Traveling abroad? Here's my top 20 things to do in Spain.

OK, I have to say I am getting a little jealous at this point: So many of my friends are letting me know they are planning trips to Europe and that means I get to whip out my list of favorite places to go in Spain. This list has evolved over the years, but generally remains the same: Good food, good culture, and gorgeous shopping. Enjoy!

MADRID MORNING:

Mid-week, see the?Prado Museum, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Reina Sofía, one a day.?Take a walk through the central park "El Retiro" and watch the boats in the Estanque (pond) after?the Prado, go shopping in the Serrano area after the Thyssen, and check out the Plaza Mayor/old part after the Reina Sofia. Also great to fit in the?MUSEO DEL ROMANTICISMO . If you ever wondered what it was like to live in Spain in the 1800′s, this is the place to experience it. A small palace turned into a museum in the 1920's, it is a hidden jewel of the city.?Calle San Mateo, 1 .?

On Sunday, go to?EL RASTRO:?El Rastro Flea Market ?on Sundays from 9-2 pm (just hold your purse close and don't talk to random gypsies) and then have a bocadillo from?El Capricho Extreme?o . PLEASE DO THIS???

MADRID AFTERNOON:

Start with shopping and people watching?in the Serrano neighborhood. Apart from all the usual suspects (i.e. Zara, Loewe, Celine..), check out stores like?MALABABA (beautiful boutique with handbags, shoes, accessories on?Calle Lagasca, 68) and?BIMBA & LOLA (Fabulous local brand with well-priced and modern clothing, footwear and accessories on?Calle Serrano, 22) . Wondering about a pre-loved luxury bag? See the ultra stylish Agustin Liébana at?Vestiare Vintage . He used to be the director at Hermès and then set up his own store reselling luxury items.

Have lunch or an afternoon tapa at?PLATEA, a theater transformed into a trendy and memorable spot where you'll find a mix of international foods, cocktails and entertainment. Located in the Serrano shopping district, it’s an easy place to have an afternoon lunch or snack.

Hop in a cab and go to the northern part of the city – 20 min from Serrano district – for a paella lunch at?RESTAURANTE SAMM .?I wouldn’t eat paella anywhere but here. Located in the northern part of the city (just 15 min in a taxi), there are absolutely no tourists - and it's off the beaten path but worth it!?Call ahead as you must have a reservation. Ask for la terraza (the terrace). Order either the ensaladilla rusa (a lovely potato salad) and/or the tomate con ventresca (tuna) for the first course and then Paella Valenciana. Literally the best I have ever had in Spain in 30 years of eating there.

On Sunday, after the Rastro, have lunch in the countryside at?EL FILANDON ?(15 min outside of Madrid) Incredibly gorgeous outside and inside dining.?

DAY TRIPS OUTSIDE OF MADRID

Mid-week is best to avoid the crowds, rent a car and take a drive to these two gorgeous towns.?

PEDRAZA: Yep! This is where Moncho and I got married eons ago!?A bite-sized?medieval village ?with a castle,?just?36 minutes’?drive ?on the 110.?See the?castle visiting from 11 - 2 pm and then from 4-6 pm.?Enjoy?the regional dish?of?roast lamb.?I converted from being vegetarian to have it at my wedding!?Enjoy that, a green salad, some white bean soup, chorizo and queso manchego at?El Soportal .

SEGOVIA : See a working Roman Aqueduct, a castle, a monastery, a cathedral, buy beautiful pottery, and eat delicious food. I wouldn't worry too much about where to dine, most places will have yummy things but you can always go to?Casa Duque .

LA GRANJA DE SAN IDELFONSO :?Another must see city?very close to Segovia and Pedraza...? It's the Spanish Versailles,?just 18 min away?from Segovia?on the 601. See the?castle ?and check if any markets/music events are happening. Enjoy the Judiones de la Granja at?Casa Zaca .... the best I have ever had!?

MALLORCA

A place to shop: Longtime dear friend?Isabel Guarch has a lovely jewelry brand – a favorite?of Spanish royalty ?--, and she creates her designs based on traditions of Mallorca and the Baleric Islands. Make sure to stop at her craftsman shop in the center of the city of Palma.?L' ATELIER?DE ISABEL GUARCH?Plaza des Mercat, 16 Palma.?Also if you like baskets as much as I do check out?Mimbrería Vidal.

A day trip:?Visit the spectacular town of Deia and take the restored?train ?to Soller.?

A rural hotel:?Son Brull?https://sonbrull.com/

A restaurant to remember:?Can Lluc is incredibly breathtaking (but equally hard to get a reservation)?https://www.villa-deia.com/deia/can-lluc-restaurant/

LMK your favorites by dropping them into the comments! Felices viajes, friends!?