This trip has gone very smoothly so far so it’s is time for excitement. After being 1 hour early for the train back to Madrid and then another hour early in Madrid for the train to Valencia; one of us almost missed the train.
They call the train and I give the gate agent our ticket and he says where is the other one? I don’t have another ticket. I know I purchased 2 tickets not sure why only one was printed before we left? Dan gets on the the train. Meanwhile I attempt to access my email to down load the pdf ticket to show the gate agent. It is a good thing they started boarding 30 minutes before the train was too leave. Meanwhile hundreds of people are all ready boarded. The gate agent gives up and sends me to information. Why he didn’t do that in the beginning I do not know!
At this time Dan is on the train. I told him the seat number but if I missed the train he had no idea of the name of the hotel. He had both bags so I had no clothes if we were separated. The information clerk was able to pull up the reservation with the booking number and printed me a ticket. It was a great train ride we were in first class so they fed us lunch and alcohol. How much better does it get?
It only took 30 minutes of the train ride to bring my heart rate to normal. Another travel lesson learned. Send the confirmation emails to Dan or put in an accessible file, although he had no internet unless it was WiFi. We are still having problems with international travel and connectivity. If T mobile worked in my house I might consider switching because it is great when we travel. It has unlisted us several times
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Monday, April 9, 2018
Trip to Toledo
Okay, a side trip to Toledo is a must if you are in Madrid. So we planned an early morning train sight see the day spend the night and then hang out until about 1:00pm then the train back to Madrid and on to Valencia. Why Valencia? Read the next installment?
Okay, out of the apartment and a walk to the train station. Good news is no rain, the sun is out. All is great when the gods of travel start to intervene. Get to the major street in front of the train station and it is cordoned off. Seems there is some type of marathon or something. The street monitor suggested we haul the bags down to the metro station and come up the other side. I told her no. They were too heavy. We just waited for a break between runners. They were pretty spaced apart so it was easy.
Finally determine how to buy a ticket and the machine has no way to insert a credit card. It has some sort of optical reader. Now to the ticket office. I buy the round trip ticket and the early train ended up getting to Toledo at 1PM. So much for an early start. Also on the way to Toledo I figured out we had 3 more horse to see some of the town. Back to the ticket office in Toledo and surprise of surprises the changed the time and didn’t even charge us.
Toledo is built on a hill with the train station outside the city walls. Needless to say it was the best 6 euro we spent. Dropped off at the hotel door. We had several things to see that were closed on Monday. Toledo is like a rabbit warren of curved streets that are all cobbled and seemed to be all uphill.
Every single shopped was selling knives or swords including decorative and kitchen knives. We found the museum of tortures and of medieval machines of war. As we worked our way back to the center of the city we stopped to see the cathedral. This is the oldest one in Spain but 10 euros each to enter is a little steep especially after waiting in line for 25 minutes to buy a ticket. It was beautiful and even had a move describing how gothic style cathedrals were built. Unfortunately. I think we are both church and museumed out and we still have one more city to go. We bypass the alcazar and will see it in the morning since it is closed on Wednesday. We also have to have something to do since are train doesn’t leave until 1:25pm
So today up packed and off to the museum. Of course closed on Monday. I found another museum that was converted from a hospital that had a great mix of displays, we checked out the shops, back to the hotel to get our bags since Dan was not into another city tour and did not want to navigate up and down hills. We get the cab back to the station. Funny how it cost 1.5 euro more to get back. Because Dan always needs to be early we get to the station 1 hour and 10 minutes before I train is to leave. I guess it is better than missing it. We have one more day in Spain and Dan is getting antsy, not to mention cathedraled out!
Okay, out of the apartment and a walk to the train station. Good news is no rain, the sun is out. All is great when the gods of travel start to intervene. Get to the major street in front of the train station and it is cordoned off. Seems there is some type of marathon or something. The street monitor suggested we haul the bags down to the metro station and come up the other side. I told her no. They were too heavy. We just waited for a break between runners. They were pretty spaced apart so it was easy.
