Spain has drawn us back many times, Our first trip there was in 1975, and we made good use of their paradors. Now one can easily make reservations by e-mail; formerly it was done by mail, enclosing an international return stamp. We made advance reservations at Avila, Toledo, Cordoba, and Granada Paradors, and were able to stay in many more without reservations.
We still were using a travel agent for air tickets, and had the airline make hotel reservations for our first stay. Those were often fouled up, as was the case when we arrived in Madrid; the confirmed hotel had never heard of us. We finally got into El Colosso, which did have us confirmed.
The first place we visit is the Museum Del Prado. We note other visitors are referring to a green guide book which lists art in every gallery. We soon become familiar with the Michelin Green Guides for sites to see, and their Red Guides for places to eat and stay. Both of these make independent travel in Europe much easier and enjoyable.
It is generally prohibited to take flash pictures in art museums, but in Del Prado the crowd is thin and the guard suggests Glenn can take one (for a small tip). The Rembrant that we photographed is, we think, the portrait of Artesmisia.
The Royal Palace is closed the day we want to see it, so we take a two hour taxi tour of the city, seeing parks, the University, bull ring, etc., and end up at the formal gardens of the palace. We enjoy a lot of walking and window shopping, as well as seeing many Plazas with their statues.
Our peak dining experience is at Horchers. It is an elegant meal in equally elegant surroundings. There are one or two waiters continually at our side, preparing some of the food there. We have cucumber salad, grilled salmon with a tasty sauce, and chicken in champagne sauce. The greatest!
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