Experience firsthand why Portland is known as the "City of Roses" by visiting its Rose Test Garden, the oldest official rose garden in the U.S. Established during World War I, the garden was originally created as a refuge for roses threatened by bombings and potential extinction. Not only did the roses survive, but they have continued to thrive and bloom in Portland. The garden is open to visitors from April through October, with the peak bloom occurring in June.

El Retiro, an iconic park in Madrid, was once reserved exclusively for Spanish royalty, but it became accessible to the public in the late 19th century. Covering 350 acres, it is one of the largest parks in the city and is often referred to as 'the lungs of Madrid' due to its vast green spaces. It's a popular spot for leisure, sports, and outdoor activities, with wide avenues and flat terrain perfect for running, cycling, and skating. You can also rent rowboats to paddle around the pond or enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride. The park is home to several architectural and historical features, including the Velázquez Palace and the Crystal Palace, as well as remarkable sculptures and fountains, such as the statue of the Fallen Angel, the only sculpture in the world to represent the devil, Lucifer. The park also boasts a Puppet Theatre, which offers a unique program every weekend and is one of a kind in Europe.

The Prado Museum, officially known as Museo Nacional del Prado, is an internationally renowned museum that boasts an impressive collection of over 7,000 paintings, although only approximately 1,500 are currently on display. Established two hundred years ago, the museum's collections have expanded to include artworks by Spanish masters such as Velázquez and Goya, as well as pieces by renowned Flemish artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, Pieter Bruegel, and Anton Van Dyck.