Prado Museum, the Window the Spanish Soul

Being in awe when visiting Prado Museum is considered an understatement. Don't take out word for it, go see it yourself! With more than 7,000 paintings in their collections. What was once a grand palace now turned museum, it is a must see when visiting if you ever make your way to Madrid. And how can you not when the city itself is already filled with so much culture and beautiful art in itself. So what are you waiting for? Download the Prado Museum Travel Guide and Offline Map now!

1.     History

The neoclassical Palacio de Villanueva was completed in 1785 and what is now the museum's Western Wing. It was originally born as a house of science and later became a barracks for Napoleon's cavalry troops. The building itself is already beaming with history. In 1814, King Fernando VII decided to use the palace as a museum. Five years later the Museo del Prado opened with 311 Spanish paintings on display.

2.      Goya

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes is a staple name in the Prado Museum. His work can be found on all three floors of the Prado. In Room 65, Goya’s El dos de mayo and El tres de mayo rank among Madrid’s most emblematic paintings as they bring to life the 1808 anti-French revolt and subsequent execution of insurgents in Madrid. Alongside, in Rooms 67 and 68, are some of his darkest and most disturbing works, Las pinturas negras with their dark browns and black and distorted animalesque appearance of their characters.

3.     Velázquez

Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velázquez is another of the grand masters of Spanish art who brings so much distinction to the Prado. Of all his works, Las meninas (Room 12) is what most people come to see. Completed in 1656, it is more properly known as La família de Felipe IV (The Family of Felipe IV). The rooms surrounding Las meninas contain more fine works by Velázquez with his paintings of various members of royalty--Felipe II, Felipe IV, Margarita de Austria, El Príncipe Baltasar Carlos and Isabel de Francia on horseback.

Learn more about other destinations that offer unique experiences by checking out eTips.

Experience these 3 things in Melbourne, Australia’s Cultural and Sporting Capital

Melbourne has consistently topped the Economist Intelligence Unit’s World’s Most Livable Cities List since 2011 and it is expected to be voted number one again this 2017. Here are some of the reasons that make Melbourne so desirable. Get the Melbourne Travel Guide and Offline City Map so you’ll know exactly what to do when you get there.

1.      The Weather

The Melbourne summer has just the right amount of heat to make you go running towards the beach which is just 20 minutes away from the city center. If you don’t feel like going to the beach, there are several hotels and numerous amusement centers that have rooftop pools. The Melbourne winter, on the other hand, is just cool enough to allow you to roam around comfortably as long as you wear the right winter wardrobe. Whether you visit in the summer or in winter, you’ll surely find the Melbourne weather quite pleasing.

2.      The Food

Melbourne has a very innovative and exciting food scene which accurately reflects how much the people in the city love to it. You will be surprised at how varied the options are, especially for brunch. Here are the eateries and restaurants you should check out:

·         Industry Beans – serves the best coffee in the city. The coffee is roasted on-site so you can guarantee its freshness. Its menu has more caffeinated beverage options than Starbucks.

·         Ginger Boy – known for its delectable Asian Fusion cuisine. Its signature dish is the Son in Law Eggs while its signature cocktail is the Ginger Girl.

·        Embla  – a restaurant filled with the New York vibe that serves an unbelievable variety of small dishes you can eat handily on-the-go.

3.      The Racing

The Melbourne Cup is reason enough to visit the city if you are a fan of racing and everything fast. Its most notable event is the Autumn Racing Carnival’s Super Saturday in which the first horse to reach the finish line can win its owner as much as $500,000. It is a massive event in which countless families set up camp by the track side to make the most out of the experience.

You can trust eTips to give you reliable information on the world’s best destinations.

Lyon, the Gastronomic Capital of France

Lyon is one of the emerging destinations in France. It offers numerous attractions several times more affordable than those in Paris. Here are some of the reasons why you should go to Lyon instead of the more popular French cities. Download the Lyon Travel Guide and Offline City Map to help you prepare for your visit.

No Hassle

Lyon is not a busy city and not many tourists visit it either. Visiting it will make you feel as if everything the city has to offer is exclusively for you. There are no waiting lines on attractions, getting a cab is fast, there is no traffic, etc. You can also just walk from one part of the city to another if you want to soak in the view and feel of locale. If you want a hassle-free vacation in France, this city is exactly what you are looking for.

Affordable

The cost of living in Lyon is nearly 40% cheaper compared to the cost of living in Paris. Everything in Lyon is cheaper than in most French cities, especially the rent. If you want a long vacation in France without burning all your savings then this is the place to go.

Delicious

Lyon is the gastronomical capital of France for a reason. It offers the finest and most varied cuisine in the country. If you want to taste as many authentic French dishes and food items as possible, this is the place to be. The city is located in an area where the finest ingredients in the region pass through. The city also lies between two of the largest wine producing regions in France. To top it all off, there are 17 restaurants in Lyon that hold Michelin stars.

Historic

Lyon’s Old City is one of the largest intact Renaissance districts in Europe while Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) is the second largest intact Renaissance neighborhood in Europe. Old Lyon is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Other notable Gothic and Renaissance buildings and structures can be found all around the city.

Planning your next trip? Prepare by downloading a virtual map and city guide from eTips.