I visited Spain earlier this summer. In Madrid, I enjoyed the Royal Botanical Garden (near the Prado Museum) and Retiro Park. There are many great little squares and parks through out the city, take a bike tour. I liked the art center called Matadero Madrid–a complex of buildings with contemporary arts, film, dance, with art installations in the courtyards I found cool as a landscape architect.
If you can go to Lisbon, Portugal, I highly recommend that. A one-hour flight from Madrid costs around $75 each way. Check out the airline Easy Jet. Lisbon is a wonderful city, and just a bit more off the “beaten path.” There is a texture there that is inspiring. I stayed in the neighborhood called Bairro Alto.
Good Luck! Please check-in again and tell how your travel went!
