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Isobel, our Madrid co-ordinator, starts the 1st day with an orientation talk (Hotel Regina)
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a bus tour of Madrid takes us to the Parque del Oeste where we gaze at the dramatic twilight sky...
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...and the eastern skyline of Madrid...
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...with views towards Palacio Real and Catedral Nuestra Se–ora de la Almudena
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being seated at our first dinnerÐ
Restaurante Pazo de Monterrey
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a short walk from our hotel brings us to the Prado Museum
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entering Restaurante La Quinta del Sordo (Madrid) for dinner. Our trip co-ordinator, Gaye Sanchez, is at far left.
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Restaurante La Quinta del Sordo
(Deaf Man's Manor")
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Madrid's sky glows with an incredible hue as we walk back to our hotel
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inside the Museum of Ham deli
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ham, ham, ham, ham, ham...
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Plaza Mayor, Madrid
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in Plaza Mayor
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street performer, near Plaza Mayor
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la Escuela de Cocina (Culinary School)
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tapas a la Escuela
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a roadside stop as we approach Avila
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the walled city of Avila under a dramatic (and chilly) Castillian sky
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in San Vicente church at the tomb of the martyrs, San Vicente and his sisters
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one of the 88 towers along the 9000 ft-long wall surrounding Avila
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Cathedral of San Salvador
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retablo by Berruguette
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Look up!
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digging into those Avila beans at Hosteri a de Brocamontes
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at Parador de Tordesillas:
Grandmother soup/
Mushroom-shrimp cake with leek sauce/
Kiwis over mulberry sauce
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a bodega visit in the Ribera del Duero region
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in the tasting room
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Pe–afiel Plaza del Coso--used as the town's bull ring. In distance looms the castle
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A closer view of the castle from below. Inside is a marvelous Wine Museum.
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atop the Pe–afiel castle walls
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A view from Pe–afiel castle. This 180 degree panorama was made from 6 separate photos. Remember to scroll the picture...
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lunch at Asador Mauro 2
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the restaurant's Master Roaster checks to see if our roast suckling pig is ready
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enjoying our wait for the main dish to arrive
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Cocinillo asado is ready to be served!
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contemplating the meal
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cooking demo at the Tordesillas Parador:
First, take one 8-9 lb. free-range rooster...
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Carmen tells how to catch a rooster...
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...be careful!
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Inspector Hayward, taste-testing
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our dessert that evening: Parador's toasted egg-yolk pie (Milhojas rellenas de manzana reineta y nata)
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in front of Parador de Tordesillas: our bus awaits
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walking through town of Toro, toward the Collegiate Church
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Toro: the "Portico de la Gloria" doorway of the Collegiate Church
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in Toro:
the "Portico de la Gloria" doorway
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midday chat
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the ubiquitous "Black-Butt" storks at their nest
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Zamora market
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something for everyone
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Wings Over Zamora
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at the cheese factory: Inspector Hayward
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the creator of award-winning "Queso de Oveja de Zamora"
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queso oveja--just resting
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justified pride in his artisanal tradition
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Storks atop church in Valladolid. I see at least 5 of them here!
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Vallodolid
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roasting lamb in the oven of La Solana Restaurant (Valladolid)
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La Solana Restaurant (Valladolid)
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at La Solana
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Tordesillas: Convent of Santa Clara and home of Queen Joan ("Juana la Loca")
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Santa Clara Convent--gilded chapel
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Burgos, crossing the River Arlazon
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Burgos, catedral
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Santa Maria gateway (Burgos)
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el Cid statue (Burgos)
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in Haro, late afternoon walking tour
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Bodega Bilbainas, Haro
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march of the wine bottles
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into the caves of Bodega Bilbainas
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in the caves
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wine tasting, of course
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an evening wine-tasting session at our Hotel (Los Augustinos)
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Monasterio de Yuso
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inside the Monastery
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a quiet coffee-break in Santo Domingo de la Calzada
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this little pilgrim decorates our lunch plates at Escuela Hosteleria in Santo Domingo de la Calzada
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an artistic dessert at Escuela Hosteleria
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seashell symbols mark the Way of St. James
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at an ancient gate in Logro–o
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Alberto Hagemann tells about the passage of pilgrims through this gate
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strolling the narrow streets in La Guardia
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panoramic view from La Guardia--so I got to use my tripod again!
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the huge oak barrels of Remelluri Winery
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a very nice Remelluri Rioja Reserva ('97) served with lunch at the winery
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awaiting the main course: tasty and tender lambchops (Chuletitas de Cordero)
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...and pears with wine sauce and oranges (peras al vino) for dessert
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a pensive Alberto
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Remelluri vineyards
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view from the winery
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in Haro, the view from our hotel window
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Forney Miller spotted a great location for taking a group photo. And so we did. Everyone seems to be here, but who is that little fellow down there-- between Gaye and Elaine?
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Paella served at the Palace Restaurant in Soria
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"Noche de tapas" (Elderhostlers enjoying tapas in Plaza Mayor, Madrid)
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in Madrid, there's a great place to get wonderful hot chocolate and churros
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in Plaza Mayor
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heading off to our farewell dinner...
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...just as evening begins to envelop Madrid
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we reach our destination, Restaurante Sixto
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(L-to-R) June, Nina, Jane, Forney, Ron, Katy, Linda, Will
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Rawley, Bettie, John, Sue, Duane, Lois, Tam, Elaine
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Isobel, Adley, Corinne, Gaye, Missy, Donna, Paul, Ed, Ellen
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Judy, Phil, Audrey, Hayward, Martha, Ann
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co-ordinator Gaye Sanchez--still relaxed and cheerful after 2 weeks with our group
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Suddenly..."Tuna"! Marvelous music of Spain
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Gaye Sanchez--providing spirited accompaniment on castanets
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sparkling wine with dessert --a fitting end for this two-week adventure in Spanish food and wine.
Hasta luego, mis amigos.
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