We spent most of 2016 in Spain, especially Madrid, thanks to my husband's latest role on a television series that shot entirely in the country. Madrid was always at the top of my "must-visit" list. Spain already was in general, but I had always been anxious to get to Madrid. After getting the chance to visit Madrid several times this past year, I definitely fell in love with the city. On my most recent visit, I really came to truly admire the beauty of Spain. Since my husband's main base for the year was Cáceres (pronounced cath-er-ess), which is about 3 hours west of Madrid, we would bookend my visits with 24-48 hour visits to the capital. Since this trip would be my last for a little while, Tor and I really made sure to take it all in and we made sure this trip was for three days. [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="10851,10852"] [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="10858,10861"] While you could and should spend more than three days in Madrid, we had been spending a majority of the year making stops in the city (especially since my childhood bestie and her husband happen to live in Madrid - how convenient and awesome is that?!). However, I had yet to visit El Retiro Park. I know, I know, how could I miss one of the most beautiful spots in the whole city? My husband was constantly posting on Instagram and Snapchat throughout the year from El Retiro, so I felt I needed to see this place in person. It reminded me so much of Central Park (I used to live in New York City), especially when Tor suggested we rent a rowboat and have a romantic day date on the lake - a little repeat of our Seville experience. Plus, El Retiro is famous for being home to [well fed] stray cats which made this crazy cat lady SQUEAL with glee every time I found one! [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="10862,10860"] [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="10859,10855"] [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="10857,10853"] One of our most favorite things to do in Madrid is simply walk. We typically stay in the Plaza Santa Ana area, which is pretty central to most sights and neighborhoods. One afternoon, we walked towards El Prado Museum which looks like a grand royal palace. The most famous art museum in Madrid, it's an impressive sight on the outside just as it is on the inside. Outside the front entrance were tall staircases just filled with people relaxing, chatting, or people watching (which reminded me of the steps outside of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC). The beauty of the city just envelops you whenever you stand still in Madrid, which is precisely what I did. I will miss Madrid very much and the Spanish people who were always so patient with my butchered Spanish (Spanish in Spain is spoken with a lisp which took some major getting used to!). I am really grateful that my husband and I got to experience life abroad in a European country, and personally I am really happy it was a country like Spain.

Gucci flats (also love this popular one), Endless Rose sweater (similar here and here), Black Orchid jeans, Lafayette 148 NY coat (similar here), Furla bag, Celine sunglasses

We spent most of 2016 in Spain, especially Madrid, thanks to my husband’s latest role on a television series that shot entirely in the country. Madrid was always at the top of my “must-visit” list. Spain already was in general, but I had always been anxious to get to Madrid. After getting the chance to visit Madrid several times this past year, I definitely fell in love with the city.

On my most recent visit, I really came to truly admire the beauty of Spain. Since my husband’s main base for the year was Cáceres (pronounced cath-er-ess), which is about 3 hours west of Madrid, we would bookend my visits with 24-48 hour visits to the capital. Since this trip would be my last for a little while, Tor and I really made sure to take it all in and we made sure this trip was for three days.

While you could and should spend more than three days in Madrid, we had been spending a majority of the year making stops in the city (especially since my childhood bestie and her husband happen to live in Madrid – how convenient and awesome is that?!). However, I had yet to visit El Retiro Park. I know, I know, how could I miss one of the most beautiful spots in the whole city? My husband was constantly posting on Instagram and Snapchat throughout the year from El Retiro, so I felt I needed to see this place in person. It reminded me so much of Central Park (I used to live in New York City), especially when Tor suggested we rent a rowboat and have a romantic day date on the lake – a little repeat of our Seville experience. Plus, El Retiro is famous for being home to [well fed] stray cats which made this crazy cat lady SQUEAL with glee every time I found one!

One of our most favorite things to do in Madrid is simply walk. We typically stay in the Plaza Santa Ana area, which is pretty central to most sights and neighborhoods. One afternoon, we walked towards El Prado Museum which looks like a grand royal palace. The most famous art museum in Madrid, it’s an impressive sight on the outside just as it is on the inside. Outside the front entrance were tall staircases just filled with people relaxing, chatting, or people watching (which reminded me of the steps outside of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC). The beauty of the city just envelops you whenever you stand still in Madrid, which is precisely what I did.

I will miss Madrid very much and the Spanish people who were always so patient with my butchered Spanish (Spanish in Spain is spoken with a lisp which took some major getting used to!). I am really grateful that my husband and I got to experience life abroad in a European country, and personally I am really happy it was a country like Spain.

Gucci flats (also love this popular one), Endless Rose sweater (similar here and here), Black Orchid jeans, Lafayette 148 NY coat (similar here), Furla bag, Celine sunglasses