15 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN SPAIN

Best Places to Visit in Spain

Spain is known to be a Roman Catholic nation. But it was once a Muslim-dominated country after their capture around 700 AD. The whole country is a mix of Christian and Moorish architecture and designs. Nevertheless, it is a unique combination and a Spain travel guide will tell you that these places are worthy to be visited. Here is a list of the best places to visit in Spain.

1. Sagrada Família – Barcelona

Spaniards are known to be devout Roman Catholics and of course, it is expected that their most visited tourist attraction is a church – Sagrada Família. Can you guess who the architect is for this magnificent church? Yes, it was Antoni Gaudi. He assumed position after Francisco Paula de Villar resigned from his post.

The basilica is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It can accept as many as 9,000 worshippers at any given time. Visitors can access some parts of the church including the museum, the crypt and the towers.

2. Alhambra – Granada

This is another one of the most visited palaces and fortresses in Spain. Alhambra was once described by Moorish writers as “a pearl set in Emeralds” because of the abundance of thick and green trees around the fortress and at times, the building exudes an illusion of colors – thus the term, Pearl. UNESCO recognized Alhambra as a World Heritage Site and is one of the most beautiful Moorish-style Spanish monuments in the country. As such, it was mentioned in several works of fiction like Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving and the best-selling novel in history, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho.

3. Casa Milà – Barcelona

Again, another masterpiece of Antoni Gaudi is the La Pedrera or the Casa Milà which is one of the must-see places to visit in Spain. This was the last known work of Gaudi and he finished it in six years from 1906 to 1912. Today, it is being managed by Catalunya-La Pedrera Foundation and it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The foundation coordinates all the activities and exhibits inside the casa. They also handle the tours and visits.

Some movies used this casa for their roof scenes like Vicky Cristina Barcelona by Woody Allen and The Passenger which starred Jack Nicholson.

4. Mosque of Córdoba – Cordoba

Mosque of Córdoba is also known as Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. It is a bit confusing because its name says that it is a Muslim mosque and yet it is a cathedral. So, which is is it? The truth is that when the Muslims conquered Spain in 711 AD, the Moors had to find a place where they could pray. Muslims pray 5 times a day and to do that, they designed the Mosque of Córdoba as their house of prayer. Eventually, Christians gained control of Cordoba and now it is purely a Christian place of worship with Moorish details all over.

5. Museo Nacional Del Prado – Madrid

Tourists love the Museo Nacional Del Prado and they always give it a 4 to 5 star rating in online polls. But what is in this museum that impresses residents and visitors, alike? Well, for one, the museum is home of the best European art paintings. Works of Francisco de Goya and Diego Velázquez are on the walls of this museum. It holds at least 7,600 canvases from various artists, 1,000 sculpted figures, 4,800 print art and 8,200 sketches.

6. Royal Palace of Madrid

Palacio Real de Madrid or Royal Palace of Madrid is the official royal home of the Spanish Royal Family whenever they are in Madrid and one of the nicest places to visit in Spain. It is a very lavish palacio and King Felipe VI found the Palacio de la Zarzuela as more modest and fitting home for his royal family.

Today, the palacio is being used for state events. It was designed by architect Filippo Juvarra and began its construction in 1735. All in all, the palacio has 3,418 rooms and is the most massive palace in all of Europe, according to floor area.

7. Gothic Quarter – Barcelona

The Gothic Quarter or in Spanish, Barrio Gótico, is the city center of Barcelona. It has many landmarks and tourist destinations, all in one strip. There is the Cathedral of Santa Eulàlia, the Basilica of La Mercè, the Church of Santa Maria del Pi, the Church of Sant Miquel, the Barcelona City History Museum, the Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, the Portal de l’Àngel and the Temple of Augustus in Barcelona ruins, among many other establishments, churches, and buildings to see in the Barrio.

8. Casa Batlló – Barcelona

The architect for this monumental building is Antoni Gaudi and it is considered one of his masterpieces. People called it Casa dels ossos or House of Bones because from the outside, it looks like a skeleton building. It is Art Noveau inspired and it is full of mosaic designs, which is typical of Antoni Gaudi.

The Casa Batlló was opened for tourists and visitors in 2002. One of the most notable features of the casa is its loft. It has sixty arches which resembled a rib cage.

