Tower view
We managed a whirlwind tour of the gigantic cathedral on our last morning--a fitting end to a fabulous trip. This shot is from the Giralda (minaret-turned-bell-tower), over the body of the cathedral and the city of Seville.
Giralda and group
As the sun set, we enjoyed a beverage on a rooftop bar overlooking the cathedral. We also pulled off our one group shot of the trip with the help of an accommodating Spaniard.
Carriage ride
A carriage ride was a great way to get the lay of the land and see the major sights of Seville.
Alcazar
It was time for another fabulous castle, so we toured the Alcazar and its gardens and marveled at the intricate tilework.
Churros
Sophie and Jeff took us out for churros in the morning, which we enjoyed thoroughly.
Max at home
We enjoyed seeing Max in his natural habitat. His oral hygiene habits are already excellent, and he only has four teeth! (Going on six.)
Jamon
Our last stop was Seville, and our first order of business there was to buy a whole leg of jamon with Jeff and Sophie. Here they sample the first slices cut by the butcher at El Corte Ingles.
Mezquita-Cathedral
After the Reconquista, when the Catholic monarchy defeated the Muslim rulers, later kings grafted a cathedral right into the middle of the former prayer hall. It's incredibly jarring.
Mezquita-Mosque
This former Moorish Mosque was one of the most amazing sights we saw.
Flat Tire
Our road trip ended with both a bang and a whimper as we busted a tire navigating the tiny twisty streets (and sharp granite curbs) of old-town Cordoba. Here, Bryan puts on the spare to get us back to the rental company.
Hill view
Vineyards gave way to olive orchards as we crossed the mountains.
Meadow
Day Four on the road took us through Castilla La Mancha, where we spotted windmills and briefly intersected Don Quixote's fictional path in our lunch-break town of Tembleque.
Suckling pig
Another key Segovia attraction: the roast suckling pig. They bring it out whole and bang the tender thing into portions with dinner plates.
Castle
The city also features an amazing Medieval castle. According to our guide book, Disney patterned Sleeping Beauty's castle after it, which may be why it looked familiar.
Aqueduct
We were greeted by the remarkably restored Roman aqueduct as soon as we entered Segovia.
Castile y Leon
We left wine country on our third road-tripping day and passed through central Spain to Segovia. Dramatic clouds, light, and occasional rain showers accompanied us.
Grapes
Leslie appreciates some wine grapes. We may have also sampled them.
Vineyards
The countryside was ridiculously picturesque. This shot was taken from the parking lot of an over-the-top museum about wine-growing/making/loving, looking toward the town of Briones.
Wine shopping
Our second day of driving took us from Basque Country into La Rioja, where you are basically required to shop for wine. Bryan picks out three bottles at a little shop in Haro: one Crianza, one Reserva, and one Gran Reserva.
Dinner at the blacksmith's
We spent our first night on the road at a rural inn converted from a 17th-century ironworks. Delicious food and super-cool environment.
Mountains
We drove from the coast into the mountains. The Basque countryside looks like what I imagine Ireland to be: bright green and covered in sheep.
Beaches
We headed out of town the next day by way of a whole string of gorgeous beaches. Bryan heads back after getting an up-close view of surfers.
Pintxos
On the 6th day of our trip, we trained up to San Sebastian for their famed food and fun. Here, Leslie surveys a bar of pintxos, ready for grabbing.
Max and his bottle-cap
The whole world is fascinating to Max, but one of his favorite activities was placing a bottle cap on top of a bottle. He's willing to share this pleasure.
Conference-goer
Bryan was (technically) attending a conference the entire week. Here he is just outside his meeting space.
Dinner
We enjoyed another excellent meal at Tapas 24. Pictured here are rice with squid ink, tiny squid in yet more ink, and a wedge of Catalonia's incomparable bread with tomato.
Sagrada Familia exterior
Gaudi (the architect) cited a forest canopy as one of his inspirations for the interior.
Sagrada Familia exterior
Sophie, Leslie and Max spent Wednesday wandering around the spectacular and unfinished Sagrada Familia cathedral.
Leslie, Max, gin and tonic
We were proud to take Max to his first gin bar, where we drank delicious cocktails and prepared for our outstanding dinner across the street at Lolita (formerly Inopia, a site on the Spain On the Road Again tour and our favorite food venue from our 2007 visit).
Roman ruins
One of our favorite sights was a history museum in Barcelona, complete with various layers of excavated ruins. This was a Roman wine shop; the circular container held aging wine.