A trip is a project. It starts with an idea. The first commitment comes with the booking of plane tickets, followed by additional commitment to get the accommodation. Then comes the itinerary, traveling, enjoying the moments, and effort to turn the moments into immortal memories. That process of turning the moments into immortal memories always has flaws as my brain operates in the exact opposite of a photogenic memory. Photos and videos supplement the imperfect memory retention only that I hardly go and check them out. Days after the trip, the memory is vivid; A bit further, the itinerary still brings back some detail. Weeks after, we need some help from the photos. Further down, we need the video to relive the experience. Few years down the road, the photos and videos would be more like new memories of something that we cannot recall. What is left becomes more like the impressions of the place, the food, the culture and the experience.
The trip to Spain started with the idea to watch the Laver Cup in London last September. After having been to London a few times, we decided to enrich the trip with an ABBA show in London and a trip to Spain – Madrid, Barcelona and Mallorca. I would relish the moments of visiting La Sagrada Familia, watching FC Barcelona in Camp Nou Stadium and witnessing the emotional farewell of Roger Federer in the Laver Cup plus some much more.
Itinerary
- 5 days in Madrid, stayed @The Westin Palace, Madrid
- 5 days in Barcelona, stayed @Catalonia Magdalenes
- 3 days in Mallorca, stayed @Melia Palma Bay
- 3 days in London, stayed @The Stratford London
Madrid is a beautiful city. We stayed at the Westin Palace, an authentic landmark in the Heart of Madrid. Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real de Madrid, Templo de Debod,Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Museo Nacional del Prado are all within walking distance. Despite the construction around the Plaza Mayor, most businesses were in operation and there were no shortage of attractions. It is a walkable city and the streets are lined up with pleasing architecture, appealing restaurants, small eateries of Museo del Jamon, and souvenir shops.
I am thrilled to discover the many similarities in the vocabulary of Spanish and English. A few Spanish phrases, here and there, are sufficient to roughly understand the Spanish menu in the eateries, and many street signs. It is like the similarity between Japanese Kanji and Chinese characters.
In Madrid, we tasted as many Tapas as possible. Tapa is the Spanish dim sum. We often stopped in the middle of the road taking pictures of the different Tapa menus. Spanish cuisine is underrated both in the quality and variety of the food. Maybe Spain does not market itself as much as its neighbor, France. We love to discover the outdoor street cafes on the way to tourist attractions. These outdoor cafes have great prices. In one meal, the two of us enjoyed burrata salad, grilled pepper, Jamon de Bellota, the tasty tender baby lamb chop, and drank Sangria. In another meal, we tried Churro con Chocolate. In another snack stop, we tried espanada. Jamon de Bellota is the best ham in my book.
The most memorable meal in Madrid has to be the Suckling pig (Cochinillo) at Botin. This record-setting restaurant has been serving up classic dishes since 1725, and not much has changed in the centuries since. The simple decor and classy service transported us back in time. The decor reminds me of the restaurant in Hong Kong 太平館餐廳. Botin has done a good job in its upkeep. How is the Cochinillo compared to the Hong Kong style suckling pig (乳豬)? In terms of presentation, each has its own characteristics. It is a tie. In terms of the smell, Hong Kong style suckling pig can be served hours after the roast. The Cochinillo dish, we had, was served right off the oven and the smell made the mouth water. The Cochinillo has an edge. In terms of palate pleasure, Hong Kong style suckling pig serves the most tender part of a baby pig. Botin serves pigs from Segovia and uses more portions of the pig in Cochinillo. Hong Kong has the edge in terms of pork tenderness. Botin has almost three hundred years of history and counting. That alone is hard to beat. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal and would highly recommend making a reservation when you visit Madrid.
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía organized with crisp clarity the art history of the last few hundred years. Picasso impressions can be found everywhere. His genius was thoroughly demonstrated in this powerful, iconic and yet tragic Guernica – a large black and white oil painting in 1937 following the German bombing of the city in Spain. Standing next to Guernica, I wish for the eradication of wars regardless of the rationale.
The Museo Del Prado is an art museum in Madrid, with great collections. If I have to choose to just go to one museum. The one with Guernica is my obvious choice.
We could not leave Madrid without a dinner-included Flamenco show. While overpriced with the dinner price tag, we enjoyed the showmanship, the musical instrument, the song and the dance.
Next up Barcelona.
oliviatamccue 
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