Cultural destinations that you will love: Barcelona, Cadaqués and Granada
These are three cultural destinations to find inspiration and dream. In Barcelona, with modernism and the architecture of Gaudí. In Cadaqués, with the surrealism of Salvador Dalí. In Granada, with the beauty of the Alhambra palace. You are bound to love them for all of these reasons... and for everything else you can find.
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Barcelona and modernism
Barcelona is a captivating city for many reasons, and its modernist architecture is at the top of the list. The fantasy, beauty and colour of hundreds of its buildings are simply incredible. Some places are true gems and have been declared World Heritage such as the Palau de la Música auditorium, the modernist complex of Sant Pau and several works by Antoni Gaudí, including the Park Güell, the Casa Milà “La Pedrera” and the Casa Vicens. The greatest concentration of modernism is found in the Eixample, in the so-called "Golden Square" (between Calle de Aribau, Avenida Diagonal, Paseo de Sant Joan and Plaza de Catalunya). In fact, in a single block of the famous Passeig de Gràcia, you can see three examples made by the three great leading architects of Catalan modernism: the Casa Batlló, the Casa Amatller and the Casa Lleó Morera.Gaudí is, without a doubt, one of the main figures of this fabulous artistic movement. To learn more about his life and work, we recommend that you visit the Gaudí House-Museum, at Park Güell. Nearby, you can also discover his creative universe in a different way, with 4D technology and augmented reality, in Gaudí Experiència. And after modernism, remember that you still have a lot of Barcelona to enjoy: the gothic quarter, its museums and art centres, its cultural programme, its viewpoints…
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Cadaqués, Dalí's inspiration
Salvador Dalí himself said: "my mystical paradise finds its fullness in the bay of Cadaqués". The painter fell in love with the landscape and the light of this town in the Costa Brava, of which he came to say that it was "the most beautiful town in the world". The house that Dalí built in Portlligat became his usual place of residence and work from 1930 to 1982. Now converted into a museum house, it can be visited subject to pre-booking by phone, email or on its website. Dalí was not the only one who found inspiration here: it also happened to Picasso, Lorca and Marcel Duchamp, among others. Scattered around the town you can see sculptures by different artists who pay homage to the municipality, one of them made by Dalí himself. The attraction still lingers today. Proof of this are the numerous art galleries in Cadaqués, which exhibit the work of the authors living there. Walking through some streets of the old town, such as Calle del Call, it is possible to step on therastell, the old pavement made by hand with stones taken from the seashore. The church of Santa María sits on its highest section, from where you can also enjoy a beautiful view of the town and the bay. In front of the promenade, you can find most of the modernist buildings of Cadaqués, which also feature elements inspired by Cuban architecture. Another iconic point is the Cap de Creus lighthouse, which has been in operation since 1853 and where you can get information about the Cap de Creus Nature Reserve.
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Granada and its dream palace
People say that when you visit the Alhambra in Granada and the Generalife gardens, you find it impossible to forget the feelings they arouse. It must be true, because the beauty of its memory is evoked in countless literary, pictorial and musical works. Also, its relationship with music goes beyond being a source of inspiration for the compositions created or performed by great figures such as Manuel de Falla, Enrique Morente and Paco de Lucía. Every year, the palaces and gardens of this monument ensemble are a stage for the music and dance shows of the Granada International Festival organised in June and July. A luxury for the senses! Within the Alhambra enclosure, you can also enjoy art at the two museums in the Palace of Carlos V: on the ground floor, you will find the Alhambra Museum, and on the upper floor, the Museum of Fine Arts of Granada. Afterwards, there are many other places to discover such as the cathedral, the Realejo, the Sacromonte, and the House-Museum of Federico García Lorca. And, naturally, your visit to Granada cannot be end without first visiting the Albaicín neighborhood, awarded the World Heritage designation by the UNESCO, and going to its famous San Nicolás viewpoint (or any of the viewpoints in the city) to admire the Alhambra at sunset.
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