Next Stop…Segovia, Spain

Located just an hour north of Madrid, the enchanting city of Segovia is a perfect day trip from Madrid. In the span of just one day you can see a Roman aqueduct, a Gothic cathedral, a castle that looks like it came straight out of a fairy-tale, and end the day by enjoying a meal of roast suckling pig.

The most impressive sight in Segovia is the Roman Aqueduct that was built in the 1st C. It is a true marvel of Roman engineering, as its 163 arches and 120 columns is built on two levels, and was constructed using large stone blocks that fit together without the use of any kind of mortar or plaster. It is one of the largest and best preserved aqueducts in the world. The Cathedral of Segovia was built in the 16th C. and was the last Gothic cathedral built in Spain. The Alcázar castle sits high on a hilltop, and some say it was the inspiration for the Magic Kingdom castle used by Walt Disney.

Besides its impressive monuments, Segovia is also known for its food. Favorite local dishes include judiones de La Granja, a stew made with the large white beans from La Granja, Castilian soup, made with garlic and bread, and the most famous dish of all – cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig). Visitors flock to local institutions, including Mesón de Cándido (the most famous) and Casa Duque (the oldest), to sample this traditional dish.

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Sites to See…Museo del Grabado, Marbella (Spain)

The Museo del Grabado is a contemporary art museum that showcases a fine collection of engravings and graphic art. It is located in the old section of Marbella, and is housed in a restored 16th C. building that was formerly the Hospital Bazán.

The exhibitions cover a wide range of some of the best Spanish art in the print medium. The collections contain everything from 15th-century engravings, to works by internationally renowned artists such as Picasso, Dalí, Tàpies and Miró.

Hospital Bazán, s/n             Phone: (952) 765-741

Marbella, Spain                  Web: Museo del Grabado 

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On the Menu…Taberna Coloniales, Seville (Spain)

If you work up an appetite while strolling through the streets of this beautiful city, take a break and enjoy some tapas at Taberna Coloniales. This is a popular tapas bar close to the Casa de Pilatos, and just a short walk from the Cathedral.

The menu offers a wide variety of traditional tapas to choose from. If you're not sure what to have, ask one of the friendly waiters to make some suggestions, and be sure to ask what the tapa of the day is. The wine list features a nice selection of wines from many of Spain's fine wine producing regions, or when in doubt, order a tasty pitcher of sangria to accompany your delicious meal.

Plaza Cristo de Burgos, 19            Phone: (954) 50 11 37

Sevilla, Spain                             Web: Taberna Coloniales

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On the Menu…Casa Labra, Madrid (Spain)

Located in the epicenter of Madrid, just off the Puerta del Sol, is Casa Labra, a Madrid institution that was founded in 1860. If you have any trouble finding it, just look for the place with a crowd spilling over onto the sidewalk next to El Corte Inglés department store.

Hungry Madrileños line up to enjoy the specialty of the house, the Bacalao de la Casa, which is small pieces of cod that are battered and fried until golden, as well as the Bacalao Croquetas (cod croquettes), which are equally delicious. Whether you stand at the crowded bar or at one of the tables outside of the bar, or sit in the restaurant where you can select from a variety of the cod and meat dishes offered, you are sure to enjoy a delicious meal at a restaurant that has been attracting the discerning locals for over 150 years.

Tetuán, 12                Phone: (91) 531-0081

Madrid, Spain             Web: Casa Labra

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On the Menu…Irati Taverna Basca, Barcelona (Spain)

  
Irati Taverna Basca is located just off the bustling Rambla de San Josep, not far from the famous Liceu Opera House.  It is one of our favorite places to grab a light snack of Basque pintxos in the Gothic Quarter.

Along the line of tapas, pintxos are small snacks eaten at bars, but they tend to be a bit larger and are usually served individually on bread slices with a toothpick (i.e. "spike" - or pintxo in Basque) in them. A variety of toppings is offered, and since they are all displayed on the bar, all you have to do is pick the ones that look most interesting or appealing to you. You can eat as many or as few as you'd like, but if you're like us you'll find yourself with a stack of toothpicks on your plate before long. Be sure to hang on to those toothpicks, since the bartender will count them up when you're done so he can tally up your check

Cardenal Casañas, 17        Phone: (93) 302-3084

Barcelona, Spain               Web: Irati Taverna Basca

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Time to Save…Granada Card (Spain)

The Granada Card provides direct access (one visit only) to the Alhambra, Generalife, Cathedral, Royal Chapel, Monastery of Cartuja, Monasterio San Jerónimo, and the Science Park Museum, without having to stop at the Ticket Office. Exact date and time for entrance to the Alhambra has to be chosen at time of purchase, and is subject to availability.

