Up at 0700 Friday, went through the usual business of cleaning up & packing up. A goodbye to our cat and out the door by 0930. Rental car turned in, luggage checked in at DTW by 1230. Smooth flight to JFK at 1530, onward to BCN at 2030. All in all, smooth, comfortable. Except that Delta Comfort class seats have gotten smaller.

Arrival in Barcelona around 0930, quick walk through of immigration, luggage retrieval, customs, and on to our waiting cab. Arrived Sants, the Barcelona main train station by 1045. AVE high speed train to Madrid 1250 to about 1550. Short cab ride to our hotel near the Plaza Mayor in the heart of the city. Settled in, did a walk around the neighborhood, had some light dinner tapas. Long day! Great weather throughout, cool temps, sunny…

Tomorrow is for rest and recovery, probably some leisurely exploration of this section of the city.

Some first impressions of Madrid: