Czech food feels like it was created to fill people up on a cold winter's eve. The meat is heavy and sounds freshly hunted (duck, wild boar, even deer). The bread dumplings are starchy, sauce-soaked delights. The vegetables are either root vegetables or pickled to last. There's no skimping on the salt and spices either. Sitting down to a Czech meal means sitting down to a very hearty feast!
Read MoreBefore this trip, we'd never heard of Rennes. Our stop in this city was one of practicality. We needed a base of operations that had an airport to fly into and good connections to Mont Saint-Michel and Paris. There wasn't even a footnote about this place in our guidebook, and we prepared ourselves for the fact that there might not be much to do here. Rennes was actually an enjoyable little French city (minus the helicopter and fully-geared police erecting an anti-riot barricade the first day). Even the most practical of decisions can still have room for a few surprises.
Read MoreUp in the north of France, there is a tiny island (population 44 people) capped by an abbey and surrounded by changing tides. In the old days, the island was only accessible when the tide was out, allowing people to make their pilgrimages and bring supplies, but even then, the muddy surroundings could be dangerous. Now, there is a bridge connecting the island to the mainland and guided tours to help people safely navigate the mud flats. If you can believe it, we took almost 20,000 steps exploring the alleyways, ramparts, muddy beaches and rocky shores. It may be small in size, but that didn't mean we weren't exhausted by the time we were done.
Read MoreSeville was the city of tasty tapas (or what I like to call Spanish dim sum) and had some of the best desserts on the trip. We had a lot of fun choosing little plates of Spanish morsels and ending our meals with shareable portions of desserty sweetness. With the smaller portions, there was a lot more we could try!
Read MoreSeville was the place where we learned the practicality of the siesta. Between 3pm and 7pm (exact hours varied), shops and restaurants closed their doors and darkened their windows. At first, we stayed out, but a few harsh afternoon suns later, we found ourselves going home when the city quieted and then emerging to enjoy the evenings. This Favorite Corners really is just the highlights of Seville, and to be fair, the Royal Palace and the Cathedral probably deserve their own posts. However, because of our unusual hours, we didn't take a lot of other pictures. So, we present to you, Seville, in one post.
Read MoreWe knew we would be captivated by the Alhambra, but were surprised to find ourselves being charmed by Granada as well. We found little taverns and tea houses with secluded seats in the corners where we could sit and enjoy time as it passed, a nice change from Madrid's big city pace. Granada's walkable size makes it perfect for lazy wanderers. Downhill leads to the city centre, uphill leads to great views. Throw away the map and just get lost.
Read MoreHam! Ham! Ham! Granada was the place we pigged out on that delicious, special, dry-cured Spanish ham or jamon. It was our afternoon treat. Every afternoon. Actually, to be honest, Granada was a very meat-centric food experience. We did eat other things, but the best meals were for the carnivores.
Read MoreFor over a thousand years, the Alhambra has stood through various reincarnations as a fortress, a palace, a royal court, a fading ruin, and now, a world heritage site. The Alhambra retains different facets of its history resulting in a stunning mix of architectural styles and designs. We took a lot of pictures, but here are our highlights.
Read MoreFor us, the rain in Spain did not stay mainly in the plain. We had two sunny days (during which we crammed in as many parks and gardens as we could), but then it drizzled for the remainder our time in Madrid. We managed to avoid the worst of the rain by dining during the downpours, taking a day trip to Toledo, and getting cultural in a few world class art museums.
Read MoreAlright, we admit it. We indulged in a lot less Spanish cuisine than we could've. Why? It's not because Madrid's food was bad. Quite the contrary. Two months without Asian food was leaving a strong craving in our bellies and Madrid has a great international food culture. So, we had Korean, Japanese, and...well, McDonalds isn't Asian, but definitely comfort food. We did manage a few Spanish plates in between our guilty feedings.
Read MoreWelcome to the Royal Botanical Gardens where footpaths are fringed with the young buds of early greenery and petals flaunt their playful colors of periwinkle, pinks, and cream. Despite spring's success, the gardeners keep their heads down, fingers busy. There is more work to be done. Wheelbarrows trundle and bump between flowerbeds while the clip-clip of pruning shears mark the moments that pass until summer's blossoms arrive.
Read MoreMadrid has some of the prettiest manicured parks and gardens. El Retiro Park is the largest park in Madrid with secluded walking paths, a crystal palace, and, if the notion strikes, a place to go row a boat. Not to be outdone, Jardines de Sabatini, while much smaller, is a fun maze of green hedges and burbling fountains set against the backdrop of the massive royal palace.
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