Finally determine how to buy a ticket and the machine has no way to insert a credit card. It has some sort of optical reader. Now to the ticket office. I buy the round trip ticket and the early train ended up getting to Toledo at 1PM. So much for an early start. Also on the way to Toledo I figured out we had 3 more horse to see some of the town. Back to the ticket office in Toledo and surprise of surprises the changed the time and didn’t even charge us.
Toledo is built on a hill with the train station outside the city walls. Needless to say it was the best 6 euro we spent. Dropped off at the hotel door. We had several things to see that were closed on Monday. Toledo is like a rabbit warren of curved streets that are all cobbled and seemed to be all uphill.
Every single shopped was selling knives or swords including decorative and kitchen knives. We found the museum of tortures and of medieval machines of war. As we worked our way back to the center of the city we stopped to see the cathedral. This is the oldest one in Spain but 10 euros each to enter is a little steep especially after waiting in line for 25 minutes to buy a ticket. It was beautiful and even had a move describing how gothic style cathedrals were built. Unfortunately. I think we are both church and museumed out and we still have one more city to go. We bypass the alcazar and will see it in the morning since it is closed on Wednesday. We also have to have something to do since are train doesn’t leave until 1:25pm
So today up packed and off to the museum. Of course closed on Monday. I found another museum that was converted from a hospital that had a great mix of displays, we checked out the shops, back to the hotel to get our bags since Dan was not into another city tour and did not want to navigate up and down hills. We get the cab back to the station. Funny how it cost 1.5 euro more to get back. Because Dan always needs to be early we get to the station 1 hour and 10 minutes before I train is to leave. I guess it is better than missing it. We have one more day in Spain and Dan is getting antsy, not to mention cathedraled out!
Rainy Saturday
As we start out walk some drizzle but no wind. We only got lost once while negotiating the walk to the Prado. Of course we explored the the botanical garden first. The best admission fee of the entire trip. $1.0 euro for both of us (senior rate). Good news is we can see the Prado from the garden, no chance of getting lost.
After spending the rest of the day in the museum, Dan is not interested in seeing and more Spanish masters or another church. The sun is trying to peek through the clouds and we head for the apartment Stop at an outdoor restaurant to have a glass of wine and something to eat. Outside with heaters so we won’t freeze. Need to wait to get food since the kitchen doesn’t open for another 45 minutes but this is a great people watching place not to mention the table next to us passing the “pipe”.
Back to the apartment tomorrow will be sunny as we walk to the train. Heading to spend the night in Toledo
After spending the rest of the day in the museum, Dan is not interested in seeing and more Spanish masters or another church. The sun is trying to peek through the clouds and we head for the apartment Stop at an outdoor restaurant to have a glass of wine and something to eat. Outside with heaters so we won’t freeze. Need to wait to get food since the kitchen doesn’t open for another 45 minutes but this is a great people watching place not to mention the table next to us passing the “pipe”.
Back to the apartment tomorrow will be sunny as we walk to the train. Heading to spend the night in Toledo
El Escorial
El Escorial is the monastery where all the Kings and Queens of Spain are buried it was also the palace of the Hapsburg rulers. We were going to negotiate the trip from Madrid coordinate the bus, admission and audio guide and decided that there was a half day tour that would be easier all around to let someone else do the guiding.
So the morning spent seeing lots of “dead people”, artwork and riches of Spanish kings. After touring the monastery, we went to the Valley of the Fallen. This church was built by Franco as a tribute to the thousands that died during the Spanish Inquisition. An impressive church that was built to rival St Petersburg but the Vatican only consecrated 262 feet so less than Saint Petersburg
The second part of the day was rainy and we were to see the Royal Palace that was closed earlier in the week. Of course the line was way long so we opted for the “on off bus”. We figured a little dryer with threatening skies and a chance to see some of what we were walking by in the past 3 days. We planned to get off the bus near the central plaza instead by error got off one stop early. The good news is we ended up outside the chocolate/toffee/nought shop. Now Dan is complaining his suitcase is heavier than mine.
We decided to walk to the center square because I want to go the a famous bakery there and there has always been a line. Of course again a bad decision. We end up at the wrong square but near the metro. This is much easier than taking out my phone and trying to find our way.
