If you are looking online to book accommodation in Spain, you can’t go past http://www.hotelsespanol.com/Spain/.  They have all the best value Hotels in Barcelona and Hotels in Madrid.  Check out the AB Viladomat Hotel Barcelona from only EUR60 per night.

If you are travelling through Spain, consider flying between Barcelona and Madrid.  The flights are around an hour long, with very short check in times.  If you don’t have a lot of time to spare, you certainly save a lot of time by flying as the train trip takes anywhere from 5 to 9 hours.

Air Europa depart from terminal B at Barcelona airport and arrives in Madrid Barajas at the newly constructed terminal 4.  Check in at desks B44 to B58 in for the Barcelona-Madrid flight.  There are flights every day and the first one is at 7am and the last at 11.30pm.  There is no quicker or easier way to travel between these famous Spanish cities.  Ticket prices are between EUR94 - EUR320.  Services charges may apply.

These are great links for Hoteles en Barcelona and Hotels en Madrid.  Check out their special web only offers.

This wonderful world of science and nature was created by architects Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela and is the largest cultural-educational complex in Europe. Covering over a 3 km stretch of the drained and diverted river Turia and measuring approximately 350,000 sqm it comprises of five different buildings which are L’Oceanogràfic, L’Hemisfèric, El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, L’Umbracle and El Museu de les Ciències Principe Felipe.

L’Umbracle is the entry to the City of the Arts and Sciences and consists of an enormous green 320 metres in length and 60 metres in width. The gardens are surrounded by many palm and orange trees along with various shrubs, 5,500 ground plants and at least 450 climbing plants. Don’t forget to look for the fragrant plants of Rosemary and Lavender and also take in the views of the entire complex from this area.

L’Umbracle

Leaving L’Umbracle you come across a spectacular building consisting of a huge glass wall and hanging platforms, this is the Prince Felipe Science Museum. Here visitors are encouraged to take part, touch and experiment with present day and future technology. Within this building you will also find the L’Espai dels Xiquets, this is an area especially for young children aged between 4 and 7 where they can watch in a giant incubator funny little chicks hatching from their eggs, followed by a Cartoon Mascot on a giant screen.

Visit the Space Cadet School and travel with Professor Bombilla and his assistant Sparky through the solar system in an audio visual spectacle which lasts approximately 10 minutes. You can also see on the first floor of the museum a giant pendulum which hangs from the top of the building’s eaves, this demonstrates how the earth rotates around its own axis and is said to be one of the longest in the world!

Near to the museum is the building which is shaped in the form of a huge human eye, this is called L’Hemisfèric. Here you can enjoy 3D films, laser shows, multimedia shows and hundreds of animations.

Take a spectacular adventure to the Grand Canyon, one of the most remote and extraordinary places in the world. Experience the thrills of flying over it or the breathtaking sensation of sailing along its waters and discover the history surrounding it.

Visit ‘Forces of Nature’, a National Geographic film based on the greatest natural disasters on our planet. Feel the power of the earthquakes, volcanoes and tornadoes in the company of scientists.

At the other end of the City of Arts and Sciences is l’Oceanogràfic which is Europe’s largest marine centre. The aquarium is home to 45,000 examples of 500 species from around the world. Walk through the maze of glass and tunnels, taking in the spectacular marine life and surrounding yourself with sharks and rays or walk with the penguins.

Dolphin in L’Oceanografic

In the Temperate and Tropical building you can see the Marine Turtles and in the Izu Peninsula there is an exhibit which recreates the coastline in Japan. This area is where the giant spider crab can be found which grows up to an amazing 4 metres in length!

A must for all visitors is the Dolphinarium which is one of the largest in the world and contains approximately 23 million litres of water.

Seating up to 2,210 people you can watch the Bottlenose dophins which are common in the coastal regions and the building also has small whales - a must for the children during those long summer holidays.

The majestic building known as Palau de les Arts completes the City, said to be the largest Opera House after the Sydney Opera House. Inside the Main hall there is seating for 1,800, the Master Room or Chamber Musical Hall seats 400, the Amphitheatre above the Main hall seats 1,800 and the Chamber Theatre seats another 400.

You can visit the City by taking the A7 and the N340 or for further information call 902 100 031 or visit your local Tourist Information Office.

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There is more to Mallorca than its sun-drenched beaches! Capital of Mallorca and the Balearic Islands, Palma is situated to the south of the Bay of Palma. This charming Catalan city has a wide range of attractions to tempt the serious tourist but still continues to attract less visitors than the attractions of S’Arenal and Magaluf.

Everything in the Old Town can happily be covered on foot. There is no better way to appreciate the delights of a city than on foot with lots of peaceful squares and parks around to provide a break from all the sightseeing. Whatever resort you visit, a trip to Palma is generally laid on as a day excursion. You will appreciate a change of scenery from the beach and the chance to experience the Catalan charisma of Mallorca’s capital city.

