Madrid🍷🌷

Madrid has truly stolen my heart! It's one of those special places that make you wonder why you didn’t move there sooner. The airport was lovely from what I saw. We walked off the plane straight to customs. The windows, tinted in all sorts of rainbow shades, really caught my eye and added a fun touch.

 Once through customs, we hailed a taxi, and our hotel kindly let us check in early at no extra charge. We freshened up and then met up with Melissa, my wonderful godmother and a dear friend of my mom. We took the metro to Plaza de Sol, the lively heart of the city, just 10 stops away. The metro reminded me a lot of New York’s—super clean and easy to use. For lunch, we found a cozy restaurant called Terrance. Sitting outside, we enjoyed people-watching, delicious tapas, and refreshing sangria—everything was fantastic! After a little stroll, around 3:30 PM, we all decided it was time for some rest, so we headed back to the hotel to recharge. Of course, we slept until 7:30 the next morning, feeling energized and ready for an exciting day exploring Madrid. We started with a tasty breakfast at the hotel, then met our tour group. Everyone was so friendly. Our day included a panoramic bus tour and visits to iconic sights like the Plaza De Toros, the famous bullfighting ring. We snapped plenty of photos before heading to the stunning Royal Palace, which was absolutely breathtaking. Its gardens, full of flowers and fountains, were massive and enchanting. 

After exploring the palace grounds, we continued our walking tour, discovering fascinating stories about cloister nuns selling pastries, the mysterious missing body of painter Goya, and the rule never to eat on the terraces inside Plaza Mayor. We ended the tour back at Plaza de Sol, where we reconnected with Melissa. 

We enjoyed a fantastic meal at one of the top spots—so delicious! I may or may not have indulged in a few extra spritzes, haha. Later, we stopped at a pharmacy for shampoo and conditioner, then headed to a cozy bodega to pick up water. Tyler even bought a paddle for the local paddle game, and I picked up two pins for my bag.

Melissa headed off for a facial, and we checked out one of the fanciest McDonald’s I’ve ever seen to grab a soda and use the restroom—bathrooms here aren’t free! After catching up for a bit, we made our way to La Latina, a vibrant neighborhood known for its lively bars and great tapas. On the way, we watched a parade with cheering crowds, and it turned out that the owner of Formula E was there, showing off one of his cars. We then grabbed some tapas at a local restaurant, though honestly, it wasn’t quite what we expected. After a fun-filled day, we packed up and headed home, planning to rest up for our next adventure to Seville. Goodbye, Madrid!