On a recent work trip, I visited Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It’s a busier trip than a vacationer would take, but I enjoyed revisiting many of my favorite places along with some new spots. 

I started in Madrid, where a highlight was dining at Botin. Founded in 1725, Botin is believed to be the world’s oldest restaurant. In a city with many fine dining restaurants, this is among the best and has won many awards. The house specialty, roast suckling pig, is slow cooked in the restaurant’s original oak-fired oven and its menu features many traditional Spanish dishes. 

From Madrid, I flew to Granada to see the Alhambra Palace and gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The setting and Moorish architecture are spectacular. Just a few hours away by train, Seville is one of my favorite places in all of Europe. The Moorish influence is evident all over the city, and the history is astounding.   

From here, I traveled by train to Malaga, a pretty town with a historic pedestrian center and a museum dedicated to its most famous native son, Picasso. A driver took me from here to Marbella, where I stayed at the Hotel Puente Romano, a classic chic hotel on the beach. It feels like a seaside village, with garden paths that lead to its spa, golf course, and many dining and sports options. There’s a children’s club and tennis, golf and soccer academies featuring professional coaches.  

I also visited Gibraltar where I took in the panoramic vista from the top of The Rock. I also toured the extensive system of tunnels and barracks carved into the limestone by British troops throughout two centuries and especially during World War II.  

Brussels was my next stop. I visited Grand Place, one of the world’s most beautiful squares, and then took a one-hour train ride to Bruges, which should be on everyone’s Top 10 Cities in Europe. It’s a frozen-in-time gem, where you can find wonderful hand-crafted chocolates and eat lovely waffles at a pretty canal-side restaurant.  

Amsterdam, the Venice of the North, is just a few hours by train from Brussels. It’s a great walking city and has some wonderful restaurants that I wanted to check out. Before flying home, I visited the Van Gogh Museum. It had been renovated since my last visit, and it offers a great perspective on the artist’s life, and the artists who influenced his works.  

I planned this trip so I could center my attention on two areas I hadn’t visited in a while, the Andalusia region of Spain, and the Benelux cities of Amsterdam, Brussels, and Bruges. As I do in all my travels, I checked out more hotels, restaurants, and activities than most people experience in a lifetime. That knowledge helps me plan exactly the right trip for each of my clients.