9. Camp Nou – Barcelona

Spain is one of the countries that love the sport of football. So naturally, one of their most visited establishments is Camp Nou – a stadium where football games transpire as it is the home of Spain’s football team called Futbol Club Barcelona. (FC Barcelona)

It is the biggest stadium in Spain for it can accommodate 99,354 people at one time. The ’82 FIFA World Cup happened here; UEFA Champions League twice and 1992 Summer Olympics for football, as well.

10. Alcázar of Seville – Sevilla

The Alcázar of Seville or the Royal Alcazars of Seville is a palacio which was created to house Muslim kings in the Middle Ages. Today, it is in the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO and they recorded it as Cathedral, Alcázar and General Archive of the Indies in Seville. It is the oldest palacio in all of Spain and the European continent that still exists and is being used to this day. It was also the birthplace of King Philip’s daughter, Maria Antonia Ferdinanda of Spain in 1773; which makes it one of the most historic places to visit in Spain.

11. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum – Madrid

The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, as the Spanish calls it, is a museum of art located in the country’s capital, Madrid. The location of the museum is in one of the busy boulevards in the city – in Paseo del Prado. It is also one of the three most important museums in Spain to which they call the Golden Triangle of Art. It has at least 1,600 paintings from painters all around the world like Duccio, Jan Van Eyck, Antonello da Messina, Copley, Claude Monet and many other distinguished artists.

12. Park Güell – Barcelona

Park Güell was founded in 1914 by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi through the vision of Eusebi Güell, a wealthy Spanish businessman who married a noble – a daughter of the Marquis of Comillas. The whole park was recognized by UNESCO and is part of the World Heritage Site list. UNESCO found it necessary to acknowledge the skills and efforts of Antoni Gaudi for seven of his works including this park.

The park is on top of Carmen Hill and is intricately designed all around. The gardens and the architectural make of the park make it a frequented tourist spot in Spain.

13. La Rambla – Barcelona

One of the famous streets in Barcelona is La Rambla or as the Spanish people calls it Las Ramblas. Quoted from the Spanish writer Federico Garcia Lorca, he found Las Ramblas as: the only street in the world which I wish would never end. It is the center of the city and a long strip at 1.2 kilometers or .75 miles.

It has the Liceu Theatre, the La Boqueria market, the Palace of the Virreina and the Royal Square or the Plaça Reial. This plaza host private collectors of coins and stamps every weekend. It is the night hub in Barcelona and one of the most exciting places to visit in Spain.

14. Costa del Sol – Málaga

Costa del Sol means Sunny Coast. Together with its neighboring coasts, Costa de la Luz and Costa Tropical, these small communities used to be home of fishermen and their families. Today, Costa del Sol is a breathtaking tourist attraction and one of the most popular traveler’s destinations in Spain.

Aside from their world-class beaches, you can view their monuments, museums and other natural wonders. These places are recommended: Catedral de Málaga, Cueva de Nerja, and Alcazaba.

15. Palacio de Generalife – Granada

The Palacio de Generalife used to be one of the summer castles and country homes of the nobles and royals of Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. The palacio was established during the rule of Mohammad III in 1302 to 1309. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

People find the entrance to the palacio intriguing. The pathway and the surrounding fences and garden will give you the vibe that it is a country residence and not a palacio. But once you are inside, you will see how magnificent the interiors are and the rest of the castle looks “royal” all the way.

15 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN IRAQ

Best Places to Visit in Iraq

Iraq is not exactly a tourist spot. Muslims go there for pilgrimage reasons but other than that, travelers stay away from the country. Let’s just say it as it is – people are afraid to go there because of misconceptions in the news – about how dangerous it is and how violent the streets of Iraq can be for foreigners. The truth is that it’s mostly bad publicity but if you do feel adventurous, then give it a try and be sure to use our Iraq travel guide as a starter.

1. National Museum of Iraq

National Museum of Iraq is the most famous landmark in all of Iraq. Baghdad Museum or Iraq Museum is home to ancient and significant relics from Mesopotamia. It has been robbed several times due to the Iraqi wars but at least some of the stolen artifacts have been returned thanks to the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and UNESCO. Due to this, the museum was not formally launched until February 2015 with 6,000 items on display as opposed to the original 15,000 artifacts. It is one of the best places to visit in Iraq.

2. Ziggurat of Ur

UNESCO included the Ziggurat of Ur in The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities. It is the second-most visited attraction in the country as it is very old – it is in Dhi Qar which used to be Mesopotamia. It has been said that the Great Ziggurat was established more than 4,000 years ago. It was built by King Ur-Nammu during the 3rd Ur Dynasty and it has been continually repaired over the centuries just to preserve its historic value.

