I’ve reported on the Solar Impulse before, but this time, it’s legit next door. The Solar Impulse (HB-SIA) piloted by André Borschberg took-off this morning from Payerne Airfield (Switzerland) at 08:24AM (UTC +2), heading straight for Madrid Barajas Airport. It’s scheduled to land around 01:00AM (UTC+2) for a minimum 3-day technical stopover. Depending on the weather conditions, the first possible departure for Rabat, with Bertrand Piccard at the controls, will be Monday, May 28. 

Solar Impulse is an ultra-lightweight revolutionary plane, capable of flying day and night, without fuel. Silent take off with it’s four motors, huge wingspan equal to that of an Airbus A340, and Carbon fibre structure will wow even the more powerful of pilots, and may just be the game changer aviation isn’t ready for. 

We must be smoking the same pipe, because we’re both on the Madrid to Marrakesh route. In case you can’t catch the action live, the airplane’s position, altitude and speed will be shown live; cameras fitted inside the cockpit and at “Mission Control Center”, the mission’s nerve center, will allow you to get in on the action. Track the Crossing Frontiers Flights 2012 via internet, app, Twitter (for André or Bertrand) and Facebook. Fly on fellas, fly on.  

My schedule for the next three weeks, via @TripIt for the iPad. Looks nice, and insane doesn’t it?

The Darkness: Taking Spain by Storm…. one snapshot at a time.

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Ready. Steady. Spain. Miles of sunflowers, not so easy Easy Jet, off the path islands, a hefty amount of ham (don’t tell my rabbi) and a whole lot of house. Weekend recap from start to finish…go!

Stay. Marques de Riscal.
Friday. 10 PM.

As I arrive at Marques des Riscal hotel, the quiet of night descends upon Elciego, a small town in the Rioja region. But even under the wash of night, it’s clear that this isn’t your average hotel. Designed by renowned architect Frank O. Gehry, Marques des Riscal is a sensory experience. The architecture brags, the Baccarat stemware chimes, the avant-garde culinary creations stews…  It’s a clash of titans here, so keep your eyes, ears and taste buds peeled… and some serious sipping. 

#FollowFriday: What kind of blogger would I be if I didn’t take you w/ me? Hit the road… #Gehry designed hotel #Spain http://bit.ly/aYUTVg 6:51 PM Aug 13th via TweetDeck

Frank Gehry architecture, Riscal #Wine, dreamy view of vineyards and now, some sleep. (@ Marques de Riscal) http://4sq.com/bHaMFn 7:04:06 PM EDT via foursquare 

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I’m on the road in Spain, so we’re doing things a bit different this week. Take a trip from Madrid to Elciego… After all, what kind of bad blogger would I be, if I didn’t take you with me? Follow it, don’t judge it. 

Road. Madrid to Elciego.

Time: 3 Hours, 48 Minutes.
Driver: Duh, me. 
Passengers: @Kirakaplan & @Teeter 

Step 1. Leave the airport (with two girls in tow).
Step 2. Get the embarrassingly automatic car (what can I say, I’m from Miami.) 
Step 3. Hit the road towards the medieval town of Elciego in Northern Spain. This is Basque Country, where limestone mountain ranges and chamomile valleys whisper a story of a vibrant culture and great history. It’s a place where family recipes and traditions are passed down from one generation to the next; where food is King and wine… well she’s the Queen. 

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