dgbg100106
Missing the Tag Fiary
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- Mar 24, 2008
Hint hint.... It changes!
2013 Adventures, Boarded the Cruise Ship!
- Thread starter dgbg100106
- Start date
Hint hint.... It changes!
dgbg100106
Missing the Tag Fiary
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2008
dgbg100106
Missing the Tag Fiary
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2008
It was very spacious... and beautiful.
dgbg100106
Missing the Tag Fiary
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2008
Our friends flew in and it was early evening and we were all tired and just happy to see each other and we needed to catch up, so we just headed to the Executive Lounge and drank a few glasses of Spanish Wine. We reviewed the plan for the next day, and decided we needed a good night sleep so we all crashed early.
It was kind of funny that they could not make a martini, no one knew how? They had to call over the restaurant manager Plus they only had one martini glass, and offered to make mine in a margarita glass . I passed and stuck with bourbon straight. That way they could not mess it up! HaHa
It was kind of funny that they could not make a martini, no one knew how? They had to call over the restaurant manager Plus they only had one martini glass, and offered to make mine in a margarita glass . I passed and stuck with bourbon straight. That way they could not mess it up! HaHa
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
Only ONE martini glass and they didn't know how to make a martini? 
Good call on sticking with the bourbon.
Good call on sticking with the bourbon.
dgbg100106
Missing the Tag Fiary
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2008
I was hoping the experience in the bar was not going to be a tell for the rest for the trip...
Here we are in the bar...
Here we are in the bar...
dgbg100106
Missing the Tag Fiary
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2008
Wednesday November 20th
We got up and headed straight to the gym at 5:30AM I know right? On vacation? Yes, we went to the gym first thing and worked out. An hour of cardio, and then we got ready for the gluttony!
Once we recovered and cleaned up we got ready for breakfast, I honestly have no idea what we had I know it was yogurt, boiled eggs, some fruit, but it must have been nothing amazing
We slept very well, but our friends did not The hotel room sprung a leak, right over the bed, they were up all night listening to drip drip drip. No way could I have done that.
David diagnosed me with Misophonia several years back, and that noise would have made me batty. So they were dragging a little at breakfast, but ready to make a go of getting in all the wonderful sights we were looking forward to.
We made a reservation with the hotel for their free shuttle to the city center of Madrid at 9:50 AM . I find it a little strange that the shuttle only takes you and you have to find your way back They will not bring you back. Oh well.
I must tell you that it was extremely cold this morning; I do not think any of us were prepared for how cold it was. The high today is 50 and low is 28. All I had was a sweatshirt. So we all had scarves but no gloves, no heavy jackets, there was a light wind and needless to say we were all cold.
This is City Center also known as Puerta de Alcala
Puerta de Alcalá
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Puerta de Alcalá ("Alcalá Gate") is a Neo-classical monument in the Plaza de la Independencia ("Independence Square") in Madrid, Spain. It stands near the city center and several meters away from the main entrance to the Parque del Buen Retiro. The square is bisected by Alcalá Street, although the street itself doesn't cross through the monument, and it is the origin of the Alfonso XII, Serrano and Olózaga streets. Its name originates from the old path from Madrid to the nearby town of Alcalá de Henares.
Madrid in the late 18th century, still remained a somewhat drab villa in appearance, surrounded by medieval walls. Around the year 1774, king Charles III commissioned Francesco Sabatini to construct a monumental gate in the city wall through which an expanded road to the city of Alcalá was to pass, replacing an older, smaller, gate which stood nearby. It was inaugurated in 1778.
This was the beginning of the Brandi created walking tour, based on sights that I wanted to see
To begin we need to walk down Independence Street to Puerta del Sol
So we spied this pastry and coffee shop, we were in the need for warmth.
And this beauty is our first Jamon sighting
These are some of the lovely buildings we passed along the way.
We had to cross this busy square, I know it has a name but of course, I have forgotten already!
We got up and headed straight to the gym at 5:30AM I know right? On vacation? Yes, we went to the gym first thing and worked out. An hour of cardio, and then we got ready for the gluttony!
Once we recovered and cleaned up we got ready for breakfast, I honestly have no idea what we had I know it was yogurt, boiled eggs, some fruit, but it must have been nothing amazing
We slept very well, but our friends did not The hotel room sprung a leak, right over the bed, they were up all night listening to drip drip drip. No way could I have done that.
David diagnosed me with Misophonia several years back, and that noise would have made me batty. So they were dragging a little at breakfast, but ready to make a go of getting in all the wonderful sights we were looking forward to.
