One of the lovely buildings seen during my walk over.
The Market of San Miguel, Mercado de San Miguel, is a covered market located in the heart of Madrid. It was originally built in 1916. This iron structure was renovated and then reopened in 2009. San Miguel Market is one of the most popular markets in Madrid since it is located in the center of Madrid and within walking distance from Plaza Mayor.
The food was amazing! I sampled more than my fair share. Yum!One of the entrances to Plaza Mayor.
The Plaza Mayor is a major public square in the heart of Madrid. It was once the center of Old Madrid. The Plaza Mayor dates back to the 15th century where it was originally called the Plaza del Arrabal and was used as the main market of the town. It is right next to San Miguel one of the main markets today.
Plaza Mayor. Beautiful square. Lined with restaurants—all with outdoor seating and shops. Beautiful day.This bronze statue is of King Philip III and at the center of the square. This equestrian statue dates to 1616, but it was not placed in the square until 1848
Julie and Julian,
NOTE: Julie is Julian’s mother. Julie is the oldest daughter of my oldest brother and my mother/gram’s first grandchild. Phew, it is tough being from a big family.
The walk around San Miguel,
Getting ready for the big concert.Photo op.Julie and Julian. We are grazing.Julian in front of great door.Julie and Julian in front of another great door.Julie and Julian plotting our next move.Julie and I are in front of the restaurant we ate at, Tapa Tapa, with her friends.Last view from the hotel rooftop bar.
NOTE: some have asked who Julian is—from yesterday’s post. Most know I am from a fairly large family . . . Julian is my oldest brother’s, oldest daughter’s, oldest son. I guess this makes Julian my mother’s oldest great grandson. 😊 He is a college student studying in Madrid this semester. Lucky Julian!
Palacio Real de Madrid this morning and Museo Del Prado this afternoon.
The Royal Palace is the official residence of the Spanish royal family at the city of Madrid, although now used only for state ceremonies. The palace has 1,450,000 sq ft of floor space and 3,418 rooms. Eat your heart out French people and Brits, they told us that this is the largest royal palace in Europe.
Photo ops during my walk to the palace. It was fairly close.Palacio Real de Madrid. There is only one Spanish flag flying because the king is not currently visiting there. He will be at the palace this weekend to celebrate Columbus Day, National Day of Spain – Fiesta National deEspaña.Entrance. The entrance ceiling frescos are stunning. This pastel ceiling fresco lies above the Grand Staircase, where kings and queens and millions of us tourists have trod. It’s by the Rococo artist Corrado Giauinto and it shows The Triumph of Religion and the Church.Grand balcony.It’s a big year for King Felipe – King Felipe VI is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his accession to the Spanish throne, putting the spotlight on a decade of efforts to restore the image of the monarchy following scandals that led his father Juan Carlos to abdicate.Wouldn’t you love to go to a dinner party here? She told us the table opens up/expands to seat 400!Spain’s crown is made of gold-plated silver, with no embedded gemstones. It was made in Madrid during the reign of King Carlos III. Today’s King does not wear the country’s crown — in fact, no Spanish monarch does. I think the French and Brits may own the crown thing.
Museo Del Prado – no pictures.
The museum contains the most complete collections in the world of the works of El Greco, Velázquez, and Francisco de Goya, as well as of such Spanish masters as José de Ribera and Francisco de Zurbarán. It also has a rich assortment of other major European painters.
The Prado Museum’s great collection of Spanish painting comprises its core capital. It’s the most important collection of Spanish painting in terms of quality and quantity in the world and enjoys international prestige. Amongst the various works and artists it encompasses, the collection of works by Spanish painter Francisco de Goya is probably the highlight.
I think my favorite paintings, that I remember, are,
Saturn (1820–23). Goya
Las meninas (1656). Velázquez
The Allegory of Peace (c. 1660). Rubens
The Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest. El Greco
really, so many, hard to decide.
Tomorrow I am going to be eating my way through San Miquel and Anton Martin markets with Julie and Julian. Can’t wait. Yum!
Checked into my hotel and continued to explore our sky-garden and neighborhood. Meeting Julian for dinner this evening.
