R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 130

Madrid — Day 3; the Royal Palace of Madrid

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Royal Palace of Madrid

A short stroll across the Plaza de la Armeria takes you from the Almundena Cathedral to the Palacio Real de Madrid (Royal Palace of Madrid). Looking back toward the cathedral from southeast corner of the palace grounds, just outside the gates to the courtyard, will give you this view of the cathedral:

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Almundera Cathedral as viewed from the Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is an incredible complex that has been a work in progress for around 1,000 years. The site began as a...

Madrid — Day 3; Almudena Cathedral

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Almudena Cathedral

On day three our travel companions Dolores and Earl Daniels joined us for another trip aboard the Madrid City Tour hop-on/hop-0ff bus, but this time we had a specific destination in mind. Our objective on Day 3 was the Palacio Real de Madrid (Royal Palace of Madrid) and the Santa María la Real de La Almudena (Almundena Cathedral). These two structures directly face each other with the Plaza de la Armeria running between the two.

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Plaza de la Armeria

Construction of Almundena...

Fun Photo Friday — Day 2 Favorites

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Madrid fall foliage

Today’s Fun Photo Friday galleries I present some of my favorite Day 2 in Madrid photos from October 27, 2016. Click on any image below to enlarge and bring up today’s slide show:

And now a second gallery of some fun street graffiti:

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Madrid graffiti

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Madrid graffiti

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Madrid graffiti

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Dog walking his human

Filed under: Fun Photo Friday, Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation Tagged: Fun Photo Friday, Madrid, photography, R. Doug Wicker, Spain, travel, travel photogr...

Madrid — Day Two Continues

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Madrid sights

Not far from our hotel, but also on the Madrid City Tour (Hop-on/Hop-off bus tour), is the Puerta del Sol (Gate of the Sun) public square. This square is definitely worth a visit, as it is home to some really stunning architecture and several statues:

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Puerta del Sol

For the rest of today’s Hop-0n/Hop-off tour I’ll leave you with some fun images along the bus route:

Filed under: Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation Tagged: hop-on hop-off tour, Madrid, Madrid Cit...

Three Days in Madrid — Day Two

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Iglesia las Calatravas (foreground); Unión y el Fénix Español building (background)

If you’ve been following my travel blogs for very long, then you know that Ursula and I are huge fans of Hop-on/Hop-off bus tours that allow you the freedom and explore a new city, get off at any scheduled stop, and jump aboard a subsequent tour bus whenever you’re ready to continue. It’s a great way to explore and decide what you’d like to revisit later. On Day Two in Madrid we purchased a two-day pass and be...

Fun Food Friday — Fatigas del Querer

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Fatigas del Querer

One can develop quite the appetite walking around Madrid all day. For one thing, your constantly bombarded along the streets with views of delectable sandwiches:

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Madrid sandwich shop

And delightfully decadent jamón serrano: and jamón ibérico:

 

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Jamón serrano

Our travel companions Earl and Dolores were in need of a rest, so Ursula and I headed out on our own for dinner. We asked some of the locals where to go for tapas, and many of them pointed us in the direction of Fatigas...

Three Days in Madrid — Day One continues

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Edificio Metrópolis

Continuing our Day One walk-around Madrid, we headed back to the west from Buen Retiro Park. Traveling alone Calle de Alcalá we found some architectural gems rivaling those along Gran Via. Just outside the park is the Puerta de Alcalá in the Plaza de la Independencia.

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Puerta de Alcalá

Make sure you zoom in on that area atop the arch:

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Puerta de Alcalá

Continuing west you reach the Plaza de Cibeles, which contains the magnificent Cybele Palace:

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Cybele Palace, Plaza de Cibele...

Three Days in Madrid — Day One

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Edificio Menses, Plaza de Canalejas

Some of you who follow this blog may wonder if Ursula and I ever make friends with our fellow cruise travelers. Yes. We do. And we frequently plan together to join up on future trips, as well. Our trip beginning toward the end of October, 2016, was one such planned joint excursion with people we have traveled with before, and are planning to travel together again later next year.

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Edificio Metrópolis

The particular couple with whom we met up in Madrid are Do...

Fun Food Friday—Sparky’s World Famous Burgers, BBQ, and Shakes

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Sparky’s Burgers, BBQ, and Shakes

Sparky’s Burgers, BBQ, and Shakes really is rapidly becoming world famous, so that’s not hype you see above the entryway and the long line waiting to get inside. And while Sparky may be famous for their award-winning green chile cheeseburger, it’s the barbecue that keeps Ursula and me returning even though Sparky’s is 160 miles round trip! And if you thought the outside decor was on the kitschy side, wait until you step indoors:

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Sparky’s souvenirs

Sparky’s ha...

Hatch Valley Road Trip—More fall foliage and Sparky’s

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Fall tree

The Hatch Valley holds exquisite scenery any time of year, but there’s just something about fall colors here along the banks of the Rio Grande in the midst of chile fields, cattle ranches, and horse farms. Unfortunately, invasive salt cedar has infiltrated here, but even salt cedar affords some great color this time of year.

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Hatch Valley salt cedar

However, we’re in a rush to get to lunch, so I’ll spare the words and post a few more scenic shots for a moment:

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Hatch Valley

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Hatch Vall...