular interpretation has green symbolizing hope and red the blood of those defending the nation.

Seville, Spain

Geography: Sevilla lies on the banks of the Guadalquivir and is one of the largest historical centers in Spain. It is the largest town in Southern Spain, the city of Carmen, Don Juan and Figaro.

Currency:  Euro

National Symbols: Pillars of Hercules

National Anthem: " Himno Nacional Espanol" (National Anthem of Spain)

Language: Castilian Spanish

Area Comparison: Spain is slightly more than twice the size of Oregon.

Distance from Pittsburgh: 6224 km or 3867 miles

Terrain: The terrain is large and flat with a  plateau surrounded by rugged hills. The Pyrenees Mountains are in north.

Highest Point: Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m

Weather You Should Expect: The climate is temperate which is clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast but cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast.

What You Must See: Visit the old city, with the Cathedral (one of the largest in Christendom) and the Giralda tower. You can climb the steps inside the tower for a magnificent view of the City. There are also the royal Mudéjar palace known as the Alcazar with marvellous gardens and the Santa Cruz quarter, with cramped streets, flowered balconies, richly decorated facades, hidden patiosand. Part of its treasure include Casa de Pilatos, Torre del Oro, the Town Hall, Archive of the Indies (where the historical records of the American continent are kept), the Fine Arts Museum (the second largest picture gallery in Spain), plus convents, parish churches and palaces.

What to Eat: Eat tapas. The city is credited with their invention and has more than a thousand places where the choice of food, is virtually unlimited, from seafood to ham and sausage, from vegetable to cheese. The Sevillians actually make a meal of them, moving from place to place and trying one dish at a time.

Historical Fact: According to legend, Sevilla was founded by Hercules and its origins are linked with the Tartessian civilisation. It was called Hispalis under the Romans and Isbiliya with the Moors. Its high point in its history was following the discovery of America.

Science Fact:  If you have ever made the mistake of biting into one of the oranges from Seville´s tens of thousands of trees when visiting, you will understand why. They are not oranges designed for eating, they are bitter oranges used to make marmalade and it is considered the finest type.

Fun Fact: Visitors to Seville will notice a symbol on many signs around the city, from taxis and buses to sewer covers, consisting of the letters ´NO8DO´. This is the city´s logo, and legend says that it originates from the 13th-century coat of arms awarded to Sevilla by King Alfonso X the Wise. Between the ´NO and ´DO´ is an 8-shaped bundle of wool (madeja in Spanish). Add the three together, speaking in Seville´s fast, elliptical accent and you have ´no-madeja-do´, more correctly, ´no me ha dejado´ which means ´it (the city) has not abandoned me´. The motto was his reward to the people of Seville for their loyalty.

Interesting Fact: The Sevillians are great actors and put on an extraordinary performance at their annual Fería de Abril, a week-long party of drink, food and dance which takes place day and night in more than a thousand especially mounted tents.

Everything You Need to Know About the Flag:

The flag has three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band. The coat of arms is quartered to display the emblems of the traditional kingdoms of Spain (clockwise from upper left, Castile, Leon, Navarre, and Aragon) while Granada is represented by the stylized pomegranate at the bottom of the shield. The arms are framed by two columns representing the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar. The red scroll across the two columns bears the imperial motto of "Plus Ultra" (further beyond) referring to Spanish lands beyond Europe. The triband arrangement with the center stripe twice the width of the outer dates to the 18th century.  An interesting fact is that the red and yellow colors are related to those of the oldest Spanish kingdoms: Aragon, Castile, Leon, and Navarre.

Costa Bravia, Spain

Geography: This dreamy place is a coastal region in north-eastern Catalonia, Spain. Costa Brava is located in the Alt Empord and Baix Empord of the province of Girona. The Costa Brava is along the shoreline of the Catalan province of Girona, the other important geographical and spectacular feature of which is the Pyrenees Mountains.

