Iberian Pennisula

The Iberian Pennisula is located in the far western section of the European continent; the nations of Spain and Portugal inhabit this part of Europe. Most visits to Portugal start in Lisbon, the largest city in Portugal and also its capital. Portugal was once a great seafaring and colonizing nation, with an empire that stretched from Asia to Brazil and Africa.

Lisbon is a beautiful city containing many fabulous buildings, museums, and monasteries to see and visit. The Castello de Sao Jorge has gorgeous views from the top of the castle, and the Jeronimos Monstery is an excellent example of Portugal's Manveline (Portuguese late Gothic) architecture. Spain is the larger of the two countries, and occupies about 3/4 of the Iberian Pennisula. Like Portugal, Spain was also once a great colonizing nation that was the center of an empire that included the Phillipines, much of Central and South America, and colonies in Africa. Madrid is the capital of Spain, and the home to The Prado. The Prado is one of the great art museums in the world. The Prado contains some 1500 works of art, most of which are paintings. Another interesting site in Spain that is a must-see is The Alhambra, a Moorish palace constructed in 1238 by the Moors in Granada. The Alhambra is a beautiful legacy of the sophisticated architecture that was once a part of the Muslim culture in Europe.

Europe has long been a favorite travel destination for international tourists. An excellent transportation network, cosmopolitan cities, rich historical sites, and a plethora of cultural destinations all contribute to Europe's popularity as a tourist destination.