Nael, thank you for bringing inspiration into my life.
The Prologue
In the third book, I promised to tell you about my friend Nael’s trip to Spain, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. It will be a story about the most beautiful cities in Spain, museums and Michelin restaurants, about the unique culture of Ecuador, and one of the most amazing and unique natural places on the planet — the Galapagos Islands — through the eyes of a millionaire.
My friend is a traveler, a true connoisseur of beauty and art. In 2025, he celebrated his 40th anniversary of traveling the world.
«Ever since, I have been enjoying every step I put my feet on new land», — wrote Nael.
He has an interesting philosophy of life, because he considers every day of his life his birthday and enjoy every moment of his life. Nael recently shared with me his travel plans for the next ten years, but he already has plans for the next period.… As a psychologist, I want to mention this personal trait, which is characteristic of the centenarians of our planet. Plans that sometimes go beyond life allow you to keep your mind clear and prolong your life.
I invite you to embark on a new exciting journey through the eyes of a millionaire.
All the photos presented in the book are kindly provided by my friend Nael. The book contains only a small part of the huge collection of beautiful photographs that Nael shared with me.
All the photos of the paintings in the book were taken by Nael (the book contains only those paintings that were allowed to be photographed).
Thank you for your inspiration, my beloved friend Nael!
PART I
Spain
Madrid
04.06.2023
Nael chose a Eurostars Madrid Tower to stay in Madrid. He wrote: «My home in Madrid, the highest suite in the city with overwhelming views of the capital».
Fig. 1. Eurostars Madrid Tower hotel.
«Being the capital of an ex empire Madrid is a big metropolis with grand public and private buildings. Neat, well organized, and clean city. The people are rather kind and staying long here seemed quite comfortable», — Nael wrote.
On this date Nael sent photos of his dining experience in Madrid. Here is the list of Michelin-starred restaurants in Madrid that he has chosen to visit:
Paco Rancero (two Michelin star)
DSTAgE (two Michelin star)
Deessa (two Michelin star)
Gofio (one Michelin star)
A’Barra (one Michelin star)
Fig. 2. Santa Cruz palace.
Fig. 3. Exterior of Church of San Jerónimo el Real.
Nael shared his impressions of visiting the bullfight. He wrote: «Bullfighting…No doubt it is one of the most exciting things to see in Spain! An incredible event that has a lot of excitement… especially when it involves horses. Two hours of thrilling moments with the cheering of Spanish fans and the chasing of the bulls to horses». I remember how going to a bullfight in Barcelona. I can’t say that I liked this sight. For me, the sight of animals being killed rather evokes negative emotions.
And here is the list of Michelin-starred restaurants in Madrid that Nael has chosen to visit for this week:
Ramón Freixa (two Michelin star)
Ugo Chan (one Michelin star)
Deessa (two Michelin star)
Fig. 66. The building where the bullfight takes place.
On this day, Nael sent me a letter titled «Fine Arts Madrid». In Madrid he visited these museums:
Naval Museum
Museum Thyssen-Bornemisza
National Museum
Museum of America
Museum of history of Madrid.
Prado Museum
Royal palace
Fig. 84. Juan Sebastian Elcano. The first circumnavigation of the globe. Naval Museum.
Fig. 85. Juan Sebastian Elcano. Naval Museum.
Fig. 86. Fernand Magellan. Naval Museum.
Fig. 87. Alba de América. Naval Museum.
Fig. 88. Augusto Ferrer Dalmau. My Flag. Naval Museum.
Fig. 89. Bernardo Bellotto. Museum Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Fig. 90. Gaspar van Wittel. Museum Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Fig. 91. Martin Johnson Heade. Museum Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Fig. 92. Frederick Childe Hassam. Museum Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Fig. 93. Paul Gauguin. Museum Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Fig. 94. Van Gogh. Museum Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Fig. 95. Joos van Cleve. Museum Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Fig. 96. National Museum.
Fig. 97. Joan Miro. National Museum.
Fig. 98. National Museum.
Fig. 99. Joan Miro. National Museum.
Fig. 100. Ceramic vessel. Museum of America.
Fig. 101. Diego Velasquez. Museum of America.
Fig. 102. Portaviatico. Museum of America.
Fig. 103. Custodia. Museum of America.
Fig. 104. Museum of America.
Fig. 105. Museum of America.
Fig. 106. Museum of history of Madrid.
Fig. 107. Museum of history of Madrid.Fig. 108. Museum of history of Madrid.
Fig. 109. Prado Museum.
Fig. 110. Monument to Goya.
Fig. 111. Monument to Diego Velasquez.
Fig. 112. Royal palace.Fig. 113. Royal palace.
Fig. 114. Royal palace.
Fig. 115. Royal palace.
30.06.2023
On this day, Nael again sent me photos of fine dining in Madrid. He visited restaurants Sobrino de Botin, restaurants in the hotel JW Marriott, Saddle (one Michelin star) and ROBUCHON again.
Restaurant Sobrino de Botin — a three hundred years old — the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world.
Fig. 116. Garlic Soup. Restaurant Sobrino de Botin.
