Getting There

We drove To Triglav National Park from a suburb of Munich and it took us around 4 hours to get there by car. We were traveling at the height of summer travels, therefore we encountered a bit of traffic. You can fly into Ljubljana and drive into the park area, depending on where you choose to stay. We highly recommend you rent a car as it makes it much easier to get around the national park area.

Where to Stay

There are several small towns that have many apartments and hotels to choose from. We planned very last minute and paid the price as choices were very limited. We ended up renting a modest apartment in the town of Kranjska Gora that we found via Booking.com. The cozy apartment was very affordable (80 Euros per night) with free parking.

Kranjska Gora is a popular ski town bordering the Triglav National Park. It’s a perfect base to stay when spending three days in Triglav National Park. The town is cradled by the picturesque snowcapped mountains of the Slovenian Alps. Although summer is considered their low season, the town was filled with outdoor enthusiasts equipped with their hiking poles and climbing gear.

Three Days at Triglav National Park: What to See

Road Trip!

We wanted to experience as much nature as possible, so we were ambitious and decided to spend a whole day driving across route 206. If you love nature, Triglav National Park is the place for you. As we left Kranjska Gora, I was taken by the crystalline waters of the streams that flowed along the base of the mountains. Although you may be tempted to jump in, beware. The water is freezing! Perhaps a quick dip after a long hike may help with those sore muscles. If you want to go on hikes, keep your eyes open for the many trail openings. Many have a trail map and parking available.

One of the highlights of our trip was buying local beer, cheese, and cured meats in a small shop along the road and having a picnic along the Isonzo River. The sun was shining, the snowcapped mountaintops lay perfect against the blue sky, and the river.

The Waterfalls

The park is filled with many waterfalls. The word in Slovenian for waterfalls is “Slap”, keep that in mind when doing a google search for waterfalls at Triglav National Park. During our drive, we saw small waterfalls during our hike but the one that struck us the most was Slap Pericnik. If you’re spending three days at Triglav National Park, this must be a stop in your itinerary.

The morning we decided to go to Slap Pericnik, it was pouring rain. We debated whether to go or not, but we read that you can see the falls from the car. We knew it was the main tourist attraction, so we decided to wake up early and try our luck. The universe was on our side. Due to the rain, the place was empty! As we parked the rain dwindled to a small drizzle and we decided to hike up. Best decision ever. I am always taken by waterfalls due to their energy. As you stand twenty feet away, you can feel the fury of the water coming down. The best part of this waterfall is that you can hike behind it, feeling that energy to a whole new level.

Lake Bled

If you have three days in Triglav National Park, you must add Lake Bled to your itinerary. Lake Bled is not technically located in the park grounds but it borders that park area on the northeastern border. This Slovenian national gem merges architecture and nature as the Bled castle is in the middle of the lake. We decided to skip the touristy boat ride and go for a walk along the lake. Visitors can also swim on the crystal blue-green waters of the lake or rent a boat on their own.

Although Lake Bled has many restaurants to choose from along the lake, they all seemed very uninspiring and tourist-oriented. We walked along the side streets and discovered Izletniska Kmetija, a local spot where the owner Monica makes her own beers and ciders. Not only are they brewers but they also cure their own meats. Treat yourself to homemade charcuterie and sip it with the crisp cider produced in-house. Fellow Dining Traveler Priya wrote a detailed post about Lake Bled not too long ago.

Triglav National Park: The Verdict

I heard great things about Slovenia and Triglav National Park and must stay it lived up to its hype. It was a great place to reconnect with nature. Although we went with la Piccola who was only seven months during the trip, I recommend this trip to anyone who loves nature. Families, couples, groups of friends, and even solo travelers will enjoy scenic views, friendly people, and picturesque landscapes.

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Roskilde Cathedral:

We started our Hamlet Tours “Grand Day Trip Tour” at Roskilde Cathedral. The cathedral is stunningly beautiful inside and out; it was built in the 12th and 13th centuries and is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is home to 39 Danish kings and queens who are buried inside.

