MADRID: THE REUNION

In honor of spending my senior spring break back in my second home (aka Madrid, Spain), I decided to write a post about everything I did throughout the week. This trip has been a long time coming. I booked my flight on August 27th, 2025, exactly one week into the first semester of my senior year at SLU.  Roundtrip flights out of Chicago were too good to pass up, so I knew we had to book. 

Taken minutes after I booked my flight!

Life moved pretty fast after August 27th, and before I knew it we were 2 weeks away from the trip. I could not have been more excited. That is, until I heard that our flight was "canceled." A few girls that I was going on the trip with got emails stating that the flight had been completely canceled and/or moved to the next day. Countless calls were made to Iberia and American asking about the status of the flight and each person that called was told something different. The next two weeks was filled with stress and anxiety because there was never written confirmation that our flight was canceled, but also no written confirmation that our flight was confirmed. So, we decided to take the risk and head to Chicago with the intent that we were getting on that flight. 

The trip started with a 4-hour drive from St. Louis to Chicago! We had a full car: me, Leah, Keaton, and Liv! The gang was all set and, shockingly, the drive flew by with story-telling, Harry Style's new album, and a pit stop for Chick-Fil-A. Once in Chicago, we learned that our flight was once again "canceled" at 11:45pm (less than 24 hours from when our flight was supposed to take off). I immediately called Iberia, to which they confirmed that the flight was canceled, but rescheduled for 15 minutes later... Once again, no written communication or any email. Safe to say I will not be traveling with Iberia any time soon. 

We didn't fly out until late, so we got to enjoy the day in Chicago, specifically Arlington Heights. The day consisted of many Disney movies, a trip to Target, lunch at Cava, and walking Ashley's two dogs, Niall and Addie.

Alas, it was finally time to head to the airport. Because our flight was delayed, we each got a $20 food voucher, so we were in high spirits.

No better way to spend $20 than on a big glass of wine and pasta! Afterward, we met up with the rest of the girls that I was going on the trip with. Including me, there are 13 girls staying in the Airbnb. 

Me, Liv, Keaton, and Leah bought seats together since the middle row had 4 seats. How perfect!

We finally boarded the flight and, truthfully, I never thought I would see the day. The 8-hour flight flew by, and I was shocked I was able to get some sleep. Ashley provided ZQuil and we all fell asleep immediately. The flight out of Chicago took off at 10:40pm and landed in Madrid at 1pm so it actually felt like a full night's rest. 

The flight delay worked in our favor because we were able to immediately head to the Airbnb! After we bought flights in August, I found this Airbnb, and it was exactly what we were looking for. It had a full kitchen, dining room, a 7-person bunk bedroom, a 2-person bunk bedroom, a pull-out couch, and another bedroom with 4 bathrooms. It was the perfect space for everyone. It even came with 4 balconies too!

We immediately changed and went straight to the grocery store. I missed El Corte Ingles, and it was across the street from our Airbnb!

Obviously, we had to stock up on the essentials...

After grocery shopping, we walked around the city to find a place to grab a drink. A lot of these girls had known each other previously from being in sororities or living together abroad, but for me, it was my first time meeting a good portion of the girls. I was excited/nervous, but, no surprise, it ended up being amazing and all the girls got along so well!

Shockingly, we were able to find a place that could fit all 12 of us at a table! The bad news, they don't split checks in Europe. Venmo requests were our best friend on this trip. 

After drinks, we headed back to the Airbnb to get ready for dinner. On the way to dinner, I passed by my old apartment when I studied abroad back in 2024. So surreal. While walking, we all agreed that we feel like locals and tourists at the same time. Especially for me, I was used to Gran Via whereas our Airbnb and most of the girls I traveled with were used to Sol. So much has changed, but also nothing at all.

For dinner, we ended up at Lamucca. I was going to get pizza (if you've read my previous blog posts, you know how typical this is) but Liv and I split delicious tacos and patatas bravas, and it was exactly what I needed. 

After two Hugo spritzes, I was ready to take on the city! We started the night at Fontana de Oro, but I was able to convince a few girls to go to my favorite club in the world, Kapital. 

Man, did I miss this place! Leah, Liv, Ashley, and I had the best time!

Fun Fact: Kapital is 7 stories tall! 

The next morning, we woke up and walked to the flea market, El Rastro. Along the way, we stopped to grab coffee and a pastry. It's been so fun traveling to Madrid with a different group of girls because I've been able to see and try new places!

We grabbed a coffee from Don Nino and croissants from Acid Bakehouse. Both were delicious!

After El Rastro, a few of the girls wanted to get their nails done, with clinical the following week, I decided to play it safe and get a gel pedicure for $18. What a steal!

