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What Difficulties Can Foreign Students Face When Studying In Israel?

Israel has invested tremendously in its academic distinction. The country spent its last seven decades building up educational institutions that are on par with the high valued universities around the world… CONTINUE READING >> 

Israel has invested tremendously in its academic distinction. The country spent its last seven decades building up educational institutions that are on par with the high valued universities around the world. Israel encourages investing in learning and entrepreneurship that promotes a sense of independence. Today, it houses numerous innovative start-ups and industries, true to its moniker, the ‘Start-Up Nation.’

For a country, this efficiently developed and advanced, students are still skeptical about pursuing their higher education there. From safety issues to affordability when lined up with a few misconceptions, the reasons are numerous for students and their families to be hesitant to regard Israel as an option.

In this article, let us see what difficulties students might think that they would face in Israel. Addressing these matters head-on would help you choose the right program for you, without having misunderstandings hindering your path to an incredible experience.

1. Quality and Standard of Education

One of the major misconceptions is that the study programs in Israel are not of the same standard as the other world-renowned institutions.  Nonetheless, the higher education institutes in Israel are all ranked amongst the highest in the world.

Top Universities like the Israel Institute of Technology, Tel Aviv University, The University of Haifa, and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have all made their mark and are celebrated for their academic excellence. As a matter of fact, Technion IIT’s computer science program has even found its way to the top 20 in the worldwide rankings.

There are many programs offered in English too, with many specializations to choose from. The only thing students have to worry about is to stay on top of their game and to score good grades. In such circumstances, students can ask professional writers for essay help to keep up with the quantity of work and assignments in college.

2. Safety and Personal inclinations

 In 2018, a professor at the University of Michigan withheld a letter of recommendation to one of the students who wanted to apply in Israel for a semester abroad. This was a result of the University policy to boycott Israel in support of Palestinians. The event caught a lot of attention nationwide, supporting the student. The popular opinion was learning should not be controlled due to any country’s political decisions, as every person will have an opinion on every country’s policies.

Instead of encouraging students to accept diverse communities, such personal opinions by families and the school could influence what and how any student could perceive a country like Israel.

Such instances thus result in one of the biggest worries of students; their safety in Israel. International students vouch by the fact that they feel much safer in their Universities in Israel rather than at home in America. If you refer to the statistics, in reality, the crime rate in the United States is much higher than in Israel. Public safety is of prime importance in Israel, and routine checking happen in public places like malls, markets, public transport, etc.

Universities such as Israel Institute of Technology, an institution much sought after by American students, is well away from the Gaza Strip and anything that is happening with the political issues, does not affect the daily life of the students in any way.

3. Cultural and Language Barriers

 Contrary to popular belief, Israel is well developed. As students, going abroad to study will definitely require a time to get accustomed to cultural traits and the general way of living. Israel is a very diverse country with many opportunities for students to expand their horizons. Its rich historical background and strong traditions do not keep them away from welcoming international students to their land. In fact, universities have been advocating for receiving more and more international students from countries all over the world. The universities are well equipped to welcome students and provide them with every requirement, just like they would in any college in the US. It’s worth noticing that Israeli universities accept papers ordered from the US writing agencies, such as Getfinanceessay. Thus, American students can easily submit their assignments on time.

The one thing Americans might have to prepare for is the Shabbat. The day of rest beginning at the sundown every Friday, it ends almost 40 minutes later on Saturday; leaving many businesses to stay closed across the country. The weekend being the busiest in the US, this might come as a peculiar change to the foreign students.

The other concern is regarding the language. Though Hebrew and Arabic are commonly used, English is also widely spoken throughout the country. Especially in a college campus, students will have no difficulty to converse with peers. Outside the campus, if you look like a foreigner, the locals would definitely switch to English if you are engaging in a conversation with them.

Nevertheless, remember that a part of studying abroad is also to experience new and distinct elements. Israel is one of the most diverse countries for anyone to study. The country has plenty to offer, both in academics and a wealthy cultural platform to transform yourself.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

3 Empty Nester Travel Tips You’ll Need

The time is now, it’s life 2.0, and for so many empty nesters, traveling is the thing they turn to in order to get out of the slump and start embracing this new season of life… CONTINUE READING >> 

When your kids have up and started their own lives and you’re left in a newly-empty nest, it can be easy to get down about it. After all, you’ve just spent upwards of 18 years dedicated to building their lives, and now all you’re left with is your own.