Viking Ship Museum:

Nautical enthusiasts and history buffs: you must add this to your “what to see outside of Copenhagen” list. The museum hosts five reconstructed Viking ships, a film on Viking ships, and a series of Norwegian boats at the harbor. Must do: take a boat tour if you have the time.

Food Highlights:

It wouldn’t be a Dining Traveler piece if we didn’t give you some food advice! During our tour, we stopped at Café Valentin, an adorable café near the Frederiksborg Palace. Savory items like goat cheese toast, fries, onion rings, nachos, and tomato and mozzarella salad are all available at a reasonable price. You will need sustenance to explore the gigantic Frederiksborg Palace so I would stop and eat before you go to the Palace!

Frederiksborg Palace:

This majestic castle is one of the best sites to see in Denmark. Built in the 17th century, it showcases Renaissance architecture at its height. You can take a tour inside the castle in order to see the rooms, portraits, decorative arts, clothing, and furniture of centuries of Danish queens and kings. The grounds are equally impressive and you should make take to take a stroll through the impeccable gardens.

Kronborg Castle:

The final stop on the tour may be the most famous as well. This castle was the setting for Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet. The castle is also built during the Renaissance, and features Renaissance and Baroque architecture and artwork. Most memorable is the grand ballroom where you can envision the epic festivities which must have taken place there. There is also a chapel, and an open air arena where Hamlet is performed every summer.

What to see outside of Copenhagen: The Verdict

Denmark is a magical place, with a history that is unparalleled. Be sure to leave Copenhagen for a few hours to explore the fascinating historical sites in the surrounding areas. Taking an organized tour makes the process easy, especially when you’re traveling with limited time.

Hamlet Tours Practical Information: Tour length: 8.5 hours. Price: 925 Kroner (Around $130).

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Everyone has heard of the Croatia’s famed Dalmatian Coast, but there is another area of Croatia which is just as great to visit: Zagreb, Croatia’s capital.  My husband and I had a wonderful long weekend there, complete with the best food, wine, nature, and culture. So the next time you are planning a vacation and thinking of Croatia’s coast, consider travelling up north as well, for a completely different but equally as incredible experience on a Zagreb weekend trip!

Zagreb Weekend Trip: Eat, See & Do

Where to Stay: Hotel President Pantovcak. This contemporary hotel has everything you are looking for in order to enjoy a Zagreb weekend trip: warm and friendly staff, clean and modern rooms, and a restaurant and bar where you can enjoy breakfast, dinner, happy hour or a nightcap. Plus, it’s just short distance to the British Square, a great place for a beer, and it’s also in an excellent location to explore the rest of the city.

What to do:

•  Take a city tour! We enlisted the assistance of Zagreb Tours to take us around on a wonderful walking tour of the city. We found the city to be really easy to navigate by foot. Our tour guide was friendly and incredibly knowledgeable about Croatian history, so I would definitely recommend using Zagreb Tours for both city tours and trips outside the city. Our city tour was very comprehensive and included:
  • Visiting the Zagreb Cathedral: A gorgeous cathedral with a history that dates back to the 12th Century.
  • Riding the funicular: This is shortest funicular in the world! The ride is super fun, and it connects the lower and upper parts of town.
  • Strolling down Tkalciceva Street: This street in city center is full of cafes, stores, galleries, and more.
  • Exploring the historic core: Also known as Gradec, or the Upper Town, the oldest part of the city houses the famous Stone Gate, the lovely Baroque St Catherine’s Cathedral, and the Gric Cannon which still fires a cannon into the city everyday. St.Mark’s Church was my favorite in the old town: it has a tiled roof, which is something I had never seen before.

• Take a Day Trip! We also used Zagreb Tours for some of these day tours, but you could rent a car if you prefer to go on your own.