We made a reservation with the hotel for their free shuttle to the city center of Madrid at 9:50 AM . I find it a little strange that the shuttle only takes you and you have to find your way back They will not bring you back. Oh well.
I must tell you that it was extremely cold this morning; I do not think any of us were prepared for how cold it was. The high today is 50 and low is 28. All I had was a sweatshirt. So we all had scarves but no gloves, no heavy jackets, there was a light wind and needless to say we were all cold.
This is City Center also known as Puerta de Alcala
Puerta de Alcalá
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Puerta de Alcalá ("Alcalá Gate") is a Neo-classical monument in the Plaza de la Independencia ("Independence Square") in Madrid, Spain. It stands near the city center and several meters away from the main entrance to the Parque del Buen Retiro. The square is bisected by Alcalá Street, although the street itself doesn't cross through the monument, and it is the origin of the Alfonso XII, Serrano and Olózaga streets. Its name originates from the old path from Madrid to the nearby town of Alcalá de Henares.
Madrid in the late 18th century, still remained a somewhat drab villa in appearance, surrounded by medieval walls. Around the year 1774, king Charles III commissioned Francesco Sabatini to construct a monumental gate in the city wall through which an expanded road to the city of Alcalá was to pass, replacing an older, smaller, gate which stood nearby. It was inaugurated in 1778.
This was the beginning of the Brandi created walking tour, based on sights that I wanted to see
To begin we need to walk down Independence Street to Puerta del Sol
So we spied this pastry and coffee shop, we were in the need for warmth.
And this beauty is our first Jamon sighting
These are some of the lovely buildings we passed along the way.
We had to cross this busy square, I know it has a name but of course, I have forgotten already!
dgbg100106
Missing the Tag Fiary
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2008
This is the Spanish Air Force Garrison, and of course they do not want you taking pictures of it, but I had no idea until after I took the photo that I was not supposed to
More buildings along the walk.
This very art deco building stood out like a sore thumb in the middle of all the neo classical
This was a private casino that I wanted to crash but no one was willing to walk in there with me. I thought if we went in looking like tourist, that they would not get mad, I mean I had the whole camera thing, and guide book right?
Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando - (http://rabasf.insde.es) was founded as a fine arts academy in 1744Picasso and Dalí were both students in the 20th century. It houses an impressive collection of work.
We only stepped inside the academy, we had planned to come back and see this later but we never made it.. Here is the only Pic I got there.
We made it to Puerta del Sol Which has been the bustling heart of Madrid since the 17th century.
Oso y Madroño - the bear and the madroño tree, [Calle Carmen at Sol], the symbol of Madrid
Next we took off in search of mile marker zero On the southern side, embedded in the ground, is Kilometer Zero, the absolute center of Spainall major highways are measured from this point.
We found a tree
A statue
And finally Mile Marker Zero, I had to ask a police officer were it was, of course my Spanish is very little and his English was none, but I had pictures of the things I wanted to see, so all I had to do was show it to him and he pointed, and we found it..
Our friends watching us be silly
More buildings along the walk.
This very art deco building stood out like a sore thumb in the middle of all the neo classical
This was a private casino that I wanted to crash but no one was willing to walk in there with me. I thought if we went in looking like tourist, that they would not get mad, I mean I had the whole camera thing, and guide book right?
Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando - (http://rabasf.insde.es) was founded as a fine arts academy in 1744Picasso and Dalí were both students in the 20th century. It houses an impressive collection of work.
We only stepped inside the academy, we had planned to come back and see this later but we never made it.. Here is the only Pic I got there.
We made it to Puerta del Sol Which has been the bustling heart of Madrid since the 17th century.
Oso y Madroño - the bear and the madroño tree, [Calle Carmen at Sol], the symbol of Madrid
Next we took off in search of mile marker zero On the southern side, embedded in the ground, is Kilometer Zero, the absolute center of Spainall major highways are measured from this point.
We found a tree
A statue
And finally Mile Marker Zero, I had to ask a police officer were it was, of course my Spanish is very little and his English was none, but I had pictures of the things I wanted to see, so all I had to do was show it to him and he pointed, and we found it..
Our friends watching us be silly
dgbg100106
Missing the Tag Fiary
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2008
Next up, a very famous bakery that we wanted to try
One of my goals on this trip was to try Turron, it is a traditional Spanish candy that now comes in many flavors, this place was known for it, and so I was ready. In this picture you can see several varieties. The rectangle things, so I belly up to buy, I want a little of each flavor. They will only sell me by the kilo of each one; I had no idea if I liked this stuff, so I could not buy a kilo. Even though I would regret not getting some of the pistachio that was covered in Chocolate, I mean how bad could it have been?