The good news is that empty nesting doesn’t have to be a bad thing! That’s right — it can actually give you a new lease on life and provide opportunities for things you’ve always wanted to do, but saved for another day or time.

Well, the time is now, it’s life 2.0, and for so many empty nesters, traveling is the thing they turn to in order to get out of the slump and start embracing this new season of life.

If you’re ready to embark on the traveling adventures of empty nesters, you should know a few things before you dive in. Here, we’re compiling all the best travel tips you’ll need before you leave the empty nest and immerse yourself in a world of new places, dishes, people, and culture.

Empty Nester Travel Tips

1) Plan Now, Explore Later

Just because you’re now in prime time for travel doesn’t mean you should just cancel your weekend plans and hop on the next flight out of town. Rather, travel at this point in your life should be thoughtful. It will make the best of your time while still preserving the financial stability and lifestyle you’ve grown accustomed to at home.

Begin by planning things out a year in advance. Look at the year as a whole and do some research on the best times to travel. If you are already interested in some places, you should learn more about their seasons and tourism patterns.

The next step is to begin searching for flights and accommodations while still being flexible on dates and times. Often, you’ll find better deals with this kind of open-mindedness, meaning that you get to do everything you want without really breaking the bank.

2) Traveling Not Tourism

While it can be easy to fall into the tourist traps while traveling, often these are really not the best that these places have to offer. Instead, they are activities or locations that take advantage of tourists and charge a lot of money for something that’s been filtered down to be palatable to tourists.

Keep in mind that you’re there to travel not tour. This means digging deeper into each city you visit, going where the locals go, people watching, and going where the wind takes you.

You can also use this mindset to come up with unique vacation destinations that don’t normally draw in thousands of visitors each year. For example, you could look into Oregon Coast vacation rentals and the little beach towns they inhabit. Or, you could visit the small town in Europe where your ancestors lived in order to get a taste of your own personal history.

3) Create Travel Rituals

Traveling as empty nesters often can be draining if it’s not done properly. You don’t want to spend 45 minutes the morning before your flight looking for your passports. You also don’t want to be stranded in a new country without any charging cables, underwear, or a toothbrush. It’s no fun scrambling to find a drug store to purchase the necessities.

These issues arise from not having systems in place, and if you plan to be traveling empty nesters, you must have systems in place. Do this far in advance by creating a list of what you need to pack and what you need to consider once you’ve reached the destination.

Taking the Leap

There is a great big world out there that is dying to get to know you. With new total control over your schedule and your life, there’s no better time to get out there and see it. You can turn this season of your life into the greatest one yet with a little bit of travel and a whole lot of adventure.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

The Pitstop Planner – How to Experience Nature When Travelling With Family

Experiences will bond a family, uniting them in a shared venture that is treasured forever. When these occasions are experienced in nature, the whole family can disconnect from the daily grind and immerse in the moment… CONTINUE READING >> 

Experiences will bond a family, uniting them in a shared venture that is treasured forever. When these occasions are experienced in nature, the whole family can disconnect from the daily grind and immerse in the moment. If it’s been a while since you stepped outside with your loved ones, or you’re not quite sure where to start, try some of these group nature ideas.

Family sport

Taking time on a weekend or holiday to get outdoors and be active is something that the whole family will enjoy. Not only that, it’s also a healthy practise to imprint on your children. It doesn’t have to be too complicated either, just a run around with some soccer balls, a cricket kit or even some badmitten. Whatever sport your family worships – start recreating it!

This can be particularly fun on a family holiday, when you are outdoors already and have access to beautiful parts of nature. Deciding what sort of sports the whole family want to play, and what is the most optimal equipment to pack, will save you the headache of a last minute cull before you set out.

Hikes and trails

Be careful in framing this activity, because your children may give you that look if you tell them you’re about to embark on a four hour walk. So always lead with the adventure that awaits them. Hikes and trails are enjoyed by parents and children alike, with many opportunities to get up close to the local wildlife.