• Trakoscan Castle: Located outside of the city, this stunning 13th century castle is surrounded by lush gardens and full of impressive Baroque furniture.

• Plitvice Lakes: The most beautiful place we visited during our tour. You can take a bus from the local station in Zagreb, which will drop you off at the lakes. From there you can walk and hike through the gorgeous lakes.

• Varazdin: This Baroque city used to be the capital of Croatia in the 8th Century. It has a series of incredibly impressive palaces, monasteries, and fortresses.

Where to Eat:

Always the most important part!

• Agava: The gorgeous terrace of this charming restaurant is the best place to have a candelight dinner for two. It’s located in the center of the historic town, but tucked away from the main street. The food is quintessential Mediterranean, for which Croatia is well-known for. We sampled olives, burrata drizzled with oregano olive oil, housemade focaccia, bruschetta with juicy vine-ripened tomatoes, an eggplant tart, and pasta tossed with zucchini and cheese. Go for a stroll after dinner in the historic town!
• Restaurant Balon: It’s not in the historic part of town, but well worth it the short cab ride. This uber modern restaurant has great service, and even better food. The chef is known for his innovative touch. We treated ourselves to broccoli and truffle soup, a cheese plate with pineapple mustard, cacio e pepe pasta, eggplant cannelloni, and seriously awesome crème brulee.
• Appetit Bistro: Cheese fondue, tomato tarts, fresh salads, and mushroom ravioli. It doesn’t get much better than this. This modern restaurant focuses on European flavors, with an emphasis on Italian and French cuisines.
• Royal India: Ok so it seems weird but sometimes an Indian girl just has to have Indian food! More than that, I sometimes like to see how other countries present ethnic cuisines. It can offer a different perspective than we are used to. The Indian food at Royal India was actually excellent. We tried crispy samosas, daal (lentils), paneer (cheese marinated with peppers in spices), saffron rice, and potatoes baked with herbs. I would highly recommend this spot!

• Street Snacks: In the historic district you will find vendors selling, fritule, which are puffy little donut holes, doused in sugar. They are the perfect snack to enjoy while you are exploring the city.

The verdict:  Make sure to add a Zagreb weekend trip to your Croatia itinerary!

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Question:

I’m planning on going to Ireland either this July or next July, but I don’t know if I should take a bus tour with strangers, should I rent a car in Ireland (which scares me) or go alone and take buses. Have you been to Ireland? If so which would you suggest? – Siomara, Rochester, NY:

Audrey’s Answer: Driving around the country in Ireland is easier than it seems, just need to take to look to the left instead of the right. (Great tips on Wikihow on how to prepare yourself.)  I always encourage travelers to drive.  That way you can stop at any point you want to see a point of interest, visit a cool pub, and see anyone of the thousands of sights that will catch your attention…
The buses in ireland are OK, but just OK:  they are a cheap way to get around.  If you choose to travel by bus, make sure you plan your trip well.  There are great day tours you could take from the cities.  For example, getting from Dublin to Galway is easy.  There are several buses from the city via Gobus or CityLink.  Getting around Galway is a cinch as it is a pretty small city.

To me, if you want to experience the real Irish countryside, you should rent a car or book a tour. Also, I would highly recommend a night on the Aran Islands.  We took the little plane over and stayed in a B&B with a package and had dinner in a fab resto, live music all night, it was truly awesome, first time there! We hired bikes around the island, a total must do if you’re traveling in the summer.  Another drive I recommend is from Dublin to Cork which has amazing views of the Irish countryside.  The drive takes around 3 1/2 hours without stops, but then again, the stops are the fun part.

Amy’s Answer:  Should you rent a car in Ireland? Yes!!!  As for a tip, my advice for an Irish road trip is to take your time. Don’t try to follow a strict itinerary or schedule, but you’ll be charmed around every bend and want to have the time to stop, take loads of photos, and share a pint of Guinness with the locals. Don’t miss an evening in a local pub – musicians inevitably always show up and treat patrons to a taste of traditional music. It’s those unplanned moments that will be the highlight of the trip!