Dinner tonight consists of a bakery sandwich, bottle of wine and cheese. More because we were too lazy to go out in the rain because by 8pm it was really pouring. Oh did I mention we located the major grocery store although we weren’t looking for it and had food at the apartment. Seems to be our carmaker. I think the next time I research a trip like this I am going to look at where the grocery store is when making reservations over where the train station is located.
The weather tomorrow is raining all day so we will go to the park, botanical garden and the Prado. We brought the umbrellas this trip.
So the morning spent seeing lots of “dead people”, artwork and riches of Spanish kings. After touring the monastery, we went to the Valley of the Fallen. This church was built by Franco as a tribute to the thousands that died during the Spanish Inquisition. An impressive church that was built to rival St Petersburg but the Vatican only consecrated 262 feet so less than Saint Petersburg
The second part of the day was rainy and we were to see the Royal Palace that was closed earlier in the week. Of course the line was way long so we opted for the “on off bus”. We figured a little dryer with threatening skies and a chance to see some of what we were walking by in the past 3 days. We planned to get off the bus near the central plaza instead by error got off one stop early. The good news is we ended up outside the chocolate/toffee/nought shop. Now Dan is complaining his suitcase is heavier than mine.
We decided to walk to the center square because I want to go the a famous bakery there and there has always been a line. Of course again a bad decision. We end up at the wrong square but near the metro. This is much easier than taking out my phone and trying to find our way.
Dinner tonight consists of a bakery sandwich, bottle of wine and cheese. More because we were too lazy to go out in the rain because by 8pm it was really pouring. Oh did I mention we located the major grocery store although we weren’t looking for it and had food at the apartment. Seems to be our carmaker. I think the next time I research a trip like this I am going to look at where the grocery store is when making reservations over where the train station is located.
The weather tomorrow is raining all day so we will go to the park, botanical garden and the Prado. We brought the umbrellas this trip.
Friday, April 6, 2018
Home Update
I posted pictures of the apartment. The good news is it looks the same as was posted on Airbnb. The interesting tidbits or why can’t a college graduate do laundry when in Europe. On our last trip in Asia we sent the laundry out. It was easier and less stressful and everything was back the same day clean, folded and ready to go. So again we were excited. A washer and it even came with a dry built in no more hanging clothes all over the apartment. I asked for directions. I thought I understood them and the underwear needed to be washed. If things work well maybe the jeans also.
So on one of our early nights which are more often than not. I follow the directions and toss in the underwear and socks. Hooray. The machine started, the cycle 49 minutes which is like home. Now the fun begins. I have to get the dryer to start and the machine read out from saying “end”. I think I pressed every button and finally turned the knob to off. It worked. Now if I can get the dryer started. It should be easy since the washer went on with out a hitch. Oh how wrong I was. Sort of. I set the dryer for normal and pressed start. The time read out was 2 hours and 30 minutes. I don’t care who you are or where you are. The dryer should finish in under 60 minutes. So the plan was open the dryer at 30 minutes and see how things are. The fun begins. The dryer is HOT and the door won’t unlatch. Wait another 20 minutes and restart pushing buttons to try and reset the machine. Finally get the door open and the clothes are steamy. Some dry and a few things still fairly wet. No we are back to hanging underwear on the glass partition in the apartment. Good news is clean underwear but we have opted to come home in dirty jeans. No sense in tempting the fates.
More on the apartment. It is furnished from the kitchen to the bath and linens in 2018 IKEA. Including pots pans dishes and linens. I think the furniture comes from IKEA also. It is fairly comfortable and we really enjoy coming back to a sanctuary at the end of the day. The bathroom and shower is a big challenge. It is amazingly tiny. Tough to close the shower door and an above counter sink leads to splashing. That and the slow internet are our only complaints. Dan even found UTube TV and is watching a woodworking show as I type. So it really doesn’t matter if I am in Spain or in Carlsbad.
We haven’t cooked but the wine bottle count on day 9 is six. The problem with that picture is we didn’t start until day 2. I wonder what that is doing to my calorie counting? Today was the least walking we have done at 11300 steps. The usually is about 17000. Not counting steps to get in or out of the metro.
