Madrid via Avila

On Saturday, after a leisurely breakfast, we reluctantly packed up and headed out of Salamanca, bound for Madrid.

About half-way along the route is Avila, with its perfectly preserved walls. Luckily found a park not too far from the old town and walked up to one of the entrances. We spent the next hour or so on a tourist train driving around the old and new parts of the city and got a really good feel for the place.

After a lunch of panini, jamon and cheese, and cerveza, in the square, we resumed the trip to Madrid.

Finding our apartment almost in the centre of Madrid, in Plaza de Santa Ana, was interesting in a Mercedes van in very narrow streets full of tourists. However, we made it; and while Sally and Julie guarded the luggage in a bar, Dale and I delivered our trusty van back to Avis at Atocha Station.

After settling in, we explored our area and wandered right up to Plaza Mayor. Dinner was already booked at the fantastic Argentinian restaurant, La Adriana. Enjoyable meal and great wine.

Yesterday, we walked down to the Thyssen-Bornemiszma Museum, which is one of the big three art museums in Madrid. The museum has a huge collection dating from the middle ages to the present, with many famous works by the likes of Renoir, Degas, van Gogh, Kandinski, Chagal, Picasso, Monet and many more. The exhibitions seemed endless over three huge floors. Well worth the visit.

Last night, we did an amazing food and wine tour with Andres Jarabo. We did a tour with Andres on our last trip seven years ago and this one was even better. Only six people in the group, and Andres took us for a great trip through a number of less touristy restaurants with some tasty food and exceptional wine – finishing with a special pedro ximenez.

Today, we visited the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Palace Real. A large chunk of the gold and silver from Spain’s conquests around the world have obviously been spent on the palace. The wealth and oppulence were mind-boggling. The massive rooms with high ceilings, huge chandeliers, paintings and rich fittings were seemingly endless.

Dinner was at apparently, one of the oldest restaurants in the world, Le Botin. They specialise in suckling pig, and it was very good; but very touristy.

Tomorrow, Barcelona.