If you're planning on a trip to Madrid, Spain, you won't want to miss a chance to tour the newest museum in Madrid, Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. The name may baffle and confuse you, but there is nothing confusing about this art lover's paradise. This museum is vast with paintings collected over many generations. This wealthy family that owned this collection unknowingly had the start of the one of the greatest art collections in the world.

Many wonder about the history of this museum, which was originally the 18th century Villahermosa Palace, before they had it renovated into what it is today. The art collection was purchased by the Spanish government in 1993 for $350,000. Since the wealthy family's Swiss villa near Lugano, Switzerland was wall to wall with paintings, they were more than happy to sell. It was a deal that worked for them both.

In addition to the $350,000 for the collection, there was an a cost of $45 million for the renovations, a total more than worth it considering there were more than 700 paintings in the collection. With the high value of the paintings combined with the museum, total value is estimated at anywhere from $1 billion to $3 billion.

You won't believe how old some of the exhibits are as you walk through the newest in architectural standards the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza has to offer. The marble floors shine with elegance along with the walls that are salmon colored to give the exhibits plenty of light. A piece of sheer beauty, this new addition consists of 86,000 square feet of space. You may want to make a reservation for the day to view all there is to see. Once you're inside, you won't want to leave until you've see it all. I often leave my job at a nearby bar to visit the museum during my lunch hour.

The art work was not limited to specific styles or centuries, but rather was broad with work by Canaletto, El Greco, Rembrandt and Hals, Caravaggio to name just a few. American artists such as Homer and Hopper are also there to intrigue American tourists. Whether it's Velázquez, Picasso or Kandisky that interests you, you will not be disappointed with the huge variety of artists, far to many to mention in one paragraph.

Within the last couple years, new space for exhibits was acquired by extending the museum into what once was the Palace of Goyeneche. The Palace is located on Marqués de Cubas street, so it couldn't be more convenient. Newest additions are works such as 17th century Italian, 19th century landscaped, Rodin sculptures and much more.

The new museum is extremely organized for the newcomers to the art world. Regardless if you're looking for Henry VIII portrait samples by Holbein, Picasso's Saint Honore Street in the Afternoon or the portrait of George Washington's cook, you will find it all easily by just knowing what era they are from, as everything is displayed chronologically for easy viewing.