The card also includes limited free trips on city buses, and a 24 hour ticket for the Granada city sightseeing tour bus. 

You can purchase the Granada Card from the Granada City Hall, the Science Park Museum, at certain branches of the Caja Granada Savings Bank, or online from Caja Granada. For more info on the card click here

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Checking In…Hospes Palau de la Mar, Valencia (Spain)

 



Valencia is a beautiful cosmopolitan city located on the Mediterranean on the eastern coast of Spain. There is something for every visitor to enjoy here: historical sites, museums, cultural events, leisure activities, shopping, and great food. It is here that Spain’s iconic dish, the paella, was created. With the recent launching of Spain’s high-speed AVE train from Madrid to Valencia, visitors can have breakfast in Madrid, hop on the AVE train, and 90 minutes later find themselves enjoying a Paella Valenciana in the city where it all began.

The 5-star Palau de la Mar Hotel is a charming and relaxing place to call home while you explore all that the city has to offer. This boutique hotel is housed in an elegant 19th C. mansion that is centrally located in the heart of the historic part of town. The building’s design is elegant and classic, with vaulted marble archways and beautifully carved wooden staircases, while the guest rooms are decorated in a comfortable contemporary style.

There are a total of 66 guest rooms, with the Dreamer and Deluxe rooms located in the main building. The Junior Suites are located in the original palace building and are spacious, with a sitting area and open-plan bathroom with separate shower stall. The large Presidential Suite has a living room, 2 separate bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

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On the Menu…El Patio San Eloy, Seville (Spain)

If shopping on the Calle Sierpes, one of Seville's main shopping streets, makes you hungry, then head over to El Patio San Eloy to take a break and enjoy the lively atmosphere and delicious tapas offered here. You can sit at a table or on the ceramic tile benches in the rear and enjoy a cold caña (beer) and some tapas or montaditos (small sandwiches). 

There is always a buzz from the crowd of local shoppers and students who frequent this tapas bar. They are drawn in by the casual and welcoming ambiance, and of course the tasty food!

Calle San Eloy,           Phone (954) 50 11 37

Sevilla, Spain

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Next Stop…Aranjuez, Spain

Located about 40 minutes south of Madrid, Aranjuez is a great day trip for visitors who want to get away from the city. It is easily reached by car via the A-4 highway, or by train or bus from central Madrid. 

The main site of interest is the Royal Palace, which was commissioned by Philip II in the mid-18th C. The main palace building is impressive and is entered through a cobblestone courtyard.  Set in one of the gardens is the Casa del Labrador, which was built in 1803 and was modeled after the Petit Trianon at Versailles.  There are a number of gardens surrounding the palace, including the impressive Jardín del Principe (the Prince’s Garden) and the Jardín de la Isla (the Garden of the Island). For more information on the Royal Palace in Aranjuez click here

Locals flock to Aranjuez from May to July to enjoy the delicious locally grown strawberries that are served with fresh whipped cream (fresas con nata). A fun way to make the trip from Madrid is to take the Tren de la Fresa (Strawberry Train), which was built in 1851 and was the country’s second train line. The one hour ride is a unique experience, as passengers ride in beautifully restored trains from the early 1900s that are attended by staff who are dressed in period costumes. The train leaves from the Museo del Ferrocarril (Railroad Museum) in Madrid on Saturdays and Sundays in May, June, September and October. For more information on the Strawberry Train click here

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Sites to See…Picasso Museum, Barcelona (Spain)

A visit to the Picasso Museum in Barcelona is essential to understanding the formative years of this iconic artist.

The permanent collection includes over 3,800 of his works, with a concentration on his early production. Half of the collection was donated by Picasso’s personal secretary, Jaume Sabartés, with the other half coming from the artist’s own collection.

The Picasso Museum is housed in five palaces that date from the 13th-15th centuries. It is located in the Gothic Quarter, just a short walk from the Cathedral.

• C/ Montcada, 15-23
• Barcelona, Spain
• Phone: (93) 256 30 00
• Website: Picasso Museum

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On the Menu…Restaurante Casa Mingo, Madrid (Spain)

When you step inside of Casa Mingo you will be transported to another part of Spain – Asturias, to be exact – as it is an Asturian cider house that was founded in 1888. It is located near the Estación del Norte (North train station). The specialty of the house is roast chicken, which is a staple for the locals who either join the crowds and eat in, or take them to go to enjoy them at home.

