Woahhh...great recommendations! Just passed the Dejima recco along to some friends that wanted to be in Japan for the Holidays, but ended up pivoting to a cheaper flight to Paris. Do you know of any favorite local/regional shops in Barcelona that have a similar feel to Dejima?
And you just sent me down a rabbit hole with A Kind of Guise. I will also be taking the vintage version route, but they have some amazing combinations! Kudos for another great weekly dose of inspiration!
Recently back from a first trip to Madrid. While the Prado has art treasures from Bosch, Valesques, and the Late Goya that aren't to be missed, and the Reine Sofia is a marvelous building (both the old and new sides) with intriguing and challenging exhibitions, I was most impressed by the curation of the art on display at Thyssen-Bornemisza as well as the very pleasant staff. (of smaller museums Imprenta Municipal - Artes del Libro is well presented.)
Madrid is marvellous, everyone there just seemed to have a good 'vibe'. The large Retiro park is one of the most gorgeous and pleasant city parks I've been in. Great coffee everywhere, but Syra (there are several around the city) was the tops. extremely good gelato/ice cream at Maison Glacé on Calle de Ibiza.
My partner is a huge fan of Goya, so I know the Prado will be high on the list, but the Thyssen-Bornemisza sounds amazing, adding it as well! Our hotel is actually five blocks north of the park, really looking forward to strolling around with the dogs. Good call on Syra, it's my go-to spot for coffee here in Barcelona as well, in fact, they just opened a brand new one across from my apartment. Thank you for the tips!
This Great Art Explained video is a very excellently informed overview of the late Goya works on display at the Prado, especially if you want to sneakily impress your partner with Art history knowledge: https://youtu.be/GLW9omJfAdk
Both a great deal as well as 'skipping the queue for tickets' (especially at Prado): you just let staff know you're getting the pass, as well as if you've got one, and you jump straight to the front of the ticket queue to get your pass or ticket for the day. Saves time, money and the latter allows for 'eyes too full; come back in a couple days' option.
Looking forward to what you discover in this city as we plan to return next spring.
Woahhh...great recommendations! Just passed the Dejima recco along to some friends that wanted to be in Japan for the Holidays, but ended up pivoting to a cheaper flight to Paris. Do you know of any favorite local/regional shops in Barcelona that have a similar feel to Dejima?
And you just sent me down a rabbit hole with A Kind of Guise. I will also be taking the vintage version route, but they have some amazing combinations! Kudos for another great weekly dose of inspiration!
I can email you my lists before you come, you'll set for places to go! AKOG is soooo good, I need much more money though! haha
That would be amazing! Thank you. I’ve heavily researched food and drink spots, but have barely looked into the markets. Can’t wait to see Barcelona!
Recently back from a first trip to Madrid. While the Prado has art treasures from Bosch, Valesques, and the Late Goya that aren't to be missed, and the Reine Sofia is a marvelous building (both the old and new sides) with intriguing and challenging exhibitions, I was most impressed by the curation of the art on display at Thyssen-Bornemisza as well as the very pleasant staff. (of smaller museums Imprenta Municipal - Artes del Libro is well presented.)
Madrid is marvellous, everyone there just seemed to have a good 'vibe'. The large Retiro park is one of the most gorgeous and pleasant city parks I've been in. Great coffee everywhere, but Syra (there are several around the city) was the tops. extremely good gelato/ice cream at Maison Glacé on Calle de Ibiza.
My partner is a huge fan of Goya, so I know the Prado will be high on the list, but the Thyssen-Bornemisza sounds amazing, adding it as well! Our hotel is actually five blocks north of the park, really looking forward to strolling around with the dogs. Good call on Syra, it's my go-to spot for coffee here in Barcelona as well, in fact, they just opened a brand new one across from my apartment. Thank you for the tips!
Indulging in some related 'tips':
This Great Art Explained video is a very excellently informed overview of the late Goya works on display at the Prado, especially if you want to sneakily impress your partner with Art history knowledge: https://youtu.be/GLW9omJfAdk
I read this amazing book about Valazquez while there which also helped inform many of his paintings on display at the Prado, including some quite astonishing facts about Las Meninas* : https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/jan/08/vanishing-man-velazquez-laura-cumming-review
*(such as the fact that Van Eyck's Arnolfini portrait was on the walls of the palace when V was a court painter there!)
another tip re Prado/Reine Sofia/Thyssen is that there is a one-visit for all three ticket of 30 euros good for a year (more details here: https://www.museothyssen.org/en/paseo-arte-card-museums-madrid )
or a visit any national museums (doesn't include Thyssen) year pass again for about 30 euros (more details here: https://www.museoreinasofia.es/en/visit/opening-hours-and-ticket-prices/annual-membership )
Both a great deal as well as 'skipping the queue for tickets' (especially at Prado): you just let staff know you're getting the pass, as well as if you've got one, and you jump straight to the front of the ticket queue to get your pass or ticket for the day. Saves time, money and the latter allows for 'eyes too full; come back in a couple days' option.
Looking forward to what you discover in this city as we plan to return next spring.
I second your thoughts on A Kind Of Guise. If only, you know...
Seriously, in my dreams, haha...