Boquerones in Madrid

As you've probably gathered, we are no strangers to Europe. It's one of the easiest destinations to travel to from Boston - both in terms of direct flights and award availability. It also happens to be full of our favorite cities. Spain reigns supreme in terms of our top list.

There's something about the Spanish lifestyle that we identify with. Spaniards are super laid back and extremely welcoming. They know their country is a draw for tourism and they embrace their visitors with open arms. We always feel welcome here - even with our broken Spanish.  That's why we're so excited to recap our trip the way we intended it: starting and ending with Madrid. 

Stay

On the first leg of our trip, we stayed at the Radisson Blu hotel in the El Barrio de las Lestras. The location was perfect for everything we wanted to see and within walking distance. We arrived on a red eye, completely exhausted, hours before check in. Luckily, the front desk was able to offer us a room upgrade for a room that was available. We seized the opportunity to nap! The upgrade came with breakfast, which was perfect. Not to mention, came with ample Nespresso coffee. Overall a very good value. 

On our return to Madrid, we stayed at the the Principal Madrid. Although much pricer than our first hotel, the Principal was pure perfection. Comfortable, sprawling rooms are well tended to and the decor is very well done. Although the layout of the hotel is odd, the bonus is that this boutique hotel has a rooftop terrace overlooking bustling Gran Via. 

See

There's so much to do and see in Madrid. First things first, you'll want to check out an art museum. Given our timing, we decided to forgo the Prado in favor of the Reina Sofia Museum, which seemed very manageable than the Prado. Plus, we were more interested in Picasso and Dalí than the Renaissance paintings (although Prado has a much wider range than that). 

Make it a priority to visit the Templo de Debod. This Egptytian temple was gifted to Spain as a thank you for helping to preserve some of Egypt's monuments. It's an interesting slice of history to explore in sprawling Madrid. 

From there, head to Gran Via. You can catch some sweet views from the top of the Gourmet Experience atop the Corte Inglés.  The views and the shopping are to die for. 

If your shopping habits err more on the luxury side, head to Salamanca. Here, you'll find every designer boutique known to man. Ask Tim about his time at Chanel. Such a trooper for returning three times with me! 

In terms of some less expensive outings (read free), head to the Retiro Park. There's a man-made lake with boats plus the Palacio de Cristal, which reflects the light in the most perfect way possible. You should also check out the cafes and entertainment in Plaza Mayor. Although the talent may ask for a donation, it's a worthwhile place to sit and enjoy a drink, 

Eat 

From neighborhood cafés like La Plateria to Michelin star restaurants, there’s no shortage of good eats in Madrid. Yet, the most unassuming places serve the tastiest tapas we’ve ever had. There’s something so cathartic about hopping from spot to spot, enjoying a beverage and a small bite. You really can’t go wrong in Madrid, but if you’re looking for our tried and true favorites, look no further:

For lunch, try one of the many bustling markets. Mercado San Anton was by far our favorite, although Mercado San Miguel is also quite tasty (albeit host to more foreigners and tourists). Starting from bottom floor, various stalls sell spices, meat, fish bread and other staples. Heading up to the second floor, the smell of delicious fried seafood and various other hot dishes will take you over. Grab a bite and a drink from any of the vendors and make your way over to the counter to indulge. The cured fish toasts were our favorite. Pickled herring anyone? After that, make sure you check out the roof deck on the third floor for a Madrid classic: gin and tonic. I don’t know what it is about Spain, but the gin tastes so much sweeter here.

If you are lucky enough to be in Madrid on a Sunday, you absolutely must head to La Latina. Madridleanos flock here on Sundays to spend time with friends and family, watching futbol and enjoying a pint or two. It’s such a festive environment, with locals and visitors alike. It really felt like we lived here for the afternoon. But Spain has a way of making you feel right at home.

Tim and I stumbled upon Bodega Lucio, where we enjoyed several glasses of the best damn Alberino we’ve ever tasted, with some complimentary tapas (yes, some places still do this!!!). Fresh octopus salad followed crispy pork bites that were out of this world. We also had some Jamon Iberico and manchego to round out our meal. Tim still dreams of this lunch and I can’t deny I do too! This is the type of simplicity and quality that draws us back for more.

Late and relaxed, dinner in Spain is an event – and one to be celebrated at that. Most restaurants open at 9 and many places take reservations either through The Fork or TripAdvisor.

Our first dinner was at La Tragantúa. The owner could not have been more gracious. He ensured everything was perfect for us, including paying close attention to Tim’s allergy. We started with a divine fois gras and ended with some of the yummiest mango mouse we’ve ever had. And Cava! Lots and lots of Cava.

The next night, we hit Gastromaquia in Chueca (one of our favorite neighborhoods). I kid you not when I say the crispy pig ears were by far one of the highlights of our entire trip. Order it and thank me later. Trust. Other dishes were also very good (tuna tartare, goat cheese to name a few) but the ears were a standout.