Two beautiful views from the sky-garden.I should have brought my bathing suit. It’s heated!Walking around this afternoon and it wasn’t even rush hour.Beautiful building on the corner of Calle Alcalá and Gran Vía, designed in 1905 by French architects, Jules and Raymond Février to house an insurance company, although the final work was carried out by Luis Esteve from Spain. The Metrópolis Building is one of the main icons of the Gran Via and this neighborhood.Dinner with Julian. Tapas restaurant. Food delicious. Service impeccable.So. Much. Fun. All grown up.This was my first appetizer! Grilled avocado with tomato. Sorry, as usual for me, we ate the food before I remembered to take a picture—I’ve got to get better at that!
Good night. I’m going to bed. Tomorrow the palace, Plaza Mayor and at least one museum. I think it is supposed to rain tomorrow. : (
And I’m off again. This trip will include Madrid, northern coastal Portugal–a bike trip, Eurail to Munich to catch my flight to Tbilisi, and Budapest. Mike and I will add a couple of side trips to the Georgian mountains and wine country (again) during my time in Tbilisi. I will also catch a Christmas Market or two on my way back to Madrid to catch my flight home. October 7 through December 5.
This picture is just for the fun of it. It all made it! You may notice the Paxlovid, tamiflu, COVID tests, masks and Liquid-IV—just in case!! Mike, don’t look, the beer book is a Christmas present for you.Thank you Ellen for taking me to the Wilmington Airport.I was through TSA in Wilmington before Ellen got out of the parking lot. Easy!
So, American Airlines started a new service at Wilmington Airport, ILG. You book your flight from Wilmington, this allows you to go through TSA and check your luggage, then American Airlines shuttles you to Philadelphia. Voila, easy. I was on the maiden voyage from Wilmington today. It worked like a charm.
My flight departs Philadelphia at 7:15PM and lands in Madrid at 8AM. I am spending the next couple of hours in the American Airlines Lounge—AA needs to up their game, the lounge isn’t very nice. My first stop is Madrid. Here I will get to see Julie and Julian! So excited. I am staying at the Hotel Indigo Madrid Gand Via. I will be in Madrid until Friday.
Hotel Indigo Madrid, on the quiet, pretty Calle de Silva, is just steps from the Gran Via, in the heart of the city and cosmopolitan life of Madrid. It has a sky-garden with amazing views of Madrid. We are still enjoying the hotel’s infinity swimming pool annd amazing views of the city.
Tomorrow the Royal Palace and the Plaza Mayor. They are only a stone throw away! I am hoping to see Julian for dinner. Wednesday, more sightseeing; Thursday I am meeting Julie and Julian at the Mercado de San Miguel market—a monument to Spanish cuisine. Yum, I’m hungry just thinking about.
It was pretty rainy today, so not many pictures. I’m not complaining though, my weather overall, for the whole trip, has been great.
Edinburgh Castle is an exciting historic site. Set in the heart of this dynamic capital city; it captures the imagination and the scenery is breathtaking.
Using this picture I took the other day when the weather was decent.
Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe. With a long rich history as a royal residence, military garrison, prison and fortress, it is alive with many exciting tales. When you climb Castle Hill, you walk in the footsteps of soldiers, kings and queens – and (they say) even the odd pirate or two.
Though parts of it remain in military use, the castle is now a world-famous visitor attraction.
The Scottish Crown Jewels are on display in the castle. They include the crown, scepter and sword used in the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots in 1543. No photos allowed.
The Great Hall is located in the very heart of the Castle in Crown Square. Restored to its medieval splendor, the Great Hall today displays weapons and armor that hint at its military past. Among the swords and shields are strangely shaped pole arms, like the dreaded Lochaber axe – (again, they say) feared by all.
Grand banquets and state events took place in the Great Hall in early 1500s, but they were short-lived. Oliver Cromwell’s army captured the castle in 1650 and began a military makeover of the space, turning the Great Hall into a barracks. It later served as a military hospital, until the troops finally marched out in 1886.
St. Margaret’s Chapel is set within the castle and holds the honor of being Edinburgh’s oldest building. St Margaret’s Chapel is still in use today. The Chapel was built on the highest point of the castle rock in the early 12th century by King David I, the youngest son of Saint Margaret. It is a very simple building—small rectangular structure with an apse sanctuary and a nave separated by a chancel arch decorated with chevron moldings.
