Rascafria, Spain

The drive was not the most scenic, until we were 10 minutes from our destination. The highway wound around a small river, past an old stone train trestle, and then into the village of Rascafria The town was built centuries ago, which isn't unusual for Europe, but it is not the typical American small town! Even while the van rattled it's way down cobblestone streets there was still a feeling of peace and tranquility..and no feeling of "big city rush" to go anywhere.

It took less than two minutes to drive through the whole town, then another minute down the road we arrived at the entrance to the HOTEL SANTA MARIA DE EL PAULAR. Upon exiting the van, the only sound I heard was the ancient fountain splashing, birds singing, and a light breeze rustling through the trees. The entrance to the hotel had two wooden doors large enough to drive a large truck through!

After passing through the gates we entered the courtyard of the hotel, which was originally built in the 17th Century, and restored recently to maintain the same atmosphere created by the monastery hundreds of years earlier

Next we walked through the hallways of the monastery grounds, covered by brick ceilings constructed by craftsmen who just don't seem to exist anymore.

Once inside the chapel we were awestruck by the artwork that is seen by so few people in the world. My mouth dropped as I said "wow!"...but our guide said, "oh no...not wow yet!" We then passed through a door just to the left of the wall that you see below, through a small room, then through another door that took us behind that wall, which was just a facade for the real "wow"...the hidden treasure of Rascafria. (click an image for the full-size version)

Currently the City of Madrid is in the process of completely restoring this hidden treasure. But it will never be open to the public...you just have to know the right people in order to get a view of something that very few people in the world have seen since it was built in the 14th Century. I'm glad I saw it...and that I can share some of it with you here!

Ernest Hemingway Barbie Museum Rascafria, Spain Cango Caves Two days in Ketchum, Idaho with Jack and Angela Hemingway was one of those "pinch me, I must be dreaming" adventures... Yes, it really exists! Who would ever think about going to Hawaii to see Barbie? Well...thousands of people every year do! A visit to the... Whenever I'm asked "what is the most interesting place you've ever visited" I don't hesitate for a moment with my answer - Rascafria. The mountains of South Africa have hidden assets, such as the Cango Caves near Oudtshoorn, in the foothills of the majestic Swartberg. Ernest Hemingway Barbie Museum Rascafria, Spain Cango Caves

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