Celebrate Picasso's Birthday in Spain

LONDON, October 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• 25 October 2012 marks 130^th birthday of Picasso

• Spain expects increase in visitor numbers to coincide with celebrations

• Thomas Cook offer range of Spanish breaks for travellers

It's just over 130 years since the birth of Picasso and many admirers will head to Spain this autumn to join in the celebrations on the 25 October, leading travel operators Thomas Cook have suggested.

Picasso was born in Malaga in 1881 but lived for many years in Barcelona until the political upheavals of the Spanish Civil war in the 1930s forced him into exile. The Spanish artistic tradition extends from the mainland to the islands and many visitors are expected to take advantage of Ibiza holidays to celebrate his connection with Spain.

To help travellers find inspiration for artistic holidays in Spain, Thomas Cook look at some of the best destinations for holidaymakers to visit:

Ibiza

Ibiza holidays are the perfect option for art lovers. The Marta Torres Gallery in Ibiza Old Town has an international reputation and artists who have exhibited here include Julia Ribas .

Tenerife

Tenerife has a vibrant art scene with many galleries based in and around Santa Cruz. Those travellers who select any of the late Tenerife holidays will find any number of galleries hosting shows by both local and international artists.  

La Recova Arts Centre and the Museo de Bellas Artes are the two largest galleries in the town but the Centro de Fotografia is also well worth a visit.

Gran Canaria

Visitors taking the opportunity to enjoy cheap holidays to Gran Canaria will be able to explore the internationally famous Centre of Contemporary Art in Las Palmas. The museum was only founded in 1989 and has displays from the Americas as well as from Spain.

Though not an artist, the life and times of the famous traveller Christopher Columbus are celebrated in the beautiful Columbus Museum, which is also well worth a visit.

Lanzarote

The island idyll of Lanzarote has been home to many artists over the centuries, the most famous being Cesar Manrique . Made famous for designing the Seven Centres of Art, Tourism and Culture, those taking advantage of Lanzarote holidays to enjoy the island can discover his work throughout the countryside.

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SOURCE Thomas Cook