Toledo, Spain

One New Year's Eve, we took the train to Toledo and spent the day in this enchanting city. The day trip was a highlight for all of us. So many beautiful buildings, narrow streets, and history packed in to a very walkable city. 

Tilework in the stunning train station

After lunch, we toured the gorgeous Gothic Cathedral. Loved the sunlight shining through the stained glass. There was really interesting structural walls leaving up to the cupola and amazing carvings throughout. We were rushed through as the Cathedral was closing early for a New Year's mass. I could have spent a lot more time admiring all of the details in this masterpiece! 

We exited the Cathedral into a Christmas market! Nice little surprise and wonderful churros. Pete enjoyed a beer from a stand blasting some punk music. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon walking all over the city, finding hidden churches, synagogues, mosques, a nun-run bakery, and a beautiful park/playground overlooking the Tagus river. Spent a long time in the sun there enjoying beers and playing Farkle.  

The holiday lights of the city turned on and then we walked back to the train station to return to Madrid for New Year's Eve Festivities at home. 

Beautiful river crossing with an old castle in the distance. 

Last sunset of 2025 was a good one! 

The train station

Back home, we had dinner and put Pops to work, deseeding 72 grapes (12 for each person to eat at the strokes of midnight for good luck). Didn't want anyone choking! Acts of service is his love language. 

We counted down from the roof top, ate our grapes, and caught glimpses of the city fireworks display from Puerta del Sol. Happy 2026!! 

Post-Christmas Fun in Madrid

After Christmas in Amstelveen, we all headed South to Spain in search of the sun! Dave and Cathy generously offered for us to stay at their apartment in the Chamberi neighborhood of Madrid, which was a great central spot to both explore the city for the week and to also feel like locals. 

Madrid's Christmas markets were all shutting down by New Year's, so we wasted no time and headed downtown our first day. Nana and Pops walked into the city with the kids while Pete and I went in early to do some clothes and shoe shopping for Pete. Success at El Corte Ingles and a huge Zara. We caught the cheesy animated holiday show on the facade of the department store building. The locals were all jamming to some Spanish pop song. 

Emerging from the metro in Puerta del Sol with it's splendid Christmas tree. 

We met up with the crew at Plaza de España, where a foodie Christmas market and ice skating rink were located. The grandparents indulged Maeve's sugar tooth! 

Beers in the sun we were seeking! 

The boys enjoyed ice skating

Walked past the Royal Palace and Gardens

Some many Christmas light decorations all over the city, but they didn't turn on until 6pm each night 

Really large Christmas market in Plaza Mayor, though with a lot of tacky gift stalls and people hawking throw poppers and noisy light up toys. 

This market is the place to get your nativity scene paraphernalia, including miniatures of religious people and famous people taking dumps (seriously!). El Caganer (the pooper)- look it up! Supposedly symbolizes prosperity for the New Year

We found a cafe for a few tapas and some wine and sent the kids off to browse Ale Hop, which entertained them long enough to enjoy our treats! 

We walked back to Puerta del Sol. Jude's shoes always seem to fall apart when we are traveling, so it was back to El Corte Ingles to buy him new shoes and then see the tree be lit at 6pm. 

Streets off of Puerta del Sol each with their own unique lights. 

It was CROWDED! 

The next day, Nana and Pops had scheduled tours of the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum so Pete and I had a relaxed day with the kids, exploring more of Dave and Cathy's neighborhood. 

Plaza de Olavide was the perfect spot to sit, enjoy tapas, beers, play Farkle and people watch while the kids ran back and forth to the playground. Spanish living at its finest! 

There was one final Christmas market I wanted to check out near the Banco de España (Bella Ciao, Bella ciao, Bella ciao, ciao, ciao!). We revisited the playground we took the kids to when we visited in 2018 (where does the time go)

We wandered back through the neighborhood where we'd stayed back in 2018 and where I stayed when I visited with Margaret and Claire in 2024. We found a great gelato place and the kids were so obsessed with the pineapple gelato that we returned on our last day of the trip. 

This tapas spot was recommended to us and Pete and I came back later in the week to have their famous sizzling garlic in garlic oil.