Madrid in October

Having just come back from 5 wonderful days in Madrid with >200 photos, this is an attempt to put links to some Picasa albums with a selections of my favourites. It looks like every link takes you to the shopping album, but from there you should be able to access all my other web albums

found these 'greetings from London' in a Madrid shop!

Under this link you should find a selection of my other shopping pictures – actually most of it was window shopping, due to the limitations of carry-on luggage (warning: a lot of food!)

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/sredir?uname=ujacob&target=ALBUM&id=5398317192969396145&authkey=Gv1sRgCPn41L7Vk-j9aQ&feat=email

Madrid Museums – not as boring as it sounds, I promise. Especially because you’re not allowed to take pictures inside most of them.
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/sredir?uname=ujacob&target=ALBUM&id=5397944718555363441&authkey=Gv1sRgCIGyzfaigNGpmgE&feat=email

And this link should take you to more photos from the beautiful Retiro Park

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/sredir?uname=ujacob&target=ALBUM&id=5397716866312783569&authkey=Gv1sRgCLrZ5u-H2tD6gwE&feat=email

Essential Madrid I was inspired by a guided walk from Plaza Mayor to Palacio Real – organized by the tourist office – that I enjoyed very much, because the guide provided a lot of background info to the sights.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/sredir?uname=ujacob&target=ALBUM&id=5398025763338728737&authkey=Gv1sRgCNjjjuGDnuyAdw&feat=email

And this last one covers the other parts of the city – most, but not all, east of Puerto del Sol – which were build later by the Bourbon kings (mostly Carlos III, 18th century).

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/sredir?uname=ujacob&target=ALBUM&id=5398052290450812513&authkey=Gv1sRgCL_bs_O12-qU5QE&feat=email

 

My Roman Holiday

After seeing so many Roman ruins in Bath and London this year, I went to visit the real thing. Again I did all the touristy things, ate in Trastevere, took pictures of the Coloseum, climbed the Spanish Steps and St. Peter (320 steps!), shopping in Via del Corso,…

but most of all I enjoyed myself and the Italian way of life once more.

30 C... hot enough for pictures like these

Castel Sant'Angelo - and the 5pm Temporale approaching

St. Peter in the rain

and the Sunday morning procession of umbrellas

inside S.Maria in Trastevere

Nuns praying in Sta Maria Maggiore

Trinita dei Monti

view from the Spanish steps (just before another massive T-strom)

this picture doesn't do it justice, you'll have to imagine the smell of fresh coffee from the bar + endless shelfs with goodies from all over the world and you have the best food store in the world!

back to St. Peter for this great view from the outdoor balcony at the top