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Madrid, Spain
Food & Drink Recommendations
Madrid (Oct 23–25)
Thu 23 – Food & Wine Tour (booked)
You’ll eat throughout the evening. If you want a late-night cap: Azotea del Círculo de Bellas Artes rooftop bar (panoramic city views).
Fri 24 –
Mercado de San Miguel – start with small bites and wine.
Casa Lucio – famous for huevos rotos.
Bar-hop La Latina: El Viajero rooftop or La Taberna de los Huevos de Lucio.
Sat 25 – Casual Lunch (before flight)
San Ginés (churros + chocolate).
If you want something heartier: Casa Dani inside Mercado de la Paz (best tortilla española).
Madrid (Thu Oct 23 – Sat Oct 25)
Hotel: AC Hotel Atocha
Thu 23 – Arrival Day
2:25 PM: Land in Madrid, transfer to hotel & check in.
Late afternoon: Walk through Retiro Park & Crystal Palace (close to your hotel).
Evening: Dinner tapas crawl in La Latina – start with Mercado de San Miguel, then hop bars.
Fri 24 – Full Day
Morning: Royal Palace & Almudena Cathedral tour, then wander Plaza Mayor & Puerta del Sol.
Lunch: Churros at San Ginés or tapas at Mercado de San Miguel.
Afternoon: Art Triangle – Prado or Reina Sofía (see Guernica).
Evening: Food & Wine Tour (~$100pp) for guided tapas/wine.
Sat 25 – Half Day
Morning: Optional Toledo day trip (train 35 mins, beautiful historic city). If not, do shopping along Gran Vía & Barrio de Salamanca.
Lunch near hotel.
Head to airport for Mallorca flight (9:10 AM Ryanair – Friedrichs).
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Sóller, Balearic Islands
Hotels: Sóller (25–27), Palma (27)
Sat 25 – Arrival & Sóller
Pick up rental car.
Scenic drive Palma → Sóller via Ma-10 (stop at Deià on the way).
Sunset drink at Ca’s Patro March (Cala Deià).
Dinner at El Olivo or casual tapas in Sóller.
Sun 26 – North Coast Adventure
Morning: Vintage Sóller Train & Tram.
Midday: Boat trip or coastal cruise (private or group, departs from Port de Sóller).
Afternoon: Visit Sa Calobra & Torrent de Pareis (drive or boat).
Dinner: Back in Sóller – try Es Fanals or Neni.
Sat 25 – Sóller Arrival
Dinner: El Olivo (Belmond La Residencia, Deià – fine dining with views).
Backup casual: C’an Pintxo in Sóller (creative tapas).
Sun 26 – Coastal Day
Lunch: Ca’s Patro March (Cala Deià, rustic seafood on the rocks – reserve ahead).
Dinner: Neni Restaurant (stylish, Israeli-Mediterranean fusion, rooftop views in Sóller).
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Palma, Spain
Mon 27 – Palma
Drive back to Palma.
Explore Old Town: Palma Cathedral, Almudaina Palace, Arab Baths.
Shopping & tapas.
Evening: Cocktails at Abaco Bar.
Tue 28 – Departure
Early flight to Sicily (Mallorca → Barcelona → Catania).
Mon 27 – Palma Night
Dinner: Adrian Quetglas (Michelin-starred but approachable tasting menu, great value).
After-dinner cocktails: Abaco Bar (ornate old mansion filled with flowers & fruit, very theatrical).
Tue 28 – Early Flight
Grab pastries & coffee from Fornet de la Soca bakery before heading to the airport.
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Taormina, Italy
Sicily (Tue Oct 28 – Sat Nov 1)
Hotels: Giardini Naxos (28), Borgo del Carato (29–1)
Tue 28 – Arrival
Land Catania 2:35 PM.
Pick up car, drive to Giardini Naxos.
Evening stroll & dinner seaside.
Wed 29 – Taormina Day
Morning: Drive to Taormina (30 mins).
Visit the Greek Theatre (iconic views over Mt. Etna + sea).
Walk Corso Umberto (main street) with shops & cafes.
Stop at Piazza IX Aprile for panoramic views.
Lunch: Trattoria in Taormina (Da Cristina for arancini or Al Duomo).
Afternoon: Isola Bella (small island beach, short cable car ride).
Return to Borgo del Carato for wedding welcome party (6 PM).
Tue 28 – Giardini Naxos Arrival
Dinner: La Vela (fresh seafood by the water).
Gelato nightcap: Pasticceria Etna.
Wed 29 – Taormina & Welcome Party
Lunch: Ristorante Al Duomo (local Sicilian pasta, seafood, piazza views).
Evening: Wedding welcome dinner is provided.
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Catania, Italy
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Paris, France
Sat Nov 1 – Departure
Fly Sicily → Paris (CTA 2:15 PM → BVA 4:55 PM).
Paris (Sat Nov 1 – Tue Nov 4)
Hotel: Hôtel Les Dames du Panthéon
Sat 1 – Arrival Evening
Shuttle from BVA (~1h15). Check in.
Dinner near hotel in Latin Quarter.
Sun 2 – Classic Paris
Morning: Louvre (skip-the-line tickets).
Lunch near Palais Royal.
Afternoon: Walk Tuileries → Place de la Concorde → Champs-Élysées → Arc de Triomphe.
Sunset at Trocadéro with Eiffel Tower view.
Evening: Seine River cruise.
Mon 3 – Food & Champagne Day
Morning: Day trip to Champagne region (Reims or Épernay) for cellar tours & tastings.
Evening: Return to Paris → dinner at a wine bar (L’Avant Comptoir or La Buvette).
Tue 4 – Departure Day
Breakfast at a café.
CDG flight 11:05 AM → DFW 3 PM.
Sat Nov 1 – Travel Day
Quick lunch at Trattoria Il Barcaiolo (if time allows before heading to airport).
Paris (Nov 1–4)
Sat 1 – Arrival Dinner (Latin Quarter)
Le Procope (historic, 1600s café-restaurant with classic French dishes).
More casual option: Bouillon Racine (affordable French comfort food, Art Nouveau setting).
Sun 2 – Paris Icons
Lunch: Café Marly (Louvre terrace, view of the pyramid).
Dinner: Le Comptoir du Relais (legendary bistro – try for reservations, or queue early).
Drinks: Rooftop at Le Perchoir Marais.
Mon 3 – Champagne Day
Lunch in Reims/Epernay during tour.
Dinner back in Paris: Septime (Michelin star, modern French, sustainable focus – book ASAP).
Post-dinner wine: La Buvette (tiny natural wine bar).
Tue 4 – Departure
Breakfast: Du Pain et des Idées (best croissant & pistachio escargot pastry).
- Paris: Notre Dame Guided Tour with Multiple Entry Options
- Paris: 1-Hour Seine Cruise departing from the Eiffel Tower