Real Madrid signs Marko Jaric from Grizzlies for rest of Spanish league season

MADRID, Spain — Real Madrid has signed former NBA player Marko Jaric for the remainder of the Spanish league season.

The six-foot-seven guard has not played for the Memphis Grizzlies this season.

Jaric will be reunited with coach Ettore Messina nine years after they helped Kinder Bologna win Euroleague and Italian league titles.

Jaric then made the jump to the NBA, where he averaged 7.1 points and 3.6 assists in seven seasons. He spent three years with the Los Angeles Clippers and three more with the Minnesota Timberwolves before moving to Memphis last season, where he averaged 2.5 points in 53 appearances.

Jaric, 31, was a member of then-Yugoslavia's world championship-winning team in 2002

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Art & Architecture At Its Best – Tailor-made Holidays In Spain

Spain may conjure up pictures of sunloungers, sandcastles and beer, but arguably the best thing about the country is its incredible collection of art. Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and Diego Velazquez were all born here, and a luxury holiday in Spain, tailor-made to explore the best of Spanish art, is the ideal way to explore this country’s impressive galleries and remarkable architecture.

If you want to sample the best of Spanish art, you can’t go wrong with a luxury holiday in Spain’s capital, Madrid or a short break to Bilbao to take in its magnificent Guggenheim Museum. Alternatively you could take a tailor-made holiday to Spain’s artistic and architectural mecca, Barcelona, perhaps incorporating a stay in a luxury Spanish villa.

Madrid

If you’re looking for the right location for an absorbing luxury holiday in Spain, Madrid is considered one of the top European destinations for visiting galleries. The Golden Triangle of Art, located along the Paseo del Prado, has three galleries within a few minutes’ walk of each other.

First of all, there is the Prado Museum, with its unsurpassed collection of paintings by Baroque artists Velázquez and Goya. The Prado is the most famous of the three. The other two museums are the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofia Museum, where Picasso's Guernica hangs. For anyone interested in modern art, a tailor-made holiday to Spain would be incomplete without a viewing of this dark masterpiece.

Barcelona

Luxury holidays in Spain’s magical city of Barcelona are hugely popular, one of the main reasons being its extensive range of fabulous art galleries. Stay in a boutique hotel near to the famous Ramblas, or spread out in a luxury Spanish villa, and embark on a tour of all the best exhibitions.

Among the best of the modern art galleries are the Fundació Joan Miró, the Picasso Museum and the Fundació Antoni, and the Museu Picasso features many of Picasso's early works. The Dali Museum is a short train journey from Barcelona and an important addition to a tailor-made holiday in Spain.

But the most visible art to be seen in Barcelona is in the design of its buildings. The highly original and fabulous work of architect Antoni Gaudi can be seen and explored throughout the city., but Gaudi’s best-known building is the immense but still unfinished church, the Sagrada Familia. This elaborate building, which looks like something out of a fairy tale, is a must see for any art holiday in Spain. Tailor-made itineraries should also include Gaudi’s wonderful Park Guell and Casa Mila building.

Bilbao

Bilbao was not a traditional destination for holidays in Spain, luxury or otherwise, until what is now the most recognisable feature of Bilbao, the Guggenheim Museum, opened in 1997. Built in shiny titanium, this fantastic building houses an unmatched collection of 20th century art, which rotates between Bilbao, Venice and New York.

US architect Frank Gehry based the design of the Guggenheim on the shapes of a fish and a boat, two important elements in the history of this former industrial city, whose chief activities were shipbuilding and fishing. The museum has injected new life into the city and tourists from all over the world are now flocking to take luxury holidays in Spain’s new area of cultural interest, Bilbao.

As well as being home to the famous Guggenheim Museum, the city’s Fine Arts Museum is recognised as one of the finest art galleries in Spain. A tailor-made holiday to Bilbao should include a visit to this highly prestigious gallery, which has over six thousand paintings, sculptures, drawings, engravings and objects from the 12th century to the present day.

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Many a Madrid in the United States

If you think you will have to travel to Europe to see Madrid, you will be surprised to know that there are many towns named Madrid in the United States. The original Madrid in Spain, no doubt, is very famous, thanks to the classics of Ernest Hemmingway, and also because it is a popular tourist resort.

Madrid, Maine is located in the heart of Franklin County and actually named for the Spanish capital. The tiny town has a population well under 200 residents and sits on the lovely banks of the Sandy River near Salem. Madrid, Maine dates back to 1887 and was settled by Free Baptists, who opened seven schoolhouses for the town’s children.