Wherever you are travelling, Australia is home to many walking and hiking trails, so you can select one that interests you and your family the most – beach, bush, forest or rainforest. You can even put one person in charge of the map, the other refreshments, and another one can decide when you stop for breaks.

Mode of transport

It’s so easy to just take a taxi in a new city when you are travelling with family. But what if you chose to walk instead, take the ferry, or a local bus? These different transport modes will give you a more “hands-on” experience of your surroundings, and it’s a great way to get into the local step of a city and live like they do. More often than not, these transport options will put you right in the centre of the action, as transit stops are notoriously placed near tourist hot spots and iconic landmarks.

Markets

Every city will have a market, and most will have more than one. These outdoor markets will offer a fusion of cultural culinary delights, and some will offer hand-made crafts and second-hand trinkets. Understand what markets are available in the location you are travelling to and be one of the first in attendance to try the local cuisine or purchase a momento.

The best part about going to the markets is that they are completely outdoors, driving home that importance of getting outside and exploring your surroundings. Who says you have to go indoors to shop and dine?

Camping

Nothing beats pitching a tent and setting up camp under the stars. Waking up with the sun and spending the day at the beach or lake are memories your children will replicate again when they are parents themselves. This type of holiday gives you a huge nature hit, and there are so many activities to keep the whole family entertained. Play cards by the fire, or enjoy an open air BBQ after a long day in the sun – there is so much you can squeeze into a camping break.

Not enough of us are getting out there and experiencing nature. Vitamin D and a promise of memories are just some of the drawcards, with options that will surprise and delight every member of the family.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

More Grandchildish Behavior

I am drool resistant, attract dirt, love to wallow, don’t mind eating things off of the ground and sometimes need changing.

I fit right in with kids.

So… I guess I want grandkids more than Veronica does… CONTINUE READING >>

David Writes

I am drool resistant, attract dirt, love to wallow, don’t mind eating things off of the ground and sometimes need changing.

I fit right in with kids.

I am a sucker for the little buggers, most likely because a good part of me still is one. I can get down to and play at their level with no effort whatsoever. So… I guess I want grandkids more than Veronica does.

As she pointed in “Grandchildish Behavior,” she doesn’t want to push things and neither do I. I am a firm believer in letting our adult children live their own lives. But while I agree with her points in the essay, I can’t help thinking about how fun it would be to have some new little rug rats running ’round.

I think of the possibilities. Sofa cushion forts to be constructed, trash can lid dog sled races to be run, old lawnmower / tricycle / roller-skate / beanbag chair vehicles to be made and crazy mud-filled attempts at tunneling under the neighbor’s house to be dug.

All accomplished with nothing more than a sack lunch and a big idea.

A huge advantage to grandchildren, the icing on the face (oops, cake)… they have to go home at some point and Veronica and I get to go on with our GypsyNesting lives. All the fun without all that pesky responsibility.

Even better, since we’ve sold the nest, when the sippy cup does a slo-mo two and a half gainer with a lid releasing twist across the room, I would just be a spectator. I’d give it an 8.5 with wild applause.

That peanut butter and jelly face print on the hall closet door? Nice likeness.

The terrarium complete with amphibian wildlife in the bathtub? Cool.

That chemistry / cooking experiment involving chocolate pudding, Cheerios, a two liter bottle of diet Pepsi, a bag of frozen peas and the blender? Nourishing and builds character.

As long as I don’t actually join in on the mess making, something I’ve been known to do, it’s not my problem. I might offer to help clean up… but I don’t have to.

There is also an educational factor for our kids. No child ever really knows what their parents went through until they have children of their own.

No, I’m not wishing the old “I hope you have a kid just like you someday” revenge on them… actually, I hope they are that lucky. I’m just saying that it is, without a doubt, the world’s biggest learning experience.

So I definitely look forward to the day when I can roll all over the living room floor with my kids’ kids… at their house.

I will boldly face the possibility of projectile vomit all over my shirt (I certainly was a target for it in my daddy days), gum-based food products in my shoes, melted mystery candy-like substances in my pockets and the inevitable stains everywhere else. It’s nothing a little Tide and a Kenmore can’t handle.