Auto Europe Car Rental Tip:   The best roads to drive in Ireland are arguably also the least traveled. If you’re outside of any major city and exploring the countryside looking for humble villages, castle ruins, or ancient monasteries, you’re going to find yourself cruising on many narrow, windy country roads. These roads can be notoriously bumpy and occasionally you’ll encounter congestion (though not necessarily with cars). Look out for potholes, frost heaves, and elderly shepherds piloting their sheep across the road. It’s absolutely crucial that you follow the speed limit posted on these roads, as they were implemented at sometimes sluggish paces to protect both drivers and pedestrians alike.

If you’re spending most of your driving time in large cities or congested towns, a compact-sized car is likely more appropriate as it will allow you to park easily in compact spaces. Ultimately, the best vehicle for your vacation is the one that fits your travel needs and your budget.

If you’re being tailgated, keep your cool and temporarily use the hard shoulder to allow faster vehicles to overtake you. This is allowed on all non-motorways and will let you keep your focus where it should be: enjoying the scenery during your road trip!

Useful links:  

Tips for driving in Ireland: http://www.autoeurope.com/go/travel-guides/ireland/tips-for-driving-in-ireland/

Ireland Car Rental FAQs:  http://www.autoeurope.com/go/travel-guides/ireland/ireland-car-rental-faq/

Ireland Road Signs: http://www.autoeurope.com/go/travel-guides/ireland/ireland-road-signs/

The Verdict:  Rent a car, enjoy your trip, and take the time to talk to locals, who always have the best tips!

Where are you headed to next? E-mail me your travel questions at jessica(at)diningtraveler.com

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Itinerary: Two Days in Prague 

Getting there:  If you are traveling within Europe, there are plenty of low fare carriers (my guide to European low cost carriers) that will take you there for less than 80 Euros if you book in advance.   There are also plenty of ways of arrival from other major cities such as Berlin, Vienna, and Budapest via rail or even car.

Where to Stay:  There are plenty of places to stay in Prague, from high end luxury hotels such as Four Seasons Prague to hostels and apartment rentals.  I prefer small design boutique hotels.  During my first visit, I stayed at Hunger Wall Residence which I loved due to its residential location on a quiet street away from the tourist crowds.  The hotel is located on the west side of the Vltava river (the new city), which for me was the perfect location. You can easily cross the river to the old town but find peace and quiet in the peaceful neighborhood.  If you prefer to stay in the Old Town, I also enjoyed my stay at Hotel Josef, located on a quiet side street behind the Old Town and its top floors provide a gorgeous view of the city. Bonus points for Hotel Josef: I was sick one day during my stay and the staff brought me soup and tea at no extra cost.

Must See:  You can see most of the city highlights with two days in Prague.  The Prague Castle is on the top of my list.  Arrive early to avoid crowds and experience the beauty of the castle.  On a spring day, walk by the lilac adorned walls and take in all the history of the city. Dining Traveler Tip: climb to the tower to take in one of the best views of the city.  If you are in the city for a limited time, take a guided boat tour on the Vltava river.  We sipped on Czech beer on a small wooden boat while admiring the castle, the Charles Bridge, and the architecture which lines the river.  If you’re a runner, I highly suggest the Prague Marathon. It has been one of the most scenic courses I’ve ever ran.

Architecture:  If you are a lover of architecture, I suggest you put on comfortable walking shoes and go for a long walk to discover the architectural wonders of the city. Start at the Dancing House Building, a Frank Gehry designed structure which also includes a restaurant and observation point.  Head north to the Charles Bridge, an ornate bridge bringing the old and new town together.  End at the Old-New Synagogue, Europe’s oldest active synagogue and admire the intricacies of the façade.  In between, take the time to stop at many of the cafes of the city which gives you a glimpse of local gathering spots.

