Spain (updated)


My top experience in Spain was watching the 12 August 2026 total solar eclipse - a breathtaking experience that's hard to put into the words. It's easy to forget that extraordinary things happen all the time in the world, and they can be experienced and seen with some effort. A total solar eclipse is one of them, and is also one of the most spectacular astronomical events. Seeing the total phase of the eclipse with your own eyes is absolutely fantastic; use special eclipse glasses for all phases of the eclipse, except totality (which lasted 88 seconds in Valldolid, and was over way too soon).

After months of preparation, tests and research, I was also able to get some good photographs of the eclipse and its various phases and features.

For this event I traveled from Madrid to the city of Valladolid by the cool high-speed AVE train, which reached speeds of up to 300 kmh.

Barcelona is one of Europe's nicest cities. Highlights include the spectacular Sagrada Familia and other Gaudi works scattered around the city, Parc Guell (also designed by Gaudi, a genius in the field of architecture), Barcelona's beaches and port area, Placa d'Espanya, the Montjuic Castle and the alien looking Communications Tower. Madrid seemed less glamorous but was nice as well. I enjoyed its large (but overcrowded) plazas such as Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, as well as the cool Gran Via boulevard.

Valencia is another beautiful city which I visited on an MSC Seashore cruise. The modern City of Arts and Sciences features spectacular architecture and some interesting museums. I visited the Science Museum which included an exhibition on space exploration and some of ESA's missions and projects. The beautiful Valencia Cathedral has the Holy Chalice on display, a relic believed by many to be the Holy Grail. I also did a brief tour of the Southern part of the scenic island of Ibiza during the same cruise.

Malaga has lively port area with lots of good dining options, a pretty lighthouse - La Farola de Malaga, and a nice beach - Playa de la Malagueta.

Additional info:
- country entry on Wikipedia
- country profile on Wikivoyage

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Spain

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