3 cities in Spain you need to visit this summer
With its white-sand beaches, mouthwatering food, and rich cultural history, it's hard to imagine a more idyllic destination to visit this summer than Spain. Whether you're an art lover who's interested in exploring the masterworks of Picasso and Dalí, a parent looking to introduce their kids to the magic of Southern Europe, or you just want to relax on a sailboat as it drifts lazily along the sun-drenched coastline, you'll find exactly what you've been dreaming of in this Mediterranean paradise. To help you plan the perfect summer getaway, here are three cities in Spain that offer something special for everyone.
Barcelona
A city of exquisite contrasts, where avant-garde skyscrapers stand harmoniously alongside medieval monasteries, Barcelona offers visitors a European getaway unlike any other. From the cosmopolitan shopping district of Diagonal Mar to the ancient alleyways of the Gothic Quarter, this Mediterranean metropolis is in a category all by itself.
To instantly immerse yourself in the magic of Barcelona, a trip to the stunning Sagrada Família cathedral is essential. This wildly ornate Roman Catholic basilica, designed by legendary Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, is by far the most emblematic building in the city.
For a meal that captures Barcelona's true essence, take a culinary tour of La Boqueria, a massive public marketplace that dates back to 1217. Here you'll find gourmet butchers, farm fresh produce, an endless assortment of sweets and spices, and perfectly prepared dishes with a distinct Barcelonian flavor.
Though born in the southern province of Málaga, legendary artist Pablo Picasso is intimately associated with Barcelona, having painted many of his greatest works while living in the city. So naturally, the Museu Picasso is an important attraction that anyone who wants to understand Spanish art needs to visit at least once in their lifetime.
When you're ready to soak up the summer rays, head on over to beautiful Nova Icària Beach and settle back on a comfortable sun lounger. Surrounded by a variety of restaurants and bars, and equipped with several beach volleyball courts, it's an ideal spot for family and friends traveling in a group.
Madrid
Spain's vibrant capital has gone through countless changes over the past century, but its historic core remains thankfully intact. First-time visitors will marvel at Madrid's unique blend of old world charm and modern sophistication, which is best exemplified by the warm and welcoming residents who call the city their home.
Since food is central to Madrid's identity, indulge your appetite at La Carmencita, one of the city's oldest tapas restaurants. The expertly curated menu includes delicious calamari fritters, fresh razor clams in sherry and Madrilenean-style grilled anchovies. After that, make your way over to Ático 11, the cozy rooftop bar atop the Iberostar Las Letras Hotel, for an elegant cocktail with a view.
For anyone traveling with children, the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales is a delightful science museum filled with priceless meteorites, local fossils, rare minerals and several enormous dinosaur skeletons. And because soccer is an intrinsic part of Spanish culture, a tour of Madrid's incredible Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is a must-visit attraction.
If exploring historic landmarks is what you're in the mood for, the fascinating Temple of Debod is perhaps the most unique ancient ruin in all of Spain. And finally, no trip to Madrid is complete without seeing Hieronymus Bosch's astonishing painting, "The Garden of Earthly Delights" on permanent display at the Museo Nacional del Prado.
Mallorca
Understandably famous for its gorgeous beaches and temperate climate, this colorful Spanish island has far more to offer than just blue water and clear skies. A haven for artists and writers throughout the decades, Mallorca is home to a remarkable collection of cultural and historic attractions that make it a splendid choice for both first-time and returning visitors.
The quickest way to acquaint yourself with the island's visual splendor is by taking a hike along the spectacular Torrent de Pareis, a natural box canyon that's one of Spain's most beautiful sights. This 3.1 mile trek involves several small climbs over moderate-sized rocks and boulders, so it's best attempted by physically fit hikers wearing appropriate climbing shoes.
For travelers with an interest in the country's prehistoric past, a tour of the Necropolis at Son Real – a collection of individual tombs and burial chambers dating back to the 7th century B.C. should definitely be on the itinerary. If peace and calm is what you're searching for, a relaxing stroll through the picturesque town of Pollença is a perfect way to experience Mallorca's restorative tranquility.