Quote of the day from Dan while taking off his shoes. “I’m glad I’m not a dog, I can’t lift my leg”
So on one of our early nights which are more often than not. I follow the directions and toss in the underwear and socks. Hooray. The machine started, the cycle 49 minutes which is like home. Now the fun begins. I have to get the dryer to start and the machine read out from saying “end”. I think I pressed every button and finally turned the knob to off. It worked. Now if I can get the dryer started. It should be easy since the washer went on with out a hitch. Oh how wrong I was. Sort of. I set the dryer for normal and pressed start. The time read out was 2 hours and 30 minutes. I don’t care who you are or where you are. The dryer should finish in under 60 minutes. So the plan was open the dryer at 30 minutes and see how things are. The fun begins. The dryer is HOT and the door won’t unlatch. Wait another 20 minutes and restart pushing buttons to try and reset the machine. Finally get the door open and the clothes are steamy. Some dry and a few things still fairly wet. No we are back to hanging underwear on the glass partition in the apartment. Good news is clean underwear but we have opted to come home in dirty jeans. No sense in tempting the fates.
More on the apartment. It is furnished from the kitchen to the bath and linens in 2018 IKEA. Including pots pans dishes and linens. I think the furniture comes from IKEA also. It is fairly comfortable and we really enjoy coming back to a sanctuary at the end of the day. The bathroom and shower is a big challenge. It is amazingly tiny. Tough to close the shower door and an above counter sink leads to splashing. That and the slow internet are our only complaints. Dan even found UTube TV and is watching a woodworking show as I type. So it really doesn’t matter if I am in Spain or in Carlsbad.
We haven’t cooked but the wine bottle count on day 9 is six. The problem with that picture is we didn’t start until day 2. I wonder what that is doing to my calorie counting? Today was the least walking we have done at 11300 steps. The usually is about 17000. Not counting steps to get in or out of the metro.
Quote of the day from Dan while taking off his shoes. “I’m glad I’m not a dog, I can’t lift my leg”
Segovia and Avila
Today we took a field trip outside of Madrid into the mountains to view The oldest cities in Spain. Segovia is over 3000 feet above sea level and is several degrees cooler. Segovia famous for the Roman aqueduct that is still functional. It is a massive structure. The town seems to be touristy since almost everyone there comes to see the aqueduct, the Gothic church, the shops or have “suckling pig”(the Segovia delicacy). Segovia was also home to Queen Isabella and Ferdinand. Many murals depicting Spanish rulers are present in the halls as well as armor in the palace.
Traditional Segovia lunch was part of the day. White bean soup, roasted suckling pig, vegetables (mix peas, carrots, peppers) boiled so soft and almost purée able and an orange sponge and a almond honey mazapan base. Definitely outside our comfort zone.
The second stop of the day way Avila. The city known for its perfectly preserved walls and is the birthplace of St Teresa. We were able to walk along the wall and view the cathedral and the convent. Hard to believe that it was all built in 1500’s.
Today is the warmest day we have had so far. Dan was in only his short sleeve shirt. Decided tonight we would just hang out at the apartment. So off to the market to buy something to go with our cheese and some fruit for the morning but first we walked to the tour office to book a tour to for tomorrow. Seems simple enough. We went into a market a couple of days ago. Well have.consulting the phone map and directions we located the market It is like a fast food courts. Dozens of stands but not really selling anything “to go”. On the way out we passed a market Success! Enough to make dinner. Now back to the metro. I am unsure why we can’t seem to find our way simply.
We arrive home by 7:30pm. We probably should have stopped at the tapas bars and enjoyed the evening as we were dead tired and walked 17500 steps not counting the flights of stairs. Of course on the way to the metro I only found streets that went uphill? This part of physics I really don’t understand.
Traditional Segovia lunch was part of the day. White bean soup, roasted suckling pig, vegetables (mix peas, carrots, peppers) boiled so soft and almost purée able and an orange sponge and a almond honey mazapan base. Definitely outside our comfort zone.
The second stop of the day way Avila. The city known for its perfectly preserved walls and is the birthplace of St Teresa. We were able to walk along the wall and view the cathedral and the convent. Hard to believe that it was all built in 1500’s.
