Plenty of culinary highlights during the first week of a trip to Spain

Photo: Kristin Peturson-Laprise

Tapas in Madrid, Spain.

Hello, readers. I’m coming to you from “across the pond”, as they say. I’m in northern Spain this week, heading to the wedding of my goddaughter and then on for more fun and adventure in the weeks to come. So, I figured I might as well bring you along virtually.

This week is a foodie tour of Madrid.

My hubbie Martin and I arrived on last weekend very jet lagged and hot—it was 32 C. There is no air conditioning in our cozy room south of the city centre but a cool shower helped us recover. (Note to fellow travellers: Compression socks work wonders on the plane, and help tired legs feel better when you arrive too.)

We kept it simple the first evening and headed straight for La Puerta del Sol, the buzzing square from which numerous streets spread out like spokes, all full of restaurants and bars. A recommendation from my little guide book gave us Venta el Buscón, which did not disappoint in food or decor. The walls are covered in fresco-style paintings.

We got cheese and Iberico ham to nibble on first as I sipped my Navarro rosé and Chef Martin had his sangria. Then we had lovely grilled veggies and ham croquetas. We felt like we had truly arrived.

The next day we went full on:

• Churros and hot chocolate for breakfast (Spanish hot chocolate is more like warm chocolate pudding, excellent for dunking said churros)

• A trip on the metro and a nice walk to the Prado museum, where we spent 2 1/2 more hours walking. (Traveller’s tip: Entry at the museum is 15 euros plus six more for the audio guide. Don’t pay more unless you’re getting a personal guide)

• A much-needed lunch not far away. Our first choice of bar was closed but down the street was another and it was a very tasty interlude. Have you ever had gazpacho? Martin isn’t a fan of “cold tomato soup,” but I love it, It’s like fresh, hand-squeezed veggies in a bowl, so refreshing.

• We went back “home” for a wee siesta and then had a more tapas later, followed by lots of people watching and a shared Spanish pastry in the plaza.

As you can see, it’s quite a leisurely pace. We walked about four hours that day in total and kept that pace up fairly steady each day. I’m glad I do my morning workouts to keep in shape and I’m still doing something while away to stay limber. We don’t feel tired because we keep active at home, so we can be active while away.

This weekend is my goddaughter’s wedding, near a small town called Girona, on an estate where an old flour mill has become an event venue. I’m sure it will be spectacular— fairytale worthy. (Follow me on Instagram if you want to see pictures of this and the food as we continue.)

Next week I’ll recount some of our exploits along the Costa Brava and in Mallorca, where we have a few days of scuba diving planned. We’ll spend a few days in Barcelona after that.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.