"The Andalucian Countryside Andalucia, Spain, is located in the southern Iberian peninsula. The vast area consists of eight provinces. Among them are Cadiz, Cordoba, Granada, and Seville. I sampled the hams, paellas, wines, and olive oils and enjoyed the tastes and smells of the Andalucian menus. The region is rich in culture and history. The flamenco and bullfights are favorite attractions here. Much of the Moorish-influenced architecture dates to the days of Muslim rule. Muslims ruled Andalucia from 711 when Tariq, an Islamic Berber, conquered the area and called it Al-Andalus. He established it as the Islamic Empire. Al-Andalus was a huge cultural center of vast beauty. In 1492, the fall of Granada put an end to Muslim rule when King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella expelled the Muslims from Spain. Andalucia was born and it has been Spanish ever since. Driving through the countryside, I saw beauty around every curve in the road like the rows of olive and oak trees, and fields of grain. I laughed when I saw the huge Osborne Sherry Company's black bull on the hilltops. These large boards were erected all over Spain to advertise their Brandy de Jerez. I found them charming and so very Spanish. I saw this region of Spain as vast and very beautiful with its mountains, dry plains, and lush forest areas. So many different types of landscapes within the region. I recommend a good guidebook and an up-to-date Michelin map. When renting a car, do so in the States when you book your trip. Happy traveling!"

"On the Moon, in Navarre Imagine 100,000 acres of dry, clay desert landscape. Whoever said that Europe doesn’t have the great outdoors has never been to Las Bárdenas Reales Desert. Likened to Nevada or a Utah landscape, wind and water is acting architect, forming miraculous sculpted shapes, canyons, plateaus, tabular structures, and seamounts. You can drive, but exploring by foot, bicycle, or horseback is great for an afternoon ending just before sunset when the colors are magnificent. Meet a guide there and he’ll tell you the legends of the land, like the highwayman Sanchicorrota, who would fool his trackers by putting his horseshoes on backwards. Maybe Sanchicorrota also misled visitors: this land is happily still untouristed. Sponsored by The Tourist Office of Spain"

"Silence and Solitude in Galicia Just far enough away from the city center that there is usually no one around. A tranquil river, bridge and small sand “beach” are yours to explore. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the walk back to town just in time for sunset tapas. Photo by jacinta lluch valero/Flickr ."

"After mysterious lights led a 9th-century hermit to St. James’s remains, King Alfonso II ordered that a chapel be built on the site. Since the Middle Ages, the magnificent cathedral has been the destination of pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago. Stand outside to watch the peregrinos , exhausted at the end of their 800-kilometer hike, step briefly on a scallop shell embedded in the pavement, then enter the cathedral to visit the saint’s tomb and touch the foot of a statue of him."

"A Spanish Lunch with a View While on a road-trip through Andalusia, we spent a day exploring the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. The twisting mountain roads took our breath away at regular intervals. The region is famous for its Peublos Blancos (or white villages). One was so pretty, we decided to stop and take a look. We climbed up, up, up the narrow streets of Zahara de la Sierra, only to discover there was no place to park. On the way back down, we stopped at a small guest house restaurant to grab some lunch. Al Lago's shady terrace overlooks, as the name suggests, the lake, which supplies the local villages with fresh water. We dined on delicious local treats while sipping sangria in the sun. With a view like this, we could have stayed all day."

"A Drink with Two Meanings In Costa Brava, Spain , you may hear someone say, "ir a hacer el vermut," which can have dual meanings. Literally it means, let's go drink vermouth, but in Spain the term vermut is also a more general term for let's have an aperitif (a drink to stimulate the appetite). This slightly sweet aperitif is seldom served alone in most of the world and normally only has a supporting role in drinks. However, drinking vermut on its own is a tradition in and around Costa Brava based on old Catalan traditions. It is frequently served with some tapas of olives and chips. I suggest you try this traditional drink the way it was meant to be enjoyed - over ice, with friends, before dinner, enjoying a great view! Stop in at El Far Restaurant on the hill above the town of LlaFranc in Costa Brava. Take in the stunning views, the oldest operating lighthouse in Costa Brava, and some vermut with tapas while the sun goes down. You'll look just like the locals."

"The Most Spectacular Sunset of Your Life Lanzarote – a Spanish delight, a volcanic wonderland, a hidden gem. The most easterly of the seven islands in the Spanish archipelago known as Canary Islands, is a relatively undiscovered island. Many who visit this beautiful place spend their days lying on the beach and relaxing by the pools of their seaside resorts. They don’t realise what they are missing. One of the many experiences that Lanzarote has to offer is a spectacular sunset. It’s a sight to behold, to cherish for years to come. Since Lanzarote is a tiny island, the sunset can be seen from many locations, but nothing comes close to watching the sun go down from Mirador Del Rio – a vantage point up on a hill in the northern part of the island. It is a sensory experience. On one side you have fields of bluebells, and on the other, a breath-taking view of the tiny island called La Graciosa, and the sun changing its colours across the ocean. On your way to Mirador Del Rio, take a pit stop in a village called Haria. Savour a Bocadillo (just like a Baguette) and a Barraquito (a liqueur-based coffee very popular amongst the locals). The meal will put you in a good mood, ready to experience the best sunset of your life. There is a visitor centre at Mirador. However, you don’t need to go inside the centre to enjoy the views – just park your car outside and walk in the opposite direction. Pack a picnic, find yourself a nice spot, and enjoy the view."

"Dance until the Sun Comes Up Couples who love to dance are in luck in Barcelona . From tiny bars in the city center to larger dance clubs on the outskirts, lovebirds can always find a venue with the atmosphere and music they’re looking for. Salsa aficionados can show off their moves at Latin music clubs. Indie, heavy metal, and rock fans will find plenty of bars in Barcelona’s Marina neighborhood. Dancers who prefer soul, hip-hop, or jazz should visit Jamboree, in Plaça Reial, or Marula Café (c/Escudellers 49). In the summer, dance to house music under the stars at La Terrazza in Montjuïc’s Poble Espanyol, or on the beach at Mac Arena Mar Beach Club."

"An Architectural Mix Along the Grand Via in downtown Madrid , you look up at the buildings, and one will make you feel like you're in Paris , then another like you're in New York. The architects were given a lot of freedom when it came to designing the buildings along the way, and they have truly outdone themselves."