#who enjoy their summer evenings and Sunday picnics here with families and friends. Formerly known as All India War Memorial

[priyablog]

20 Best Places to Visit in India

 Deeply traditional yet endlessly surprising, India is one of those destinations that ends up on every traveler's bucket list at some point. They might dream of going to Agra to see the Taj Mahal in all its glory, or exploring the royal palaces scattered throughout Rajasthan. Others find themselves attracted to the jaw-dropping landscapes in Darjeeling and Rishikesh, or the postcard-perfect beaches in Goa.

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SPAIN TRAVEL INFORMATION

Madrid:   This cosmopolitan city is the capital of Spain as well as the home of the Spanish Royal Family. Characterized by intense cultural & artistic activity & a very lively nightlife, there's little time for a siesta. Madrid really does stay open 24 hours a day - restaurants do not even open until eight or nine o'clock and many nightclubs are open until the early morning hours. A pleasant refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city is the Retiro Park, filled with statues and fountains and the occasional exhibitions held in Crystal Palace. Another place to escape is the Prado Museum, one of the world's finest art museums with works by El Greco, Goya and Velázquez. Of course, your trip would not be complete without a visit to the Royal Palace, an enormous 18th century palace whose 2800 rooms include tapestries, a royal clock collection and five Stradivarius violins.

Hot Spots to Visit in Madrid

Prado Art Museum First opened to the public in 1819, the Prado Art Museum remains one of Europe's key art galleries. It houses all the finest works collected by Spanish royalty. There are over 3,000 paintings including the world's finest collections of Velázquez, Bosch and Goya.

Plaza Mayor This beautiful square offers the most important historical and architectural landmark in Madrid. Dating back to the 17th century, it was originally planned by Phillip II and Juan Herrera as the public meeting place for the new capital. Kings were crowned here, and demonstrations and festivals took place here. It is still widely used. In the summer months, it is an music stage and outdoor theatre; in the fall it hosts a book fair; and around Christmas, it takes on festive look with holiday decorations. Retiro Park This is the most popular of Madrid's parks and it covers 330 acres. It is situated behind the Prado Art Museum and offers a nice combination of wide open spaces and formal gardens. You can just sit on one of the many park benches or if you prefer, you can take a jog, row a boat, have a picnic or even have your fortune told. Traveling art exhibits are often on display in the Palacio de Velázquez and the Palace de Cristal, both located inside the park.

Royal Palace Once the principal royal residence until Alfonso XIII went into exile in 1931, the Royal Palace is used by the present royal family only on state occasions. It has more rooms than any other palace in Europe and its library has one of the biggest collections of maps, books, manuscripts and musical scores in the world. Its opulence is exhibited throughout from its myriad of Spanish and Flemish tapestries, bejeweled clocks and pompous portraits of the monarchs. The Autumn Festival  Held in October and November, the Festival de Otoño is the best music festival in Spain, with a lineup that attracts the cream of the European and South American musical communities. The usual roster of chamber music, symphonic pieces, and orchestral works is supplemented by a program of zarzuela (musical comedy), as well as Arabic and Sephardic pieces that were composed during the Middle Ages.

Barcelona:   If you only visit one city in Spain, it probably should be Barcelona. It's sophisticated, elegant & romantic, but has the energy and excitement of a port city. The architecture is unique & inspiring.   It has world class museums include the Picasso Museum & the Fundacio Joan Miro. There is a fascinating old quarter, the Barri Gotic and a night scene that rivals any in the country.  There are hundreds of cafes, bars, shops and sights. The greatest concentration of bars and restaurants is within walking distance of La Rambla. There is a Gothic cathedral where each Sunday at noon crowds gather for the performance of the sardana, a traditional Catalan dance.

