San Sebastion

Well got into San Sebastion yesterday and made it right in time for a wonderful sunset across the bay. This morning we woke up early and climbed to the top of this hill with a Jesus statue that overlooked all of San Sebastion. Following this we went straight to the beach and laid out. San Sebastion must have been hit hard by the global economic problems because a lot of the women seemed to only have bought half of the swimsuit... Haha. Tonight we plan on watching the sunset again. We leave tomorrow afternoon to Lyon, France.

Valencia

Well woke up early today and started off touring a Cathedral that had the supposed Holy Grail in it... Kind of interesting. We also lucked out because every thursday there is a court that occurs at noon for that past thousand plus years to settle disputes amongst the farmers. There are around 7 judges and whatever they say is law, it is even placed in the Spanish Consitution. Then we moved on the one of the biggest equariums in all of europe. Was able to see a lot and viiew a dolphin show. After that we laid out on the beach for some time then eat pialla that was prepared for use by the lady that owns the hostel that we stay at. Tomorrow we leave for San Sabastian in which many considered the most beautiful in all of europe. I guess we'll see (PS all we have planned there is beach time!!)

Cordoba festival and arrival in Valencia

Well we went to the festival in Cordoba last night. It was like a huge fair and everyone in the town was there. It was a great experience to see! So after baarely making our train to Toledo you think we would learn our lesson. We thought that 30 minutes to the train station would be enough. Well after eating breakfast and packing a few minutes past expected then having traffic to the train station... well lets just say that we were running down a moving walkway while the train was moving. luckily it stopped(not sure why but didnt thank goodness it did) and we got on and made our 6 hour trip to Valencia. When we got to Valencia we decided to just go straight to the beach and hang out till sundown. While in our room watching the soccor match, when barcelona would score and won it seemed like m80s were going off in the streets.

Welcome to Valencia

Cordoba

We arrived in Cordoba today. We were able to see a unique cathedral, a fortress where the inquisition started. Also, today is one of the biggest festivals of the year in which we are about to head to tonight. We got lost in the city today for about an hour probably 5 miles out of the way. I guess we will be able to sleep good tonight. We leave tomorrow at 10 for a 6 hour train ride to Valencia (where we are planning on washing our clothes in the sink... Yeah).

Salamanca and Seville

Yesterday we took a day trip to Salamanca. We finally made the train on time. The highlights of the trip was that we went to Plaza Mayor in which Vantage Point was filmed from. Furthermore, we went to a very large Cathedral and saw some other sights.

Today, We checked out of our hostel in Madrid and got on a train to Seville. We are only spending one day here. Once we got here we checked into our hotel and headed out to see the city. The first stop was a beautiful (the best Ive seen so far) Cathedral. In the Cathedral was the remains of CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS! Pretty cool. After that we continued to walk around and saw a palace, so gorgious buildings and the bull ring. This evening we are going to get something to eat and come back to the hotel because we have to leave early again tomorrow to Cordoba. A lot of traveling but having a great time!

Toledo

Today we took a day trip to Toledo Spain (the old capital of Spain). We woke up on time, so we thought, and went to the train station. Lets just say that we left the hostel a little later than we planned and had to run down the street, into the train station, and to the ticket counter with the guy yelling ¡rapido,rapido,rapido! We got on the train and literally after sitting down for 15 seconds the train took off. What a start. We made it to Toledo and toured the city. Went inside the beautiful cathedral built in the 1200´s. We also went to several other places within toledo. One of those places was the infamous tapas restuarant I somehow remembered where it was at. This place basically served a meal with every drink you got. It was delicious and Tom was really happy he got to go because he has been jealous of us, who went 2 years ago, ever since. Saw paintings by El Greco and others. Tomorrow we are heading to Salamanca which is about 2 1/2 hours away. Hasta Luego

First couple of days

Well I am finally here! Made it to Madrid yesterday afternoon. It was a lot of traveling from but luckily my luggage arrived with me when I got to Madrid(my friend´s did not). Yesterday we walked Retiro park and had tapas for dinner. Today was busy and a lot of walking. Woke up on my own at 730 AM here (still adjusting to the time difference). We then went to the train station and validated our EuroRail. We went to Saint Louis University-Madrid to take a look at it and see how different it was since we went there a couple of years ago. It hadnt changed much. Ran into one of my professors and talked for a little bit. We also saw Cesar (for all you SLU-Madrid people) and took a picture with him! After this went to Tom´s Senora´s house and she prepared lunch for us. Gotta love that free meal! Next we toured the palace, the cathedral, an eguiptian structure and also many other places aruond Madrid. Tomorrow going to Toledo and hopefully finding the tapa bar for dinner. Sunday we will be heading to Salamanca for the day. We leave Madrid Monday morning. Having a great time!!!