After pedicures, we all met back up for lunch at Honest Greens. This restaurant was a staple when I was abroad, and it was just as good as I remembered. I got salmon, truffle potatoes, and a side salad. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent shopping around at different stores. I mean, I couldn't hold myself back! My top store by far was Stradivarius. 

Before heading back to the Airbnb, Liv and I had to make a pitstop for greek yogurt at Myka!

I got raspberry and chocolate crunch!

The night ended with Tiki Taco takeout. All the girls were going to Valencia early the next morning, so we didn't want to do anything crazy and make sure everyone went to bed at a good time. 

When I was abroad, I had already visited Valencia, so I didn't feel like I needed to go a second time. Instead, I got to spend the day with other friends who were also in Madrid! 

We grabbed a quick breakfast before taking the metro to see SLU-Madrid!

My two friends, Ava and Moriah didn't study abroad, so we wanted to show them where we went to school when we were in Madrid!

Cece, me, Moriah, Ella, and Ava!

Afterward, we took the metro to the Prado Museum.

When we got there, we realized tickets were more expensive than we thought and decided to shift our plans and go to the Reina Sofia museum.

While on the way, we passed by the prettiest building in all of Madrid, Banco de Espana. 

I loved the Reina Sophia museum! Especially because a lot of the paintings I saw were paintings I studied in high school in one of my Spanish classes!

Salvador Dalí: The Great Masturbator

I'm not going to lie, I'm not the biggest museum/art person. However,  I enjoyed it a lot more than I was expecting, especially when I'd learned about certain paintings previously. 

Pablo Picasso: Guernica

After the Reina Sofia museum, we went back to Gran Via to do a bit more shopping and make a few returns. Along the way, it started pouring rain!

So we did what anyone else would've done while it was raining. Drink. 

Before going on this trip, I made a list of things that I wanted to do in Madrid for the second time. 

The biggest things on the list were:

- Reina Sofia museum (check!)

- Prado Museum

- La Tienda de los Deseos

- Inside Tour of the Palace

- Klare Coffee Souvenir

- Rooftop Bar

In addition to those, another thing on the list was going to a rooftop bar. I've been to Ella Skybar previously, but we stayed inside so it was a bit different.  

We all had a Hugo Spritz and a glass of wine. One of the best parts that I forgot out Europe is when you order drinks 9/10 times, they bring bowls of snacks to munch on. How awesome is that!

Later that night, I met up with a few of the girls who were in Valencia to grab dinner and a tinto de verano, my first one of the trip! I missed it so much!

I got caramel and tiramisu!

To end the night, we got gelato at one of my favorite spots, Amorino.

The next morning, Liv and I went to Mazal bagel for breakfast to meet up with my friend Vika and a few of her friends! When I first arrived in Madrid, my friend Vika reached out and, ironically, was in Madrid at the same time as well. Vika is originally from Portugal but was an exchange student at my high school in 2021. I got to catch up with her and her three friends from Portugal and Italy. 

Afterward, we met up with the rest of the girls to do a little vintage shopping before going back on Gran Via to shop some more. I can't help it, the shopping was just too good! 

After shopping, Leah, Keaton, Ashley, Anne, and I made a pit stop at 100 Montaditos to grab a pitcher of tinto de verano. This specific tinto was my favorite while I was abroad.

 

Later on, we split off to grab dinner before our night out. Liv and I went to a new restaurant I had never been to before, Bocado. 

I got the Iberico toast and it was so good! It had argula, marscapone, and olive oil! It was such a delicious combination. 

The bathroom was the coolest part! You were able to write things on the wall, so I obviously had to leave my mark! 

Once back from Bocado, everyone changed and got ready for our night out! 

I even got to wear my new top that I got at Zara! All 13 of us crammed into our dining room to pregame. We laughed, played drinking games, and prepped for the long night ahead of us. 

We went to Icon and had an absolute blast. I'm really not a harsh critic. Any place that has a dance floor and good music is perfect for me. Somehow, we were able to get into VIP!  After a long night of dancing, the night took a phone when we got late night kebab's... someone lost their phone. Don't worry, it wasn't me, but I also won't name names... From there it was pure chaos, and I didn't fall asleep until 5:00am. 

I shockingly woke up at a decent hour the next morning and walked over to Marli House Gran Via, where I previously lived abroad!

It was so crazy to be back and see what was the same or different. The worst part was seeing girls in my old room. Still, I feel glad knowing girls are loving it just as much as I did. 

Overall, it was great to see the old place and catch up with my host mom, Fabiola. She was the absolute best!

Afterward, I met up with Keaton, Leah, and Liv, and we began our jam-packed day. 

Our first stop was breakfast, but ironically, directions had us walk through Plaza Mayor, one of my favorite spots in Madrid! 

