Favorite Places in Spain and Portugal

This is WAYYY over due.  Sorry.  Between being sick, graduation, and moving I have been slacking on posts.  I do not know how I am going to keep this up during residency.  But, I REALLY want to!  So, I am thinking 1 recipe post a week and medical/nutrition posts whenever I can.  Sound good?? :)

Back to the my FAVORITE places in Spain and Portugal!

Roomie Pic. I cannot believe I have lived with
so many roommates during medical school (actually
pretty much all my life haha).  It was fun living with
you all, but I am also excited for Mike and me to have
our own places... soon :) 

1. I will start in Lisbon, Portugal since, that's where we flew in :).  My favorite thing in to do in Lisbon was to walk down the Tagus River. There is the Monument to Discoveries, Belem Tower and the Timeout Market.  Walking on the river is beautiful and the food in the timeout market is AMAZING!  You have to try baked whole fish!

2. Then we flew to Sevilla, Spain. The first bull fight happened in Sevilla.  I did not go, because I did not want to see a bull killed, but Mike went and loved it!  I recommend seeing it because it is a great cultural experience.  If not, the town itself is beautiful!  Cute little streets with stores and everything was so clean and pristine.  

3. In Madrid, Spain I recommend seeing the flamenco dancing.  We saw the Essential Flamenco (link here). They were absolutely mesmerizing to watch and so talented.  Also, the sangria here was delicious. 

4. Eat at Sobrina de Botin, the oldest restaurant in Spain.  I am not a big meat eater, but the roasted pork is delicious.  Most people ordered the whole pig and split it.  I ordered the mixed veggies with pork for a little more balanced meal and also DELICIOUS!

5. The central park, Parque del Retiro, in Madrid was beyond pretty!  Look at these pictures!

6. Go to La Boqueria Market in Barcelona.  You have to try the Falafel Vegan- I know in town full of cured meat and bacon, why would you choose this in the market.  Well, one by this point in the trip I was over pork.  Two, it was hands down the best falafel I have ever had!  Even Mike loved it!!!

7. Do a cooking class anywhere!  We loved the travel bar paella cooking class (link here).  Our instructor, Mara, was so spunky and full of energy!  And, the Paella was amazing!

 

8. Go to the Sagrada Familia.  This church by Gaudi is unbelievable. Not only is it beautiful, it also is a work of science.  If you go, you should pay for a guided tour.  You will learn so much and it will make the experience even more amazing.