Biar, Spain

Several posts back, I mentioned the Casa Rural Mas Fontanelles. It is located a few kilometers from the town of Biar. While overnighting at Mas Fontanelles, I decided to take in the town of Biar itself. Here’s a view from one side.

Those terraces make good use of the land, farming wherever possible. The castle at the top, like the one in Chinchilla, was under renovation so I missed out on that. But I did get some good exercise hiking through the town. Here’s a view down one of the streets I climbed up.

Yeah, spend a couple of hours meandering up and down the likes of that and you’ll work up a nice appetite and handsome calves, too. The town itself has a nice church worth a look and a few restaurants, one of which I utilized to satisfy the rumbling of my stomach.

These are the types of places I enjoy most. There’s enough to see and do without being overwhelmed. Furthermore, the people are more approachable, which makes for more opportunities to learn culture first hand. Enjoy the journey.

Published in: on June 8, 2010 at 8:36 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Posada de la Villa, Madrid

Cava Baja Street in Madrid was mentioned earlier on this blog, and it will be be mentioned again. This time, let’s visit a restaurant that began as a mill and then a posada way back in 1642 at its present location. This would be the Posada de la Villa. During previous trips I passed by the restaurant but couldn’t work in a meal. Since it is well-known I thought it deserved a try and this trip I made it a point to get there. It was a fine meal, with very good service and wine. My wife started with the snails and they came in the shell in a bowl, which was different from what she’s used to. See…

Snails aren’t my thing, but she reports that they were tasty, and as stated, different from the usual. I stuck to a plate of grilled vegetables as an appetizer. They were well done as you see in the next photo.

Vegetables are part of any good meal, including breakfast, so I try not to miss them. Moving on to the main course, my wife ordered the sea bass, which came more or less whole.

That’s plenty of fish for any appetite. I went with a giant pork chop that was served on the hot stone to finish cooking to my liking. It worked out perfectly.

We especially enjoyed the hospitality at this place. At the end of our meal I noticed another couple speaking English just a few tables away. Turns out they were from North Carolina and I invited them to share dessert with us. They agreed and we enjoyed some laughs for the forty-five minutes or so. That’s another of the joys of travel, meeting new people and sharing the experience. On the way out, I snapped this photo of the oven, still in use after all these years.

That’s the way to do it. The only problem with a place like Cava Baja in Madrid is that there are literally a couple of dozen places to have a great meal and you’re only there for a few days. The solution: go back!

Published in: on June 7, 2010 at 10:08 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Creature Comforts, Flying

No doubt about it, commercial air travel can be uncomfortable these days. You’re packed into an aluminum tube with a couple hundred other souls, anxious to get somewhere, hoping to avoid delays. The air gets dry. Your stomach rumbles. Maybe you’re nervous about flying in the first place. Let’s take a look a few small things that can make the trip just a little better. After all, there’s always room for improvement. American Airlines hands out the following kit to their business and first class passengers. However, there’s no reason why you can’t make up a crafty unit like this for yourself. It starts with a neat pouch to contain your amenities.

Not bad, but the one shown above is a little large. I’d scale it down if I was putting my own together, perhaps to about half that size. Opening up, take a look at how neatly things are packed.

Things are pretty well stowed inside there. I give them an A for packability, if that’s a term. Removing the items you can take stock of what’s all in this unit.

Check that out. You have socks to keep your feet warm and comfortable. Eyeshades if you’d like to sleep while the lights are on. Lip balm and moisturizing cream to protect you skin form the dry air. Ear plugs in the small blue box and some tissues. A pen to work the crossword puzzle in the magazine (I needed the part from this one, which is why its missing). A toothbrush and some mints because fresh breath is a gift to yourself and everyone around you. A moist towelette to get that funk off your hands and face.

I’d add a few things. How about some snacks, like dried fruit and nuts in small packs. A couple 1 oz. bottles of Jack Daniel’s to mix with my free club soda. A device to play my favorite music or audio book. Keep the liquids below the federal limits for security. What else? Let me know.

Flying doesn’t have to be hades at the edge of the stratosphere. Prior preparation prevents poor performance. Take a moment to think about your trip, how you’re going to get there via airplane, and what measures could easily be taken to make it more enjoyable. You’ll be glad you did. The poor guy next to you will be jealous.

Published in: on June 6, 2010 at 1:44 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Casa Rural Mas Fontanelles

Only a kilometer or two from the town of Biar, Spain, in the Alicante region, you’ll find Casa Rural Mas Fontanelles. Imagine a large farmhouse complex converted to a bed and breakfast type of lodging. You can even enjoy your own little casita such as the one shown below.

Let’s call this a small hotel because it has its own swimming pool and gardens, which is more than I would expect from a bed and breakfast. We stayed in an average room that was cozy as shown in the next photo.

We happened to be the only people staying there on a Monday night. In other words we had the place to ourselves. It’s a shame I didn’t have bigger plans; I could have invited another twenty people for a nice time. No matter, the bathroom was also well appointed, too. Check it out.

Perhaps the nicest feature of the room was the little private balcony. I couldn’t resist taking a long break out there.

There are cushions for those chairs; so don’t worry. There was a comfortable common room just outside our door, a place suitable for reading, relaxing with a drink, or a quiet chat with friends.

A similar room can be found on the ground level, complete with its own wood-fired stove for chilly evenings.

You can take your meals in the dining room. We opted for supper and breakfast, which was prepared by the owner himself, a fun experience I will post about separately. I almost forgot about the view, which from our room looked like this:

Timeless, isn’t it? Mas Fontanelles is a little bit of a work in progress. There are some finishing touches being added to the outdoor spaces. However, I wouldn’t let this bother you. If you’re looking for a place to stay that offers plenty of creature comforts and none of the in-town hassles, give Mas Fontanelles a try.

Published in: on June 5, 2010 at 7:59 pm  Leave a Comment  
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