MADRID, SPAIN- DAY 7

It was almost time to say "Adios!" to Spain.  On our last day we left Barcelona, and boarded the high speed train back to Madrid.

We checked back into the same hotel in Madrid where we stayed before we left for Barcelona- Petit Palace Hotel Lealtad Plaza.  We decided to do this so that we could leave some of our belongings while we went to Barcelona, and also because it would make for an easy check in and out on our last night.  Funny thing too, we even got the same room we had during our first few nights stay, and we were so happy about that!  I mean, for European hotel room standards, this place was HUGE!!!  It was perfect for the four of us and ALL of our luggage! ;-)  I really can't say enough good things about this hotel.  If you are traveling to Madrid (especially with kids), and have to stay on a budget- I would recommend staying here.  It was clean, spacious, the service was very friendly, it's centrally located to all of the things to do and see, and the breakfasts were delicious with a lot of variety!

We spent the afternoon strolling through the absolutely gorgeous El Retiro Park which is right across the street from the hotel.  We had lunch, played in the playgrounds, went out for a canoe ride, and shared some ice cream.  It was so much fun, and the perfect way to spend our last night in Espana!

Thanks for reading about our trip!  

If you are thinking about a trip to Spain, email us at jetsetsmart@gmail.com for help and suggestions!  

Now it's time to start planning our next Jet Set Smart getaway!!!

BARCELONA, SPAIN- DAY 4

I realized I never finished writing about when we jet setted to Spain for a week this past October.  If you want to read more about our days in Madrid click here and here, and our day trip to Toledo click here.  After a couple of nights in the city of Madrid, we boarded the high speed train and headed to Barcelona.

First impressions were amazing, a bustling city with palm trees and incredible Gaudi architecture everywhere...I instantly fell in love!

We arrived and checked into our hotel in the early afternoon...

so the first thing we did was grab a tapas lunch and then we headed over to Park Guell, stopping for some delicious cafe con leche and pastries and for some play time at another adorable playground.

The park was filled with beautiful gardens and incredible views of the city.  It was the perfect place to visit on our first day in Barcelona.

More on our next couple of days in Barcelona coming up on Thursday.  

Tomorrow stay tuned for a Wardrobe Wednesday post!

TOLEDO, SPAIN- DAY 3

On our third day in Spain, we decided to take a day trip to Toledo- the former capital, and it was simply amazing!  We took a train from Madrid, which took less than an hour.  The city is so picturesque with winding cobblestone streets, an impressive 13th century cathedral, shops and cafes.  It rained when we first arrived, but then the skies cleared and we were able to spend the afternoon wandering and enjoying the sites.  I'll let the pictures do the talking!