Spanish Style Archives - Page 8 of 8

Apr 182014 Tagged with Easter, Spain — 0 Responses

Easter in Salamanca

We popped into town early this morning for a coffee and croissant (as you do) and ran into the Easter procession in progress. Guys train all year for this – the carrying of these huge floats, and we’ve been told that if it rains and they can’t do their thing, there are grown men in tears. And I can well imagine. These floats are huge and weigh a ton. They wear stomach belts to help support the weight. So we were told by Andres (pronounced “undress” as he confirmed), the gentleman that took us on a tour of Old Madrid the night before.

We duly had our two coffees, two croissants and a FRESH orange juice for the princely sum of 6.80 euros = $NZ10! Spain is the place to travel. No wonder so many of them eat out….

Apr 172014 2 Responses

Magnificent Madrid

We’ve spent three marvellous days in Madrid and if you are planning a trip here in the future I would definitely recommend more. Three days is just scratching the surface of this magnificent city. There’s so much history, food, Museums, Galleries and (probably shopping, but we stayed away from them).

Thyssen to Tulips

Today was quite a mixture. First up – Sandemans Free Tour of Madrid which I can highly recommend. 3 hours of history which gave us a very basic grounding – basic because I can remember only so much! After 5 kings called Philip and two called Charles I lost the plot.

After a quick refreshment Phil and I chose to try the Thyssen Museum of Art where I again managed to soak up only so many Rubens and Goya, Philistines that we are.

Luckily for us the Madrid Botanical gardens were right next door and oh so much more familiar. We are here just at the right time. The first of the Old Roses are only just opening. The tulips (Attila) are just finishing, the peonies are just starting as are the first of the Savias.

If you want a display of Tulips like this in October – NOW is the time to plant!

Apr 152014 1 Response

Zurich to Madrid

I’m writing this whilst in the air over Geneva. It’s been over a decade since I’ve been to Europe and it was a surprise to see the trees partially clothed with leaves and the golden fields of Rape.

It’s a long time since I’ve completely changed seasons. I don’t actually think of the seasons when we visit Asia – it’s permanently green and lush. Australia – well, if you’re lucky it’s not grey or brown and when you go north it’s not a change of season either as it always looks like that.