Tuesday, July 28, 2009

A Spanish Honeymoon

A friend is going to Barcelona, Sevilla and Madrid on her honeymoon and requested my advice. I told her:

In Barcelona, definitely go to Parque Guell, the Sagrada Familia, the Picasso Museum (one of my favorite art museums in the world...and I've been to MANY as the daughter of two artists), and of course, the beach. Definitely go to the Alhambra (amazing!!!!) in Granada, when you're down in Andalucia. In Sevilla, check out the huge mosque (soak up all you can about Spain's rich history of the Christians/Jews/Muslims while you're there...they call the interaction for so many years the "convivencia,"...it's really fascinating). Along those same lines, if you can while you're down in Andalucia, go to Cordoba and see the Mosque there - it's pretty cool (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Mosque_of_C%C3%B3rdoba) and maybe the Jewish Quarter, which is nearby -- I think it's the largest in Europe.

In Toledo, wander and get lost around the little streets - it's a fabulous little ancient town. In Madrid, check out the Palacio Real, go to Plaza Santa Ana and have some tapas outside in the big square, go shopping at El Corte Ingles (Spain's biggest department store) in Plaza del Sol (the center of the city), relax outside and walk around Retiro Park (maybe rent one of the paddle boats and go out on the pond in the middle?), go to the Prado Museum, and go out ALL night! If there's a Real Madrid soccer game while you're there, that could be really fun too. Spaniards love their futbol. For nightlife, I suggest Palacio Gaviria, it's this really cool huge club in what used to be a palace in the middle of Madrid. Just beware --- drinks are $$ there!

Must Do's for Spain (anywhere you go): drink some Rioja red wine and sangria, eat some tortilla espanola, and enjoy the blue skies and SUN.

***Would you add anything?***

Friday, July 3, 2009

Breakfast at Wimbledon

Made a delicious breakfast and now back in bed to watch Andy Roddick play at Wimbledon. Someday, my mother and I will make it to this famed tennis tournament. Bring on the strawberries and cream!

Photo by Sanchom

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Photo Highlights from Colorado

Climbing rocks at Garden of the Gods:
Beautiful view:

Jody (my gracious Denver host/guide) and me with the bride-to-be:




After a delicious dinner at Mountain Sun in Boulder:


Red Rocks. I need to return for a concert here. What a gorgeous music venue:





The stairs at Red Rocks. We did these FOUR times:




Cara and Andrew's beautiful wedding - set at an amphitheater at the top of a mountain in Boulder:



Syracuse University reunion with the bride:


Redhead "sisters" at the reception: