Highlights of Spain

I don’t write many blog posts on here that aren’t explicitly related to books. But every once in a while I experience something I want to remember and that I want to share. The last two weeks my husband and I spent in Spain definitely qualifies as something I want to remember. A friend of mine suggested I keep a journal throughout the trip, a tip that I will forever be grateful for. I even got Eric on board and we loosely alternated who would write and reflect on each day. That journal houses our more intimate thoughts on the trip, memories we created together and notes of appreciation for one another. I also publicly posted the highlights of each day on Instagram. So this blog is more of an overview of the trip at large, broken up by city.

Barcelona - 2 nights

Where we stayed:

Cotton House (note: my husband travels for work and stays at Marriott properties. We cashed in his points and suite nights for most of these hotels.)

What we did:

Park Güell - a public park designed by Antoni Gaudi. Most of the park is free but tickets to the portion with Gaudi’s iconic buildings is ticketed.
Joan Miró Foundation - a museum dedicated to works of art by Joan Miró
Montjuic’s Cable Car to the Montjuic Castle - a military fortress dating back to 1640 with spectacular views of the city
La Sagrada Familia - a cathedral designed by Antoni Gaudi. It is still unfinished even though it has been under construction almost continuously since 1882.
Museu Picasso de Barcelona - a museum dedicated to works of art by Pablo Picasso

Where we ate:

Restaurant la Llesca - a quaint Catalonian restaurant. Good food and good prices
Citizen Cafe - a coffee shop with hearty breakfast food
Los Bellota Restaurant - a quaint Extremadurian restaurant with fantastic tapas
La Llotja | El Nacional Barcelona - El Nacional Barcelona is reminiscent of Eataly with several restaurants within one location. La Llotja is an upscale, seafood focused restaurant.
Bar del Pla - a no-frills restaurant with insanely good tapas. Get there early.

Where we shopped:

Après Ski - purchased a pair of earrings
Chez Paulette Barcelona - purchased a print of Barcelona

San Sebastian - 2 nights

Where we stayed:

Hotel Maria Cristina

What we did:

Monte Urgull and Castillo de la Mota - we hiked up Monte Urgull in the morning, a leisurely walk with a cool breeze. The views were spectacular.
Basílica de Santa María del Coro - sit on the steps at night while enjoying pinxtos or for a small fee you can tour the interior during the day
Walked around the city - this was our favorite thing to do in San Sebastian. We walked and walked and walked.

Where we ate:

Pinxtos Tour - we hopped in and out of pinxtos bars (a local version of tapas with unique customs) The first place we stopped was Meson Portaletas, I lost track after that.
Akelarre - a 3-Michelin Star restaurant by chef Pedro Subijana

Where we shopped:

Room 278 Shop - a poster store where we purchased a print
Koloreka - a gift shop where we purchased a limited-edition print

Madrid - 3 nights

Where we stayed:

Circulo Gran Via - we were upgraded to a suite with a private veranda

What we did:

Parque El Retiro - a romantic ride on the row boats with my husband
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza - I went solely to see the Balenciaga and Spanish Painting exhibit, which was the best exhibit I’d ever seen
Museo Reina Sofia - the highlight was Guernica by Pablo Picasso
Museo del Trage Madrid - a garment museum a bit off the beaten path, but worth the trek
Museo Catedral de la Almudena - a beautiful cathedral with incredible views of the Royal Palace of Madrid
Jardines de Sabatini - labyrinth-like gardens behind the Royal Palace of Madrid

Where we ate:

Mercado de San Miguel - a market with a variety of food vendors. The highlights were a jamon cone (literally a cone filled with jamon), empanadas and Sangria.
Chocolateria San Gines - no matter how hot it is, stop here for Hot Chocolate and Churros
Salvador Bachiller - located under a gift store, it is like eating in a greenhouse or tropical rain forest.
Sahuaro Madrid - we stumbled upon this place and stopped for Mojitos
Angelita Madrid - we ate at the bar downstairs and had some of the best tapas of our life. I want to go back and eat at their main restaurant.
Toma Cafe - listed as one of the best places in Madrid for coffee. They also serve breakfast

Where we shopped:

Madrid Al Cubo - a gift shop featuring local artists where we purchased a print by El Chico Llama

Sitio de Calahonda - 6 nights

Highlights of Spain | Sitio de Calahonda + day trips

Where we stayed:

Dona Lola - a resort booked by my parents and thus the only property we stayed at not affiliated with Marriott

What we did:

Pool and Beach time
Day trip to Malaga
- Museo Casa Natal de Picasso - a museum dedicated to the artist Pablo Picasso and housed in his childhood home
- Museo Picasso Malaga - a museum devoted to works by Pablo Picasso
- Catedral de la Encarnación de Málaga - a cathedral in the Renaissance architectural style with a comprehensive audioguide
- Mount Gibralfaro - at the top we toured Castle of Gibralfaro overlooking Málaga
Day trip to Tangier, Morocco - this was a guided tour, so we didn’t get a chance to explore on our own
- Guided bus and walking
- Walked around Media
- Caves of Hercules - the iconic cave in Taniger
Day trip to Gibraltar
- Bus tour of the town of Gibraltar
- St. Michael’s Cave - a cave turned concert venue
- Upper Rock Nature Preserve - to see the Barbary macaques
- Main Street - shopping

Where we ate:

In Malaga:
- Cafe Madrid - for Churros and Hot Chocolate
- Gin Tonic - for the best gin selection
In Tangier:
- Restaurant Mamounia Palace
In Sitio de Calahonda:
- DaVinci - Italian restaurant near our resort, great service
- Mumbai Indian Cuisine - Indiana restaurant near our resort
- Devine’s Restaurant - an English style restaurant near our resort
- Hardy’s - a no-frills restaurant serving traditional English breakfast
- Repsol - a gas station between Sitio de Calahonda and Madrid, had great pastries