Monday 7th July Last night after group gathering with tour guide Rasheed - we had dinner on 16th floor - which gave us great view over roof tops to Atlantic. Today our first stop was Mosque of Hassan ll - completed 1993 after 6 years of 24/7 work costing in excess of 800 million- quite beautiful. All materials from Morocco except Italian chandeliers and small section of carrera marble. Cedar ceilings carved, exquisite tiling etc etc - a work of art. 2nd bigges...

Saturday 6th July Early start as off to Casablanca - big airport - with several passport check points, a train from one terminal to another- then bus to a VERY SMALL PLANE!!! Made it to Casablanca- quite cool after the heat. Quick walk to an Art Deco art gallery - a cuppa in the hotel lounge ( very nice hotel) then met up with Rasheed and the other travellers - only 5 others. Tour company driver from airport was a maniac - swerving, talking on phone, texting, go...

Friday 5th July Last day in Spain -Adios- loved visiting. Today we checked out some parks and gardens - first the Botanical Garden - 8 acres founded in 1755 by King Ferdinand vi - several terraces - quite lovely. We then walked on to the Parque de el Retiro ( relaxation) - Laid out in the 17th c by Felipe iv as an area for the royals to hunt, ride etc etc. opened to public in 1868 - lakes, monuments, art galleries, gorgeous area. Popped back to San Miguel ...

Thursday 4th July Hot again today - off to the Cathedral de la Almudena - went in to the crypt section ( separate from church area) - commenced building 1875. Cathedral a much later addition. Now largest in Spain. It was full of the elite of Madrid buried in private crypts. Beautifully decorated. Then to the luxurious amazingly beautiful Royal Palace. - built 1735 - 3418 rooms- antiques, chandeliers, embossed wallpaper, silver,glass wear etc etc ( no pics allow...

Wednesday 3rd July - hot day forecast. Headed out to Toledo- 70 kms from Madrid. World Heritage site (UNESCO)- one of the oldest towns in Europe- buildings from almost all periods of history- Arabian, Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque. El Greco painted one of his most famous works housed in St. Tomé Church - " The Burial of The Lord of Orgaz" The Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca is Mudejar in style - Jews didn't build. The Monastery is beautiful surroun...