When I first booked a trip to Spain I had no idea what to expect. As we drove clockwise around the country it got better and better … even after starting in Madrid with visits to the Prado, El Escorial

and a short drive to see the Valley of the Fallen.

Moving on across the rugged Sierra de Guadarama, we went to Segovia with its Alcazar and 2,000 year old acqueduct which I believe is still in use. In Bilbao we toured the Guggenheim Museum which is in the shape of a whale! In San Sebastian we walked up and down the narrow streets, sampling delicious tapas.

In Pamplona we walked the route of the Running of the Bulls. Absolute insanity from the pictures that were displayed along the way. Through Saragossa we arrived in Barcelona. Of course, we had to

visit the Gaudi church and then walk the tree-lined Ramblas down to the statue of Christopher Columbus at the water’s edge of the Mediterranean Sea. Our evening dinner also included phenomenal

flamenco dancing. Very dramatic including the singing.

If there is one sight in Spain that you must not miss it is Monserrat. A monastery built on and around

an unusual rock formation. In all my travels I’ve never seen anything to compare.

Leaving Barcelona we drove to Valencia, a combination of Roman, Spanish and Moorish history. Granada

has the beautiful Alhambra and Gardens of the Generalife. Then on through Torremolinos driving up

and up to see Gibraltar with the Barbary Apes and the unexpectedly beautiful St. Michael’s Cave.

Then Seville and ending with an afternoon in Toledo. I have decided that the cathedrals of Spain had

a contest to see which city could outdo the other. There is a comment I’ve heard, “if you’ve seen one cathedral you’ve seen them all”. This person did not visit Spain.

Many times at the end of a vacation I am ready to go home, even after a fabulous trip. Not so with Spain. What a good choice for the Memphis in May 2007 tribute.

Cyd Mosteller