- 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. - Breakfast
We started our days in Barcelona off with the perfect breakfast: cafe con leche and a tiny bocadillo, rubbed with tomato and filled with potato and egg. We returned to "Tapa Tapa," around the corner from our hotel, for this breakfast every morning. - 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. - 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. - 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. - Familia
One of our first stops with Jeff, Sophie and Max was La Rambla and the Boqueria. - 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. - Alcazar
It was time for another fabulous castle, so we toured the Alcazar and its gardens and marveled at the intricate tilework. - Aqueduct
We were greeted by the remarkably restored Roman aqueduct as soon as we entered Segovia. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - Lunch
We also identified the perfect lunch: mixed seafood a la plancha at a counter in the Boqueria. Excellent food and entertainment. - Room with a view
Our fancy hotel had a killer view over the rooftops of the city. This shot also features the ragged clouds that characterized our Barcelona weather. - 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. - Carriage ride
A carriage ride was a great way to get the lay of the land and see the major sights of Seville. - 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. - 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. - GPS screenshot
GPS on our phones and a dedicated device prevented us from getting lost forever in the Euskadi wilderness. - 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). - Grapes
Leslie appreciates some wine grapes. We may have also sampled them. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - Mezquita-Mosque
This former Moorish Mosque was one of the most amazing sights we saw. - Pulpo and germ transfer
Bryan helped Jeff eat his beloved pulpo gallego while his hands were full of a certain 1-year-old. This may also be the moment when cold germs were transferred from one family to another. - 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.