I only hope my chiropractor can handle my achin’ back when the time comes.

David, GypsyNester.com

Need some great, cool, and different ideas on gifts to give to grandchildren? Here are 10, or  check out these incredible places to go together.

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Grandchildish Behavior

I’ve had two unexpected conversations recently that have given me pause for reflection. The first was with my father-in-law while dining over Mexican food in Kansas. While catching him up with our kids’ lives, he asked me if they were dating anyone of note. I told him that at the moment there were no significant others. Then, the bolt out of the blue,”Oh, you must be sad that you won’t be having grandchildren anytime soon.”

The next exchange was with my daughters, The Piglet and Decibel.

“All of our friends’ mothers are on crazy grandma patrol. How come you aren’t nagging us about having babies?”

It started out as gentle teasing, but… CONTINUE READING  >>

I’ve had two unexpected conversations recently that have given me pause for reflection. The first was with my father-in-law while dining over Mexican food in Kansas.

While catching him up with our kids’ lives, he asked me if they were dating anyone of note. I told him that at the moment there were no significant others. Then, the bolt out of the blue,

“Oh, you must be sad that you won’t be having grandchildren anytime soon.”

The next exchange was with my daughters, The Piglet and Decibel.

“All of our friends’ mothers are on crazy grandma patrol. How come you aren’t nagging us about having babies?”

It started out as gentle teasing, but during the course of the discourse I got the feeling that they might be getting miffed by my lack of interest. Even though I know – good AND well – that neither of the girls are even remotely at a procreating place in life.

In fact, one of them finds the birthing process so totally repulsive that she wants to be “knocked out like the good old days” should the event ever occur.

The truth is, if I were to start pestering them the slightest bit about producing a grandchild, I know I’d be in for a tongue lashing that only a resident of New York City could deliver. I’m not about to unleash that hound.

But I hadn’t really pondered the subject before, except in the abstract, so just the asking of the question got me thinking.

If I were to have a grandbaby, I think I would be the best grandma ever. That child would be the most loved and cherished little one on the face of the earth. I think David would be even nuttier, he’s crazy about kids and kids love him right back. It would be a battle just to pry the tot off of his aching, horsey back.

BUT, if I never have grandkids, that’s all right, too. I’m not one of those passing-along-the-genes/carrying-on-the-family name kinda gals. There’s no inherent longing in my breast – I actually view that stuff as sort of archaic. Maybe this is a backlash from the incessant hints my mother-in-law dropped as soon as David and I got hitched.

In her defense, David is the fourth of five children, and was the first to marry – she had waited a LONG time by then. All of her girlfriends were winning the Grandma Game back in a time when that baby tally really meant something.

Baby begging doesn’t seem to be as much a part of our generation’s psyche, but grandma pride seems to have survived in full force. Facebook has opened my eyes to that.

Once one of my friends becomes a grandparent, their profile becomes a never-ending barrage of baby pictures. They’re worse than the new mothers. I understand it though, I’ll probably be a photo posting maniac myself should the time ever come.

To be honest, one of the reasons for my lack of longing is unabashed selfishness. I like having my kids all to myself when we visit. No husbands, wives or diaper changes to disrupt my time with them. I feel I’m just getting to know them as adults, and I am loving the process. I don’t want to share.

Genetics may play into my thinking as well. My mother-in-law, as one might imagine, was wet-her-pants excited when I announced my first upcoming bundle of joy.

But my side of the family reacted a bit differently. My mother was properly excited, but you would have thought I purposefully dropped an anvil on my dad. He was dismayed. He had to know that I was at an age where this type of thing could happen, he just couldn’t believe that HE was.

“I’m too young to be a Grandfather!”

Like my goal had been to put the final nail in the coffin of his fading youth. Grandfatherdom seemed to be a direct affront to the vernal image he had of himself.

As taken aback as I was at the time, I have to admit that I get it today. Personality is something I’ve inherited from my Dad and – honestly – the idea of me being a grandma stings a bit. (Note to self: try to hide this little selfish feeling when you get the “I’m pregnant!” phone call).

