Visiting anywhere in Spain is a pure pleasure, and whether the reason for being there is business, vacation, art, or anything else, there are spectacular things to see while you’re on your way toward enjoying life.  There’s no city that can represent the heart of Spain as well as Madrid, perhaps, because of its spectacular combination of culture and history, where the present meet the past at every turn, and there’s always something new to learn.  Madrid is a tourist’s paradise.  It’s not difficult to get around, the people are rather friendly, or at least extremely fashionable, and there is a sense of adventure, that makes the city accessible and extremely fun.

For those who are used to only settling for the best, Madrid restaurants can offer a spectacular taste of the good life.  There is enormous variety here, with some wonderful places that specialize in international cuisine, as well as fusion dining.  There are also a few Spanish restaurants that could change the way you think about your tongue.  The tastes have been simply amazing for generations in Spain, and with each generation, it gets better, with more perfections made, and more bold experiments to speak to the traditions.  It’s the same principle in the art.

It operates now with the boldest new artists, looking to break with tradition, but also wanting to take the best parts along with them.  Spain is different than many countries, and a clean break with the past can mean tearing out what’s roots, or destroying an intellectual, creative, and spiritual legacy, so even the most fearless experimenters tend to know their artistic ancestors pretty well.  Goya was certainly working in this realm, and although he moved in fantastic, bold new directions, had a steady connection with all that came before.  His caprichos speak to earlier folk traditions, and even help to interrupt the flow of contemporary art in his time, to make the proper authorities stop in their tracks, haunted by the specters of their own reflections.

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1. Singapore’s Art Buddha