Tag: Spain

Madrid to León

This morning we saw Butch and Myra off for home, did laundry, and picked up a new rental car. Coincidentally it is the same car which we had for the last ten days but it has been washed and we didn’t have to pay for parking in Madrid.

Around 1:30 we headed out of Madrid northwest towards León. We stopped for groceries about half way through the drive. Spanish grocery store fish departments are always interesting.

We arrived in Leon in time to visit the cathedral. I think it has the most beautiful stained glass in Spain.

For dinner we ate tapas in three different spots and then walked back to our hotel which is located on the Plaza Mayor.

Avila to Madrid

Our plan for Monday was to drive to our hotel in Madrid, check in, Leave the luggage, drive to the rental car office and return our car, then take the Metro to the airport to meet our friends Roger and Gayle who will be traveling with us for the next two weeks. Everything went pretty much according to plan although maneuvering the narrow streets of Madrid and the traffic did prove to be a bit of a challenge.

This afternoon we walked and checked out some of the sites of Madrid with stops for drinks and tapas.

We ate dinner at Botín. It was founded in 1725 and according to the Guinness Book of Records is the oldest continually operated restaurant in the world. I had roast suckling pig

We’ve had a great time with Butch and Myra who will be flying home on Tuesday.

Salamanca to Avila

Sunday morning we walked across the Roman bridge from our Parador into Salamanca. When we were in the old town Saturday night the place was packed with people. Sunday morning it was almost empty which allowed us to appreciate the buildings.

About half way through our back roads drive to Avila we came upon Ermita de las Fuentes, a wonderful old church near the ridge top a long way from the nearest habitation. They had picnic tables so we had a wonderful picnic.

We found our Parador in Avila fairly easily. After our welcome drinks and the obligatory Duke vs Butch cribbage game we went out to walk the wall surrounding Avila. The wall is quite amazing. It is more than three kilometers long and very tall and formidable.

Casa de Insua, Portugal to Salamanca, Spain

Saturday morning we went through the museum at Casa de Insua before starting our travels for the day. Luis de Albuquerque built the Casa de Insua estate using his earnings from when he was Governor General of northern Brazil in the latter 1700s. His maps and artifacts are fascinating. All the tools and wine and olive oil making equipment were also fun to see. His electrical plant was one of the first in Portugal.

We did get off the main road and drive a few backroads on our way to Salamanca. I finally got some pictures of pigs grazing under the oak trees on their way to becoming Spain’s iconic Jamon Iberico.

In Salamanca we walked into the old town from our Parador and explored a bit.

Ciudad Rodrigo to Parador Casa de Insua, Portugal

Friday morning in Ciudad Rodrigo we walked around the town a bit.

I mailed some post cards.

Then we headed towards Portugal. At the border we headed north on a back road to the town and fortifications of Almeida. The walls are in a hexagonal shape and consist of six bulwarks each with its own raveling. The massive fortification is difficult to appreciate from ground level.

There were sheep grazing beside one of the walls.

I totally enjoyed the military history museum.

Down the road a bit we stopped at the small village of Castelo Mendo and had coffee.

We are staying at the only Parador in Portugal. Duke and stayed at Casa Insua in February of 2016. The Parador is in a gorgeous country mansion surrounded by gardens. We had our welcome drink on the patio while Duke beat Butch playing cribbage.

Then we went for a walk in the gardens.

For dinner we beautifully presented and equally tasty.