Flentje.com

Following our stay in Madrid, our tour took us on a two day stay in Valencia. The third largest city in Spain and the fifth busiest port in all of Europe, Valencia was founded as a Roman colony in the year 138 BC. While much of the city is now very cosmopolitan, the old town in the area around the cathedral and the Torres de Serranos, still has its historical look and feel in tact. The old town in Valencia is one of our favorite destinations on our entire epic journey.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain The fountain outside of our hotel The fountain outside of our hotel	2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain Outside of our hotel Outside of our hotel	2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain Bull fighting arena Bull fighting arena
2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain A gathering near the cathedral A gathering near the cathedral	2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain A gathering near the cathedral A gathering near the cathedral	2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain A gathering near the cathedral A gathering near the cathedral
2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain Exploring the old town Exploring the old town	2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain Anna in Valencia's old town Anna in Valencia's old town	2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain Bart and Anna in Valencia's old town Bart and Anna in Valencia's old town
2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain Exploring the old town Exploring the old town	2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain Visiting the Lladro factory Visiting the Lladro factory	2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain Exploring the old town Exploring the old town
2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain Exploring the old town Exploring the old town	2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain Exploring the old town Exploring the old town	2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain Exploring the old town Exploring the old town
2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain Nene enjoying the Mediterranean Sea Nene enjoying the Mediterranean Sea	2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain Bart and Nene enjoying the Mediterranean Sea Bart and Nene enjoying the Mediterranean Sea	2016 - Exploring the Old Town, Valencia, Spain Proof we stepped into the Med Proof we stepped into the Med

On day two of our epic adventure across the Iberian Peninsula, we visited the City of Three Cultures, better known as, Toledo, Spain. Toledo is a gorgeous walled city an hour south of Madrid. Named after the co-existence of the Christian, Jews and Muslims, the old town of Toledo has an amazing 9th century Moorish Gate, the Puerta Vieja de Bisagra. The walled city is surrounded by the Tagus River, and the preservation of of this exquisite city means we got to see it all! We visited a metalwork factory making their famous swords with damascene inlaids (a legacy of the Moors in Spain), checked out the marzipan candy shops and enjoyed the adopted home of El Greco, the famous Greek artist who adorned this city with his beautiful work. The RHS Band and Dance group performed a concert in the Plaza de Zocodover much to the enjoyment of all. 

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain A view of old Toledo A view of old Toledo	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain A view of old Toledo A view of old Toledo	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain A view of Alcazar of Toledo A view of Alcazar of Toledo
2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain A view of old Toledo A view of old Toledo	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain A view of old Toledo A view of old Toledo	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain A view of the Toledo Cathedral A view of the Toledo Cathedral
2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Bart and Nene overlooking the old town Bart and Nene overlooking the old town	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain A view of old Toledo A view of old Toledo	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain The bellfry of Iglesia de Santiago del Arrabal The bellfry of Iglesia de Santiago del Arrabal
2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Provincial Government of Toledo Provincial Government of Toledo	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Walking the old town Walking the old town	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Walking the old town Walking the old town
2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Walking the old town Walking the old town	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Walking the old town Walking the old town	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Walking the old town Walking the old town
2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Walking the old town Walking the old town	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Walking the old town Walking the old town	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Walking the old town Walking the old town
2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Plaza de Zocodover Plaza de Zocodover	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Side street near Plaza de Zocodover Side street near Plaza de Zocodover	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Wine.. Wine..
2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain A small shop near Plaza de Zocodover A small shop near Plaza de Zocodover	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Walking the old town Walking the old town	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Walking the old town Walking the old town
2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Rosemount High School band playing at Plaza de Zocodover Rosemount High School band playing at Plaza de Zocodover	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Rosemount High School Band playing at Plaza de Zocodover Rosemount High School Band playing at Plaza de Zocodover	2016 - The City of Three Cultures, Toledo, Spain Anna playing with RHS Band at Plaza de Zocodover Anna playing with RHS Band at Plaza de Zocodover

My amazing Spanish sister Cristina Cruz and her fiancé Jose and his daughter, Cristina took Bart, Anna and I on a tour of Madrid. First things first: churros and porras at Cris’ favorite shop… followed by an amazing day of MADRID!!!! We walked in Sol, ate tapas at the Mesones and took photos with the Madrid bear. Conclusion: We LOVE our Spanish family, and it was an unforgettable day.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2016 - A Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain Nene, Anna and Bart at Puerta del Sol Nene, Anna and Bart at Puerta del Sol	2016 - A Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain The famous Tio Pepe sign The famous Tio Pepe sign	2016 - A Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain Nene, Anna and Bart at the geographical center of Spain Nene, Anna and Bart at the geographical center of Spain
2016 - A Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain Ayuntamiento de Madrid, City Council Building of Madrid Ayuntamiento de Madrid, City Council Building of Madrid	2016 - A Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain The bellfry of the San Gines Church The bellfry of the San Gines Church	2016 - A Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain Our gang visiting the Mesones Our gang visiting the Mesones
2016 - A Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain Walking near the plaza Walking near the plaza	2016 - A Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain Walking near the plaza Walking near the plaza	2016 - A Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain Stop for more tapas? Stop for more tapas?
2016 - A Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain Walking the streets of Madrid Walking the streets of Madrid	2016 - A Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain A view of Basilica de San Miguel A view of Basilica de San Miguel	2016 - A Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain A view of Catedral de la Almudena A view of Catedral de la Almudena
2016 - A Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain The Royal Palace of Madrid The Royal Palace of Madrid	2016 - A Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain Nene, Anna and Bart at the Royal Palace Nene, Anna and Bart at the Royal Palace	2016 - A Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain A stop for cafe near Moncloa A stop for cafe near Moncloa