Love at first sight

Yes, it's true. And I know, a bit shocking. How could this have happened so soon?, you ask. Nicole, it has barely been a week!, you say. But the heart knows what it wants. And my heart wants... Parque del Buen Retiro.

Retiro is magical. Tree-lined paths stretch ahead indefinitely...



Until you finally arrive at a quietly stunning fountain.



You stroll a bit further and stumble upon another statue...



And another...



Then another...



And suddenly the pathway breaks open and you find yourself at the marble banks of a small lake.





Dense, scraggly trees give way to carefully manicured gardens.





You stop for a snack (Think ferrero rocher meets kit-kat),



Have a good laugh,



And tiptoe through the ruins before climbing back through the looking glass.




Then you wake up the next day aching from all the walking. Ah, the things we do for love!