Inside the restaurant, which is built into a stone wall, you will find walls covered in bottles of sidra, the tasty cider that comes from Asturias. You will be amazed as you watch the waiters, and others who are daring, pour the cider in the traditional manner, which entails holding the bottle around the height of their head, into a glass that is located at the height of their waist. It’s truly a technique that requires quite a bit of practice, so don’t try this at home!

• Paseo de la Florida, 34
• Madrid, Spain
• Phone: (91) 547-7918
• Website: Casa Mingo

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Time to Save…Sevilla Card (Spain)

Be sure to pick up a Sevilla Card on your next visit to this beautiful city. The Sevilla Card is a smart-chip card that offers cardholders free access to the city’s rich cultural heritage, leisure and other attractions, including:

• Free entry to the major museums and monuments in Seville: Cathedral, Alcázar, Casa de Pilatos, and Bullfighting Museum
• A free bus tour or river cruise (not included in 24 hour card), as well as discounts on many other tours
• Free admission to the Isla Mágica Theme Park
• Discounts offered at participating shops, restaurants and Flamenco shows

Cards are available for 24, 48, 72 or 120 hours, and range in cost from €29 – €80, so you can pick the one that best fits your needs. For more info on the card, click here.

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Next Stop…Córdoba, Spain

Córdoba is a former Roman city that is perhaps best known for its Mezquita (mosque), which was built between the 8th and 10th centuries, at a time when Córdoba was the largest and most prosperous city in Europe. For several centuries it served as a striking symbol of the Moors’ conquest of the peninsula and Córdoba’s importance as the center of Muslim power in Spain.

Many people will make a stop in Córdoba on their way to or from Sevilla in order to see the magnificent Mezquita. But Córdoba has so much more to offer than just the Mezquita, and visitors who linger here for more than a few hours will get a chance to enjoy the charm that can be found by wandering through its picturesque streets. Besides the historic treasures found in this city, there is also a lively social scene that can best be enjoyed in the bars and restaurants that abound. For more information from the Córdoba Tourist Office, click here.

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On the Menu…Restaurante La Almudaina, Córdoba (Spain)

Located near the Mezquita you will find La Almudaina. The restaurant is housed in a 16th C. palace that was constructed by Leopoldo of Austria, who was the Bishop of Córdoba and the uncle of Emperor Carlos V. Beautifully restored, the interior has a series of attractive dining rooms, including an interior patio that is topped with a glass-roof ceiling.

The menu at La Almudaina is representative of the traditional Córdoba kitchen, which uses fresh ingredients that are sourced from local markets.

You can start off your meal with a bowl of Salmorejo, a local favorite chilled soup made with tomatoes, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and bread, which is topped with chopped eggs and diced Serrano ham.

For a main dish, try the Rabo de Toro Cordobés (oxtail stew), Solomillo al Foie (sirloin with foie gras), or a fresh fish, such as Lomo de Bacalao (cod fillet) or Lomo de Merluza con Hortalizas (hake fillet with garden vegetables).

There is also a good selection of homemade desserts to choose from, and a wine menu that features a wide range of wines at reasonable prices.

• Pl. Campo Santo de los Mártires, 1
• Córdoba, Spain
• Phone: (957) 47 43 42
• Website: La Almudaina

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On the Menu…Restaurante O Dezaseis, Santiago de Compostela (Spain)

Restaurante O Dezaseis (which means “16″) is a perfect place to have some tapas or a sit down meal after you’ve been visiting the sites in the casco antiguo(old town). Located just a short walk from the Cathedral, you will find O Dezaseis by descending a stone-lined staircase that leads you down to a rustic and charming 300 year-old dining room that once served as a stable.

In addition to the ambiance, the locals come here for the food. They are well known for their empanadas, which are pastry-covered pies that are often filled with fish or meat. The house specialty at O Dezaseis is the tuna empanada, which is round in shape and filled with tuna and flavored with paprika. The tapas menu has many other local dishes to choose from, including the pulpo a grela (grilled octopus), which gains rave reviews from all who try it.

If you’re looking for slightly larger portions, you can also choose from the selection of raciones offered, which are larger portions that can be shared. Some of the stand-outs on the menu are the lacón (the local cured and cooked ham), the razor clams, and the oxtail stew, just to name a few. Leave room for dessert, and try some of the local cheeses, or the cheese flan.

• Rúa de San Pedro, 16
• Santiago de Compostela, Spain
• Phone: (981) 564 880
• Website: O Dezaseis

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Next Stop…Toledo, Spain

 

 

Perched on a hilltop and surrounded on three sides by the Rio Tajo (Tagus River), Toledo is located in the center of Spain and is the capital of Castilla-La Mancha. In the 6th C. it served as the capital of Spain, but later lost its political prominence in the 16th C. when the capital was moved to Madrid. Over the centuries, the influence of the Arabs, Christians and Jews have been prominent, and as a result, Toledo has been known as the "city of the three cultures."

