Saturday, April 1, 2017

Spring Break 2017 - Spain

Day 1: We flew into Madrid and stayed the first night with Beatriz's family

Jack, Ainsley, Javier, & Kara


Day 2: We took the AVE train from Madrid to Barcelona

Atoche station in Madrid


Atoche station in Madrid


Atoche station in Madrid


On the high-speed train from Madrid to Barcelona


First evening Barcelona...



Paella!


Paella!



Day 3: Day in Barcelona
Sagrada Familia


Sagrada Familia


Sagrada Familia


Jamon! (& Barcelona Duckie)


Our favorite store!


Beach time!


Beach time!


Beach time!


Beach time!



Day 4: Last day in Barcelona 

Park Guell


Park Guell


Park Guell


Park Guell


Park Guell


Leaving the park, looking for a lunch spot










Our good friends in Atlanta helped us get some tickets to a Barcelona futbol game.

On the [very crowded] bus, on the way to the game


At Camp Nou! We were surprised with excellent seats in the stadium


Ainsley and Jack in two or our seats (we are two rows behind them)


Enjoying the game, right before it started pouring rain

The pitch!

That is Messi. We were crazy close.


After the game we walked in the rain to a nearby restaurant, enjoyed traditional tapas, watched more soccer on the TV and waited out the rain before taking an Uber back to our Air BnB



Day 5: We took the high-speed train from Barcelona to Sevilla

Mom and Kara on the boat tour


Boat tour


Jack on the boat tour


Ainsley and Kara on the boat tour


Senor Jack!


Senora Kara!


Senora Ainsley!


Streets of Sevilla


Day 6: More Sevilla!


Swaggin' Jack


Loving Sevilla!


The horse that pulled our carriage


Kara and her sensitive skin needed a hat (it is very sunny and hot in Sevilla)


We spent a lot of time in Spain doing this...

and this...



And then we went to a Flamenco show. Wow. Just wow...





Day 7: Back to Madrid

We were so grateful for the hospitality that Beatriz's family showed to us. They were generous hosts, great company, and perfect tour guides. The kids were so happy to spend time with Bea, we were so excited to know Bea's family, and so so grateful they showed us around their city.

First Stop: Churros at Chocolateria San Gines (very popular and old Churros spot in Madrid, from the 1800's)






Around the city of Madrid...

Beatriz, Ainsley, Jack, Kara






Dinner with our entire crew:
Ainsley, Kara, Alicia, Mati, Javier, Beatriz, Juan Lu, Jack, Matt


Jacks gigantic burger!



Day 8: Tour of the Royal Palace in Madrid

Ainsley & Kara in front of the palace


The fam :-)


Ainsley chillin'



Back at Beatriz's house...

Kara & Matt outside Bea's house


The kids with Bea on our last night!
Kara, Bea, Ainsley, Jack


So grateful for friendships that cross continents and an amazing vacation to a beautiful country. (My favorite vacation to date!)