The stain glass, stunning.
Next stop Philly; home tomorrow. See many soon. : )
Edinburgh, day two. And last night I saw my first Christmas movie, Die Hard was on. I can’t wait for Desk Set!
St. Andrew’s and St. George’s West Church of Scotland.James Clerk Maxwell Statue at the entrance to St. Andrew Square Garden.Entrance to Waverley Market metro station and my entrance to the Christmas Market.This ride looked scary and everyone was screaming!I got the Fancy Mac – truffles, parmesan and crispy onions. My mac n cheese selfie. I was starving and this was the only line that was less than 53 people deep. It was good!Hot chocolate cheers selfie. Tomorrow I am going to try this potato Christmas tree stick thing. Stay tuned.The Christmas Market was really crowded! But it is Sunday.Stairs I had to climb to get to Old Town and my whiskey tasting.St. Giles’ Cathedral.Carolers.Parliament Square. My meeting place for whiskey tasting. I loved the statue and crest—Persevere. Made me think of my mother. ❤️Still waiting for whiskey tasting to start.City Chambers. Let the whiskey tasting begin.The whiskeys. My favorites were the middle two. Walk back to the hotel this evening.Still crazy crowded.The Dome is one of Edinburgh’s famous landmarks. This award winning bar and restaurant is recognized as one of the best in the city. This is across the street from my hotel. Going tomorrow.
Day one. Walking, brr—it’s about 30° here! Focusing on the historical, cultural and architectural heritage of Edinburgh today—the world-famous Royal Mile in Old Town, the National Museum, Christmas Market and Greyfriar’s Kirkyard.
Royal Mile.Greyfriars Church Hall.Remnants of this 16th-century defensive wall still stands unassumingly within Edinburgh.St. Cuthberth’s Church, Kirkyard.National Museum of Scotland.Christmas Market at night.Good night.
PS my brief stop in London yesterday to switch trains. Eurostar, Brussels to London; this train was great! LNER, London to Edinburgh; this train was a tad late and crowded most of the way—not so great.
The process. The process continues.My mold.Testing the leftover chocolate.Voila, chocolate!We partnered with this adorable French couple—table mates.
Groeningemuseum.
Six centuries of Belgian visual arts in one location, with work by Flemish primitives such as Jan van Eyck, Hans Memling and Gerard David, neo-classicism by Joseph Odevaere and Joseph Ducq, Flemish expressionism, and 20th century modern art by René Magritte, Roger Raveel, Raoul De Keyser.
Madonna with Canon Joris van der Paele. 1436; oil on panel. Jan van Eyck. Madonna; marble. Calloigne, the Bruges-born sculptor and city architect, carved this Neoclassical version of Michelangelo’s Madonna in the Church of Our Lady from a single block of marble. Calloigne is also know as the architect of the Vismarkt (Fish Market) in Bruges.The Old Barn (1900), oil on canvas. Emmanuel Vierin — Kortrijk 1869 – 1954.
Bourgogne des Flandres occupies a very special place in the Belgian beer landscape. It is a typical example of the Flemish beer blending tradition with old and young beer being mixed judiciously to achieve a perfect balance.
My beer flight.Miss everyone. See you soon.Cheers!My last evening in Bruges. I had a GREAT time! Last stop Edinburgh.
Church of Our Lady.Beautiful confessionals in the Church of Our Lady.The Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor. Gerard David, 1505 — Bruges. Oil on panelMadonna of Bruges with Baby Jesus by Michelangelo (1501-1504): The Madonna of Bruges is the only sculpture by Michelangelo to leave Italy during his lifetime. It was purchased in 1506 by a rich textiles merchant from Bruges and later bequeathed to that city.Carousel, on our way to the Lace Centre.
Kantcentrum (Lace Centre)
The Lace Centre has been housed in the renovated old lace school of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. The story of Bruges lace is told in the Lace Museum on the ground floor. Multimedia installations and testimonies from international lace experts help to explain the various different types of lace and their geographical origin, and focus on the lace industry and lace education in Bruges. Demonstrations and various courses are organized in the lace workshops on the second floor.
Lacemaker working on her Christmas ornament.Lace supplies.Beautiful Christmas courtyard, on our way back to the hotel.
Dream to Travel from NCM 