Eat:  I asked my friend Lida, a Prague native who talked me into running the Prague Marathon and discovering this beautiful her top suggestions for two days in Prague. Her picks: For casual Italian, her pick is Ambiente. For traditional fare she suggests Potrefena Husa for old Czech traditional kitchen with a modern touch.  For a more intimate setting, she recommends Krcma with a good selection of wine and food.  For nice pubs, head to Zelezna Street off Old Town Square where locals and tourists come together for beers.  Her favorites in the new city are Ujezd and La Bastille, a French/Czech fusion restaurant.  As for my dining experiences, one of my favorite food memories of the city was to have Czech beer (Pilsner Urquell) and a sausage at the food stands of the Old Town Square on a hot summer afternoon. My favorite memories of Prague consist of drinking beers after my race with my Czech hosts, having a delicious Thai dinner at Noi and a bottle of Bohemia (Czech sparkling wine) with my friend Jimmy post celebrating our athletic prowess (or lack thereof), and chatting in Spanish with a Mexican-Czech couple who owned a jewelry store in the Old City.

Verdict: To me, an experience in a city is made by the food, drink, and most importantly, feeling welcomed by the locals.  Prague easily and beautifully achieves that with superb service, beautiful architecture, and lively restaurant and food scene.

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My Picks: European River Cruise Stops

Romance:

Vienna: Vienna is one of my favorite cities in the world. There is an air of old world glamour as you walk past the Opera or roam the perfect manicured gardens of the Belvedere. If you love art and culture, it is the perfect stop. Classical concerts and opera are offered almost every day and you can get tickets quite easily. Must eat: the decadent cakes at Demel and local Viennese wine from cellars such a Christ or Bernreiter.

Budapest: When you take in the majestic view of the Hungarian Parliament along the Danube, you know exactly why this city is a beloved among European river cruise stops. The two cities: Buda and Pest are connected by stunning bridges. I visited this city in the heart of winter. Although it was freezing, we decided to walk across the famous Chain Bridge. The majestic walk across the bridge is culminated by a view of the Gresham Palace, the home of The Four Seasons Hotel, which is a must for tea hour (and warming up). Dining Traveler Tip: make sure to make a reservation for tea time.

Prague: This is the third city of what I call the “romance trifecta” (Budapest, Prague, and Vienna). Although different, each share a distinct glamorous air. As for attractions, Prague Castle is at the top of my list. Arrive early to avoid crowds and experience the beauty of the castle. On a spring day, walk by the lilac-adorned walls and take in all the history of the city. Dining Traveler Tip: Climb to the tower to take in one of the best views of the city. If you are in Prague for a limited time, take a guided boat tour on the Vltava River.

Style:

Amsterdam: Amsterdam may feel too touristy if you are confined to Leidesplein. The great thing about the city is that is very accessible, whether it is by foot, bike, or tram. Keep your eyes open for colorful murals and modern design which pop along the canals. Take the time to explore its unique culinary scene. Head to Westerpark for unique shops, bars, and restaurants that locals love. Savor: Mossel and Gin is my favorite restaurant in Amsterdam these days (my husband is from NL so we go there often). Their unique gin cocktail list paired with mussels and oysters of Zeeland is an unforgettable culinary experience.

Antwerp: I was thrilled to see that Antwerp was a stop on AmaWaterways “Tulip Time” river cruise. It is truly an underrated destination outside of the mainstream travel circles. It is known in the region as the design capital of Belgium. The contrast of the old Flemish and modern design is beautifully executed throughout the city. If you are a lover of design, you will find unique clothing stores and art galleries. Dining Traveler Tip: Check out our foodie guide to Antwerp.

Brussels: This city is known for beer, chocolate, and the Grand Place but it is so much more. As you wander the city, keep your eye open for the Art Nouveau structures which you find everywhere from the exquisite Museum of Musical Instruments to the quiet residential side streets of the south of the city. Savor: the designer chocolates at Pierre Marcolini at Parc du Sablon and skip the touristy waffles that are loaded with whip cream for the warm ones fresh off the waffle trucks throughout the busy streets.

