Fall Break in Spain

 Burgos- Everyone's Favorite Stop (... in search of El Cid)

Plaza Mayor - Burgos. We think plazas are great.

Tapas in Burgos - we could eat these for days. 

Tomb of El Cid in the Burgos Cathedral - his relics have made the rounds. May they rest in peace here.

The statue paying tribute to El Cid.

Puenta de Santa Maria - Burgos.

Amazing Cathedral! Steve is standing on the road this part of the Camino de Santiago. Pilgrims pass this way and enter the Cathedral from this road.

Splendid at night.

And in the day as well - the kids on the steps.

Puenta de Santa Maria from across the Rio Arlanzan.

Madrid- Our First Stop

Heading to the Prado museum via Metro.

 Heading out for Flamenco - our hotel was centrally located. Walking the city was part of the fun.

It was fun to see a show of this famous dance - Flamenco.

Diner before the Flamenco dance show.

Madrid comes alive at night.

Royal Palace - Madrid.

Royal Palace - Madrid.

Bubble Blowing in a Plaza in Spain.

Gardens with statues of Spain's famous kings.

View from Santa Maria la Real de Almudena.

View from Santa Maria la Real de Almudena.

Neptune Fountain near Prado museum.

Ready for our visit to Prado.

Penafiel - Castle, Wine, and Food

Penafiel Castle.

Castles can be fun to play in.

At the castle gate. Good news - there is a wine museum on premise!!

On top of the castle - fantastic panorama of Castile.

Arrow slit converted for cannon.

The castle is 150 meters long, but only 10 meters wide. This is only in the middle.

While we waited for the castle to open, we enjoyed a lovely lunch at Restaurant Molino de Palacios de la Constitucion. Emelia, our server, was lovely. 

The restaurant was the site of an old mill. 

We had traditional foods whenever possible. Here is roasted lamb - all the bits and pieces. The wine was fantastic.

Segovia

 On Top of Alcazar Castle- View to the Cathedral.

Another view from Alcazar. The plains of Spain - hey that rymes.

The Catherals in Spain are unmatched. Here is a view of Segovia Cathedral from teh Alcazar.

Grandpa Bill awestruck with the Cathedral. 

Segovia is a walled city - cars parked outside. This gave an opportunity for Steve and Maria to see more of the city.

Dinner is eaten late in Spain. This gave us time to enjoy a cerbeza before dinner. What a view.

Traditional meal is suckling pig. The meat was wonderful but Steve had a hard time picking around the ear and leg. We had 1998 Protos Reserva - fantastic.

The Alcazar from the front.

Inside the Alcazar.

We hiked to the top of the Alcazar tower - all 162 steps. It was worth it.

Segovia has some of the largest, and best preserved Roman aqueducts on the Iberian peninsula.

Salamanca- Lively Old University Town

New Salamanca Cathedral.

University of Salamanca - one of the worlds oldest.

Steve and Jean on the still funtioning Roman bridge. 

Plaza Mayor - Salamanca. 

Plaza Mayor - stunning. 

Steve and Maria under the arcade on the Plaza Mayor.

Santiago de Compostella 

Cathdral de Santiago de Compostella. Simple awesome.

The main alter.

Nave.

And at night.

Another view of the alter.

Steve's favorite dish - like Paella only with lobster and shrimp.

Going to mass at the Cathedral.

Saturday evening mass. 

The relics of St. James at the Cathedral.

Front view of the cathedral.

Anna and Kate in the city streets of Santiago de Compostella.

Illse de Arousa

We went to the coast off the Illse de Arousa - beautiful.

Beachers are a favorite for the kids.

Bill and Jean on the coast. 

Having lunch - the view of the harbor was beautiful.

Harbor view on Arousa.

More view of the coast. It was windy.

From the beach.

Kate was happiest on the beach.

Cambados

Church and Plaza.

Interesting artwork.

Wine tasting.

Wine tasting at Gil Armada.

City street in Cambados.

Along the shore. Tide moving out.

Girls on the coast.

Anna with the Jumpy - our trusty steed for the week.