Today is the warmest day we have had so far. Dan was in only his short sleeve shirt. Decided tonight we would just hang out at the apartment. So off to the market to buy something to go with our cheese and some fruit for the morning but first we walked to the tour office to book a tour to for tomorrow. Seems simple enough. We went into a market a couple of days ago. Well have.consulting the phone map and directions we located the market It is like a fast food courts. Dozens of stands but not really selling anything “to go”. On the way out we passed a market Success! Enough to make dinner. Now back to the metro. I am unsure why we can’t seem to find our way simply.
We arrive home by 7:30pm. We probably should have stopped at the tapas bars and enjoyed the evening as we were dead tired and walked 17500 steps not counting the flights of stairs. Of course on the way to the metro I only found streets that went uphill? This part of physics I really don’t understand.
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Madrid Day1
We have have 5 days to explore Madrid. So day one we get a bright an early start, 12 noon. Oh well they call it holiday for a reason. Our first glitch came the day of arrival when we learned Retiro Park was closed. Seems after the last wid storm a tree fell and killed a child. The park is planned to reopen on Saturday. Good news we will still be in Madrid but it is suppose to rain that day. It is okay we can see the Prado and hopefully the rain won’t last all day and we have tramped around parks in the rain in the past.
We head off to the metro and the center of town for a walking tour of the area. Using Rick Steves as a guide we have an enjoyable walk and will tour the royal palace so one thing is off the list. Of course we wait in line. Not very long when we get to the front we understand why. The palace is essentially closed due to official functions. It will open Friday after 3pm. Okay time to rearrange the schedule, but oh wait. I don’t have one!!!
The Puerto del Sol is like walking Hollywood Blvd. lots of street people dressed as statues, it is really the most creative display we have seen. People milling about and street vendors happy to sell you a “real” Gucci bag , sunglasses or sports gear. What makes these guys fun is there wares are displayed on a 4x4 canvass cloth with a rope along each edge. The purpose is when the policia come by the rope is pulled creating a sack that they carry with them to move to another area, put the sack down loosen the cord and hock the special of the day. They move in a group of 6-10 guys.
Overall Madrid has a different feel, more crowded, more smoking and old city feel. Does not seem like a pretty city as Barcelona. Getting food is a little more of a challenge since many places close after lunch at 4:30 and do not open until 8:30 at night for dinner. Today we had a late lunch/ early dinner because we are going to try and do laundry and see at least one museum today.
We head off to the metro and the center of town for a walking tour of the area. Using Rick Steves as a guide we have an enjoyable walk and will tour the royal palace so one thing is off the list. Of course we wait in line. Not very long when we get to the front we understand why. The palace is essentially closed due to official functions. It will open Friday after 3pm. Okay time to rearrange the schedule, but oh wait. I don’t have one!!!
The Puerto del Sol is like walking Hollywood Blvd. lots of street people dressed as statues, it is really the most creative display we have seen. People milling about and street vendors happy to sell you a “real” Gucci bag , sunglasses or sports gear. What makes these guys fun is there wares are displayed on a 4x4 canvass cloth with a rope along each edge. The purpose is when the policia come by the rope is pulled creating a sack that they carry with them to move to another area, put the sack down loosen the cord and hock the special of the day. They move in a group of 6-10 guys.
Overall Madrid has a different feel, more crowded, more smoking and old city feel. Does not seem like a pretty city as Barcelona. Getting food is a little more of a challenge since many places close after lunch at 4:30 and do not open until 8:30 at night for dinner. Today we had a late lunch/ early dinner because we are going to try and do laundry and see at least one museum today.
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Apple Maps says 900 feet to grocery store
Today is a travel day, leisurely breakfast and then the high speed train to Madrid. In Madrid we will stay in a Airbnb apartment near Retiro Park and the Prado museum. We are on the far up side of the park near the Salamanca district of high end shops all kids of upscale and neighborhood bars. Most importantly the Metro is literally right outside our door only 10 feet to walk down to the tracks.
This is the second time we have tried Airbnb when traveling in a foreign country. The up side is we have the benefit of more space, a kitchen, living room and bedroom. So we can have breakfast before starting out for the day and snacks for happy hour. This space also has a clothes washer dryer which is a real bonus since in Italy we only had a washer and hung clothes on the balcony.
Savvy traveler that I am I even asked for directions to operate the washer when we checked in. This apartment is beautiful, nicely decorated and everything is new. A few little glitches the bathroom is tiny and the WiFi is horribly slow.