3. Al-Shaheed Monument

The Al-Shaheed Monument in Baghdad is a reminder of the Iran-Iraq War. It was designed by Ismail Fatah Al Turk and Saman Kamal and it was founded in 1983. They also call it the Martyr’s Memorial since the whole structure was devoted to the Iraqi soldier that died during the conflict.

The memorial monument is the masterpiece of the artificial lake around it and once a year, every December 1st, people of Iraq remember the fallen by wearing a badge with the Al-Shaheed on it and a red rose at the middle. Words of Saddam Hussein were inscribed – “The Martyrs are better than all of us.”

4. Baghdadi Museum

The Baghdadi Museum is a history museum which displays the history of Iraq through life sized and human looking dolls. The place demonstrates 70 sections all in all where you will see the way of life in Iran – folk villages, trading activities, people with different lines of work, old traditions, and street living. This structure is near River Tigris which is a natural attraction in Iraq.

The museum had to be renovated and was opened again for public viewing in 2008 because it was gravely destroyed during the 2003 war. One of the places to visit in Iraq is this historic museum.

5. Baghdad Zoo

The Baghdad Zoo is a very popular tourist attraction in the country. It was even more famous back then, before the Iraqi war erupted. There were at least 650 animals in the zoo. They also suffered in the war and just 5% of the animals remained at the end.

But enough with the sad stories – the Baghdad Zoo, also known as Al-Zawraa Zoo, was renewed in 2003 and it now has 1,070 animals. Its most famous residents are Hope and Riley, Bengali tigers which were gifts from the US.

6. Hatra

Another place in Iraq that locals and foreigners frequent to is the Old City of Hatra. UNESCO inscribed it as Hatra in 1985 with level ii, ii, iv and vi. The ancient city is located at Al Jazira. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant showed a video in 2015 and they were destroying of what remained in Hatra because they believed that it was not an Islamic structure. UNESCO AND ISESCO referred to their action as vicious and contemptuous of Arabic culture and heritage.

7. Great Mosque of Samarra

The Great Mosque of Samarra was once the largest mosque in the whole world. There’s a mosque at the base of the structure with a spiral cone going up the minaret or tower and it is a sight to see. One of the places to visit in Iraq is this great mosque because the structure in itself is a work of art. It must be marveled upon. UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site in 2007. Actually, UNESCO included the whole site where the mosque is located and they inscribed it as Samarra Archaeological City.

8. Imam Hussain Shrine

The Shrine of Imam Hussain ibn Ali or the Imam Hussain Shrine is in Karbala. Hussain Ibn Ali is the son of Ali ibn Abi Talib so naturally, Hussain is the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. He is a Shia Islam believer and was the third Imam of Shia. The shrine symbolizes his final resting place and it is one of the most visited attractions in Iraq. It is also a part of the pilgrimage visits done by many Shia Muslims in the whole world.

9. Assur

Assur or as UNESCO inscribed it, Ashur (Qal’at Sherqat), is a World Heritage Site as of 2003 with level iii and iv criteria. It is a 70-hectare archaeological ruins which used to be an ancient Assyrian city 3,000 years ago. There were evidences retrieved from the site that Assur was the center of trade back then until the Babylonians devastated the whole area. It was restored and reused by the Parthian rules in the 1st and 2nd century.

10. Imam Ali Mosque

Imam Ali Mosque, Masjid Ali or Imam Ali Holy Shrine is a Shia-affiliated mosque located in Najaf. This is considered a sacred place for those who believe in Islam as many of their pilgrims visit the mosque for prayers. There is a shrine within the mosque as a tribute to Ali ibn Abi Talib, the son in law of Prophet Muhammad. It was created by ‘Adud al-Dawla in 977 AD and over the years, restored and renovated by Kings of Iran like Seljuk Malik Shah I and Safavid Shah Ismail I, after him.

11. Erbil Citadel

The Erbil Citadel in Kurdistan is a partially ruined site which is still being utilized to this day. It is like a fort and is believed to have been erected some 8,000 years ago. UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage Site last 2014 with a level iv criteria. Not many people live in the area today since most everyone has fled to better residential sites and it is in the process of being restored. You can tour the citadel though and there is a display there called the Kurdish Textile Museum – it is one of the best places to visit in Iraq.

