In honor of our American roots (and, really, any excuse to take a day off), we took an extended weekend in Spain for Labor Day. The temperatures were soaring but somehow there always seemed to be a cooling breeze, and an icy cold refreshing beverage,in the shade. We saw the major city sites, including our fantastic hotel (Alfonso XIII), by touring in the early morning by bicycle. Highly recommend this mode of transportation in Sevilla. We also had a lovely horse drawn carriage take us to our restaurant in the evening. We travelled out to the country for horseback riding...genuine trotting and galloping not just the nose-to-tail-follow-along; we rode through the olive and orange groves of a working hacienda; we learned Flamenco (baile y ritmo) from proteges of the Grand Dame Cristina Hoyos; we tasted olives and sherry; sipped cocktails on a rooftop with a view of the Catedral and Giralda; took the high-speed train from Sevilla to Cordoba; fully investigated La Mezquita as well as off-the-beaten-path tapas bars. Many smiles (and photos to come) were had. It was a quick trip, packed with activity, yet still completely relaxing. Oh, the power of the Spanish Siesta!

Recommended places to stay: Alfonso XIII (Sevilla); Hospederia del Churrasco (Cordoba)