Three Cities, One Country, Countless Memories - Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Indeed!

Published in the Sunday Indian Express on 22 June 2025

Recently, I had the joy of travelling through Spain with my wife, Heta, and our daughter, Raya. What made this trip even more special was how beautifully it brought together different corners of our lives. In Madrid, we caught up with dear friends from the UK. In Barcelona, we were joined by friends from the US who flew in for a quick getaway. And in Ibiza, we joined our amazing YPO community for a retreat that was equal parts adventure, gastronomy and fun.

Three cities. Three experiences. And yet, one country that kept surprising me with its warmth, history, energy, and spirit. Each destination gave us a completely different side of Spain. So in today’s write-up, I want to take you along on that journey. Through the plazas, playgrounds, cathedrals, coastlines, and cliff edges. Through tapas and Gaudí and sunset views. Through the heart of Spain. Let’s begin with Madrid.

Madrid: For most of us in India, the first thing we associate with Madrid is Real Madrid, the football club of legends. And while visiting the iconic Santiago Bernabéu stadium is high on many travel lists, I decided to skip the stadium this time. Instead, I wanted to explore Madrid like a local. And that choice gave me a whole new appreciation for this Spanish capital.

Madrid has a certain timeless charm. It’s elegant without trying too hard. One of our first stops was Retiro Park, Parque del Buen Retiro, a sprawling green space that once belonged to Spanish royalty. We ended up spending almost an entire day there, walking under canopies of trees, rowing on the lake, and just soaking in the gentle rhythm of Madrid life. What I loved most was how the city seemed to welcome children at every corner. From beautiful playgrounds tucked into plazas to open green spaces, Raya had the time of her life running around, climbing, and exploring. It’s a reminder that big cities don’t have to be overwhelming; they can be playful too.

We did what locals love to do: hop from one tapas bar to another. Tapas in Madrid are a culinary treasure, small plates with bold flavours. From garlicky gambas al ajillo (prawns) to crispy patatas bravas (Spain’s version of potato wedges), each bite takes you on a culinary journey through Spanish culture. Our evenings often turned into slow strolls, past Plaza Mayor with its vibrant atmosphere and musicians playing under the arches, to the grand Royal Palace, which stands like a page out of a history book.

And in true Know the Unknown fashion, a podcast I host on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and JioSaavn that dives into curious facts, I couldn’t resist digging into some of Madrid’s own hidden stories. Here’s what I discovered: Madrid holds the title of the highest capital city in Europe, sitting at 667 meters above sea level. No wonder the air feels unexpectedly crisp and fresh. Even more impressive? The city has over 2,50,000 trees, more trees than people! With that kind of green cover, it’s no surprise Madrid ranks among the greenest capitals on the continent.

And finally, deep beneath the streets of Madrid lies an ancient Egyptian temple: the Temple of Debod. A gift from Egypt in 1968, this temple is over 2,200 years old and was relocated stone by stone to its current home near Plaza de España.

In the end, what I will remember most about Madrid isn’t any one landmark. It’s the feeling of just wandering without a plan with Heta and Raya. That’s Madrid. Grand yet grounded. Historic, yet full of life.

Barcelona: After Madrid’s graceful charm, Barcelona felt like someone turned the volume up a notch, in the best possible way. It’s a city that doesn’t just sit pretty; it moves, dances, creates, and constantly invites you to be part of its rhythm.

We stayed in the heart of the city, in the vibrant neighbourhood of Eixample (pronounced “ay-sham-pluh”), known for its wide boulevards, grid-like streets, and buildings and balconies that almost look like they have been carved rather than constructed. Aerial views of Eixample reveal a near-perfect checkerboard, something I found endlessly fascinating. This layout wasn’t just aesthetic. Designed in the 19th century as part of a visionary urban plan, its purpose was to bring light, air, and greenery to the growing city. Even today, it gives Barcelona a sense of order amidst all the artistic chaos.