Since the island is renowned for its superb seafood, the Michelin-starred restaurant Es Fum comes highly recommended. When you make a reservation, be sure to ask for a table on the outdoor terrace. That way you'll enjoy a plate of smoked octopus and Gillardeau oysters while gazing at a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean Sea. As the locals say, “Buen provecho!"
When you go
Once you've decided on the perfect Spanish getaway, book your tickets by visiting united.com or by using the convenient United app.
Barcelona
A city of exquisite contrasts, where avant-garde skyscrapers stand harmoniously alongside medieval monasteries, Barcelona offers visitors a European getaway unlike any other. From the cosmopolitan shopping district of Diagonal Mar to the ancient alleyways of the Gothic Quarter, this Mediterranean metropolis is in a category all by itself.
To instantly immerse yourself in the magic of Barcelona, a trip to the stunning Sagrada Família cathedral is essential. This wildly ornate Roman Catholic basilica, designed by legendary Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, is by far the most emblematic building in the city.
For a meal that captures Barcelona's true essence, take a culinary tour of La Boqueria, a massive public marketplace that dates back to 1217. Here you'll find gourmet butchers, farm fresh produce, an endless assortment of sweets and spices, and perfectly prepared dishes with a distinct Barcelonian flavor.
Though born in the southern province of Málaga, legendary artist Pablo Picasso is intimately associated with Barcelona, having painted many of his greatest works while living in the city. So naturally, the Museu Picasso is an important attraction that anyone who wants to understand Spanish art needs to visit at least once in their lifetime.
When you're ready to soak up the summer rays, head on over to beautiful Nova Icària Beach and settle back on a comfortable sun lounger. Surrounded by a variety of restaurants and bars, and equipped with several beach volleyball courts, it's an ideal spot for family and friends traveling in a group.
Madrid
Spain's vibrant capital has gone through countless changes over the past century, but its historic core remains thankfully intact. First-time visitors will marvel at Madrid's unique blend of old world charm and modern sophistication, which is best exemplified by the warm and welcoming residents who call the city their home.
Since food is central to Madrid's identity, indulge your appetite at La Carmencita, one of the city's oldest tapas restaurants. The expertly curated menu includes delicious calamari fritters, fresh razor clams in sherry and Madrilenean-style grilled anchovies. After that, make your way over to Ático 11, the cozy rooftop bar atop the Iberostar Las Letras Hotel, for an elegant cocktail with a view.
For anyone traveling with children, the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales is a delightful science museum filled with priceless meteorites, local fossils, rare minerals and several enormous dinosaur skeletons. And because soccer is an intrinsic part of Spanish culture, a tour of Madrid's incredible Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is a must-visit attraction.
If exploring historic landmarks is what you're in the mood for, the fascinating Temple of Debod is perhaps the most unique ancient ruin in all of Spain. And finally, no trip to Madrid is complete without seeing Hieronymus Bosch's astonishing painting, "The Garden of Earthly Delights" on permanent display at the Museo Nacional del Prado.
Mallorca
Understandably famous for its gorgeous beaches and temperate climate, this colorful Spanish island has far more to offer than just blue water and clear skies. A haven for artists and writers throughout the decades, Mallorca is home to a remarkable collection of cultural and historic attractions that make it a splendid choice for both first-time and returning visitors.
The quickest way to acquaint yourself with the island's visual splendor is by taking a hike along the spectacular Torrent de Pareis, a natural box canyon that's one of Spain's most beautiful sights. This 3.1 mile trek involves several small climbs over moderate-sized rocks and boulders, so it's best attempted by physically fit hikers wearing appropriate climbing shoes.
For travelers with an interest in the country's prehistoric past, a tour of the Necropolis at Son Real – a collection of individual tombs and burial chambers dating back to the 7th century B.C. should definitely be on the itinerary. If peace and calm is what you're searching for, a relaxing stroll through the picturesque town of Pollença is a perfect way to experience Mallorca's restorative tranquility.
Since the island is renowned for its superb seafood, the Michelin-starred restaurant Es Fum comes highly recommended. When you make a reservation, be sure to ask for a table on the outdoor terrace. That way you'll enjoy a plate of smoked octopus and Gillardeau oysters while gazing at a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean Sea. As the locals say, “Buen provecho!"