The state of Alabama has its own Madrid. This one is little bigger than Madrid, Maine. This town has a population of more than 300 and is located in Houston County which is a part of metropolitan Dothan. Just like Madrid Maine, this town is also named after the famous Spanish city of Madrid.

The third Madrid is in the state of New York next to the Grasse River. It was in 1801 that the first settlers came to this small area of land near Potsdam and Lisbon and called it Madrid. Later it was named New Madrid but finally the council decided to call it only Madrid. It is in St. Lawrence County. There was a large and successful grist mill in Madrid, New York for many years until it was eventually closed. This town also resembles its namesake in Spain.

The “Show Me” state also has a town named after the Spanish capital. New Madrid was founded in 1783 by two French settlers who came to the state, originally naming the town L’Anse a la Graisse. Today, New Madrid boasts a population of approximately 3,000 residents and is about 4.5 square miles in size. Approximately 45 miles south of Cape Girardeau and 145 miles south of St. Louis, New Madrid was completely destroyed by earthquakes in 1811 and rests directly on the New Madrid fault.

Another Madrid is in the Midwestern United States. It is just 25 miles northwest of Iowa's capital city. It was founded in 1846 by Swedish settlers, often referred to as a bedroom community of Des Moines. It happens to be the oldest Swedish settlement in the west of the Mississippi River. This small hamlet has become quite prosperous since the railway traveled through it. The town was renamed in 1882 and incorporated in 1886.

You can learn more about these towns from their town websites. They may be small, but they all are up-to-date with the latest technology and have firmly planted their place on the World Wide Web.

If you are interested in visiting the Spanish capital, but don’t have the time or money, check out the next best thing—Madrid, USA! There are many other American towns named after European capitals, so get our your atlas and complete a search.

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Spain on a Budget

International travelers are wary of traveling to Europe because of the perceived high cost of traveling there. Additionally, Spain is considered to take the cake as it is considered an ideal destination only for the cash rich. But this is only what it can be- a myth. You can travel to Spain even on a shoestring budget and find ways and means of great enjoyment there.

By far the cheapest way to see Spain is as a backpacker. And, backpack traveling is no longer the monopoly of college kids dragging their possessions on their back and sleeping in the park. Indeed, these days, individuals of all ages routinely backpack across Europe on a shoestring budget, and enjoy all the comforts. It is the best way to see more than the big cities and tourist traps. And, in Spain you need to interact with the people to get the feel of the place.

Instead of staying in luxury hotels, look at the other options. Many budget minded travelers choose to stay in hostels instead of hotels to save some cash. Remember, you are supposed to be exploring the country, not the inside of the hotel room so leave your lodging snobbery at home. Hostels are much like dormitories, where travelers share one large room with others. This is a great way to meet other travelers in addition to sticking to your budget. Consider bringing essentials like a sleep sack or shower shoes if you plan on staying in hostels, although most are clean.

Another great way to see Spain on a budget is travel on a tour. This is especially helpful for first time international visitors or those who are traveling with small children. Often times, these tours are all inclusive and are great for those on a budget. Check airline and travel websites for special deals that include lodging costs in addition to airfare and transportation. Also, see if any community groups are planning a trip overseas, as they often provide all inclusive tours for a great price.

For a longer holiday in Spain, it is best to rent an apartment; that will save you a great deal of money. You will find many furnished apartments and lofts available all over the country specifically for short term occupancy. You will not only save money but also have the freedom to cook your own food instead of eating out in restaurants.

When it comes to saving money before you go, check into special travel cards or deals that appeal to travelers of all ages. In fact, there are a great many specials available for students or youth in addition to families and seniors. Check out a travel card before you go to save the most money. Also, many Spanish cities have special cards that allow you to visit a variety of museums, galleries, and attractions for one price. Furthermore, look into purchasing block transportation cards instead of paying per trip, since it will save you a great deal of money in the long run.

Instead of renting a car in Spain, use the train system for transportation. Trains in Spain are clean and on time, allowing you to criss-cross the country quickly and easily. If you plan on doing a great deal of train travel, consider purchasing a country pass that will allow you unlimited travel for the period of the pass.

Anyone can enjoy a great trip to Spain and stick to their budget, no matter how restrictive it may be. Bring the entire family or travel by yourself to find the great culture and sights that Spain has to offer.

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