Finally, I have to wonder how influenced by outside factors I might be. In our society, we are past the point where we need to quickly pump out babies to help out on the farm, carry on the family name, or populate our religious faith and the Wild West.

There are an awful lot of people on this little planet of ours and I have to say I’m glad we’re slowing down with the baby birthing bit.

My offspring should set their reproductive itinerary at their own pace. It is not something I need to stick my pointy nose into. The potential for disaster looms large if a person is nagged into breeding before they are prepared, whether by a parent, society or even a spouse.

If one of our babies feels the time is right to reproduce, I’ll be right there with helpful hints on nausea, mood swings, vomit stain elimination and the like.

Until then, I’ll be glad to have them all to myself.

One last thing, a quick message to my kids – are you EVER going to have a baby?! Just kidding (I think).

Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Need some great, cool, and different ideas on gifts to give to grandchildren? Here are 10, or  check out these incredible places to go together.

YOUR TURN: You’ve heard my opinion, how do you feel?

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A Brief History of Bitcoins

Bitcoin is there to stay, and it is time for investors to start investing their resources in these digital currencies and in return expect significant returns… CONTINUE READING >> 

Bitcoin is the main digital currency in the world. It is common currency, and its transaction framework depends on a general record based on a centralization agreement called blockchain that records all exchanges. Bitcoin was filmed in 2008 by Satoshi Nakamoto, but it was the result of much research in blockchain and encryption and not just the work of one person. It was the ideal dream for cryptographers and organized trade advocates to have a limitless encryption currency based on the blockchain. Their imagination is a reality at the moment with the emergence of a growing homeowner and the various configurations around the world.

The digital currency was first sent across the blockchain by the agreement in 2009, and that year was replaced for the first time absolute. Come to July 2010, the cost of the bacon was only 8 pence. The number of contract and miners was much lower than the current number of thousands.

Within a year, the new digital currency rose to one dollar and turned into an interesting opportunity for what would come. Mining was fairly simple, and people made deals with good money and also sometimes played.

In half a year, the digital currency doubled again to $ 2. While the cost of Bitcoin is not fixed at a specific value point, the currency has shown this example of crazy evolution for a long time. In July 2011, the currency pattern became crazy, and the record high of $ 31 was achieved, but the market long ago realized that it was overvalued compared to the gains made and corrected to $ 2.

In 2012 December saw a vocal increase of up to $ 13 after a sufficient period, and the cost would explode. In four months until April 2013, the cost was expanded to $ 266 incredible. It was later corrected to $ 100, but this cosmic increase in value lifted its popularity for the first time absolute, and individuals began to joke about the real and reliable situation with Bitcoin.

During that period everyone knew the new currency. Everyone had questions; however, when we read about it gradually, it became clear that he was sure that money was there to stay where he had no one to control or impose himself on. Everything must end with a complete agreement, and this made it very free and powerful.

In 2013 the currency achieved a boom. Large organizations have begun to support Block’s recognition and the Bitcoin Revolution has publicly turned into a prominent theme of computer science programs. Many people at that stage imagined that the Bitcoin had met his need and now he would settle down.

The digital currency has become increasingly popular as the Bitcoin ATMs have been widely used, and various competitors have begun to take advantage of their muscles at different corners of the market. Ethereum is built up to blockchain for the main programming. Litecoin and Ripple began as less expensive and faster alternatives to Betquin.

The $ 1000 figure was first broken in January 2017 and has since been expanded several times already until September. It is a remarkable achievement for a coin that was only 8 cents for just seven years.

The Bitcoin coin also bore a hard fork on August 1, 2017, and has since risen by nearly 70%. Also, I have discovered the coin of PeteCorn fork on how to publish some achievement. Each last part of it is due to coin intrigue and outstanding blockchain innovation behind it.

While traditional business analysts claim that it may be a bubble and that the entire world of encryption will collapse, it is simply not true. There is no bubble because they have a fact in it, destroyed offers of paper cash forms and exchange organizations.