Palma’s cosmopolitan cobbled streets are jammed with energetic Tapas bars, craft markets and tradesman’s workshops. Here you will find the true identity of Mallorca. Recently voted the best place to live in the whole of Spain, half the island’s population now live in Palma, contributing to the lively atmosphere of the Old Town. Palma is the entertainment hub of the island and the locals totally agree by enjoying it at every opportunity!

The heart of the city is pretty much centred the area within the shadows of the Cathedral. The city is a safe place to walk around so there’s no chance of getting lost and you can explore to your heart’s content. Don’t be surprised to find plenty of building restorations going on which can sometimes be a bit off putting as all the old buildings are given a long awaited facelift. The island’s capital city serves as a great place to play hide and seek, there are lots of narrow alleyways to wander along and a host of surprises to be found at the far end. Don’t be surprised to find a lively atmospheric square or maybe a further market at the end of each narrow passageway. If you like shopping, Palma will offer you one or two distractions from your tourist agenda. Shops selling local produce such as shoes, olive wood, pottery and wine always have an attraction with tourists.

An all year round tourist market is steadily increasing in Palma and, the local Tourist Board is trying to promote Palma as an equal to its European counterparts. Why restrict yourself to taking city breaks in icy cold Paris, London, Dublin or Amsterdam when you could be enjoying the winter warmth of Palma’s Mediterranean climate!

Palma was settled by the Romans some 2,000 years ago. Palmeria (as it was known) served its purpose as a useful gateway port to African destinations and continues to be a magnet for visitors today welcoming millions of vacationing visitors not only through its sea port but through its busy airport.

Make your way over to the port for some of Palma’s more popular attractions. Be ready to be impressed by attractions like the Royal Palace of Almudaina (the residency of the royals during the Middle Ages), the circular 14th century Castle of Bellver (once a prison and now a venue for concerts) and the Stock Exchange. However, the thirteenth century Gothic Cathedral is Palma’s ‘jewel in the crown’. Close to the harbour and dominating the landscape, this amazing example of architectural engineering was built on the land that held Palma’s main mosque. After a stirring look around the cathedral we suggest a relaxing break in the artistic Parc de la Mar which is on the waterfront. Palma stretches away from the cathedral via narrow atmospheric streets and cobbled alleyways.

The amazingly well preserved Arab Baths were built in the tenth century during the days of the Moorish occupation. Be careful for they are well concealed within the narrow streets that spread out from the cathedral.

Not too far from the hustle and bustle of city life, you can find the perfect beach holiday! Playa de Palma offers wonderful beaches, with lots to enjoy and keep you entertained all within a short distance from the cosmopolitan attractions of lively Palma.

Last but not least is a note of the dining opportunities upon the picturesque harbour side. Very popular in the evenings, the marina here is where it all happens. If searching for a lively ambiance, a few laughs and a wonderful fish supper, this is the perfect spot!

Seville is one of the prettiest towns in all of Spain, filled with plazas and history. One of the highlights of Seville, Alcazar, an ancient Islamic palace, is well worth the pricey entrance fee. To offset that expense, there are a number of free sights to see, including the other must, the Seville Cathedral with its free entrance on Sundays.

Seville Cathedral With Giralda Tower On Sunday

Normally the Seville Cathedral with Giralda Tower charges a high entrance fee. When I went, I paid the fee and did not begrudge the expense. One of the few cathedrals with the private rooms open to the public, and a tower that overlooks almost all of old Seville (the ramp in the tower, instead of stairs, allowed ancestors to ride a horse up instead of walking), it is one of the top Seville attractions.

However, if you plan your trip right, and are in Seville on a Sunday, the entrance fee is waived. Yes, its free.

Plaza de Espana

Any true Star Wars fan will recognize Plaza de Espana as George Lucas’ inspiration for the Palace of Naboo. Any other traveler will simply appreciate it as an example of beautiful architecture. Tile work covers every inch, including the multiple bridges. Along the base of the buildings, there’s a contribution from each province, illustrating in tile a significant historic event.

Entrance to the plaza is free.

Torre del Oro on Tuesdays

The Torre del Oro or Golden Tower was exactly that, a 13th century tower covered in golden tiles. Now it hosts a maritime museum. Normally there is an admission fee but on Tuesdays, this fee is waived.

El Alamillo Bridge

For those looking for more modern architecture, El Alamillo provides a perfect example. A huge bridge connecting the island of La Cartuja to the old town of Seville, El Alamillo is primarily a bridge for vehicles. However, down the center is a raised pedestrian walkway.

There are many pedestrian walkways in Seville, perfect for people watching and crowded with artists and street performers.

Real Fabrica de Tabacos

This former tobacco factory was built over 500 years ago and was made famous by Bizet’s opera Carmen. Once it had a moat and a jail. Now a university building, it is open and free for all travelers. Inside, frugal visitors can find cheap university budget food and beverages.

It is impossible to say that you’ve seen Spain without seeing Seville. A beautiful, walkable city, Seville is also a frugal traveler’s paradise.