12. Hanging Gardens of Babylon

If this still existed today and was well-preserved, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon would have been one of the greatest structures in the history of the world. But sadly, all that’s left of it is the ruins – an earthquake destroyed this once beautiful structure. UNESCO is still verifying facts about Babylon through the submission of the Ministry of Culture and today, it is in the tentative list. There is a site in Iraq to which many believe is where the hanging gardens used to be located.

13. The Site of Thilkifl

Like the Wadi Cemetery, the Site of Thilkifl is in the tentative list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. Thilkifl or Prophet Isikel, for the Muslims, is also a Jewish prophet and the whole area is composed of Prophet Isikel’s Shrine, a mosque, minaret, markets from the Ottoman periods and Khans. Khans are lodging homes and within the site, the have the Khan Assayf (East part), the Khan Quraysh (North part which also has a courtyard), the Khan Attamr (West part) and the Khan Addibs (South part).

14. Wadi Al-Salam Cemetery in Najaf

The Permanent Delegation of Iraq to UNESCO submitted the Wadi Al-Salam Cemetery in Najaf as a potential World Heritage Site. As of today, it is in the tentative list and awaiting review. The delegation wanted it recognized as such for the very reason of its universal value and historic significance. This is the cemetery of millions of Muslims – the prophets of Allah have been buried here like Ali ibn Abi Talib, the husband of Fatimah Zahra, the dearest daughter of Prophet Muhammad. Prophets Salh and Hod rests here as well. This is one of the best places to visit in Iraq.

15. The Ahwar of Southern Iraq

The Ahwar of Southern Iraq is a World Heritage Site which is composed of many areas – UNESCO calls it Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities. The whole Ahwar is composed of three archaeological ruins and four wetlands. The ruins are called the Ur (which will be detailed later on as it is one of the most popular attractions in Iraq), the Uruk and the Tell Eridu. These sites were built more than 2016 years ago.

15 THINGS TO DO IN INDIA

Best Things to Do in India

It may be a third world country but India is indeed a tourist hub. The country is not about fancy beach resorts or nature reserves. What it offers to their visitors is a chance to witness the most breathtaking architectural sites ever built by man and these sites are hundreds of years old. One of the sites just celebrated it millennium birthday! It is truly amazing! Anyway, we have compiled an India travel guide so that you won’t miss the best spots to see in the country.

1. Taj Mahal

One of the things to do in India is to visit the Taj Mahal. It is not just a popular tourist site in the country. The whole world knows the name TAJ MAHAL but are you aware of what it really means and why it was built? Taj Mahal is in fact a mausoleum of Empress Mumtaz Mahal, the most favorite wife of Mughal leader Shah Jahan. When his wife passed away, he wanted her to have the most exquisite resting place in the world and this was the Taj Mahal. UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage Site.

2. Ganges

The Ganges River is a natural attraction and one of the most famous tourist spots in India. The locals also call it Ganga and it spreads along India and Bangladesh. The river is 2,525 kilometers or 1,569 miles long.

It is a blessing to the residents along the banks of the river because most of them are poverty-stricken and depend on the river for their daily needs. They bathe there, do their laundry there and even get their food in the river. Now, isn’t Ganges truly a gift for the people of India?

3. Amer Palace

The Amer Palace is also referred to as the Amer Fort or Amber Fort. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is included in the Hill Forts of Rajasthan inscription at Level ii and iii criteria. The fort and the palace were built by Raja Man Singh in the 16th century and the raw materials used were red sandstone and white marble. It has four courtyards with different gates. You have to spare one day to look around and explore Amer Palace.

4. Humayun’s Tomb

The top four tourist attraction in India is Humayun’s Tomb. Humayun is a Mughal ruler back in 1530 and to honor his life, he was built a tomb upon his death by Architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyath through the wishes of Akbar, another Mughal King and the son of Humayun. The place is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the monument was heavily restored since 1993. As of this moment, the tomb is completely reestablished and it is open for public visits.

5. Harmandir Sahib

You may marvel at modern structures in first world countries and find it as excellent architectural designs. But there is nothing like Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple of Panjab, India. It is in the UNESCO tentative list of sites and is one of the most visited attractions in the country.

