Wish You Were Here: An epic family adventure across Spain
A San Rafael family reports back on their adventures in Spain and Portugal, from flamenco dancing to pasteis de nata.
Got wanderlust? Our readers have traveled the globe this year, exploring everything from Oregon’s bike trails to Austria’s museums and cultural centers And they’ve share their stories and helpful travel tips along the way.
Now, a San Rafael family is sharing their adventures in Spain.
Wish You Were Here
SPAIN: San Rafael residents Jack and Clare Robertson took a family trip to Spain and Portugal in September. Along for the ride were, left to right, John (San Rafael), Clare, Dan (Los Angeles), Sarah (Chicago), Nolan (Chicago), Tori (Denver), Jack and Tatum (San Rafael).
In addition to a stop in Toledo, pictured, where they toured cathedrals and the Jewish Ghetto, the Robertsons visited Madrid’s Royal Palace, Prado Museum and nightclubs, Jack says, and “gorged on guided tapas tours with good cheap vino and cerveza throughout. (We) walked steep steps in amazing Granada and its Alhambra, (and) visited the White Villages in the mountains, where we made homemade bread in the garage of the local winemaker, who then served us a fabulous picnic.”
The adventuresome trek also included sailing, horseback riding, hiking and flamenco dance in Spain, followed by beach bathing in Sagres in the south of Portugal and sightseeing in Lisbon. The city, Jack says, “resembles San Francisco in so many ways, including cable cars and its own Golden Gate Bridge — same architect!”
TRAVEL TIPS: “Much of what we did would have been unbearably hot to do, if we were there in July/August. Definitely recommend spring or fall for visiting. The Alhambra tickets must be purchased weeks/months in advance during the high season. We also had advance tickets to the palaces and museums which enabled us to go straight into the building at our appointed time. Good prep for the trip: Watching ‘Somebody Feed Phil’ — Lisbon and Madrid episodes — on Netflix.”
Share your travels with us! Send a photo of yourself on your latest adventures to jburrell@bayareanewsgroup.com. Tell us where you are, who everyone is and where they’re from, and share a travel tip or two to help fellow travelers.