Food and travel through the eyes of a millionaire. Book 3

Fig. 125. Restaurant Saddle (one Michelin star).

Fig. 126. Restaurant Saddle (one Michelin star).

Fig. 127. Restaurant ROBUCHON.

Fig. 128. Restaurant ROBUCHON

Fig. 129. Restaurant ROBUCHON

Salamanca

03.07.2023

In early July, Nael went to Salamanca. He texted: «Salamanca is a hidden gem… it’s the crown jewel of historic cities in Spain. Lots of magnificent cathedrals, churches, convents, palaces, and the oldest university in Spain. Plaza Mayor is the finest in Spain… magnificent».

Nael also sent me photos from Michelin restaurants that he visited:

Ment (one Michelin star)

En la Parra (one Michelin star)

Fig. 130. Plaza Mayor.

Fig. 131. Church Convent of San Esteban.

Fig. 132. Church Convent of San Esteban.

Fig. 133. The interior of the Church Monastery of San Esteban.

Fig. 134. The interior of the Church Monastery of San Esteban.

Fig. 135. Mural painting attributed to Fernando Gallego.

Fig. 136. Monastery of San Esteban.

Fig. 137. Roman Bridge.

Fig. 138. Roman Bridge.

Fig. 139. Salamanca.

Fig. 140. Cathedral of Salamanca.

Fig. 141. University of Salamanca.

Fig. 142. The church in Salamanca.

Fig. 143. Torre del Clavero.

Fig. 144. Restaurant Ment (one Michelin star).

Fig. 145. Restaurant Ment (one Michelin star).

Fig. 146. Restaurant En la Parra (two Michelin star).

Fig. 147. Restaurant En la Parra (two Michelin star).

Fig. 148. Restaurant En la Parra (two Michelin star).

Fig. 149. Restaurant En la Parra (two Michelin star).

Fig. 150. Restaurant En la Parra (two Michelin star).

Fig. 151. Restaurant En la Parra (two Michelin star).

Valladolid

07.07.2023

«The ex capital of Spain, before moving to Madrid. Here the great explorer Christopher Columbus was buried. The first ever square in Spain is here, Plaza Mayor. Here the decision to cross the Atlantic Ocean was made, and then incidentally finding the new world, The Americas that has changed the course of history and the world for ever», – Nael wrote.

Nael also sent me photos from Michelin restaurants that he visited:

Trigo (one Michelin star)

Refectorio (one Michelin star)

Fig. 152. Valladolid.

Fig. 153. San Pablo Church.

Fig. 154. San Pablo Church.

Fig. 155. Valladolid University.

Fig. 156. Cavalry Academy Building.

Fig. 157. Plaza Zorrilla.

Fig. 158. Valladolid City Hall.

Fig. 159. Plaza Mayor.

Fig. 160. Fuente Dorada.

Fig. 161. The Church of St. Mary the Ancient.

Fig. 162. San Pablo Church.

Fig. 163. Former convent.

Fig. 164. Sculpture by Juande de Huni.

Fig. 165. Islamic Art.

Fig. 166. Gregorio Fernandez the Dead Christ.

Fig. 167. Sculpture of Christ.

Fig. 168. Courtyard of the Fabio Nelli Palace.

Fig. 169. Plaza de la Rinconada.

Fig. 170. Santa Cruz Palace.

Fig. 171. Courtyard of the Santa Cruz Palace.

Fig. 172. University Chapel.

Fig. 173. Convent of the Philippine Augustinians (Oriental Museum).

Fig. 174. Restaurant Trigo (one Michelin star).

Fig. 175. Restaurant Trigo (one Michelin star).

Fig. 176. Restaurant Trigo (one Michelin star).

Fig. 177. Restaurant Trigo (one Michelin star).

Fig. 178. Restaurant Refectorio (one Michelin star).

Fig. 179. Restaurant Refectorio (one Michelin star).

Fig. 180. Restaurant Refectorio (one Michelin star).

Fig. 181. Restaurant Refectorio (one Michelin star).

Fig. 182. Restaurant Refectorio (one Michelin star).

Fig. 183. Restaurant Refectorio (one Michelin star).