People from all over the world are invited to pray and worship inside the Harmandir Sahib because it is the ultimate reason for its establishment – no matter what religion you are, you can pray to the one and only God of your faith in this non-sectarian and universal place of worship. It was reported that at least 100,000 people visit the place every single day. Go inside the building and pray in Harmandir Sahib – this is one of the best things to do in India.

6. Qutb Minar

Qutb Minar is a minaret – a minaret is a slender and really tall tower with a small terrace at the top which is usually used by Muslims who call the Azan or prayer. It is the highest minaret in the whole world at 72.5 meters. UNESCO recognized it as a Level iv criterion cultural site and it was built in 1200 by Qutb al-Din Aibak. After 20 years, Iltutmish, his son in law and inheritor added more floors to the tower using red sandstone. But in 1369, the top of the tower was devastated by lightning. This prompted Firoz Shah Tughlaq to repair the damaged minaret.

7. Akshardham

Akshardham is located at New Delhi and it is comprised of a complex with a temple therein. Within the complex, there is a performance of the Abhisheka – it is a Sanskrit word which means a ritual for religious reasons. There is also a water show called the Sahaj Anand and some exhibitions too. The exhibitions included an IMAX film about the life of Swaminarayan. There is also a culture-filled boat trip and a Hall of Values display known as the Sahajanand Darshan.

8. The Red Fort

The Red Fort was also mentioned in the UNESCO World Heritage Site website and they called it a “new level of refinement”. The walls of the fort were made of red sandstone and it was really massive. The architect behind it was Ustad Ahmad Lahauri and the Red Fort was constructed in 1648. Inside the fort you will find the Chawari Bazar, the Lahori Gate, the Delhi Gate, the Water Gate, the Chhatta Chowk (imperial jewelry were displayed here), Moti Masjid and a lot more buildings. You have to visit the fort because it is one of the great things to do in India.

9. Agra Fort

The Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the cultural list which can be found in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The Mughal Empire had it “built” in the 11th century because they claimed it to be their achievement. But there were stories regarding the construction of this World Heritage Site. It is believed that the Lodi Dynasty rulers were the ones responsible for the establishment of the fort and that the Mughal rulers seized it and made it as their own.

10. City Palace, Jaipur

One of the things to do in India is to go to the city palace. The City Palace of Jaipur is part of the UNESCO tentative list. Being part of the tentative list means that the property is not yet a World Heritage site but it is up for nomination once it passes the standards of UNESCO.

The Jaipur City Palace is a tourist spot. It is not just one palace but a collection of palaces and buildings in one big complex. The Chandra Mahal and the Mubarak Mahal are located in the City Palace, among other structures. It was constructed in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and the architectural style was adapted through a mix of European Mughal and Indian Shilpa Shastra.

11. Chittor Fort

Chittor Fort is the just one of the six forts in India which is a part of UNESCO’s World Heritage list. The forts were inscribed in 2013 as Hill Forts of Rajasthan and it included Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Jhalawar, Jaipur, and Jaisalmer. It’s been there since the 7th century and was managed by the Mewar Empire, at that time. Today, writers and poets visit the forts and find inspiration in the ancient walls for their creative writing.

12. Brihadisvara Temple

India is full of structures which are not just scenic; some are so important to culture and history that UNESCO has seen its value. Brihadisvara Temple is one of those buildings and it is now a World Heritage Site. UNESCO included it under the inscription Great Living Chola Temples. There were three temples in the list and all were built during the Chola dynasty in the 11th century. The Brihadisvara Temple is the biggest place of worship in India and is currently 1,006 years old.

13. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

If you want to visit another landmark in India, the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is a worthy addition to your bucket list. The attraction is a Sikh-type of architectural building – yes, it is a place of worship associated with Sikhism. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion and they believe that there is only one creator which believers have to be faithful to. Anyway, it existed since 1664 and has undergone various repairs and renovations just to preserve its value.

14. India Gate

The India Gate is another monument in the country. They used to call it the All India War Memorial to honor the fallen soldiers who died in the First World War. About 82,000 Indian Army soldiers died during the war and 13,300 names were remembered and engraved on the gate.

The structure was revealed to the public in 1931 but it was slowly constructed ten years prior to the inauguration. It was styled according to the Arc de Triomphe monument in France.

15. Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal, in English means Palace of the Breeze. The palace was constructed through the initiative of Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 so that the members of the royal household can take a peek during festival season and see what happens on the streets. The structure is grand and beautiful which is why it is a tourist attraction in the country. You have to visit the place since it is one of the things to do in India.