During our trip to the Iberian Peninsula, we drove 3000 km (1854 mi) and stayed in 7 cities. This doesn’t even include the distance to Morocco and back. I can’t even describe how amazing it was. Below are some pics from a few of the places we stayed in Spain. España is definitely a country to visit in your lifetime. Incredible food, amazing architecture, and beautiful people. The countryside alone is worth seeing. During certain times of the year you can go skiing in the Sierra Nevada mountains and then drive an hour south to the beaches on the Alboran Sea. It is definitely a place I could see myself living one day.

Cured meats seem to be a staple in the Spanish diet. I have always considered myself a meat lover. I didn’t think it would ever be possible for me to overdo it. Spain put me in my place.

I especially loved all the outdoor eating. Every restaurant seemed to spill into the streets. I wish I saw this more in the States.

The churches are amazing! There are so many of them, and just when you think you have found the biggest and most magnificent, there is another one right around the corner.

This is the ceiling at Catedral de Salamanca. This was one of our pitstops on the way to Lisbon. The detail is unbelievable. Pictures don’t do it justice. You have to witness it with your own eyes.

This is the outside of the Catedral de Salamanca. Almost every city in Spain is built up around a cathedral similar to this one. However, this is definitely one of the larger ones.

This is overlooking the gardens of the Alcazar Palace in Seville. This place was so big it seemed almost impossible to get a picture to really show it off.

A couple enjoys some tapas at a small bar.

This is the Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla. This bullring was built in 1749. One of the advantages to visiting Spain in the late fall is the lack of tourists, but it sadly meant that we also missed bull-fighting season and didn’t get to see a match. But we did take the tour!

This bizarre building/structure is the Metropol Parasol. It was designed by J. Mayer H. Architects and built in April 2011. It is meant to draw in tourists and to become the new contemporary urban center.

This is the view from the top of the Metropol Parasol at sunset.

A couple enjoys a boat ride around the Plaza de España.

After we left Morocco we headed to Granada, Spain. Along with Seville, this was my favorite city in Spain. I love how the city was nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. There is skiing 45 min up the mountain and a beach an hour or so south. Oh, and did I mention the free tapas with every drink you order! I think I will live here.

Oh, you know, just a couple of badass spanish guitar players sitting on top of a wall overlooking Granada and the Alhambra.

The Alhambra at sunset.

Next stop was Valencia. I could have done without going to this city, but I didn’t know this until after the fact. It just didn’t have that same charm as Seville and Granada. However, it did have some really cool architecture.

These futuristic buildings sit on the southern tip of the Cabecera Park in Valencia. This one is the Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe, which is the science center for tourists and children. It reminded me of Scitrek in Atlanta, old and run down. I think that because Spain is in an economic downturn, this park and the buildings are being neglected.

This is L’Hemisfèric, and in the background is the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, which is an opera house and cultural center. It was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, with design beginning in 1995. It was finished and opened in 2005.

Our trip to the Iberian Peninsula was, to say the least, incredible. The region has it all! I can’t wait to go back and travel the northern side of Spain and possibly even pop in to France. Thanks for checking out my work and journey!