Flight itinerary

Flight #1 - Wednesday, May 20, 2009 (Arrives Thursday, May 21)

(operated by American Airlines)
Flight 5188
1h 35m, 403 mi
From Kansas City Intl (MCI)
Kansas City, MO
Departs: 6:00 PM
To Chicago - O'Hare Intl (ORD)
Chicago, IL
Arrives: 7:35 PM
Aircraft McDonnell Douglas MD83 Economy/Coach Class

Flight 298
7h 35m, 3939 mi
From Chicago - O'Hare Intl (ORD)
Chicago, IL
Departs: 10:05 PM
To London - Heathrow (LHR)
London, United Kingdom
Arrives: 11:40 AM
Aircraft Boeing 777 Economy/Coach Class

Flight 460
2h 25m, 773 mi
From London - Heathrow (LHR)
London, United Kingdom
Departs: 2:05 PM
To Madrid - Barajas (MAD)
Madrid, Spain
Arrives: 5:30 PM
Aircraft Boeing 757 Economy/Coach Class

Flight #2 - Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Flight 309
1h 20m, 215 mi
From Paris - Charles De Gaulle (CDG)
Paris, France
Departs: 12:20 PM
To London - Heathrow (LHR)
London, United Kingdom
Arrives: 12:40 PM
Aircraft Airbus A321-100/200 Economy/Coach Class

Flight 297
8h 55m, 3939 mi
From London - Heathrow (LHR)
London, United Kingdom
Departs: 2:40 PM
To Chicago - O'Hare Intl (ORD)
Chicago, IL
Arrives: 5:35 PM
Aircraft Boeing 767 Economy/Coach Class
(operated by American Airlines)

Flight 5049
1h 20m, 403 mi
From Chicago - O'Hare Intl (ORD)
Chicago, IL
Departs: 9:00 PM
To Kansas City Intl (MCI)
Kansas City, MO
Arrives: 10:20 PM
Aircraft McDonnell Douglas MD80 Economy/Coach Class

17 hours till departure

Well the time has finally come! Almost all packed up and ready to go. Have only a couple of things that I need to do tomorrow before I leave but other than that I am about ready. It is going to be a tight squeeze in my backpack for everything! Better get some rest because tomorrow is going to be a long day of traveling! Still can't believe this is really happening!

2 days till take off

Well today continued to get packed and ready for the trip. Also, two more people are going to meet me over there (not at the same time) for about a week. In addition, I got a global plan on my phone so now can talk, receive email, use navigation and get on the internet while over there. What would I do without? Back to mapping out train stations to hotels... what fun

Trip Itinerary

Madrid: May 20-25th.
AAE Adreira

Seville: May 25-26th.
Hotel Londres

Cordoba May 26th-27th.
The Terrace Backpackers Hostel

Valencia: May 27-29.
Cabanal

San Sebastian: May 29-31.
Pension Aires

Lyon: May 31-June 3.
Les Carres Pegase

Nice- French Riviera: June 3-6.
Comte de Nice

Turin/Torino: June 6-8.
Hotel del Parco

Genoa: June 8-10.
Blue B & B

Venice: June 10-12.
Club Hotel Venice

Trieste: June 12-14.
Luna Rossa

Villach, Austria: June 14-16.
?

Zagreb, Capital of Croatia: June 16-19.
Grahor

Ljubljana, Capital of Slovenia: June 19- 22.
Zeppelin Hostel

Vienna: June 22-25.
Bag & Map Apartment Guesthouse

Salzburg, Austria: June 25-28.
Haus Christine

Zurich: June 28-July 1.
Youth Hostel Zurich

Stuttgart: July 1-4.
Hostel-Rooms

Rothenburg: July 4-7.
B & B Apartments

Amsterdam: July 7-11.
Amsterdam Centre Hostel

Bruges: July 11-13.
Canal House

Brussels: July 13-16.
Hotel Mirabeau

Luxembourg City: July 16-18.
Luxembourg City Hostel

Paris: July 18-21.
Le Montclair Montmartre