Impulsive Christmas Trip

[amaroo]

After all that climbing it was time for lunch.





Excellent value... recommend eating here when visiting Salamanca.

 

[amaroo]

The rest of the day was spent window shopping, shopping, and exploring.

 

[lakeman]

Great photos !
You have been very lucky with the weather

 

[kermatu]

Terrific photos. The building shots give great sense of depth and height, and lots of detail. What a fabulous trip.

 

[amaroo]

Thanks for more great photos. I personally think that Salamanca had the most attractive collection of buildings in such a small area of any of the Spanish towns we visited.

I hope you visited the Art Deco & Art Nouveau Museum just across the road from your hotel.

I agree with you on Salamanca. It's overflowing with historical beauty. I thought the apartments and commercial buildings blended in and maintained the overall look and appeal of the town.

We did take notice of that Museum, it has a very imposing facade.... however, we just ran out of time. Next time...

Great photos !
You have been very lucky with the weather

Cheers. Yes, the weather gods were looking out for us. I think Spain along with a few other Southern European countries are blessed with abundant sunshine.

Terrific photos. The building shots give great sense of depth and height, and lots of detail. What a fabulous trip.

Thanks. It's a real privilege to be able to walk through, around and on top of those impressive buildings.

 

[amaroo]

For our last meal in Salamanca we booked - El Meson de Gonzalo.

Lovely meal - another one you could put on the Salamanca list.



Last look at Plaza Mayor

 

[Flashback]

I like Gin Mare, it's a nice drop!

 

[amaroo]

Madrid was next on the itinerary... given we were driving right pass we accepted the advice of @RooFlyer and took a detour to check out Avila.

Positioned smack bang in the middle of Salamanca and Madrid, Avila (The Town of Stones and Saints) has been protected by a magnificent medieval wall since the 12 century.

We didn’t stay long .... but took the opportunity to drive into the city and admire the wall and town up close - what a beauty!





Well worth dropping in and gawk at this stunner.

 

[RooFlyer]

but bugger all traffic using it. I think the locals avoid toll roads, and governments are addicted to building

Addicted to spending Euro- grants from Brussels!!!

Salamanca and Avila - my two favourite towns in Spain.

But did you 'spot the frog' at the Uni and see the astronaut carved in the New Cathedral??

 

[amaroo]

Addicted to spending Euro- grants from Brussels!!!

Salamanca and Avila - my two favourite towns in Spain.

But did you 'spot the frog' at the Uni and see the astronaut carved in the New Cathedral??

Didn’t spot the frog, but got the other three ok..



The rabbit is well rubbed.

 

[amaroo]

Back on the road - next stop Madrid





Our hotel in Madrid - Villa Magna.

Really wanted to enjoy this hotel ..... but it just wasn’t that good. The service from the front of house was lacking and when it was delivered - it was with a decent dose of poor attitude.

We had to move rooms due to plumbing issues, never good for a 5* and the general feel of the place was disinterest ... mainly from the front desk. House keeping, restaurants, lounge staff were professional and proactive.

Our room - Junior Suite



The view

 

[amaroo]

The kids rooms - Grand Deluxe Twin Toom



Breakfast was all class...

 

[Rugby]

Looks like the hunt for our next Madrid hotel continues!

 

[Flashback]

Although it's a standard chain hotel by name, I'd suggest the DoubleTree by Hilton Madrid - Prado. Has a boutique feel to it, very nice rooms and the breakfast was pretty darn impressive.

 

[amaroo]

Looks like the hunt for our next Madrid hotel continues!

Look no further than Mandarin Oriental. They purchased Hotel Ritz back in 2015 for €148m, closed it February last year and are spending €100m renovating... it’s due to open later this year. It will be spectacular.... great location opposite the Prado.

Villa Magna will struggle big time!

 

[amaroo]

I had to return the hire car to Madrid’s main railway station - Atocha. What a nightmare, masses of people, traffic, taxis, police and not one sign directing where to go. After three laps of the station I finally located Europcar and gave the keys back.

The kids were complaining about being hungry .... all I wanted was a drink!

We found this place not far the station and over the road from the Prado. The food was ok for a quick bite..






Found this florist / garden shop footsteps from Plaza Mayor .... amazing block / business so close to the action.



Plaza Mayor

 

[Katie]

Our room - Junior Suite
View attachment 152894

@amaroo - are they coffee pods on the bathroom sink??

 

[amaroo]

@amaroo - are they coffee pods on the bathroom sink??

No, it’s a bubble bath pod. They fitted to a contraption on the end of the spout which supersized the bubbles.

 

[amaroo]

The kids noticed the hotel had a Chinese restaurant and lobbied hard to eat here. Against one’s better judgment we relented and booked a table. I wouldn’t do it again..

Tse-Yang. The things you do for your kids!



About the only decent thing that was delivered to the table.

 

[amaroo]

In the morning it was back to Atocha station to catch the AVE to Cordoba - an easy day trip from Madrid.

The trip to Cordoba takes around 1:45 mins (depending what train you book) .... as opposed to a 4hr drive.

Atocha station



AVE ... top speed was around 300 km/h



Business / First class .... not sure what they call it.



Menu





Awesome scenery. It was nice to just walk on sit down and not think about about packing luggage, directions, driving, etc...