In early July, Nael went to Salamanca. He texted: «Salamanca is a hidden gem… it’s the crown jewel of historic cities in Spain. Lots of magnificent cathedrals, churches, convents, palaces, and the oldest university in Spain. Plaza Mayor is the finest in Spain… magnificent».
Nael also sent me photos from Michelin restaurants that he visited:
Ment (one Michelin star)
En la Parra (one Michelin star)
Fig. 130. Plaza Mayor.
Fig. 131. Church Convent of San Esteban.
Fig. 132. Church Convent of San Esteban.
Fig. 133. The interior of the Church Monastery of San Esteban.
Fig. 134. The interior of the Church Monastery of San Esteban.
Fig. 135. Mural painting attributed to Fernando Gallego.
Fig. 136. Monastery of San Esteban.
Fig. 137. Roman Bridge.
Fig. 138. Roman Bridge.
Fig. 139. Salamanca.
Fig. 140. Cathedral of Salamanca.
Fig. 141. University of Salamanca.
Fig. 142. The church in Salamanca.
Fig. 143. Torre del Clavero.
Fig. 144. Restaurant Ment (one Michelin star).
Fig. 145. Restaurant Ment (one Michelin star).
Fig. 146. Restaurant En la Parra (two Michelin star).
Fig. 147. Restaurant En la Parra (two Michelin star).
Fig. 148. Restaurant En la Parra (two Michelin star).
Fig. 149. Restaurant En la Parra (two Michelin star).
Fig. 150. Restaurant En la Parra (two Michelin star).
Fig. 151. Restaurant En la Parra (two Michelin star).
Valladolid
07.07.2023
«The ex capital of Spain, before moving to Madrid. Here the great explorer Christopher Columbus was buried. The first ever square in Spain is here, Plaza Mayor. Here the decision to cross the Atlantic Ocean was made, and then incidentally finding the new world, The Americas that has changed the course of history and the world for ever», — Nael wrote.
Nael also sent me photos from Michelin restaurants that he visited:
Trigo (one Michelin star)
Refectorio (one Michelin star)
Fig. 152. Valladolid.
Fig. 153. San Pablo Church.
Fig. 154. San Pablo Church.
Fig. 155. Valladolid University.
Fig. 156. Cavalry Academy Building.
Fig. 157. Plaza Zorrilla.
Fig. 158. Valladolid City Hall.
Fig. 159. Plaza Mayor.
Fig. 160. Fuente Dorada.
Fig. 161. The Church of St. Mary the Ancient.
Fig. 162. San Pablo Church.
Fig. 163. Former convent.
Fig. 164. Sculpture by Juande de Huni.
Fig. 165. Islamic Art.
Fig. 166. Gregorio Fernandez the Dead Christ.
Fig. 167. Sculpture of Christ.
Fig. 168. Courtyard of the Fabio Nelli Palace.
Fig. 169. Plaza de la Rinconada.
Fig. 170. Santa Cruz Palace.
Fig. 171. Courtyard of the Santa Cruz Palace.
Fig. 172. University Chapel.
Fig. 173. Convent of the Philippine Augustinians (Oriental Museum).
Nael wrote: «With a majestic cathedral in a gothic style resembling the ones in France, and being in the middle of the religious Camino Santiago, as well as the magnificent San Marcos convent in which I has been turned into a luxurious hotel that I enjoyed staying in… let alone the fact that this city was a capital of the ancient kingdom of León… it’s really worth the visit. With some parts of the Roman wall still intact the charm of the place is overwhelming. Even Antoni Gaudi has an amazing architectural wonder at the edge of the old city».
Nael also sent me photos from his dinner in restaurant Cocinandos (one Michelin star) that he visited.
Fig. 184. Leon Cathedral.
Fig. 185. The interior in Leon Cathedral.Fig. 186. San Marcos convent.
Fig. 187. Basilica of San Isidoro de Leon.
Fig. 188. Casa de los Botines.
Fig. 189. Impressionism.
Fig. 190. Impressionism.
Fig. 191. Plaza de Santa María.
Fig. 192. Plaza Mayor.
Fig. 193. The old entrance to the building.
Fig. 194. Monastery of San Marcos.
Fig. 195. Monastery of San Marcos.
Fig. 196. Monastery of San Marcos.
Fig. 197. Church of San Juan y San Pedro de Renueva.
«Being the most sacred place in Spain and the third in the catholic world after Jerusalem and the Vatican, Santiago de Compostela is a must to visit. How interesting to see the pilgrims arriving in groups to the Plaza in front of the cathedral cheering with joy and happiness for accomplishing their long mission. I was privileged to witness that every day from the balcony overlooking the square and the cathedral. Staying in the oldest hotel that actually designated for the pilgrims from the sixteenth century. So huge it has four courtyards and many wings, halls, and living accommodations.
Galicia has its own language, culture, and food… even the climate here is different… fresh cool breeze, temperatures in the mid twenties in the middle of summer», — Nael wrote.
Now the Parador de Santiago de Compostela is rightfully considered one of the oldest and most beautiful hotels in the world.
Fig. 204. Hotel Parador de Santiago de Compostela.
Fig. 205. Hotel Parador de Santiago de Compostela.
Fig. 206. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.
Fig. 207. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.
Fig. 208. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.Fig. 209. The relics.