But at 32Euros a kilo that would have been 1 kilogram = 2.20462262 pounds, and 1.00 Euro equals 1.35 US Dollars. $43.47 for 2.2 pounds of candy that I had no idea if I would like, just could not bring me to do it.
Next up is Plaza Mayor
One of my goals on this trip was to try Turron, it is a traditional Spanish candy that now comes in many flavors, this place was known for it, and so I was ready. In this picture you can see several varieties. The rectangle things, so I belly up to buy, I want a little of each flavor. They will only sell me by the kilo of each one; I had no idea if I liked this stuff, so I could not buy a kilo. Even though I would regret not getting some of the pistachio that was covered in Chocolate, I mean how bad could it have been?
But at 32Euros a kilo that would have been 1 kilogram = 2.20462262 pounds, and 1.00 Euro equals 1.35 US Dollars. $43.47 for 2.2 pounds of candy that I had no idea if I would like, just could not bring me to do it.
Next up is Plaza Mayor
dgbg100106
Missing the Tag Fiary
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2008
Plaza Mayor - Built on the site of a ramshackle 15th-century market, through the centuries the plaza has served as a bullring, royal parade field, executioners stage, and central meeting place.
This porticoed square lies at the heart of Hapsburg Madrid, the old part of the city and one of its most charming districts.
Before Madrid became a capital city, with its wide avenues and boulevards, its footprint consisted of narrow streets, alleys and passageways, which today take us back to the times of swashbuckling swordsmen and medieval rogues.
The foundations of Plaza Mayor were laid, when Philip II's court moved to Madrid, on the site of the former Plaza del Arrabal, where the town's most popular market was located towards the end of the 15th century. In 1617, architect Juan Gómez de Mora was commissioned to create a greater uniformity amongst the buildings in this location, which for centuries had hosted popular entertainments, bullfights, beatifications, coronations and the occasional auto de fe.
The plaza was full of street performers that wanted your money, you can see Minnie mouse there in her Christmas attire.
Casa de la Panaderia was built by Diego Sillero around 1590, but only the cellar and the ground floor of the original building remain today. It nevertheless served as the model copied by the rest of the buildings around the square. Included amongst the numerous functions it has held in the past is that of the principal bakery of the town, which fixed the price of bread so that the neediest residents could afford to buy it. It has also been the venue of royal lodgings, the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and the History Academy. At present it is home to the Plaza Mayor Tourist Center. The decoration we can see today on the façade was not always the same in the past due to numerous reforms and restorations. The murals on the façade, the work of Carlos Franco, represent mythological figures connected to the history of Madrid, such as the goddess Cibeles.
Amid the souvenir shops and tourist restaurants under the 114 stone arcades, dont miss Torre del Oro (Plaza Mayor, 26), a tiny Andalusian tiled bar with spectacularly gory bullfighting photos.
The photos in here were gory, and to the point, that none of us had an appetite when we left, but we all felt a need for a drink. Ughh, this is one of those been there and done that checkmarks.
Statue of Philip III - The statue of the king on horseback is one of the most valuable works of art to be found on the streets of Madrid. Designed by Giambologna and completed by Pietro Tacca in 1616, it watched over the entrance to Casa de Campo for centuries until, in 1848, Queen Isabel II borrowed it for the city, placing it in Plaza Mayor. Only during the two Republics has the statue been removed from what is perhaps Madrid's most emblematic square.
We left Plaza Mayor and headed to the local market, we were not sure what we would find but it was a find.
This porticoed square lies at the heart of Hapsburg Madrid, the old part of the city and one of its most charming districts.
Before Madrid became a capital city, with its wide avenues and boulevards, its footprint consisted of narrow streets, alleys and passageways, which today take us back to the times of swashbuckling swordsmen and medieval rogues.
The foundations of Plaza Mayor were laid, when Philip II's court moved to Madrid, on the site of the former Plaza del Arrabal, where the town's most popular market was located towards the end of the 15th century. In 1617, architect Juan Gómez de Mora was commissioned to create a greater uniformity amongst the buildings in this location, which for centuries had hosted popular entertainments, bullfights, beatifications, coronations and the occasional auto de fe.
The plaza was full of street performers that wanted your money, you can see Minnie mouse there in her Christmas attire.