Toledo is perhaps most famous for inspiring some of the famous works of El Greco, who made Toledo his home in his latter life. A number of the painter's works can be seen at the El Greco House-Museum located in the old Jewish Quarter. Although the house was not the painter's original home, it is a reproduction of a 16th C. house with a courtyard, and the museum contains numerous works by the painter, as well as other 17th C. Spanish artists.  

Other sites to see in Toledo include: the magnificent Cathedral which was completed in the 15th C. and is considered one of the greatest Gothic structures in the world, the Alcázar (fortress) which dominates the city's skyline, the Iglesia de Santo Tomé, a small chapel in the Jewish Quarter that houses El Greco's masterpiece The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, the Museo-Hospital de Santa Cruz, a museum that displays El Greco's The Assumption of the Virgin, along with other works by Goya, Ribera, as well as gold items, Flemish tapestries and antique furnishings, and the synagogues of Santa María La Blanca (12th C.) and El Tránsito. For more information from the tourist office of Toledo click here

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On the Menu...L'Estimat Restaurante, Valencia (Spain)

Paella is one of Spain's best known dishes and is served in restaurants throughout the country. But Valencia is the birthplace of this quintessential Spanish dish, so no visit to this city would be complete without sampling this local favorite.

L'Estimat Restaurant is a family owned restaurant that was established in 1927 and today is run by the 3rd generation of its founders. It is located on the Paseo Neptuno on Las Arenas beach. Here you will find so many different types of paella to choose from, that one visit may not be enough. If you're not sure where to start, the traditional Paella Valenciana, that contains chicken, rabbit, snails and vegetables, is a good choice, or you can opt for the Paella Marinera, that contains a variety of fresh seafood, including mussels, calamari and shrimp. Whatever type of paella you choose (seafood, meat, vegetable, or a combination), you will not leave hungry.

Paseo Neptuno, 16
Valencia, Spain
Phone: (963) 711 018
Web: L'Estimat Restaurante

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Time to Save...Barcelona Card (Spain)

For your next visit to Barcelona, don’t forget to purchase a Barcelona Card. This savings card features free travel on public transport, discounts and free offers at museums, cultural venues, leisure facilities, night clubs, shops, and restaurants, as well as other services and unique means of transport.

You can purchase a card for 2, 3, 4, or 5 consecutive days, and prices range from €27 - €45, so pick the one that best fits your itinerary. For more info on the card click here.

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On the Menu...Casa Lucio, Madrid (Spain)

Casa Lucio is located in the heart of Old Madrid, not far from the Plaza Mayor. Since 1974 it has been serving traditional Castilian dishes, such as Callos a la Madrileña (Madrid-style tripe), Cocido (Madrid-style stew). Cochinillo (roast suckling pig), Merluza de la Casa (hake in green sauce), and its signature dish, Huevos Estrellados ("broken eggs" mixed with potatoes). The charming atmosphere of the interior of the restaurant, with its tiled floors and white-washed walls, adds to the warm ambiance created by Lucio and his family, who still run the restaurant to this day.

Cava Baja, 35                                   Phone: (91) 365-8217
Madrid, Spain                                   Web: Casa Lucio

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Checking in...Hospes Palacio del Bailío Hotel, Córboda (Spain)

The city of Córdoba is a former Roman city that is best known for its Mezquita (mosque), as well as the narrow, cobblestone streets of its charming Jewish Quarter. Córdoba has the second largest Old Town in Europe, and visitors enjoy strolling through the picturesque streets, taking in the whitewashed houses with their beautiful patios and balconies.

Located in the heart of the historic center is the 5-star Palacio del Bailío Hotel. This traditional Moorish manor was built between the 16th and 18th centuries, and is designated as a Cultural Heritage monument. As you enter through the archway, you will be transported back in time. The buildings of the manor house are arranged around a series of patios, with one that has been restored to include a glass floor that reveals the Roman ruins that were buried beneath it.

The hotel offers standard Dreamers rooms that are adorned with velvet headboards, frescoes and hand-painted stucco walls, and larger Deluxe rooms that are each unique and include features such as vaulted ceilings or stone arches from the original palace. The Junior Suites include a sitting area, and the larger Suites include frescoes and original 18th C. paintings. The Grand Suite Loft located on the top floor is accessed via a private elevator, and offers panoramic views through its 14 arched windows that face the surroundings of the Dolores Convent.

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