Classy Spain destinations to visit as seen on Manny and Jinkee Pacquiao's scenic trip
With its opulent landmarks and exclusive aristocratic services, Spain has clearly become a haven for tourists who want to enjoy the finer things in life.
Now that it has been accepting fully vaccinated tourists with Schengen visas, it comes as no wonder that Spain has become one of the first stops for celebrities like Manny and Jinkee Pacquiao, who are making the most of the year with revenge travel.
If you, too, are planning to go all-out on your much-awaited travel comeback (because hey, you deserve it), then a Spanish getaway would be your best option.
Let Manny and Jinkee's recent glamorous trip help you pin the luxurious sites to visit in the culturally rich nation.
Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid will show you all the right reasons why Spain is luxurious. Spanning over 135,000 square meters, this historical landmark is the largest functioning royal palace in Western Europe and one of the biggest in the world.
It has served as the official residence of Spanish kings, from Charles III to Alfonso XIII, before it was opened to the public as a tourist spot and venue for state ceremonies.
Apart from its size, the palace is admired by tourists—the Pacquiaos included—for its impressive rendering of Spain’s baroque architecture style consisting of profuse ornamentation and extravagant use of gold.
It has 3,418 rooms and amenities, including the main staircase, chamber of Charles III, the Royal Chapel, Stradivarius Hall, Throne Room, and the grandiose Gala Dining Room, which Jinkee shared a glimpse of on her Instagram feed.
Entrance fee for the Royal Palace of Madrid is €13 or P750. To make the most out of your tour, download the palace’s interactive guide on App Store or Google Play Store in time for your visit.
The Mediterranean Sea via sailboat
Imagine enjoying the picture-postcard view of Costa Brava with cool breeze running through your hair and gentle ocean waves rocking you to slumber — sounds like the perfect way to spend an afternoon, right?
Take it from affluent couple Manny and Jinkee, who recently showed how to enjoy one of Spain's many luxuries during a trip. As seen on Jinkee's Instagram post, their family rented a sailboat in Barcelona, which took them on a relaxing tour of the Mediterranean Sea.
To try this rejuvenating experience for yourself, you would have to rent a sailboat on one of Barcelona's marinas: Marina Vela, Port Vell, Port Forum, or Port Olimpic. A trip usually lasts at least two hours, with a price that ranges from €290 (P16,670) to €790 (P45,370), depending on the number of passengers.
It gives you a scenic skyline view of Barcelona and covers various landmarks including the Badalona beach where, if time and weather permits, you and your family can take a dip. Drinks and snacks will also be served on board.
Basilica de la Sagrada de Familia
Basilica de la Sagrada de Familia (Basilica of the Holy Family) is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain for its ornate exterior featuring 18 angular towers rising high above other buildings.
The large and unconventional basilica was designed by renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, with an Art Noveau architecture or one that is characterized by linear rhythm and a combination of many various materials such as iron, glass, ceramic, and brick.
This can be seen not only in the church's unusual structure but also in its three elaborate facades depicting the birth, passion, and resurrection of Jesus. Jinkee's Instagram post also shows that the church's interior pillars and ceiling design were made to look like towering tree trunks.
The basilica has been undergoing construction since 1882 and its completion is slated for 2026. In 1984, the opulent church was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tickets start at €26 (P1,500) and can be purchased by scanning the QR codes around the basilica or through its app, which you can download on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Eiffel Bridge
If France has the Eiffel Tower, then Spain has the Eiffel Bridge. Located in the city of Girona, the striking bridge was one of the first tourist spots the Pacquiaos visited during their recent trip.
Although this social infrastructure features an ultra-modern design, it was, in fact, built way back 1877 and designed by none other than Eiffel Tower's architect, Gustav Eiffel.
History says that the architect constructed it before starting his world-renowned project in Paris. Today, visitors would interpret the bridge's design as a small Eiffel Tower positioned horizontally.
It's not just its deep red color and contemporary design that make this bridge a must-visit for photo junkies. The Eiffel Bridge, which spans the River Onyar, offers tourists a picturesque view of the old town's colorful buildings and connects the suburb to the modern parts of the city.
Medieval monuments
Girona is known for its rich medieval history spanning 2,000 years. It was during that time that the Romans built the defensive walled fortress called Força Vella, which tourists can still see to this day. The city was also colonized by the Visigoths and Arabs who, like the Romans, built elaborate monuments in the district.
Walking down its streets will allow you to explore the city's artistic and cultural heritage, as seen on the Pacquiao family's first days in Spain.
Like the Pacquiaos, you mustn't dare miss Girona's first cathedral, the Basilica de Sant Feliu. The stunning monument is admired for its Romanesque architecture, complete with a bell tower, Gothic nave, and baroque facade.
Another must-visit attraction is the Girona Cathedral, which dates back to 1312 and took centuries to complete. The majestic basilica is famous for having the world's widest Gothic nave and for its distinct architecture that features both Gothic and Romanesque styles. And oh, did we mention that it was used as the filming location of the sixth season of Game of Thrones?
Apart from the Girona Cathedral, another medieval site that has become the favorite of tourists and Game of Thrones fans alike is Girona's Arabic Baths. The monuments, which date back to the 12th century, are marveled at for their slender baroque columns, well-preserved ancient pools, and star-shaped vents on the ceiling.