Leon

16.07.2023

Nael wrote: «With a majestic cathedral in a gothic style resembling the ones in France, and being in the middle of the religious Camino Santiago, as well as the magnificent San Marcos convent in which I has been turned into a luxurious hotel that I enjoyed staying in… let alone the fact that this city was a capital of the ancient kingdom of León… it’s really worth the visit. With some parts of the Roman wall still intact the charm of the place is overwhelming. Even Antoni Gaudi has an amazing architectural wonder at the edge of the old city».

Nael also sent me photos from his dinner in restaurant Cocinandos (one Michelin star) that he visited.

Fig. 184. Leon Cathedral.

Fig. 185. The interior in Leon Cathedral.

Fig. 186. San Marcos convent.

Fig. 187. Basilica of San Isidoro de Leon.

Fig. 188. Casa de los Botines.

Fig. 189. Impressionism.

Fig. 190. Impressionism.

Fig. 191. Plaza de Santa María.

Fig. 192. Plaza Mayor.

Fig. 193. The old entrance to the building.

Fig. 194. Monastery of San Marcos.

Fig. 195. Monastery of San Marcos.

Fig. 196. Monastery of San Marcos.

Fig. 197. Church of San Juan y San Pedro de Renueva.

Fig. 198. Leon.

Fig. 199. Museums of modern art.

Fig. 200. Restaurant Cocinandos (one Michelin star).

Fig. 201. Restaurant Cocinandos (one Michelin star).

Fig. 202. Restaurant Cocinandos (one Michelin star).

Fig. 203. Restaurant Cocinandos (one Michelin star).

Santiago de Compostela

20.07.2023

«Being the most sacred place in Spain and the third in the catholic world after Jerusalem and the Vatican, Santiago de Compostela is a must to visit. How interesting to see the pilgrims arriving in groups to the Plaza in front of the cathedral cheering with joy and happiness for accomplishing their long mission. I was privileged to witness that every day from the balcony overlooking the square and the cathedral. Staying in the oldest hotel that actually designated for the pilgrims from the sixteenth century. So huge it has four courtyards and many wings, halls, and living accommodations.

Galicia has its own language, culture, and food… even the climate here is different… fresh cool breeze, temperatures in the mid twenties in the middle of summer», – Nael wrote.

Now the Parador de Santiago de Compostela is rightfully considered one of the oldest and most beautiful hotels in the world.

Fig. 204. Hotel Parador de Santiago de Compostela.

Fig. 205. Hotel Parador de Santiago de Compostela.

Fig. 206. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.

Fig. 207. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.

Fig. 208. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.

Fig. 209. The relics.

Fig. 210. Santiago de Compostela.

Fig. 211. Church of San Fructuoso.

Fig. 212. Monastery of San Martino Pinario.

Fig. 213. Monastery of San Paio de Antealtares.

Fig. 214. Santiago de Compostela.

Fig. 215. Convent of San Francisco.

Fig. 216. Convent das Nais Mercedarias.

Fig. 217. Hospital de San Roque.

Fig. 218. Octopus.

Fig. 219. Pancakes.

Fig. 220. Church of San Miguel de Agros.

Fig. 221. Santiago de Compostela.

Bilbao

23.07.2023

Nael wrote: «The savviest city I have been to since I left Madrid. Sophisticated infrastructure and well planned, especially the iconic museum by the river side. It’s obvious how wealthy the city is. Along with its neighbors Santander and San Sebastián makes it the best place in Spain. Let alone the mild climate with cool breezes, and its unique language, The Basque. It deserves to be the capital of the Basque Country. Distinctive culture and cuisine».

Nael sent me photos from his dinner in restaurant Azurmendi (three Michelin star) that he visited.

Fig. 222. Bilbao.

Fig. 223. Deusto University.

Fig. 224. Interior of the Abando Indalecio Prieto train station.

Fig. 225. Church of St. Francis of Assisi.

Fig. 226. Bilbao.

Fig. 227. Bilbao.

Fig. 228. Bilbao.

Fig. 229. Museum of Fine Arts.

Fig. 230. Museum of Fine Arts.

Fig. 231. Museum of Fine Arts.

Fig. 232. Church of San José de la Montaña.

Fig. 233. Campos Elíseos Theatre in Bilbao.

Fig. 234. Pantxineta (Basque specialty).