Between Barcelona and Madrid, the many facets of Spain

At the very heart of the Barrio Gótico, the Museu Picasso houses some 4,000 pieces from the artist, including many early works, made between 1890 and 1917. The collection includes paintings, ceramics, beautiful engravings and other lithographs. When you arrive at the museum, before climbing the stairs, you can stop to have a tea or café con leche in the nice open patio.

The city's most emblematic market, selling meat in the 12th century. Several small restaurants offer on-site dining. On their menu: Mediterranean specialties, assortments of fish, meat and vegetables at low prices. Merchants are often the third or fourth generation to sell their production at the Boqueria.

This street offers the beauty of modernity. A wide avenue filled with the magnificent Mediterranean light. With its close to 20 classified buildings, it is a step towards the coast. The ramblas are like a living museum. The Picasso museum, barrio gótico, mercado de la Boquería, which is very close to the Teatro de Liceu can be discovered one after another. These wonders are to be contemplated slowly in order to comprehend all their contrasts. And, in the end, you get to discover the sea…

The oldest Roman colony and fortified city on the Iberian Peninsula, Tarragona (formerly Tarraco) has carefully preserved its many ruins–the palace, temple, circus and amphitheater are all today listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Many remarkable artefacts and mosaics are to be found in the Archaeological Museum. Every year, for two weeks in May, the Tarraco Viva festival transports the entire city back to Roman times.

For some, it's the most beautiful and impressive spectacle of all: admiring the Milky Way, the constellations and stars by the thousand. La Torre del Visco is the first Relais & Châteaux hotel in Spain to be certified by the Starlight Foundation, and the property actively protects the visibility of the night sky. Stays offer astronomy enthusiasts a not-to-be-missed opportunity to observe the crystal-clear skies above Fuentespalda.

You could wander these streets for hours. Once an important religious center, the small town of Sigüenza captivates all who encounter it. Its immense castle is matched by a huge, fortress-like cathedral, where visitors head to the superb sacristy and the astonishing monument to a former page of Isabella the Catholic. From the sumptuous Plaza Mayor, work your way through the old town's maze of alleys, taking in its medieval palaces and Renaissance residences. A journey through time, in a city as calm as it is beautiful.

To some, the choice may seem daunting: pay a visit to the Santiago Bernabéu, home to Real Madrid, the most successful European club, or head to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, the former Olympic stadium, to show your support for Atlético de Madrid. The former is traditionally the club of the wealthy; the latter is supported by the working class. These two contrasting stadiums showcase two distinct atmospheres and a proud culture of rivalry – but they share the same zeal whenever their home team scores!