Classics:

Paris: What is not to love about Paris! Perfect place to start a river cruise adventure. Even if you have been there dozens of times, there always seems to be something new to experience. Although going to the Eiffel Tower is a must, the best of Paris comes from discovering residential neighborhoods (my favorite is Bastille), going to local cafes, and savoring the diverse selection of restaurants in the City of Lights. Savor: if a visit to Père Lachaise, dine at L’Ange Gardien, a quaint neighborhood spot near the famed cemetery.

Barcelona: This is one of the few cities in the world which offers an amazing urban experience, culture, beach, and nature. If you are a foodie, it is the place to be with amazing restaurants, markets, and bars throughout. Spend the morning at the beach and the afternoon taking in Gaudi’s architecture. Savor: If you love markets, head to Mercat Santa Caterina with a selection of tapas and other international fare.

I’ll be honest… I actually thought river cruising was something for an older crowd. However, I’ve heard  plenty of great feedback of close friends who have gone river cruising recently and fallen in love with the experience. Now, embarking on this type of adventure is very high on my list. After looking at the AmaWaterways itineraries, I recommend this experience for travelers who want to see multiple cities in a short period of time, don’t want to deal with the logistics of a multi-destination itinerary, all while doing it with an epic view. What are your favorite European river cruise stops?

This post was sponsored by AmaWaterways.  As always opinions are my own…

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We arrived in Milano and picked up our Fiat 500 (pure coincidence) and headed south to Rapallo, a seaside town in Liguria.  It took us exactly two hours from Linate airport.  Italy has a bad reputation for traffic but thankfully it was a smooth ride to the sea. Dining Traveler Tip:  don’t shy away from renting a car in Europe!  If you can, learn to drive manual!  Although we were in Liguria for a weekend, we did our best to explore the region.  Although the towns are very easy to get to by car, we realized how different one was from the other. We explored Rapallo (where we stayed), Lavagna, Santa Margherita, Portofino, and Camogli.

Liguria Weekend Trip: What we discovered….

Rapallo:  We felt that Rapallo was the most youthful of all the towns. Upon arriving at the hotel, we headed straight to the beach.  Tanned Italian bodies lined the rocky beaches of Rapallo with its eternal sunshine and its deep blue clear waters. We headed to the city center in the evening for a late night dinner at Pizzeria Nettuno.  The place was still vibrant at 11pm with groups of young Italian men laughing over pizza and suntanned families sharing a dinner.  My Dutchman had a delicious calzone filled with artichokes and mozzarella di bufala. My experience was the opposite: my tuna tartare was sadly disappointing.  Moral of the story: stick to the restaurant’s specialty.  After dinner, we wandered the alleys of Rapallo where the sound of music and glasses clinking reigned supreme.

Lavagna:  Given that one of my favorite Italian restaurants in DC is called Lavagna, we decided to explore this seaside town. Don’t let the industrial port fool you! Continue on and you will discover rows of family friendly beaches.  We set up shop near Cavi, towards the end of Lavagna and jumped off the rocks for a swim on a quieter side of the beach.

Camogli:  We initially planned to stay in this town at the recommendation of a friend who used to live there.  We found the vibe very laid back, as if time never stopped.  It was a hot afternoon and we decided to cool down with aperol spritz (one of my favorite Italian drinks).  We found this quaint seaside bar called Locanda a Camogli.  We snacked on a delicious warm octopus salad with a view of the sea at this little gem.  We returned that evening for an epic dinner at Da Paolo at the recommendation of Daisuke, the owner of Daikaya and Sushiko Restaurants in DC.  This man knows his food and this dinner did not disappoint: sepia pate, salt crusted fish, and smoky grilled squid.  My heart skips a beat as I type this. More about the dinner coming up on a later post.

