Salamanca

Madrid, Spain 2015-2016

June 11th - 12th

Salamanca

I went on a little girls weekend to Salamanca, a university town about two and a half hours away from Madrid.  The girl in the middle of the picture below is sadly leaving Spain to return to New Zealand.  She is leaving after first studying in Salamanca for a month 10 years ago and then spending the last three years in Madrid!  She wanted to spend one last weekend in Salamanca, the first place she had ever lived abroad.

Patatas Bravas with Tinto de Veranos

The famous astronaut

The first time I came to Salamanca for a day trip, it rained the entire time...it was nice to see Salamanca in the sun!

The plaza mayor at night

Stuffed peppers with the most delicious sauce ever!

El Escorial

Madrid, Spain 2015-2016

June 5th

El Escorial Monastery

El Escorial was the historical residence of the king of Spain and today is a monastery, museum, school and royal palace.  We went on a beautiful sunny day and were very impressed by the charming town and magnificent building and gardens!  It is about one hour away from Madrid, making it a perfect day trip!  

Kings Courtyard

Royal tombs.  There is also a room called the 'Pantheon of the Kings' and it has the the remains of most the kings and queens up until recent history.

Royal children tombs

The Basilica

The Library 

The Gardens

The historical town 

May Flowers

Madrid, Spain 2015-2016

May 1st - May 31st

May Flowers!

This includes everything we did for the month of May except our trip to Ireland.  We stayed in Madrid every other weekend.  The expression "April showers bring May flowers" doesn't really apply because here it seemed to be more of the case of 'May Showers' since it rained a lot this month.  It didn't really bother us too much but the Spanish people were complaining a bit that it never rains so much in May and it is always sunny and nice in May.  Either way we got some nice days in and enjoyed the month!

Casa de Campo park, where the king used to go hunting.

Historical bar.  It is around the corner from where we live and we have always said, we need to go there.  Finally we did and it was really cool inside! 

Thyssen Museum

San Isidro weekend.  Madrid's yearly festival with activities all around the city, including concerts, dancing, fairs etc.

This picture is us in an interesting exhibit 

Making the most of the warming weather!

Cable cars and rose garden