Florence Travel Notes

Spain, what kind of country is it really?

Why does Spain attract the whole world? Is it the dazzling historical monuments, the breathtaking scenery and architecture, the charming

Continuing from: Trip to Spain and France (Part 1) - Madrid and surrounding Segovia, Toledo

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Granada is a city made for strolling and daydreaming. The artistic splendor of its historic monuments and the shimmering beauty of its fountains, ponds, and park waters captivate the eye.

After checking out on December 21, we took an Uber to Madrid's Atocha station. Online introductions call it the wonderful Atocha Railway Station because its interior is practically a tropical plant paradise.

I'm starting to post journal entries again. This trip to Spain ended two years ago. One reason is that many of Spain's architectural artworks are particularly tricky to draw, but the most important reason is my terminal laziness that kept me from drawing. Recently, due to the pandemic, I’ve had more time at home, so I mustered the effort to turn my previous travel notes into a hand-drawn journal. Creating is not easy—if you like it, please give it a like and share it. The itinerary was roughly planned before departure. For specific visiting schedules, please refer to the descriptions on the corresponding dates. Feel free to leave messages to communicate if you have any questions.

On December 25, after comparing the prices and times of trains and buses, we decided to take a coach from Granada to Seville.

On December 28, Barcelona's metro and bus system is unified under TMB, with tickets available at metro station vending machines. I

After work on December 15, my husband and I flew from Shanghai to Madrid, and our daughter flew from Bristol, UK to Madrid. After being separated for three months, our family of three finally reunited.

December 18. Today is a one-day trip to Toledo. As the former capital of Spain, Toledo's historical importance is self-evident.

Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles. Among words, before ancient buildings, on the streets, in the soft words of locals, that is the right way to open a history and understand a city. This is also the journey I wish for you—to see more, think more, and grow spiritually, both through subtle influence and through enlightening breakthroughs like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. A sentence in a book, a street in a city, may be such a契机.

Spain is a country worth visiting again and again, with 49 UNESCO World Heritage sites and 17 Intangible Cultural Heritage items, as well as abundant natural resources.

From planning a travel wedding to making it happen, I spent months searching online for destinations and guides.

Spain has a long history, having been ruled by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, and others. Before achieving unification in 1492, it was also under Muslim rule.