Hot Spots to Visit in Barcelona

Gothic Quarter

Known as the Barri Gótic, this is the old town district which is host to a wealth of Gothic monuments. This area was formerly an ancient fortified Roman village. It is the site of both historic monuments and modern institutions. Here you can see the Plaça Nova with its twin semicircular towers of the well-preserved Roman walls, the aqueduct which transported water from the Collserola hills, the Cathedral which dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries, three medieval palaces: Cases dels Canonges, Casa del Degà and Casa de l'Ardiaca, the Royal Palace and more.

La Sagrada Familia

This amazing church, the Church of the Holy Family, is Gaudís masterpiece and one of the most recognizable landmarks of Barcelona. Unfortunately Gaudí died before it could be completed. Today work continues on the structure, but without any true idea of what Gaudí intended. Some speculate that the church will be completed by the middle of the 21st century.

Las Ramblas This fantastic boulevard runs between Plaça de Catalunya and the port. Here you will find people of all ages and social classes enjoying the small stands that sell flowers, vegetables, books and newspapers as well as the street-theatres, cafes and terraces. Marvel at the street performers such as jugglers, singers, dancers, sidewalk artists and living statues. It's one place you won't want to miss. Montjuïc This mountain park, situated in the south of the city, is filled with fountains, gardens, outdoor restaurants and museums. Also in the park are the Joan Miró Foundation and the re-created Spanish village, the Poble Espanyol. In addition, you can enjoy many wonderful views of the Barcelona skyline from numerous vantage points in the park.

Parque Güell This was started by Gaudí as a real-estate venture for a friend, the wealthy, well-known Catalan industrialist Count Eusebi Güell. However, the project was never completed. Only two houses were constructed. In 1926 the city took over the property and turned it into a public park. Throughout the park you will see the surreal architecture for which Gaudí is famous.

Picasso Museum Picasso enthusiasts will not want to miss this. Two old palaces were converted into a museum to house a collection of works by Pablo Picasso. He donated 2,500 of his paintings, engravings and drawings to the museum in 1970.

Seville:   Welcome to Seville, the capital of Andalusia, a region famous for its bullfighters, Flamenco dancers and singers. Seville's beauty inspired Mozart, Rossini and Bizet to compose operas such as "El Barbero de Sevilla" and Carmen. Famous for its old monuments and intense nightlife, Seville will inspire you on many levels. Those who appreciate architecture should stop to see the 15th century Cathedral of Seville, the largest gothic Cathedral in the world. Another heavenly inspiration is the Giralda Tower, consisting of 5 naves and 25 chapels offering great views. While you're there, take time to soak up the scenery of the small plazas and winding narrow streets where you're sure to find tapas and a flamenco festival.

Hot Spots to Visit in Seville

The Alcázar Castle (Seville): The oldest royal residence in Europe still in use was built by Peter the Cruel (1350-69) in 1364, 78 years after the Moors left Seville. Ferdinand and Isabella once lived here. One of the purest examples of the Mudéjar, or Moorish, style, its decoration is based on that of the Alhambra in Granada. A multitude of Christian and Islamic motifs are combined architecturally in this labyrinth of gardens, halls, and courts, none more notable than the Patio de las Doncellas (Court of the Maidens). Catedral de Sevilla: The Christians are not the only occupants of Seville who considered this site holy; an enormous mosque stood here before the Reconquista. To quote the Christians who built the cathedral, they planned one "so immense that everyone, on beholding it, will take us for madmen." They succeeded. After St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's in London, the cathedral of this Andalusian capital is the largest in Europe. Among its most important features are the tomb of Columbus, the Patio de los Naranjos (Courtyard of the Orange Trees), the Giralda Tower, and the Capilla Real (Royal Chapel). Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes de Sevilla (Seville): The Prado doesn't own all the great Spanish art in the country. Located in the early 17th-century convent of La Merced, this Andalusian museum is famous for its works by such Spanish masters as Valdés Leal, Zurbarán, and Murillo. Spain's golden age is best exemplified by Murillo's monumental Immaculate Conception and Zurbaran's Apotheosis of St. Thomas Aquinas.