Mercado de la Paz

Off the Beaten-Path Madrid, Where Locals Actually Go. If you are like me, you hate to pack your days traveling from one tourist hotspot to the next 'must-see' landmark. Take a break from the usual guides and lists of what you 'should' see in Madrid and allow yourself to experience Madrid for all its charm through its food, shops, drinks, and unique culture. I find it fascinating that Madrid does not have an Eiffel Tower, or a Coliseum, yet millions are drawn (& some stay like me) to its indescribable aura that you need to see for yourself.

A two and a half week visit starting in Madrid and followed by a road-trip across northern Spain crossing the Aragon, Navara, Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia regions. This was an adult-only trip that focused on enjoying the best experiences and finest ingredients across the various regions. Hotels on this itinerary are high to very high end. There are some Bonvoy hotels included because loyalty programs work! Seeing the changes between regions was fascinating. The physical landscapes ranged from semi arid with huge sunflower fields dotting the highway, to mountain ranges that were mixed in the distance with clouds, to rolling green hills and banging coast line with surfers, families and friends enjoying the beautiful beaches all along the way. Galicia was the sleeper hit for us. The whole north coast of Spain is quieter than Malaga, Valencia etc. and Galicia is heavy on domestic tourism. Galicia is also a great add on for those visiting Portugal.