Final verdict:

Bitcoin is there to stay, and it is time for investors to start investing their resources in these digital currencies and in return expect significant returns. What’s going to happen is very good for bitcoin, and it’s never too late, where resources can be put into it, either for short moments or long distances. Although it is not advisable to invest all of your resources in this digital currency, no one is perfect enough to predict the future. Bitcoin has great benefits to an investor who is serious about the digital currency.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Delve Deeper: Tags

Best Ways to Travel the World and Still Study Well

Traveling for students can be really affordable; however, most students do not know and are not sure how they can at the same time finish their college duties and travel… CONTINUE READING >> 

Students more than others have the opportunity to travel, get to know the distant hidden and exotic places, especially with countless discounts and other opportunities offered to them such as student flight, online learning, and the like. In today’s modern times, travel opportunities for students are innumerable and open to all. It is not necessary to devote your time exclusively to studies if you want to be successful, or to earning money if you want to travel – it is not necessary to choose one of the two when you can definitely have both. Traveling for students can be really affordable; however, most students do not know and are not sure how they can at the same time finish their college duties and travel.

First, let’s talk about financing

If you think that the trip is expensive and that for every trip abroad you need to save the entire fortune – you are wrong. One of the most popular options is student travel scholarships, but if you are not interested in that, there are other ways. You should check out the https://www.couchsurfing.com – a site where after you decide through which countries and cities you want to travel, you can contact people who are offering you to stay in their home – for free. The essence is not at getting free accommodation, but in meeting the city and people, exactly as they are. Student travel is the most popular type on this site, so most users are young, vibrant people.

On a trip, try to spend between an hour to three hours each day studying and doing the tasks you have made in advance in order to achieve your deadlines. Student travel does not need to be stressful at all, and should be a great experience and should offer you a lot of fun. With tools that can be found online such as literature, research, online courses, and custom writing sites, you should be able to not just stay on top of your obligations, but be one of the better students in your class.

What about your college obligations?

The next step is to make a list of the obligations you need to do in order to achieve the deadline – studying, doing research, getting materials, and so on. This list will keep you in check no matter which part of the world you are in. What can help you in many ways is https://customwriting.com that offers professional and academic support to all students. This site is widely used on travel trips, and when you are unable to fulfill the deadline by yourself. It is one of the most popular services that have great and high quality solutions.

Be sure to make a timetable of all your commitments and plans in one place. Create a calendar and enter all the obligations you have regarding colleges, such as taking exams and submitting papers and assignments. These are the obligations that you must fulfill so plan around them, especially if you want to take student travel scholarships because being in a new city can greatly disrupt your previous learning rhythm. Your studies shouldn’t suffer while you are on the road, nor should you limit your fun in order to keep up with tasks. The key to everything is a good organization and a little bit of time management.

For the trip, you need to pack everything you will use in order to fulfill the academic obligations that are ahead of you. This includes literature, books, scripts, notebooks, pens, markers, but also a laptop, mobile, chargers, headphones and everything you normally use when learning and doing your assignments. It is also important not to take too much with you. Get rid of the fear that you will need some of the tools that you have never used before. Student travel is one of the most popular types because that form of freedom is rare later in life. It’s not a goal to bring with you your entire room, but just the basic things you will need.

See the things in the read about in class

It is imperative that every person meet and explore the world around us. Don’t forget to visit specialized websites where you can find cheap air tickets such as https://www.cheapflights.ca and many others that offer student flight options that you can take full advantage of and save money. Travel is a great part of getting to know not only other cultures, people, art and beauty, but also getting to know ourselves and acquiring experiences and skills that are invaluable. Students have countless opportunities to travel, not just through student travel scholarships, but also in their own organization like we discussed in this article.

Author’s Bio:
Susan Wallace is a world traveler, and she wrote several of her best texts during her travels, primarily as a college freshman and sophomore when she traveled through much of Africa and Asia. She considers her journey experience to be crucial for the development of a person both in a spiritual and academic way. Susan thinks that college is the ideal time to expand the horizons, not only through books, lessons, and literature but also through personal experience.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Say Si to Seeing Spain

How many superlatives can we use for one country? If the nation we are describing is Spain, then we’d say an unlimited number. So, as our fellow travelers plan their coming adventures, we highly recommend looking into a Spainish fiesta…
CONTINUE READING >> 

How many superlatives can we use for one country? If the nation we are describing is Spain, then we’d say an unlimited number.

