Second only to Versailles in size and splendor, the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) in Madrid is an architectural marvel and a treasure trove. Nearly three thousand rooms, with 240 balconies and over forty staircases, this magnificent work is one of Madrid’s major tourist attractions. Even though less than 10% of the room is open to […]

While perhaps not as well known for it as London or New York, Madrid has dozens of excellent places to shop. Whether you’re looking for a valuable antique or just a simple gift for someone back home, Madrid has much to offer. You may be looking for exclusive shops – of which there are many, […]

The name may be a challenge for English speakers, but Madrid’s newest art museum is very easy to love for individuals of any nationality. Drawn from the possessions collected over generations of a wealthy family, the contents form one of the greatest gatherings of paintings in the world. The museum got its beginning when the […]

One of the most visited tourist spots in Madrid, the Prado Museum is home to over 7,000 paintings. Though the emphasis is heavily on the three most famous Spanish masters – Goya, Velázquez, and El Greco – there are major and minor masterpieces from dozens of other artists. Surrounded by beautiful botanical gardens, visitors have […]

Barefoot nuns might sound like the premise for a comedy skit, but rest assured these sisters are no joke. The Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales is both a functioning convent and a treasure trove of art. Founded by the daughter of Charles V in 1559 as a retreat for noblewomen, the nunnery has maintained its […]

Going to a library isn’t most tourists’ idea of a good time. But if you visit Madrid and don’t stop into the Biblioteca Nacional for at least an hour you’ll be missing out on one of the city’s finest attractions. The facade alone is worth spending time viewing. Neoclassical, and an excellent version it is, […]

Madrid has a long and complex history. Center of power of a monarchy that for centuries ruled half the world, it is now one of the major tourist spots of Europe. Once ground zero of the Spanish Inquisition it is now best known for its zestful nightclubs, outstanding shopping centers, and life-celebrating art. Any trip […]

The church of San Francisco is one of Madrid’s most important buildings and offers a fascinating tour. With a dome larger than that of St. Paul’s Cathedral it is an architectural marvel. Filled with paintings and sculpture, it is also an art lover’s treat. Located in an older part of Madrid, the church has an […]

French for ‘Our Lady’, this Catholic cathedral of Montreal called Notre Dame richly deserves the same name as its more famous Parisian cousin. The church was designed in 1824 by an Irish-American Protestant, James O’Donnell. The exterior facade is Gothic Revival and even though it was done in the early 19th century, it bears all […]

Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, builder of Central Park in New York, the parks atop Mont Royal provide one of Montreal’s finest attractions. From there the view of the St. Lawrence River along its edge, as well as that of the city itself, is breathtaking. Comprising over a hundred hectares, and reaching 234m (725ft), Mont […]