Leaving my four daughters behind in Los Angeles while I explore Spain with my hubby is no easy task, but it's worth it. Josh Kafka (blisscape.com) arranged all our hotels and everything was absolutely perfect!
We traveled back in time to the cobblestone streets of Cordoba where we began our adventure. Cordoba is a perfect one night stop over for an delicious dinner and walk through this charming city. There are no starbucks lining the streets. Instead, there are family owned cafes and restaurants that offer authentic flavors of andalucia.
The following day we drove two hours south to Sevilla. I highly recommend booking a tour with Monica from pancho tours. She met us at our hotel and took us for a 2 ½ hour walking tapas tour of the city. We walked from our hotel (gran melia), to one of the oldest tapas restaurants in the world where the aged white sherry was perfectly paired with the aged goat cheese and olives. We ended our tour at one of the hippest tapas bars frequented by the young, beautiful sevillans. Tapas is the definitely the best way to dine in this sexy city that is filled with patrons in El Salvador square day and night. Don't miss the chance to experience a flamenco performance at the tabancho (restaurant seating with food and drinks) or the flamenco museum (theater seating).
After two nights, we drove further south to Granada, the birthplace of flamenco. One night is perfect for a once in a lifetime experience of live flamenco in a cave (cava) in the salamenca district. Don't drink too much wine because the next day you will spend several hours at the alhambra which is a true force to be reckoned with. Once your cultural palate is satiated head north to Madrid and get your groove on.
Four hours in a car may seem tedious but it was delightful. A scenic drive with my husband filled with uninterrupted conversation. We stopped to get gas, cafe con leche and a snack halfway through our drive. Something you only do on a European road trip.
Arriving to Madrid on Friday at 5 pm was like recharging a battery that had been dormant. We were ready to party without a nap. The city was buzzing and we didn't want to miss a second.
We began our evening with dinner at midnight and ended if after a nightclub with churros and chocolate at 4 am. Amazingly, we were up and out by noon the next day for sightseeing, shopping, lunch and of course a mid-day siesta.
So although, I missed my four precious children, Spain recharged me as a mother and rekindled my relationship with my husband who I do actually adore when we have the time to relax and explore one another.
