Flight to Frankfurt

The trip back went very smoothly: The Madrid airport has a metro station right next to it and we could take a special entrance for passengers that only have carry on luggage so there no long lines.
The flight left in the afternoon and the skies were clear so had a great view
First when we crossed the Pyrenees - the mountain range between Spain and France

Mia took most pictures because she had the window seat

From the plane we saw the famous Millau Viaduct  a highway bridge near Millau in southrn France

Later we crossed the Swiss alps at sunset

Frankfurt Skyline during landing - unfortunatley a bit blurred

Sunday in Madrid

After another great breakfast at the hotel ....

... we headed to the famous flee market "El Rastro" in the old part of town.

It was very crowded

At the end it was not too crowded and we actually ended up buying a real painting which now hangs in our living room

After the feel market it was time for some tapas

When we walked from the plaza Mayor to teh castle it was close to sunset

 The town hall

The cathedral next to teh royal palace

The royal palace at sunset

We were a bit late an everthing was closed

 People taking a selfie with their dog

An expensive ice cream next to the plaace

Exploring Madrid

on our second full day in Madrid we headed again to the center and then explored some other areas nearby.
A bus took us from the hotel right to Sol - the Star Trooper in the picture was looking to have his picture taken for money.

We din't pay him but some artistic motorcycle riders

Plaza Mayor was very crowded like all the other streets and squares in the center

Many kids were throwing tiny paper bombs that would give a loud cracking noise when hitting the ground - Mia had to try as well

he market that is famous for the tapas was too crowded to stop and eat

An older neighborhood in the center

Fresh made potato chips - a nice snack

We also went to the Retiro park

Very long lines at the Prado - we didn't want to wait that long

Trip to Madrid

We had found a good air fare for a flight from Frankfurt to Madrid and thought this would be a nice place to go after Christmas. As it turned it we were right and really enjoyed the Spanish capital.
We arrived in the later afternoon and after a late lunch in the hotel headed to the center of town - Puerta del Sol and the Plaza Mayor - which was still decorated for Christmas

The next day was sunny and Mia had done her homework and picked a place to go that had many playgrounds

 

The  Rio park had been built about ten years ago along a river when a highway was moved into a tunnel

We all enjoyed a day out in the sun after the grey and cold days in Heidelberg.
And yea, there were almost a dozen playgrounds

Mia aslo checked out a shopping center with a climb through tunnel for children that was bordering the park

At the end of the park a huge former complex of slaughter houses has turned into  a cultural center

We the had a famous sandwich for dinner - just right after a big breakfast and some tapas in teh afternoon