Barcelona, Spain

Last day today... spending it in and around the Ramblas... a busy place full of tourists and street performers etc.   Its been a great trip!!!

Barcelona, Spain

We arrived here yesteray about noon after a 11/2 hour flight from Sevilla. Aerobus into Placa Catalunya that was walking distance to our hotel.  We then explored the Ramblas and some of the Barri Gotic ( really old section).... Today we made it to the Sagrada Familia.. a grand Modernist cathedral still in progress designed by Gaudi.. It is really something to see. We have included some pics to give you a sense of the eccentric genius that he was. He died in 1926 and they expect the church to be completed some time in next 30 years. Truly magnificent...  Also went to Parc Guell.. again designed by Gaudi in early 1900s as a 60 home community that failed but the parc remains. The view of the city from there is incredible.  Rode the metro to the Sagrada then walked and bus.  I love the mass transportation here.  So easy to use.  I guess though we loved Seville and Madrid was fun, Barcelona is our favorite big city..

Meant to tell Di about the boqueria... market off the Ramblas( main pedestrian mall that goes down to the sea) Anyway.  This market is huge.. bigger than the one in Madrid.. beautiful foods. Bill saw a stall that had 25 kinds of olives. We had a lunch there. that was very good..

We are getting used to eating late. We tired of the tapas bars for early meals and here in Barcelona have found some good restaurants with reasonable prices  but we eat at  830. We just now finished and it is 1030 at night. But everoyone is just getting started.  Lively place.... tons of tourists from all over.. tonight we were surrounded by people from  Belgium, Holland, UK, France and Germany.  Last day sadly tomorrow but ..... it will be good to come home..

Sevilla, Spain

We got back here yesterday and found our way to the train station to turn in the car very easily this time but were glad to not have it any longer in the city.  We have been walking and exploring. Yesterday we visited Plaza Expana built in 1929 for an expo. An impressive structure...  Today we took in a mass at the Cathedral and then visited the Maria Luisa Park...beautiful and relaxing. Had a long lunch .... very warm today especially in the sun.  Tomorrow morning we fly to Barcelona for the last leg of our trip..

Gibraltar, Spain

Hi,

We decided at the last minute today to visit Gibraltar instead of the Costa del Sol. We did drive along the coast and saw all the many condo developments and hotels and traffic, however.  Gibraltar is British and so everything is in English there and........it is loaded with tourists.  The cable car to the top was out of order so we didn´t do that.  We walked the crowded main street, had lunch and then escaped.  It was.... our least favorite day.  But the weather is wonderful so there´s much to be happy about. Tomorrow we go back to Seville for the weekend... Til later

Granada, Spain

Today we drove to Granada.... surprisingly easy drive and finding the Alhambra.  It was well marked..  It is truly amazing and really undescribable.  I guess the Moors had it all over the rest of Europe duringthe 12th to 14th centuries.  Their designs, architecture and use of water , plants, is truly beautiful. It was the Dark Ages for the rest of Europe but the Moors were busy...

I wanted to mention how each evening when we walk into town , the locals are making their paseo (stroll)  and everyone is so well dressed.  If you could see the babies and little children in their perfectly matched outfits.. and also the adults and grandmas etc. Many many baby carriages with proud parents showing off their little ones. It is impressive coming from casual USA.  We noticed this in Madrid but thought it was just the big city but it is in every city that we have been in.

We head for the coast tomorrow just for the day.  We want to get a peek at the Costa del Sol.... I feel bad for my friends and family who are having snow......

Ronda, Spain

Today was another beautiful day though a little windy. We drove about 1 hour to a town in all the guide books.  It is situated on a high promotory. So when you are there, the views are really something. It is divided by a bridge into the old moorish town and the new town.  Most of what we want to see is in the old town. It was good to walk around it but we found that we thought Antequera better and much less tourisy. Ronda is full of tourists... all kinds of tour groups.  The oldest bullring in Spain is there so we got to go though that... Bill´s choice!!!  Again it was a good day with good views but Cordoba yesterday was better as is our¨¨home base´¨..Tomorrow.... Granada and the Alhambra and really looking forward to that.. Pics to come later tonight

Cordoba, Spain

Today we drove 1 hour to Cordoba.  We visited the Mesquita... a great mosque built in the 12th century.  Very unique and beautiful but when Cordoba was reconquered by the Christians 100 years late or so I think, they built a cathedral inside of it. So most of it is still in the style of the mosque and the cathedral is built in the style of the day... very ornate and garish as compared to the mosque. So it was quite interesting to see. It also has a beautiful large courtyard built for the moors to wash them selves and meet before they went in to pray.  We then visited a palacio and the most interesting thing about it was the 13 large patio type gardens all differently themed.  Very beautiful!!!.  Our drive was quick and easy.... again filled with the sites of olive trees!!!!!  Til later..

