Limerick and Adare Ireland

I stayed in a quaint little hotel called the Railroad Hotel in Limerick Ireland. It is just across the street from the train and bus station and therefore very convenient for the traveler without a car. As I walk along the river I saw many mute swans and enjoyed the peaceful waterfront on my way to the castle (King John’s Castle). The castle was closed so I visited a couple antique shops. I found one to my liking (the owner had a wonderful accent) and bought a pair of Victorian tea cups and saucers for my mom. I think they are simply beautiful and charming… now I just have to figure out how to get them home. :)

I did a little day trip to Adare which is said to be the most charming village in Ireland. Honestly, it is really quite charming. I went on the castle tour and our group was only me, the tour guide and a lady from Missouri. It was awesome to have such a small group. The guide was awesome and knew so much and had a wonderfully Irish accent. The highlights of Adare were: The thatch roofed cottages, the city park, and the castle. I would highly recommend Adare to anyone looking for a nice morning or afternoon.

Adare is self proclaimed as "Ireland's Prettiest Village"

Castle in Adare Ireland

Riverwalk over looking the river Shannon and King John's Castle

Mute Swan and John's Castle - Limerick Ireland

Dublin Ireland

One of my new countries this year is Ireland. My trip here of course starts in Dublin. I'm staying in a great old town house. It has a wonderful reading room with old leather furniture. It is fun to hear the Irish accent and the traditional Irish breakfast is a must to stay the day out right. I'm including a few random pictures from Dublin. On the right you'll see St. Patrick's Cathedral. I also enjoyed Trinity College, the architecture of the city and walking along the river. I hope you enjoy.

Nine Doors in Dublin

Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland

A sphere within a sphere on Trinity's Campus

Dublin, Ireland

Half Penny Bridge - Dublin, Ireland

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