Barcelona and Madrid...My Dream Vacations

Every one of us wants to provide the best we could for our families. We work very hard in order to achieve the goals we've set for ourselves and for those whom we love. To provide the basic needs for our family -- food on the table, clothing, shelter, a nice car and a lot more. We work almost day and night just to achieve these goals. However, working year round is very exhausting. Sometimes, we need time to unwind and just spend the whole day giving our body time to recharge the energy lost during the whole year.

I've been wanting to make that long vacation with my family, however, work has stolen my time from them. One of these days, I want to realize that plan. One of the places I want to visit is the very historical city of Barcelona. It is located at the Mediterranean sea in the very north of the Spanish coast. It is said to be the most cosmopolitan and economically active city in Spain. Whether you are a culturally inclined person or want to enjoy a few quality walks on the beach, Barcelona has it all. Enjoy windsurfing and kayaking at Barcelona's only naturist beach at Mar Bella or have a quality time with your family for a picnic or siesta under the trees.

Other equally attractive beaches are Nova Icaria, Bogatell and Barceloneta. Do you want to get a clear view of the city ? Then you are off to Tibidabo. It is the highest hill in the wooded range that forms the backdrop to Barcelona. But be sure to visit there when the air is clear to have a great view over the city. Majority of the visitors go there for some thrills at the amusement park, Parc d'Atraccions, which has rides and a house of horrors. Enjoy more remarkable experiences by visiting Torre de Collserola telecommunications tower and Temple del Sagrat Cor (Barcelona's answer to Paris' Sacré Coeur). Do you want more ? Then it's time for you to make that trip. Accomodation is not a problem as the hotels in Barcelona or "Hoteles en Barcelona" in Spanish, are very affordable and won't be too heavy on your pocket. The rates are very reasonable.

From my research online, I found out that a place equally noteworthy like Barcelona is Madrid. This city is the capital of Spain since 1562. Its' climate is characterized by warm dry summers and cool winters. This may be due to its central location and high altitude. Madrid is also a city of great monuments. However, the city is more than just a cultural destination. It is also a lively capital where you can find many pubs, discotheques, nightclubs and cafes. These establishments are open till the wee hours of the night. If you need to stay overnight and longer in the beautiful city, there are many hotels in Madrid where you can stay at very affordable prices.

The photos below will give you more than enough reasons to visit Madrid.

Palacio de Cristal, Retiro
photos courtesy of www.aboutmadrid.com

These two beautiful cities have a lot to offer just waiting to be explored by all of us. So, why don't you yourself make that trip now? I've spent almost half of my life trying to make that dream come true and I regret it. How about you ?