Casa de la Panaderia was built by Diego Sillero around 1590, but only the cellar and the ground floor of the original building remain today. It nevertheless served as the model copied by the rest of the buildings around the square. Included amongst the numerous functions it has held in the past is that of the principal bakery of the town, which fixed the price of bread so that the neediest residents could afford to buy it. It has also been the venue of royal lodgings, the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and the History Academy. At present it is home to the Plaza Mayor Tourist Center. The decoration we can see today on the façade was not always the same in the past due to numerous reforms and restorations. The murals on the façade, the work of Carlos Franco, represent mythological figures connected to the history of Madrid, such as the goddess Cibeles.
Amid the souvenir shops and tourist restaurants under the 114 stone arcades, dont miss Torre del Oro (Plaza Mayor, 26), a tiny Andalusian tiled bar with spectacularly gory bullfighting photos.
The photos in here were gory, and to the point, that none of us had an appetite when we left, but we all felt a need for a drink. Ughh, this is one of those been there and done that checkmarks.
Statue of Philip III - The statue of the king on horseback is one of the most valuable works of art to be found on the streets of Madrid. Designed by Giambologna and completed by Pietro Tacca in 1616, it watched over the entrance to Casa de Campo for centuries until, in 1848, Queen Isabel II borrowed it for the city, placing it in Plaza Mayor. Only during the two Republics has the statue been removed from what is perhaps Madrid's most emblematic square.
We left Plaza Mayor and headed to the local market, we were not sure what we would find but it was a find.
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
Beautiful pics from your walking tour of Madrid so far. Loving it and avidly reading all the details.
You could only buy Turron in kilo's at a time? WOW! I would have thought they could have sold you 0.25 kg or something....just to try.
Looking forward to the market.
You could only buy Turron in kilo's at a time? WOW! I would have thought they could have sold you 0.25 kg or something....just to try.
Looking forward to the market.
dgbg100106
Missing the Tag Fiary
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2008
Here is a picture of the Market as we were coming out of the Plaza Mayor.
Mercado de San Miguel
I dubbed this place Bag oMeat
These paper cones are full of all kinds of smoked and cured meats, sausages, ham, all kinds of goodness.
There were all kinds of stalls here, everything from sweets, savories, wine, and beer to fresh oysters on the half shell.
The ladies grabbed a table and guys left to get goodies I sent David for Bags of Meat
He came back with mini Chorizos which is Spain's most famous sausage and Fuet which is got a lot and I mean a lot of black pepper on the outside. We got a bottle of red wine, a local Spanish red.
These are croquettes with a very fragrant cheese inside.
A mixed selection of cheese from around the world
Now for dessert, like we need any more
This chocolate cake, it was rich deep chocolate, with ganache in between the layers, and then something poured on top, it was like chocolate sauce but not really
The white thing.. hmmm this was layers of crunch pastry with this amazing wonderful fluffy sweet stuff on the inside. It is called a cloud.
We all dubbed this the best.
These are pistachio baklava which is Davids favorites
After four people eat food and drink a bottle of wine, in a place with outdoor fire places after being cold, this is what is left
Mercado de San Miguel
I dubbed this place Bag oMeat
These paper cones are full of all kinds of smoked and cured meats, sausages, ham, all kinds of goodness.
There were all kinds of stalls here, everything from sweets, savories, wine, and beer to fresh oysters on the half shell.
The ladies grabbed a table and guys left to get goodies I sent David for Bags of Meat
He came back with mini Chorizos which is Spain's most famous sausage and Fuet which is got a lot and I mean a lot of black pepper on the outside. We got a bottle of red wine, a local Spanish red.
These are croquettes with a very fragrant cheese inside.
A mixed selection of cheese from around the world
Now for dessert, like we need any more
This chocolate cake, it was rich deep chocolate, with ganache in between the layers, and then something poured on top, it was like chocolate sauce but not really
The white thing.. hmmm this was layers of crunch pastry with this amazing wonderful fluffy sweet stuff on the inside. It is called a cloud.We all dubbed this the best.
These are pistachio baklava which is Davids favorites
After four people eat food and drink a bottle of wine, in a place with outdoor fire places after being cold, this is what is left
dgbg100106
Missing the Tag Fiary
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2008
Our friends that were with us; she speaks fluent Spanish, and asked the lady again if I had to buy a kilo, and she said yes. We thought it was because we were tourists that she was doing that. We thought a local would not have to buy that much.
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
YUM!
Love the Bag of Meats. I could snack on that alone; but your white cloud looks like a vanilla slice; only with meringue in the middle rather than custard. Looks amazing.