Our final recommendation in Madrid is La Cabrera. More of a cocktail bar, this place serves up some incredible libations. However, the food is equally as excellent. The steak tartare and the oxtail were incredible. The boquerones were some of the best we’ve ever had. The only drawback was the loud New Yorker two tables away. But what can we say? Can’t live with them, can’t live without them (looking at you DK). 

For more of our holiday in Spain, click here. 

Semana en España

For our one year anniversary, Tim and I travelled to Spain. Leveraging two weekends, one of which was MDW, we only took 7 days off work. Not to shabby! Additionally, by transferring Chase Sapphire points to Iberia (by way of British Airways), our all-in flight costs were $150 (fuel surcharge & taxes). Round of applause for the Mister. 

Although we did this trip in 12 days, this itinerary is designed for a full week. You can adapt it to your timeframe and interests. We're happy to provide some alternate recommendations - just ask!

As I already mentioned, we flew Iberia Airlines from Boston to Madrid. This route is direct and feels like a very quick 7 hours. From there, we designed our itinerary as follows: 

first stop: Madrid

We started our trip in the country's capital. What was intended to be three nights and three days ended up as four (more on that later). Three days provide plenty of time to see the sights and leave enough room to meander and tapas your way around town, but two could be enough to hit the highlights. You can certainly spend more time in Madrid and take some day trips to Toledo or Salamanca. Note that we also came back to Madrid for a day at the tail end of our trip as our flight was early in the morning.  

numero dos: Seville 

A lack of planning kept us from spending our first day in this beautiful city. Yes, believe it or not, even us expert planners mess up sometimes! The Copa del Rey brought Barcelona and Sevilla FC fans to town and all trains were completely sold out for the day. Sadly, we didn't book ours in advance and were unable to get a seat. After exploring every possible option, we ended up booking a same day flight to Seville using points. This not only helped us save money and time, but also kept us from losing a night of a prepaid hotel,

However, despite saving ourselves from having to get an extra hotel room, we missed the entire day in Seville that we had planned. We recommend spending at least two full days exploring this Andalusian paradise, but certainly more if time allows! We plan to come back and spend at least 2-3 more days exploring Seville. 

third stop: Ronda

Never heard of Ronda? We'll trust us when we tell you it's absolutely incredible. The town itself brings many a daytripper and tour group. However, just outside the town is a treasure trove of small hotels and vineyards. You'll certainly need a car to get around, but plan to spend at least two nights here. It's a short ride - just 1.5 hours from Seville! You can easily rent an automatic at the airport. We even got an upgrade with an English-speaking GPS. 

last stop: Valencia

Before returning to Madrid to fly home, we met Tim's parents in Valencia for 3 days. Valencia can very easily be swapped for Barcelona. We had both traveled to Barca during our study abroad, so we opted for a new city to explore. Each of these cities is easily accessible via short flight from Seville. This was a very leisurely stop for us at three days. We could've easily done two days in Valencia. 

We'll be posting in-depth posts on each of these Spanish locations, so stay tuned for more goodness! Until then, happy planning! 

Winter Wonderland in Northern Vermont

It's been unseasonably warm in Boston the past couple of weeks. 65 degrees in February is virtually unheard of! And although we've been taking advantage of the good weather, we also had a chance to go on our annual ski trip to Jay, VT by way of Burlington for the Presidents' Day long weekend.

It's safe to say Vermont is a great destination year-round for the outdoorsy set or for those who just want to get away from the city. Vermont is full of quaint towns, hiking trails, B&Bs and excellent restaurants, but winter is especially fun for us as we go up with our niece and nephew.

Burlington, Vermont 

Our first day was spent in Burlington. We normally spend at least a full day in town, but, due to some other vacations planned for the year, we had to cut it short since we were coming straight from work. Luckily, we were able to get in our (okay, my) two favorite activities: dinner at Hen of the Wood and Whim boutique on Church St.

Hen is hands down the best restaurant in Burlington. The menu changes constantly, but some highlights from our past trip included truffle hangar steak, mushroom toast, local cheese and the best damn Brussel sprouts in town.  Service is nothing short of fantastic and well-timed. TIP: if you forget to make a reservation in advance, bar seating is first come, first served, including the lounge tables next to the cozy little fireplace. American Flatbread is also fantastic if you're looking for something more casual.

Whim, as you may have figured, is a women's clothing boutique with a great collection of designer jeans and cashmere sweaters. Their winter sale lasts from January to February and you can score some great deals. Plus, the staff is incredibly helpful and sweet.

Jay, Vermont 

After a night in BVT, it's time to hit the slopes! We've been coming to Jay for a few years now. The mountain is primarily geared towards the advanced skier, but there are a few good green runs. Our niece and nephew, who are 8 and 5, can out-ski us but were kind enough to do some easier trails with us. As you can imagine, these two are fearless when it comes to the mountain.

Although the fresh powder and warm weather was well worth the drive, the main draw for our family has always been the water park. We have a running joke about the Red Slide and its potential for street cred. Can you guess which one of us has earned the respect of the Kast kids? TIP: Once you’re waterparked out, head over to the Ice Haus. Guests of the various hotels can skate for free – just pay for shoe rentals at $5 per person.

