We’ve made it to Spain! After arriving Madrid, we rented our car and headed out for our first stop, Salamanca. After several months in countries like Italy and Croatia, it quickly became apparent that we had reentered the western world. The airport was beautiful, the roads were all like brand new, shopping complexes and hotels lined the highway, and people were even driving the speed limit. As we got closer to Salamanca (about 2 ½ hours west of Madrid) we got another surprise, snow! I didn’t realize Salamanca was at an elevation that we would be seeing the white stuff. Anyway we arrived to a very chilly 32 degrees and searched out our hotel on the main square. We originally booked one night but after our first stroll we quickly changed the reservation to two. What a beautiful town this is. Day and night it’s buzzing with youthful energy and was so much fun to explore. The Cathedral, University, and Main Square dominate the old town and provide the best sights. And with the season, dense fog in the morning and Christmas carolers in the evening, added perfectly to the ambience.
The carolers handed out the lyrics, so we all sang along to songs such as
Feliz Navidad.
The main University entrance. Built in 1230, this is the oldest University in Spain.
Ornate decoration on the buildings were around every turn.
For centuries, when students passed their final exam they would write their symbol on the University walls. Much of the red paint still remains.
We’ve made it to Spain! After arriving Madrid, we rented our car and headed out for our first stop, Salamanca. After several months in countries like Italy and Croatia, it quickly became apparent that we had reentered the western world. The airport was beautiful, the roads were all like brand new, shopping complexes and hotels lined the highway, and people were even driving the speed limit. As we got closer to Salamanca (about 2 ½ hours west of Madrid) we got another surprise, snow! I didn’t realize Salamanca was at an elevation that we would be seeing the white stuff. Anyway we arrived to a very chilly 32 degrees and searched out our hotel on the main square. We originally booked one night but after our first stroll we quickly changed the reservation to two. What a beautiful town this is. Day and night it’s buzzing with youthful energy and was so much fun to explore. The Cathedral, University, and Main Square dominate the old town and provide the best sights. And with the season, dense fog in the morning and Christmas carolers in the evening, added perfectly to the ambience.
The carolers handed out the lyrics, so we all sang along to songs such as Feliz Navidad.
The main University entrance. Built in 1230, this is the oldest University in Spain.
Ornate decoration on the buildings were around every turn.
For centuries, when students passed their final exam they would write their symbol on the University walls. Much of the red paint still remains.