Love the Bag of Meats. I could snack on that alone; but your white cloud looks like a vanilla slice; only with meringue in the middle rather than custard. Looks amazing.
dgbg100106
Missing the Tag Fiary
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2008
As we left the Market on our way to find the worlds oldest restaurant, we noticed that there were mannequins hanging out on the balconies.
We were walking behind the Plaza Mayor looking for one specific place.
Arco de Cuchilleros - the knife-makers arch
On several occasions, fire has played a major role in configuring the square's appearance. The most devastating one occurred in 1790, which led to its reconstruction by architect Juan de Villanueva who lowered the building fronts by two storiess, enclosed the square at its corners and constructed nine entrance arches. Due to its monumental appearance, the most well-known of the arches is the Arco de los Cuchilleros with its steep steps leading up to the square. The picturesque buildings along this street catch the eye due to their height and leaning façades serving as buttresses. Its name, Cuchilleros, derives from the cutlers' workshops once located here who supplied the knives to the butchers in Plaza Mayor, where Casa de la Carnicería, at one time the general meat deposit, is located.
Can you see them leaning here?
I thought this was a beautiful address sign.
We walked about a block and half and found the prize Botin.
Botin is the worlds oldest restaurant, (www.botin.es); it has served roasted suckling pig from its stone ovens since 1725.
This is a diorama of the restaurant that is on the window.
Check out all these lovely baby piggiess waiting for people. I know we just ate about an hour before, but it was really just a snack! The smell coming from these babies was so enticing that we all agreed that we needed to try them.
The oven
The bread service, this bread was ignored during the meal, but it would come into play later
A little more wine for us and some pig
The skin was so darn crispy, and cracked and crunched, the juices running from the pork was like a river flowing. It was roasted in these terra cotta dishes, with baby potatoes, these potatoes were soaking up all the liquid (aka pig juice). OhMemGee, I salivating over it right now just thinking about it.
We had a side of white asparagus which is another house specialty, I really did not like it, it was cold and mushy
I had to eat the tail
The bar
We were walking behind the Plaza Mayor looking for one specific place.
Arco de Cuchilleros - the knife-makers arch
On several occasions, fire has played a major role in configuring the square's appearance. The most devastating one occurred in 1790, which led to its reconstruction by architect Juan de Villanueva who lowered the building fronts by two storiess, enclosed the square at its corners and constructed nine entrance arches. Due to its monumental appearance, the most well-known of the arches is the Arco de los Cuchilleros with its steep steps leading up to the square. The picturesque buildings along this street catch the eye due to their height and leaning façades serving as buttresses. Its name, Cuchilleros, derives from the cutlers' workshops once located here who supplied the knives to the butchers in Plaza Mayor, where Casa de la Carnicería, at one time the general meat deposit, is located.
Can you see them leaning here?
I thought this was a beautiful address sign.
We walked about a block and half and found the prize Botin.
Botin is the worlds oldest restaurant, (www.botin.es); it has served roasted suckling pig from its stone ovens since 1725.
This is a diorama of the restaurant that is on the window.
Check out all these lovely baby piggiess waiting for people. I know we just ate about an hour before, but it was really just a snack! The smell coming from these babies was so enticing that we all agreed that we needed to try them.
The oven
The bread service, this bread was ignored during the meal, but it would come into play later
A little more wine for us and some pig
The skin was so darn crispy, and cracked and crunched, the juices running from the pork was like a river flowing. It was roasted in these terra cotta dishes, with baby potatoes, these potatoes were soaking up all the liquid (aka pig juice). OhMemGee, I salivating over it right now just thinking about it.
We had a side of white asparagus which is another house specialty, I really did not like it, it was cold and mushy
I had to eat the tail
The bar
dgbg100106
Missing the Tag Fiary
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2008
It was not meringue or custard, it was like fluff.. I really don't know what it was, it was lightly sweet, but really nothing, it just kind of dissipated in your mouth.
I LOVE bag's of meat. I must confess that David and I ate so much cured meat on this trip, every where we went we picked up some meat of some type and ate it..
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
OMG! That pork looks divine. Fantastic looking meal. Now you've got me hungry!
Great pictures.
Wow. That fluff does sound fantastic. I'll have to hunt it down someday.
Great pictures.
Wow. That fluff does sound fantastic. I'll have to hunt it down someday.
dwheatl
DIS Veteran<br><font color=limegreen>Can you tell
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2006
Not only was that a beautiful street sign, that's my tavern! La Sena Daniela means Lady Danielle (or Mrs. Danielle, but I like Lady better). Can't say I'm a fan of the piglets, but I'm glad you enjoyed them. Looks like a beautiful (even if it was cold) and delicious day.
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