Little man in his element

Jay Peak Food Scene 

Restaurants are limited, but luckily, most rooms come with a kitchen. Our recommendation is to bring your groceries (and pack the good coffee) if possible. The only store on the mountain lacks a great deal in terms of variety and deals. Of the restaurants in Jay, there are a few highlights:

• Miso Hungry serves authentic Japanese ramen out of a former gondola. You can enjoy a hot bowl of veggie, spicy or pork belly ramen by the fire. Perfect way to warm up!
•  Alice's Table inside the Tram Haus is perfect for a nice pasta or fish.
• One of our favorites is a good burger at Foundry with a glass of Claret.
• Don’t forget to check out the aprés ski at the Bullwheel for live music, hot toddies and poutine.

Jay Hotels 

There is an array of options in terms of lodging at Jay, which you can check out here. This past trip, we stayed at the Tram House Lodge, overlooking the mountain. Another family favorite was a ski-in, ski-out Village condo right off Grammy Jay.

And if we haven’t sold you on one of favorite winter past-times, then we have one last TIP: pack your passport and spend half a day across the border in Canada. It’s only 4 miles away!

Thailand Part 1: Bangkok

When we were choosing our honeymoon destination, our only criteria was that it had to be far away destination neither of us had ever been. When else can you take two full weeks off without getting the stink eye from your boss? We perused Pinterest and Barnes and Noble to get inspired. Should we sail around Croatia? Safari in South Africa? Flop around on beaches of Tahiti? After months of indecision, we finally decided on Thailand. A perfect blend of culture and beach-side relaxation. And boy was it perfect.

In all fairness, getting to Asia is a long and expensive journey. We flew out of Boston and connected in Dubai. With the layover, our travel time was 21 hours. Luckily for us, the supervisor at the Emirates check in was kind enough to offer us a honeymoon special on a business class upgrade. That made the first leg of our trip much more enjoyable. TIP: If you're travelling for a special occasion, be sure to let agents know. It never hurts to ask for an upgrade and people usually willing to do something nice for you to make your experience more memorable. 

In Bangkok, we stayed at the W Hotel in the bustling Silom neighborhood – full of skyscrapers and luxury hotels. It was a 45-minute taxi ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport. TIP: Print out your hotel names in both English and Thai. Many Thai speak excellent English, but it never hurts to be prepared.

We spent our first day relaxing. After all, we just had a really big weekend so we needed to ease into the trip. The W has a pool overlooking the city on the 6th floor. It’s an urban oasis with W-class drinks and bites, with a modern flair. Bangkok in May is extremely hot and humid, so we could only spend a few hours sun bathing. After a luxuriously long nap, we ventured out to our first night market.

Asiatique is large open-air, modern market on the Chao Phraya River. After indulging in some Thai food at one of the stalls, we headed straight for the Ferris wheel to take in views of the city.

The second day was dedicated to exploring historic Bangkok. We took a cab to Wat Pho and walked to Grand Palace, the amulet market and even ferried over to Wat Arun from there. TIP: Pack flip flops, light pants and t-shirts for visiting temples. Ankles and shoulders must be covered, and shoes are not allowed in homes or sacred places.

After a full day of exploring, we headed to the Vertigo Bar at the Banyan Tree Hotel. It was supposed to rain, but it held off long enough for us to enjoy champagne, overlooking the city from the 61st floor roof deck. You can also enjoy a fine dinner here, but given the weather, we opted for a spot nearby where we could try Northern, Isan food called Somtum Der. Highly recommend the fried Isan sausage and pork neck (shellfish safe, but more on that later).

The view from the top. 

We spent our final day exploring the Jim Thompson House. Jim Thompson was an American who single-handedly helped revive the Thai silk trade by selling it to fashion houses in New York, London and Paris. He built a traditional Thai home in Bangkok, where he collected various art and heirlooms, still on display today. Visitors can tour his home, shop silk goodies (we got these adorable silk elephant napkins and pocket squares for Tim) and learn about his mysterious disappearance in Malaysia.

Silkworms and dyed silks on display at Jim Thompson House. 

From there, we headed to Siam Square, full of modern malls and Thai stalls. We checked out MBK, where you could find all the knockoff electronics, souvenirs, designer purses and gold your heart desires. It wasn’t quite for us, so we stopped by Siam Paragon, which was much more our scene. SP is by and large the most magnificent shopping center we’ve ever seen. Each floor is themed – from famous American must-haves to high-end couture, this place has everything you could possibly want. For more than you pay in the US. TIP: Here, you can also find the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre as well as Madame Tussaud’s.

Soi 38 Night Market 

For dinner, we decided to dine like locals at Soi 38. Here, we enjoyed Pad Thai ($1.50), street meat ($.50 for 10) and our very favorite Mango Sticky Rice ($3). We ate at various tables lining the streets as cars, motorcycles and people buzzed by.

Overall, we loved Bangkok. It was our favorite stop during the trip. We felt like we got a good amount of site-seeing in three days, but there were many things we didn’t see. However, our travel style is more relaxed and we always like to leave some things unseen. For next time.