Beautiful, seductive, historic, engaging, exciting, dramatic, enticing, delicious, charming, alluring, appealing, captivating, fascinating, intriguing, inviting, enchanting, beguiling, mesmerizing, and… OK, you get the picture.

So, as our fellow travelers plan their coming adventures, we highly recommend looking into tours of Spain 2019.

Over the past few years we have come to appreciate the advantages of taking a tour as opposed to exploring on our own. First and foremost, the planning is so much simpler. With one contact everything is taken care of.

It also means never missing the most important sites, and benefiting from the expertise of people who have “been there, done that” many times before. It is so much easier when we can relax and see the destinations we want to see worry free.

In Spain that means Barcelona and Madrid.

Barcelona:

The Catalonian capital city certainly tics off every one of those adjectives we named before, and one important one we didn’t, unique.

We know it’s a cliché, but there really is no other place like it on earth. Responsible for that as much as almost anything is the presence of so many structures by the famed architect Antoni Gaudí.

There is one that stands out above all the others, literally and figuratively, the Sagrada Família. This massive basilica is without a doubt the pinnacle of his work, and we do mean pinnacle.

Huge spires rise into the sky over fifty stories high. These frame three entry ways decorated with incredible facades depicting the birth, death, and glorification of Christ.

Inside the cathedral is equally as engrossing. Gaudí set out to make his columns rising to the heavens feel like giant trees in a forest that split like branches to support the ceiling. After some time of gazing up at the enormous tapered pillars we couldn’t help but conclude that he was wildly successful.

More of this master’s work is scattered throughout the city, with a concentration at Park Güell. In this garden not only the structures, but the entire layout of the park was his design. The result is an amazing dream-like urban getaway.

Of course Barcelona has much more to offer than eccentric architecture, a visit wouldn’t be complete without stopping by the Gothic Quarter.

This is the oldest part of the city, where there are still remnants of the ancient Roman wall and several structures dating back to the thirteen hundreds.

If this is the heart of Barcelona, then the boulevard La Rambla must be the aorta.

Much more than just a street, the promenade has become like a giant open air theater for performers, artists, and especially human statues.

Madrid:

Culturally quite different from Catalonia, Madrid is quintessentially Spanish. Touring the town means visiting plazas, a palace, and the Prado Museum, because it is famous for all of the above.

From the Puerta del Sol and the bear that represents the city, to the Plaza Mayor with King Philip III at the center, to Plaza Cibeles around the amazing City Hall, each is a veritable smorgasbord for the senses. Architecture and statues galore grace them along with incredible sidewalk cafes. Whenever possible we made a point of stopping for tapas to take time to soak in the atmosphere.

Speaking of eating, we may have never seen an array of tempting taste treats like what we found at the Market of San Miguel. Much more than a typical market, Mercado de San Miguel is a place for gourmet appetites, where more than thirty vendors sell a variety of tremendous tapas with olives, artichokes, seafood, and ham.

The ham! How could we almost forget to mention the ham? Please, please, we beg of you, please do not leave Spain without trying the Iberian ham. Cured pork products will never be seen the same again once you have.

Madrid is the Spanish seat of government, and has been since 1561, so the Royal Palace reflects the status of the time when the empire was perhaps the richest on earth. However, the current Palacio Real, which is the largest in Europe by floor space, was built after a fire destroyed the original in 1734.

The Palace, with the Almudena Cathedral directly across from it, makes for yet another wildly impressive square in this city with no shortage of them.

There are only a handful of museums around the world so well known that they help to define a city, and we would definitely include the Prado on that list. While the Louvre may be more famous, it is widely held that the Prado has the world’s finest collection of European art because of the centuries of collecting by the Spanish Royal family.

None of these attractions should be missed, and every single one is a stop on the tours that we mentioned above. It is also possible to add Cordoba and Seville to the itinerary, but we have not had the pleasure of visiting them yet.

Hmmm, looks as though we will need to book another trip to Spain soon.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

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