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Discovering Spain

If Spain was music, it would surely be flamenco: rich, sultry, fluid, layered and impossibly romantic. Traditional flamenco music is surprisingly complex; its simple beauty betrayed by an intricate flourish of hand and finger dexterity that few can master.

Every thread of fabric that is woven into the flowing skirts of a flamenco dancer's dress is steeped in a long and proud history. With a sharp stamp of the feet, a twist of the hips and snap of the fingers, a new chapter is written. These are pages that you will want to read again and again.

Barcelona, with its ancient Roman ruins, modern 20th century architecture and office buildings, grand gothic cathedrals, colourful street markets and narrow cobblestone streets is every bit as complex, layered and romantic as flamenco music.

Afternoons can be spent exploring the riches that spill over from local museums and cathedrals, or wandering through the spectacular grounds of the 1992 Olympics or transfixed by the majesty of Gaudi's masterwork, the Sagrada Familia; spend your evenings sipping cool sangria at an open air cafe overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Madrid, Spain's capital since 1561, is almost perfectly placed in the very heart of the magical country. Very much a cosmopolitan centre, Madrid is rich in exclusive stores, elegant shops and chic boutiques; dining is second to none and ranges from opulent gourmet restaurants with award winning chefs to traditional and modest tapas bars serving up delicious local cuisine and homemade wines; sightseeing is compelling and includes museums from every period, vast public squares, imposing cathedrals, towering churches and magnificent galleries.

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Related Web Resources

• The Official Web Site for Tourism in Spain

• World Heritage Cities of Spain