Portofino:  On our last day of our Liguria weekend trip, we took a ferry to Portofino.  The name Portofino may sound familiar as many celebrities tend to holiday there.  Upon entering its bay, we knew why.  Luxurious yachts with immaculately dressed crew line the port.  The streets are lined with shops such as Louis Vuitton, Pucci, and Armani.  However, there are small treasures to be discovered for those of us with a smaller budget.  I bought the prettiest cover-up for $25 at Antica Satoria, a small store filled with airy, hand embroidered dresses, cover-ups, scarves, and blouses. The perfect souvenir.  This glamorous town is one not to be missed.

Santa Margherita:  Before heading to Rapallo, we made a brief stop at Santa Margherita (you can get a ferry ticket with multiple stops) for a little dip before we headed back to Milano.  Although we only spent an hour there, we were also taken by shallow clear waters and friendly atmosphere.

The verdict:  A Liguria weekend trip may be short, but if that is all the time you have, we recommend it!  It’s only two hours away from Milan if you want to create a city/beach itinerary.  There is also an airport in Genoa to which many European carriers such as KLM and Ryanair fly.  We will definitely be returning and hopefully with more time!  Have you been to Liguria? What was your most memorable moment?

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6 Low Cost Airlines in Europe

Vueling Aircraft. Photo Courtesy of Aviation Corner

Photo Credit: Wizz Air Website

Photo Credit: German Wings Airlines

Photo Credit:  EasyJet Website

Photo Credit: RyanAir Website

One of my Favorite Weekend Destinations: Madrid

From Rotterdam to Budapest

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Two weeks ago, I shared my vows with my husband for a second time.  This time we did it in front of our European family and friends in Barcelona. Given the rising cost of airfare, I decided to make a few stops to cities that are very close to my heart on my way to the big party: Madrid and Brussels. We only spent 24 hours in Madrid but had a lovely walk around the city that reminded me why this is one of my favorite European cities. My dear friend Carlis from SpicyCandyDC was my travel buddy for this trip and we loved every minute of our adventure.

After a late arrival from Brussels, we got some much needed sleep and started our day quite late. It was warm and sunny in Madrid as we began our tour at the Gourmet Experience at El Corte Ingles. Let’s start with the view: if you only have 24 hours in Madrid, this has to go on your must see list. Have a tinto de verano and tapas like we did and observe all the iconic landmarks of the city.

After stuffing our faces on montaditos, we decided to walk it off and see El Palacio Real (Royal Palace). We cut through the Plaza Mayor, which is always a pleasure to indulge in its magnitude with the tourists, local students, and questionable performance artists. Afterwards, we walked by the famous Mercado San Miguel.  From there, we found the Palace via Plaza de Oriente, where you can have a lovely cocktail and indulge in people watching of tourists and locals alike.

We continued to walk by the tiny streets and alleys of Madrid with my dear friend Santiago, who has lived in Madrid for three years. We admired hidden churches, secluded plazas, and little details which make this city so great to visit. We found ourselves taking a break at Posada del Leon de Oro, a small hotel with a lovely bar with ample windows to the street and an interesting glass floor. There, we sipped on more tintos de veranos and reminisced about old times and good times in Brussels, the city where Santiago and I met.

Plaza del Oriente

As the sun started to set, we continued our walk to make the most of our time in Madrid. We walked by Parque del Retiro, which I love for running (did many training runs there during my prior visits) and took in the beauty of Madrid City Hall. We ended our aggressive walking tour with a little shopping in the fashionable Salamanca neighborhood where I bought a fabulous cocktail dress at Trucco for my wedding after party. This was my fourth time in the city and although it was 24 Hours in Madrid, it was a lovely experience. Many people focus on Barcelona for travel in Spain, but Madrid also has something very special. I love the history, architecture, and old soul of Madrid. A must go, even if for 24 hours….

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