Our European Adventure started with an overnight flight from JFK to Madrid. We picked up our rental car, drove through the city to Hotel Moderno, and brought our luggage up to the sixth floor. Thank goodness there was an elevator!

It was a sunny day as we located El Oso y el Madrono (The Bear and the Strawberry Tree) sculpture around the corner from our hotel, and then walked across town to see the fountains and monuments in the Plaza de Espana.

We continued walking the beautiful city, noticing colorful buildings, interesting statues, and the very large Royal Palace.

Pushing through our first day without much sleep, we went to see a flamenco show at La Quimera. The music and dancing were amazing!

Then we walked around and eventually through the Plaza Mayor. The plaza was alive with locals and tourists enjoying the summer evening. We stayed out late eating food, drinking wine, listening to music and enjoying the crowds. When we finally headed back to the hotel it was difficult to wind down, and a small ukulele concert broke out on our balcony!

Our second day in Madrid we walked to Retiro Park and enjoyed the fountains, pond and street performers.

We found the Crystal Palace and the Rose Garden.

Walking back across town, we saw more lovely shops and buildings. We walked past a street made up entirely of book stores and then made our way through an endless, bustling flea market.

We enjoyed local croquetas and grilled octopus, and noted the abundance of cured meats displayed throughout the city.

Pre-dinner drinks at a small cafe, dinner at an extraordinary restaurant, and then watching the sun set and the streets light up sealed the deal. We had fallen in love with Madrid!

Driving west the next day, we made a stop in Avila to walk the spectacular medieval walls that surround the city.

There were many steep staircases and the wall seemed to go on for miles!

Then we continued on to Salamanca and a lovely room with a balcony over the town square.

Another day of walking a charming town, enjoying a delicious dinner and hanging out in the plaza had us thinking that this European adventure had been a brilliant idea!

In the morning we took some time to walk around the University of Salamanca and past both the old and new cathedrals before we continued our travels.

We drove past fields of sunflowers as we headed west to the next country on our tour: Portugal!