As one of the culminating MdeM posts, I wanted to compile an extensive 'Best of X' list.
In some parts, here are the best things from my travel in Europe.
Best Park: Parque Juan Carlos 1, Madrid
The most complete park I visited. Located on a breezy plateau in an outer Madrid industrial area, Juan Carlos 1 park is large enough to offer some seclusion while still attracting many visitors. Honestly, I found the park by noticing its distinct circular shape on Google Earth, with green grass expanses contrasting to the semi-desert and airport in the vicinity. The gradually sloping landscape is intersected by a number of waterways. The modernist statues are unique, especially the 'star' shaped holocaust memorial in the center of the park. I visited on a borderline good day; comfortable in full sun but just a tad too cold when the clouds and win kicked in.
Honorable Mention: Retiro Park, Madrid
Madrid's favorite park. Always people around and centrally located for a good meet up point.
Honorable Mention: Park Guell, Barcelona
Gaudi influences abound in the somewhat confusingly arranged park.
Honorable Mention: Łazienki Królewskie, Warsaw
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| Water features at Juan Carlos I park |
Best metro system: Vienna U-Bahn
Even with the somewhat confusing system map, the Vienna metro has the best overall quality. The U-3 line connected with my hostel and the U-2 line connected with most cultural sights along the Ringstrasse. Trains were prompt, stations were large, and everything was clean. But there is one thing that sets this metro apart: no ticketed entrance. Basically, you could ride the metro for free. My strategy was to buy a ticket and keep it for the whole day, not validating it either. If anything , I could play the 'Dumb American' card if necessary. Andres, my acquaintance in Vienna, says that police sometimes check people exiting the station, though even this is rare. People usually buy a ticket if just to keep the system well maintained.
Honorable Mention: Madrid Metro
Basically because I used it nearly every day. I benefited from living close to a Cercanias station to take the larger commuter rail to class every weekday. Otherwise, I never felt unsafe on the metro or Cercanias.
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| No security at all... |
Best train system: Ave and Renfe in Spain
A clear favorite here. Not only because I rode their trains the most, but they were just awesome. The fastest trains I encountered, each ride was comfortable and arrived on time. The stations, including my favorite at Atocha, were clean and organized. A little bias might exist because half of my rides were in first class, which was very nice. Even the non high speed trains were nice, including the Media Distancia train to Salamanca, my first train ride in Europe.
Honorable Mention: RailJet in Austria
The second fastest rail system I encountered. The Austrian landscape would have been more enjoyable if not for the gloomy weather.
Honorable Mention: OBB in Switzerland
Double decker trains FTW!
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| Duck face? |
Best soccer match: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona at El Santiago Bernabeau Stadium, Madrid
El Clasico. The greatest football match in the world (some say). Whenever these two teams play, more people tune in across the world than any other professional sporting event. There was a lot of intensity in anticipation for this match as both teams were in a run of fine form. The first half was uneventful with a Barcelona goal followed by Madrid equalizer all in the second half. Jeers from the Madrid crowd were omnipresent and only intensified whenever Barcelona held the ball. You could feel the emotion everywhere; this is a true rivlary.
Honorable Mention: Altetico Madrid vs. Real Madrid at Vincente Calderon Stadium, Madrid
The Madrid derby, the two Madrid teams facing off in the less than spectacular Calderon stadium, home to Altetico.
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| Real v Barca |
Best Airline: SwissAir
No doubt about this. For a 'low-cost' carrier, you get the best service. Booking two days in advance, a round trip ticket from Geneva was 74 euro (really cheap). And we are not talking about RyanAir quality of service either. Complimentary meals, drinks, comfortable seats, and Swiss chocolate for everyone. Even at 7:30 in the morning, you could ask for Swiss beer as your morning beverage.
Honorable Mention: LOT Polish Airlines.
Paid a little much for the direct flight from Warsaw to Vienna, but I was sitting in business class for the one hour flight.
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| SWISS CHOCOLATE! |
Food Section
Best Dinner for Value: Restaurante Isirdo, Salamanca
Let's run through my first evening dinner in Salamanca. As recomended by my all knowing guidebook, I ordered the Menu del Dia which included:
Loaf of 'fluffy' artisan bread (don't let fluffy be seen as a negative, it was good)
Regional sampler plate filled with local meats (iberian ham, pork), calimari, and cheeses.
Roasted pork mdealions with fries and salad.
Chocolate moose.
Bottle (bottle!) of house wine.
How much would you pay for that meal?
$20, $25, $30 (depending on how you price the wine)
Everything for 12 euro. It was all delicious with prompt service. I was one of the first customers that evening, because even 8:00 pm is an early dinner time for Spaniards.
Best wine: That Basque Country wine I bought in the Basque Country
It kills me I never wrote down the name. This was my favorite wine from the Basque Country visit and brought a bottle home. I shared the bottle with my roommates for my last night in Spain.
Best beer (in Spain): Alhambra
While I can't claim to be a beer expert yet, this was my favorite among Spanish beers. You have to search a little for this in a store and it's even harder to find on tap. I enjoyed visiting the Andalusia region, where several bars had this on tap.
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Remember that everything is expensive in Switzerland. We went bar hopping to find the cheapest drink for our last evening in Geneva. We settled on one near the train station were we had a discussion with a Greek resident about the USA. The tap beer was described specifically as 'Swiss-German,' given the multicultural influences in Switzerland. We enjoyed a mug each watching a Real Madrid soccer match on tv.
Best meal: Chez Martial (Lyon, France)
We were looking for a hidden gem restaurant. We eventually found one along a side street in the Old Lyon neighborhood, close to the hostel. Wanting to fully enjoy the French cuisine, I went as french as possible with my selection. To start, salad Lyonnaise (horseradish dressing, egg, ham, lettuce) and a main dish of Quenelle, a bread soufflé with a lobster bisque sauce. Complementing the food was a glass of the house wine and a glass of white, to go with the fish. Cheese plate for desert to finish in full French style.
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| Quenelle |
A place so good, we went there three times. House wine was the best for the whole trip (see best wine section above). Order the 'gambas,' basically the only thing we ordered.
Honorable Mention: Bar Cintas (Salamanca)
The perfect place to look like a helpless tourist for some free tapas out of pity. Good quality for a cheap price.
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