Astorga, Spain

Palacio Episcopal de Astorga, Spain

architect - Antoni Gaudí

Salamanca

I always enjoy walking around Salamanca. Here are a few of my favorite buildings and places. To the right the Duarte Palace.  It is a city that is full of history and life.  Much of the life comes from the student population that has been coming to Salamanca for centuries.  It was a great trip this time, because on of my local friends was free to walk around and show me the city from a local's point of view.

Casa de las Conchas

Plaza Mayor, Salamanca

Salamanca

Alicante and a well deserved break

After walking, hiking, and trekking as a pilgrim across Spain for almost a month, I decided that it was time for a nice relaxing break. I have visited every region of Spain (except the islands) with the exception of Alicante. So, in order to complete my Spanish “collection” I decided to relax in the beautiful Mediterranean city of Alicante. It has been so relaxing not having to hike 8 hours a day. The first day all I did was sit on the beach or in the hotel (so nice to have a private room with wifi). After the first couple days though, I was ready to go for a longer walk. I walked along the coast and really enjoyed it. I will admit that I took the bus back into town though. :)

Levels of Lights - Alicante, Spain

Reaching into the Mediterranean - Alicante, Spain

Sunset near Alicante, Spain

Alicante, Spain

Oviedo Images

Here are three random photos I took while I was in Asturias Spain this summer. I like the combination of the three. I like the lines, cirlces, colors, texture and lighting. I hope you like them too. (1# window, #2 rental car, #3 Univeristy of Oviedo sidewalks)

Madrid

Well once again it is time to say good-bye to Spain. I always start and end my Spanish trips in Madrid. In many ways Madrid feels like home and I tend to visit the same wonderful places here in the capital city. This time was no exception, however I also wanted to explore some parts I don't usually visit. Here are three "Good-bye Spain" pictures.

The Almundena Cathedral in front of the Royal Palace Madrid

BMW Headquarters in Madrid

Plaza de Castilla

Toledo Spain

I decided to do a little day trip from Madrid and Toledo is one of the best options for day tripping. It also happened to be during the Corpus Cristi celebrations. In all fairness, Toledo deserves more than a day trip. It is such a great city to explore and it has several architectonic gems. I hope you enjoy these pictures from Toledo, La Mancha, Spain. The picture to the right is of one of the atlar pieces in the cathedral; in all its baroque glory.

Welcome to Toledo! - View from main gate

Banners on balconies in Toledo, Spain

Cathedral in Toledo, Spain

My favorite window and ceiling in the Cathedral in Toledo, Spain

Chairs waiting for the Corpus Cristi procession

Museum in Toledo with view of the Castle in the background

Street in Toledo, Spain

Supra - busing in style and comfort

I'm blogging while in a bus going to Madrid! I love the 21st century! :) I don't have any pictures to share, but the view is very pretty traveling through Northern Spain. Wish you were here to see it with me.

Oviedo at night

One of my favorite things to do is to walk around Oviedo at night with my camera. Here are a couple new pictures of Oviedo at night. Let me know what you think.

Noche de San Juan - Oviedo Spain

Cathedral - Oviedo Spain

Plaza de la Constitucion with La Iglesia de San Isidoro

From the Mercado looking towards San Isidoro

Oviedo Spain - Noche de San Juan

Oviedo - This is the third summer that I've spent in Oviedo. It is beginning to feel very much like home. One of my favorite celebrations here is La Noche de San Juan. It has some wonderful Celtic roots and I find it very interesting with its bonfires, mythical creatures, changing of the seasons, nature worship, dancing and new beginnings. It also seems to be a great night for photography. Here are a few pictures I took that night. It is rare to get so many pictures I really like all in one night. I hope you enjoy.

La Gorda - Oviedo, Spain

Parque San Francisco - Oviedo, Spain

Statue in Parque San Francisco - Oviedo, Spain

Noche de San Juan in Oviedo Spain

Santillana del Mar - Comillas

As far as medieval charm goes you can't get much better than Santillana del Mar in Northern Spain. It is just such a charming village with an incredibly large quantity of old buildings, houses, shops and religious structures. A couple highlights are: the flower boxes on the balconies and windows (Charming!), the covered alley ways and cob stone streets (Charming!), and of course the Torture Museum (Charming! Ok so it really isn't so charming, but the suit of armor in front of the museum is pretty cool.)

Medieval Alleyway - Santillana del Mar

Armor at the entrance to the torture museum

Palacio de Sobrellano - Comilla, Spain

The Sea

The northern coast of Spain has some wonderful spots. There are lots of beautiful nature rocky beaches. There are charming sandy beaches. There are quite beaches, busy beaches, rainy and sunny beaches. Here are two places (among many worthy places) worth visiting. Cabo de Peñas (to the right) is one of the northern most points of the region of Asturias Spain. Llanes is a pleasant seaport town and I really like the Cubos de la memoria a collection of massive painted cement blocks.
Cubos de la memoria - Llanes Spain

Cubos de la memoria - Llanes Spain

Cabo de Peñas

Leon

One of the best cathedrals in Spain is in Leon. It is massive, beautiful and has some of the best stained glass outside of France. Here are a few pictures I took this year in Leon.

Cathedral of Leon

Stained Glass in the Cathedral of Leon

Tomb in the Cathedral of Leon

Stained Glass in the Cathedral of Leon

Cathedral of Leon

Stained Glass in the Cathedral of Leon

Interior of the Cathedral in Leon

Statue of Gaudi in front of his La Casa de los Botones - Leon, Spain

Casa de los botones - Leon

Santo Domingo de Silos

Santo Domingo de Silos

Spanish Countryside near Burgos

Spanish Countryside near Burgos

Santo Domingo de Silos

Peñaranda

Puente Reina