Currency:  Euro

National Symbols: Pillars of Hercules

National Anthem: " Himno Nacional Espanol" (National Anthem of Spain)

Language: Castilian Spanish

Area Comparison: Spain is slightly more than twice the size of Oregon.

Distance from Pittsburgh: 6672 km or 4146 miles

Terrain: The terrain is large and flat with a  plateau surrounded by rugged hills. The Pyrenees Mountains are in north.

Highest Point: Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m

Weather You Should Expect: Costa Brava holidays are best in the summer when the weather is warm and sunny with slightly cooler evenings. Winter is mild and nevertheless enjoyable for there are plenty opportunities for walks and sightseeing

What You Must See: Swim at Calella as the sun comes up. Get a coffee and tortilla in les voltes – the vaults – a cloistered walkway, along the beach, which was originally a shelter for the fishermen but is now the perfect place to eat and drink, in cooling shade.  Take a stroll along the coast to Llafranc. Stop at the hotel Casamar to see the white sailing boats and pine-clad hills rise above the sandy sweep of one beaches. Have lunch at the locals' beach, Tamariu. Go to the  medieval town of Begur, dominated by a crumbling castle. Begur has winding, ancient streets, a busy Wednesday market, some very smart shops and a great tapas bar – Es Castell. Go to the cork museum in Palafrugell. The Museo del Suro was opened in 1991 and houses an archive with images of cork, a library, a collection of 1,500 objects made of cork and a shop that sells cork products. Or join the townsfolk in Plaça Nova, the main square, two minutes' walk from Casa Cox. If you like a seaside sunset, head for the terrace of the stately Sant Roc hotel, above Calella.

What do to after dinner: The shops are all open until late, so enjoy a browse through Palafrugell's streets. And if your visit coincides with the Costa Brava Jazz festival, in Palafrugell (see 'Why go now?'), you will have a choice of evening musical entertainment at various venues in the town.

How to Spend the next day: Exploring Salvador Dalí country. He lived in Pubol and the coastal town of Cadaqués, but the main attraction is the quirky, entertaining and eye-popping Dalí museum at his birthplace, Figueres. The distinctive building, topped by giant eggs, houses the famous Mae West Lips sofa and many eccentric and humorous artworks. Also in Figueres is the toy museum. Fascinating and bizarre, it houses quite insane old toys – a doctor's "surgery" where you can amputate limbs of dolls – and it is cool and quiet, after the crowds at the Dalí museum. Very close to Palafrugell, the Gala Dalí castle in Pubol, the later residence of Dalí and his wife, is now a museum that houses the paintings and drawings which Dalí gave to his wife. There's a collection of Gala's dresses, furniture and decorative pieces

Make sure to See: The wild coast offers modern resorts on the shoreline, traditional Spanish villages, colorful annual fiestas, a variety of architecture and a bounty of bars, cafés, museums and art galleries.

Places to Try: La Xicra  just off the main square in Palafrugell. For 20 years, owner Montse has created not just some of the best Catalan food in the area, but an eclectic and distinctive set of dining rooms, filled with paintings and quirky collectables. Or dine with the locals at Centre Fraternal. With its huge windows, opening on to the main square. If you want supper with a sea view, try Les Voltes on the beach at Calella. Fresh fish and the sea lapping inches from your toes.

Historical Fact: Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II but suffered through a devastating civil war. A peaceful transition to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, and rapid economic modernization gave Spain a dynamic and rapidly growing economy and made it a global champion of freedom and human rights.

Fun Fact: Bunyols, otherwise known as sweet fritters, are specially prepared for Easter. During this time of celebration, you’ll see them everywhere. They are ideal with sweet wine or muscatel. In Catalan, their name means formless mass, which is certainly the way they look.

Interesting Fact: Often translated as "wild coast," Costa Brava is paradise not only for the wild-spirited and wild at heart, but also for those who are simply looking for something a little out of the ordinary!