When you go
Once you've decided on the perfect Spanish getaway, book your tickets by visiting united.com or by using the convenient United app.
From Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, the U.S. celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, a chance to pay tribute to the history, culture and contributions that generations of Latinxs have paved to enrich U.S. history. It is also a reminder to celebrate our differences and spark difficult, yet important, conversations.
To kick off the month, UNITE, our multicultural business resource group for employees, did just that by hosting a panel discussion about the immigrant experience and what it means to be an immigrant in the U.S.
United Litigation and Managing Counsel Elizabeth Lopez, who is a pro bono immigration attorney, moderated the panel, and was joined by Ashley Huebner, Associate Director of Legal Services at the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) and Magdalena Gonzalez, Program Manager, Leadership Development Programs at Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement. The three women shared their insights and personal stories, while addressing some misconceptions and highlighting the contributions of immigrants to our company and country.
"I started to notice that there were things I was scared of doing, that I needed to be cautious," said Magdalena while sharing her personal experience as a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient. "My friends, who a majority of them are citizens, did not need to worry about that. As I was able to see that, I realized that, 'oh, there's so many things that revolve around not just being a DACA recipient but revolve around being a person with an undocumented status here in the United States.'"
United maintains a close relationship with the NIJC. In May of 2019, United co-hosted an asylum clinic put on by the legal services organization, where several attorneys and legal professionals were trained on representing asylum-seeking applicants. At the end of the clinic, members of our legal department were assigned an asylum case through the NIJC.
Litigation Managing Counsel Elizabeth Lopez, Commercial Transactions Counsel Tiffany Jaspers, Global Compliance and Ethics Counsel Nancy Jacobson and Employment Litigation Senior Manager Dorothy Karpierz were partnered with attorneys from the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery to take on an immigration case of a mother of three from Honduras. Recently, after a years-long court battle, the legal team was victorious, changing the life of the woman and her family.
United is committed to connecting people and uniting the world. Whether you're an immigrant, a child of immigrants or simply want to learn more about the immigrant experience in the U.S., discussions like these, related to this hot-button issue, are important to have in order to understand the human lives behind it.
Since its launch 20 years ago, Year Up, one of our critical needs grant recipients, has helped more than 10,000 young adults gain access to corporate business and technical experience at large companies like United while offering the invaluable perspectives they bring with them.
On Wednesday, the nonprofit inducted United into its Opportunity Hall of Fame – a selection that occurs once every five years.
Year Up's mission is to help close the opportunity divide by providing urban young adults with the skills, experience and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education. Since 2018, our partnership has allowed talented student learners the opportunity to gain corporate business experience and technical skill training at the airline while bringing their unique perspectives to our United family and culture. One of those students is Emily Lopez, who graduated from the Year Up program in January 2019 and was hired to be part of the United family as an analyst in Revenue Management.
"I moved from Venezuela to the United States in July 2016 and being a young immigrant with no resources can be difficult to pursue a career in a new country," said Emily.
After learning about Year Up and ultimately being accepted into the program, Emily landed an internship with United, an opportunity she is very grateful for.
"Feedback from my mentors, coaches and managers was key during my internship phase and helped me convert my internship at United to a full-time position. I am grateful for the opportunity United has provided me and my Year Up Alumni colleagues to keep building a professional career within the company. I am so excited to continue building a professional career with the company and to see United being inducted to Year Up's Hall of Fame. Let's continue closing the opportunity divide!" said Emily.
Although the coronavirus pandemic has made this year's partnership a bit more difficult, we continue to do our part to support the Year Up student learners. Last month, we surprised 145 graduates of this year's Year Up Chicago program with roundtrip tickets to pursue career and networking opportunities within the United States.
"I've been personally honored and inspired to be an advocate for Year Up since I joined United," said CEO Scott Kirby. "This program gives young people from challenged backgrounds an opportunity to get their foot in the door as interns at United. This year's graduates are entering a challenging job landscape, but we have one thing that can help: a route network that provides easy access to major business markets across the United States."
