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Viva España
By Michelle Reneau

Barcelona and Madrid — the two major metropolitan areas of this western European country — offer a wealth of gems waiting to be discovered, you just have to know where to look.

Spain just seems to evoke high design — be it a street sign or a line of clothing. Take a simple walk down one of its grand boulevards or tucked away pedestrian-only passages and you'll see how Gothic, modernism, and contemporary blend seamlessly. It is this combination of beauty and functionality that makes visiting the country's two main cities — Madrid and Barcelona — such an awe-inspiring experience.

Madrid
Spain's capital, and home to its royal family, is situated right in the middle of the country — making it a great central hub for visitors. Passengers who land at Madrid-Barajas (MAD) arrive at the new Terminal 4. The award-winning building was designed by London architect Richard Rogers and guides travelers through "light-filled canyons" to proceed along their journey. After arriving in the city, travelers find urban spaces like the Plaza Mayor sprinkled amid medieval architecture, cathedrals, and the Palacio Real — the largest royal palace in western Europe.

Most Madrileños eat a late lunch and don't start dinner until 9 or 10 p.m. Cervecerías and bars are open in the afternoon though, and offer tapas (small plates) and bocadillos (rolls). For dinner, find a restaurant that features flamenco dancing, such as Casa Patas (www.casapatas.com) or Corral de la Moreria (www.corraldelamoreria.com). Madrid is known for its night life, so it's not uncommon for a show to start after midnight and clubs to stay open until 5 a.m.

There is a wealth of shopping possibilities in Madrid's Salamanca district around Gran Vía. The Spanish department store, El Corte Inglés (www.elcorteingles.es) and Loewe leather goods (www.loewe.com) are in the area, as well as other high-end designers. On Sundays, crowds scramble to the El Rastro flea market (www.elrastro.org), for their pick of atypical bric-a-brac.

Walk along the Paseo del Prado and you'll find three of the city's finest art museums: Museo del Prado (www.museodelprado.es), which houses a collection of European classical art; the Reina Sofía (www.museoreinasofia.es), which focuses on modern; and Thyssen-Bornemisza (www.museothyssen.org) which offers an overview of art from the 13th century to the late 20th century. Don't miss Velázquez's Las Meninas, Picasso's Guernica, and Degas' Swaying Dancer (Dancer in Green), respectively.

Day Trip: Toledo
An easy day trip from Madrid, Spain's previous capital is also where the famous painter El Greco resided and produced some of his most famous works. Explore its medieval castle and fortress, as well as Gothic cathedrals, synagogues, and mosques and you'll find the influences of its Arab, Christian, and Jewish heritage.

Barcelona
You can't mention Barcelona without referring to one of its most beloved sons, architect Antoni Gaudí. The most famous of his works, and the most visited, is Sagrada Família (www.sagradafamilia.cat), which has been a work in progress for more than 120 years and isn't estimated to be complete until 2026. Other highlights include Casa Batlló (www.casabatllo.es), one of his most poetic compositions, located on the Passeig de Gràcia, and Parc Güell (www.parkguell.es) a municipal garden loaded with multicolored mosaics.

Two of the city's best museums are dedicated to specific artists. Pablo Picasso's museum (www.museupicasso.bcn.es) occupies five large townhouses in the El Born district, and houses more than 3,800 pieces of his work. Located in the Parc de Montjuïc, the majority of Fundació Joan Miró's (www.fundaciomiro-bcn.org) collection was donated by the artist himself. Don't miss Alexander Calder's Mercury fountain (don't worry, it's encased in glass), donated by Calder as a symbol of his friendship with Miró. While you're in the area, explore the rest of Montjuïc. In addition to being the site of the 1929 world's fair and housing the 1992 Summer Olympics' stadium, it's also home to the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (www.mnac.es), botanical gardens, and Mies van der Rohe's German national pavilion (www.miesbcn.com).

Catalan cuisine is based mainly around bread, olive oil, and lots of garlic. But unlike most Europeans, they top their bread with tomatoes, not butter. Great chefs flock to Barcelona, and it's apparent in the plethora of dining choices. You'll find restaurants from Michelin-star winners like Carles Abellán (who worked under Ferran Adrià of El Bulli fame) serving creative dishes made with local ingredients (www.carlesabellan.com). At bubó (www.bubo.ws), award-winning pastry chef Carles Mampel's establishment looks more like a museum shop than a chocolate store, but then the bonbons and petits fours are true works of art.

Some of the best shopping in Spain is in Barcelona. And at the top of any design-centric list is Vinçon (www.vincon.com). You can spend hours looking at forward-thinking home products while strolling through the halls of this architectural gem. Head upstairs to access the back terrace, which is one of Barcelona's most beautiful patios. If it's gastronomic shopping you're after, Mercado de la Boqueria (www.boqueria.info) is scrumptious. Located on Las Ramblas, the open-air structure showcases some of the country's best seafood, jamón, and vegetables.

Barcelona Day Trip: St. Sadurni d'Anoia
A quick commuter train ride down the Mediterranean coast is the land of Cava — Spain's version of Champagne. Booking a cave tour at Codorníu (www.codorniu.com) offers a glimpse into its five-century history.

American offers daily nonstop flights from Dallas/Fort Worth, JFK, and Miami to Madrid and from JFK to Barcelona — making it easy to explore its Iberian treasures.