Sevilla, Spain

I didn´t give my locations very well when I filled out my profile.  But we are here in Antequerra which is southeast of Seville midway between Sevillen and Granada. Arrive this early afternoon.... nice classic southern spain city of 30 or 40 thousand. We are staying at a PARADOR, very nice.  On our ride here all we saw were olive trees as far as the eye can see. Amazing!! We walked here in the city up to the old town... there are about 20 churches in a 2 mile walk around and many palazzos that have their doors open so you can see their inner courtyards filled with flowers. Tomorrow we visit Cordoba but will return here in the evening.  We are staying here at this hotel til Saturday and doing day trips to other places.  hasta mañana!!!!!

Sevilla, Spain

Hi,

Today we enjoyed Sevilla.. It is quite a city-- We got lost in the labyrinth of alleys but found our way.  The air is permeated with the smell of orange blossoms, jasmine and wisteria. All are blooming and beautiful. The bougainvillia is shockingly lush and beatiful.  We spent the morning at the Alcazar . truly something to see between the palace and gardens.  The cathedral of Seville, the 3rd largest in Europe was also awesome.  I am happy we will be returning next weekend.  At that time we hope to see a flamenco show and do some more exploring.  We are eating well and simply.  The tapas bars serve good and simple food and we can eat at the times that we are accustomed to.  So far so good. Tomorrow we leave for Antequerra. It rained alittle today but still perfect temp for sight seeing about 67 to 70. Til later.

Sevilla, Spain

HI.

We enjoyed Toledo very much and were able to explore it all.  We picked up our car there and drove down to Seville.. taking 41/2 hours- Country side  filled with olive trees but otherwise quite barren.  Got here around 5pm and have done a little exploring . Will do more tomorrow. We leave here Monday but will be back next weekend and I think we will need that weekend to really see things.  The little alleyways here are truly a maze but again filled with sidewalk cafes and lots of people.  Having fun... heard that snow in NE... here it was 70 in Toledo and 80 here in Sevlle. Great for sightseeing and eating outside.  Bill and I are still liking each other...

Toledo, Spain

Greeting,

Left Madrid this am.  Enjoyed our stay in Madrid.. warm vibrant people... tons of little calles<streets) with alot of cafes and  Madrilenos spend alot of time outdoors til all hours talking and drinking.

Arrived in Toledo via AVE train... great ride.  This city is small and very old.  Our little Posada is ancient with no computer to use so we are at a small internet cafe in a tiny basement... Visited the Cathedral... quite something rivaling some we saw in Italy.  Tiny streets and shops and up an down walking.... but fun.

Will send pics from our location when we get to Seville day after tomorrow.  Weather great!!

Madrid, Spain

Hi all,

Another nice day.. although the Madrilenos still wearing their winter coats.. not used to cold I guess and when it is in the 60´s it is not quite warm enough.. Set out to the Royal Palace today but it was closed so walked and visited a monastery.

A site is all the hams hanging in the windows of the meat shops everywhere... ham is like the national meat.

Bill is using his Spanish all the time and getting us to where we need to go.  People understand him and he can understand alot of what they are saying.

Tomorrow off to Toledo by Ave train. Off to the plazas tonight for more walking.

Diane.. didn´t make it to Artemesia the veg. restaurant.  It didn´t open til 9 and thats too late for us..

Jeanne

Madrid, Spain

Greetings,

Today, we have a new appreciation of Madrid.. We are rested after a good night´s sleep.  Visited the beauriful Prado museum.. gorgeous building and the Thysen museum.. Lots of beautiful art.  Madrid is a very walkable city with lots of plazas and alleys to explore. Milder weather today and so all the Madrilenos were out  packing the sidewalk cafes and plazas or just walking. We just capped off our day at a chocolateria for chocolate and churros.  This is perfect weather for exploring, I´ve decided.

Til Later,

Bill and Jeanne

Madrid, Spain

Hi all,

We got here fine.. Flights uneventful and we were here at hotel about noon. Had a short nap and then off exploring.  We did alot of walking this afternoon and had a first  Spain meal.  It is coolish today.. in the 50s but still good to be able to get out and walk around.  Monday alot of places are closed so tomorrow will be a  visit to sites. Great city but not  a Paris or Rome!!!!