For breakfast, we went to Watz and got the most famous pancakes in all of Madrid. They did not disappoint. 

After breakfast, we arrived at the palace for an inside tour! We even had a student discount!

This was by far my favorite palace I've toured. It was stunning! I can't believe I didn't tour it while I was there. 

We got to see ballrooms, the throne room, and more.

After, we walked to La Tienda de los Desos; a little shop where you write a wish on a piece of paper, ring a bell, and it's supposed to eventually come true. 

I wrote two wishes: one for the near future and one for further along in life. Of course, I can't tell you what they are, otherwise they won't come true!

After, we spontaneously took a tuk-tuk to a film lab where they had a vintage photo booth. Unfortunately, we didn't double-check and it was closed when we got there.

Instead, we took the metro to Gran Via and went to a photo studio that turns photos into a keychain!

The photo above is the photo that they used! Such a cute idea!

We stopped back at the Airbnb for a quick photoshoot and outfit change before going to the Prado Museum. The museum is free from 6pm-8pm each day, so we quickly ran inside before our dinner reservation at 7:30pm.

After dinner, Leah, Liv and I stopped at a cute bar to get pornstar martini's. They were insanely good. 

The night ended with chit-chats and giggles in Leah, Ashley, and Keaton's room.

On the last day in Madrid, Liv and I went to Klare Coffee, a cute café that has a dispenser that changes throughout the year. There was one a bit outside of Sol and one right in Sol. 

The first one was a fortune for the future or love, and the other had prints of various Madrid-themed pictures. 

I thought that my fortune was very fitting. Shortly after, I met up with my friend Audrey who was currently studying in Madrid! My sister Connelly and Audrey got close this summer with her internship, so Connelly really wanted me to meet up with her. It was good to catch up and see how she's adjusting. No surprise, she loves it. 

Luckily, I had a bit of time during the day to start packing up my things. Liv and I's room was a complete mess but somehow, I was able to fit everything in my carryon and backpack.

The rest of the afternoon was spent with a picnic at Retiro Park! I had been waiting all week to go, but with all the rain, I didn't think it would've been worth it.

But our last day had the best weather all week! It could not have been more perfect.

After walking around Retiro Park, we went back to the Airbnb to change before going to Temple of Debod for sunset!

Of course, I had to snag a few more pictures before we left.

I love to go to Temple of Debod on Thursday's because they have live music. 

The Temple of Debod was one of my favorite moments from the trip. We all sat in a circle and went around talking about the best and worst parts of the trip.

While sitting, we also shared plenty of bottles of wine to prep for our last night out!

First stop: El Tigre for tinto de veranos and mojitos. This place is the best, hands down. You buy your drinks, and they include tons of different tapas: patatas bravas, jamon y pan, croquetas. It was incredible!

I decided to switch it up from my typical tinto de veranos and get a strawberry mojito! A huge strawberry mojito that is...

The second stop was at the Madrid Stock Exchange, a stock bar. Based on what's been ordered throughout the night is how expensive/cheap the drinks are!

Don't be fooled, I was boring and kept it simple with a water because the wine and mojitos were catching up to me...

The next morning, we woke up and headed to the airport to go home. The trip went way too fast!

I'm glad we got there as early as we did because it took almost 2 hours to get from entering the airport to get to our gate. We had to go through various custom protocols 3 different times. My arms were getting a workout lugging around my mom's travel backpack!

 

By some miracle, Leah, Keaton, and I ended up sitting next to each other on the 9-hour flight to Chicago. The flight was long, but it could've been worse. I was able to watch 2 new movies, Zootopia 2 and Bugonia and watched 2 of my comfort movies, Black Panther and A Star is Born. At one point, I look to see Keaton sobbing at the ending of A Star is Born because she's never seen it.

Lunch was pasta, potato salad, chocolate mousse, and a roll. Honestly, it wasn't that bad.

We finally landed in Chicago and Ashley's dad even picked us up to take us to their house for the night!

The first song he played on the drive home was "Born in the USA." I thought it was very fitting. The night at Ashley's was spent eating homemade pizza, relaxing in the hot tub, and being asleep by 9pm.

I ended my spring break with 2 days in Chicago! Leah had some exciting business to take care of so, instead of leaving her alone in Chicago, Keaton and I tagged along!

It was super nice to have nothing to do but relax in the hotel room and explore the city! It was perfect timing too, because we were able to snag pictures of the green river for St. Patty's weekend!

Overall, it was the perfect spring break! I can't lie, this semester has been kicking my butt. After applying for nursing jobs, completing clinical hours, working on homework, working 2 jobs, and being homesick, Madrid was exactly where I needed to be for a week off. I'll forever call it my second home!