Everything You Need to Know About the Flag:

The flag has three horizontal bands of red (top), yellow (double width), and red with the national coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band. The coat of arms is quartered to display the emblems of the traditional kingdoms of Spain (clockwise from upper left, Castile, Leon, Navarre, and Aragon) while Granada is represented by the stylized pomegranate at the bottom of the shield. The arms are framed by two columns representing the Pillars of Hercules, which are the two promontories (Gibraltar and Ceuta) on either side of the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar. The red scroll across the two columns bears the imperial motto of "Plus Ultra" (further beyond) referring to Spanish lands beyond Europe. The triband arrangement with the center stripe twice the width of the outer dates to the 18th century.  An interesting fact is that the red and yellow colors are related to those of the oldest Spanish kingdoms: Aragon, Castile, Leon, and Navarre.

Day 100 - Barcelona

Barcelona - what a city for art and architecture Barcelona.  We arrived around noon and our private tour went as soon as we got in.  The weather was cool but we just bundled up in layers.  Like Singapore, our heads were turning every minute trying to take in the buildings and public art.  Here though the head turners were the older buildings and statues, like the one of Christopher Columbus which we were told has an small elevator in it to take you to the top.   I never knew how much I could love metal Juliette balconies, which were in every conceivable design and color imaginable, on buildings of every colour.  As with most of the places we have visited, each balcony has either an arrangement of flowers or the day's laundry.  Driers are not common in most of the world's cities.  

Sunday in Spain, the stores are closed, and people are out with their families enjoying the many public spaces.  Here too, everyone lives in apartments, which are small in size, so there is an appeal to being out of the apartment when everyone is home for the day.  The city's major streets seems to be organized in roundabouts.  Our guide, who would be with us for 2 days, took us up to the top of the city to begin, to Gaudi's Parc Guell, so that we could see the vista, and take advantage of the sunny weather. Antoni Gaudi is the most famous architect here.  We didn't see everything he designed in Barcelona, but we did see 3 major works:  his apartment building which is side by side with 2 other famous architects, and then up to the Parc Guell, then to the Sangrada Familia, the basilica that is still under construction and will not be completed till 2026.  Gaudi is not everyone's taste- as his designs are the opposite of clean and simple - imitating nature.   He imagined the Parc Guell as a community of about 60 homes, with a community area for music and meetings.   He lived there in a pink home not designed by him, for quite a few years, while the community was built.  It never took off, but today it is a public park which is very very crowded even in the off season.  

What I found most interesting, was the large piazza like structure, with columns and covered walkways underneath.  On one side are the Gaudi style columns that look like trees, which gradually turn into Greek Ionic columns as if showing the inspiration used by the Egyptians, Greek and Rome.   He also made use of broken pottery to do mosaics, both in the ceilings, and the benches.   

More of Gaudi's work around the city!

We descended down into the city to the basilica.  This is not a cathedral, but since blessed by a pope, it is now a basilica.  The original architect designed a typical Gothic cathedral, and Gaudi worked for 5 years as his assistant.  When the architect died, Gaudi took over and he started to alter the design dramatically.  It was not even possible for him to finish it in his lifetime, but he did leave very detailed drawings and plans which will have been worked on for 100 years when it is finished.  It is really like nothing else you have ever seen, as it is so organic in appearance.  There are many different facades, each depicting part of the life of Christ in a different style.  

We circled around the waterfront that had been remodelled for the Olympics which included a bronze fish by Frank Gehry, the Canadian architect.  Stunning piece. 

From here we went to another hilltop where sits the Art Museum, which  overlooks the Olympic Centre area and an amazing view of the city at the base of the mountains surrounding the city.  Our final destination was the Olympic stadium -so similar in size to the original one we had just seen in Katakolon, Greece.  

Other sights, statues and interesting sculptures around Barcelona!

Another day in Spain awaits us tomorrow, as we visit the inland city of Girona and the Costa Brava resort beach area.