Now speaking of artistry, no trip to Barcelona is complete without surrendering to the magic of Antoni Gaudí, a Spanish architect, visionary, and one of the most important figures in modernist architecture. His works are not just buildings; they are poetic expressions of nature, faith, and imagination. We spent an evening at Sagrada Família, his iconic masterpiece that has been under construction since 1882 and still isn’t finished. But that’s part of the wonder. You stand there beneath its towering spires and stained-glass windows, and you realise you are not just looking at a church, but rather you are looking at a dream that’s still unfolding. Gaudí believed nature was the greatest architect, and you see that in every curved line, mosaic tile, and burst of colour.

Then there’s Park Güell, a whimsical hilltop park where gingerbread houses, serpentine benches, and panoramic views of the city come together in surreal harmony. We spent a golden afternoon here with friends who had flown in from the US. It was less of a sightseeing moment and more of a celebration of Gaudí’s bizarre and beautiful imagination.

Of course, no Barcelona story is complete without a nod to the beach. At Barceloneta, we found a great seafood restaurant with a view that opened right onto the sea. It wasn’t just the food that made it memorable; it was the moment. This was the first beach Raya had ever visited, and just getting her to dip her tiny feet into the Mediterranean felt like a milestone. We were all smiles, soaking it in. For us, these simple moments, good food, a great view, and a happy toddler, are what travel is all about. And Barceloneta gave us exactly that.

And here are a few Know the Unknown things that make Barcelona all the more remarkable. Barcelona is home to 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, seven of which were designed by Gaudí himself. Legend also says that the city rejected the Eiffel Tower. When Gustave Eiffel proposed his tower design, Barcelona declined. Paris accepted, and the rest is history. And finally, Barcelona has its own language. While Spanish is widely spoken, Catalan is the local language here, and it adds a unique flavour to everything, from street signs to menus to everyday conversations.

Ibiza: Say the word Ibiza, and most people immediately think of one thing - parties. The world’s best DJs, sunset beach clubs, nights that turn into mornings. And yes, that side of Ibiza exists.

We even had the chance to experience it firsthand with a night out where the legendary DJ David Guetta was playing at one of the island’s iconic clubs. But on this trip, I also discovered a completely different rhythm. One that’s slower, deeper, and far more fulfilling than I had imagined.

We were in Ibiza for a YPO retreat, and the island welcomed us with experiences that felt curated by nature itself. One morning, we set out on a treasure hunt across the island, not your typical scavenger game, but a beautiful, intentional adventure in rugged Land Rover Defenders. We drove along winding coastal roads, through sleepy whitewashed villages, and into pine-scented hills, stopping at secret coves, ancient salt flats, and even a lone lighthouse watching over the turquoise sea.

One of the most exciting things on the list? Cliff jumping. I didn’t end up doing it myself, because honestly, I was having way too much fun playing with Raya in the pool. But just being part of that atmosphere was special.

What I did get to enjoy, though, was hopping aboard a yacht with the group. We sailed out to a quiet bay where we snorkelled, jumped into the ocean, rode jet skis, and played with all sorts of water toys. It was one of those perfect Ibiza afternoons, sun, sea, and celebrating life with the crew.

Ibiza also surprised us with its culinary depth. One night, we dined at a Michelin-starred restaurant in the Old Town, tucked away in a cobbled alley. The setting was intimate, the food: local, inventive, and full of flavour. Far from the loud parties, this was a quieter side of Ibiza.

And here’s what makes Ibiza far more layered than most people realise. The island is home to over 50 beautiful beaches, each with a distinct personality - from hidden rocky coves to long sandy stretches. Ibiza’s Old Town, Dalt Vila, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with fortifications that date back to the 16th century. Walk its walls at sunset, and you will feel the centuries whisper around you.

Three Cities, One Country, Countless Memories: Travelling through Madrid, Barcelona, and Ibiza wasn’t just a holiday; it felt like experiencing three completely different personalities of the same soul. Spain is not just one destination. It’s many, stitched together with joy, passion, and a zest for life. If you have already been, go again; you will find something new. If you haven’t, start anywhere. It won’t take long before you fall in love.

And maybe, like us, you will return with a suitcase full of stories and a heart full of gratitude