Day 7: Madrid

We slept in late, not getting up until around 8:00 am. We went downstairs for a hearty breakfast before meeting Maxine and Joan and our guide for the day, Gerardo Rapazzo Amura. He was a fabulous guide.

We drove around the city for awhile with Gerardo pointing out the major buildings and explaining how the city has expanded over the centuries. Our first stop was at the Plaza Mayor. This weekend they are celebrating the day of the Madrid's patron saint San Isidro, so there are signs of performances and celebrations everywhere.

One of the nine entries to the Plaza Mayor

Rent-a-bike

Inside the Plaza Mayor

San Isidor

One of the nine entries to the Plaza Mayor

Exterior walls of the Plaza Mayor

We got a tour of the Casa Botin restaurant, the oldest continuously in-business restaurant in the world. One of Ernest Hemingway's favorite places while he lived in Madrid. We got to tour the kitchen and see how they prepare their famous suckling pig (3 month old piggies). Gerardo asked if any of us were vegetarians before going in so as not to shock anyone.

Today's entrance to Casa Botin

Suckling Pig, ready to eat

Casa Botin, established 1725, photo taken in 1887

Suckling pigs in various states of preparation

Roasting a pig in the Casa Botin oven

Casa Botin bar

Casa Botin wine cellar

Casa Botin downstairs

Wooden stairs to downstairs...fire trap

Original entrance to Casa Botin

Olives at the Mercado de San Miguel

Sidewalk plate signifying a shop is at least 100 years old

Original City Administration Building...just moved to larger quarters in 2010

Pastry shop where Gerardo treated us to some local delights

New cathedral with no historical significance across from the Palacio Real

Palacio Real (Royal Palace of Madrid)

The last hour or so of our guided tour, we visited the Museo del Prado (Spanish national art museum). One could spend days to try to see it all. Gerardo showed us a few of his favorites. It was delightful. No photos allowed.

The tour ended and we were free to roam the City for the remainder of the day. We did not go far.

Lunch tapas with the ladies

Our room at the Hotel Orfila

Tonight we are having an informal final dinner with Maxine and Joan. We will be leaving the hotel at 4:00 am tomorrow morning to catch our 6:10 am flight. Maxine and Joan are staying another night. We are heading home, they are heading to Barcelona for a few days.

Our journey will take just over 14 hours putting into IAH about 1:45 pm Sunday afternoon.