So since we will need food for breakfast and possibly pack some sort of lunch or at least get some more wine and crackers to go with the cheese 🧀 we bought at the monastery. I am really not planning on cooking but it is always possible since this kitchen has everything you could imagine. Back to apple maps to locate a grocery store. Good news is it’s only 900feet away. Off we go! We followed the map no grocery store. We did get to explore the neighborhood but stores like Prada don’t seem to carry cheap wine, crackers and fruit. After about an hour and over 3000 steps we found a quickie market that fit the bill. The best news is we found our way back to the apartment without getting lost!!!! Time enough to open the wine, cheese and crackers and then dinner across the street in one of the local bars/coffee shops.
This is the second time we have tried Airbnb when traveling in a foreign country. The up side is we have the benefit of more space, a kitchen, living room and bedroom. So we can have breakfast before starting out for the day and snacks for happy hour. This space also has a clothes washer dryer which is a real bonus since in Italy we only had a washer and hung clothes on the balcony.
Savvy traveler that I am I even asked for directions to operate the washer when we checked in. This apartment is beautiful, nicely decorated and everything is new. A few little glitches the bathroom is tiny and the WiFi is horribly slow.
So since we will need food for breakfast and possibly pack some sort of lunch or at least get some more wine and crackers to go with the cheese 🧀 we bought at the monastery. I am really not planning on cooking but it is always possible since this kitchen has everything you could imagine. Back to apple maps to locate a grocery store. Good news is it’s only 900feet away. Off we go! We followed the map no grocery store. We did get to explore the neighborhood but stores like Prada don’t seem to carry cheap wine, crackers and fruit. After about an hour and over 3000 steps we found a quickie market that fit the bill. The best news is we found our way back to the apartment without getting lost!!!! Time enough to open the wine, cheese and crackers and then dinner across the street in one of the local bars/coffee shops.
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Wine, Cava, and the Black Virgin; not in that order!
Today we are on a tour to Montserrat with a stop for Cava tasting on the way back to Barcelona. I picked a tour so we could experience some of Spain champagne or Cava. We are bussed to Montserrat so it was a chance to see some of the countryside and I was able to blog. Lots of legends surrounding the Monestary as well as some special draws ( both of which we missed!!!)
Montserrat is still home to Benedictine monks as well as the special boys choir and the black madonna. We walked around the complex and into the Baptismal. We opted to take the funicular up to the top of one of the hills and then the hike down. Due to my athleticism, and how long it took us to get down, the line to view the Madonna was over 2 hours...I guess this means a return trip, also since it was the Easter the boys choir was not practicing so no singing heard. Views from the complex were amazing and you could see snow on the Pyrenees and almost to the coast of the Mediterranean.
Now down the mountain and to the other side and into one of the wine growing areas in Spain. This area was perendes compared with the Rioja or Ribera areas that also produce wine. The tour was of a biological organic winery. They make cava in addition to wine. The winemakers are all female in Spain because the thought is they have better pallets then men for determining flavors and combinations.
So cava tasting consisted of 1 cava, 2 whites and 2 reds. The wines were more aeromatic than most we have tasted in the US. This winery was able to blend grapes from different areas since it had vines in various areas in the valley so the grape would have different flavors while being the same grape. Over all the price of wine at the winery was the same as the grocery store and cheaper than the restaurants. This is way different than home where wineries are generally more. Plus at this tasting we were given bread and olive oil, cheese and salami. This was not your typical tasting since we were a group of 15 in a private tasting room. All in all a really fun day inspite of missing the Madonna and boys choir. Yes we bought wine, cheese at Montserrat from the vendors all to bring to Madrid when we travel home. The red we purchased was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. With the name “Mas Elena “. How can we go wrong. Tomorrow we travel by train to Madrid.
Montserrat is still home to Benedictine monks as well as the special boys choir and the black madonna. We walked around the complex and into the Baptismal. We opted to take the funicular up to the top of one of the hills and then the hike down. Due to my athleticism, and how long it took us to get down, the line to view the Madonna was over 2 hours...I guess this means a return trip, also since it was the Easter the boys choir was not practicing so no singing heard. Views from the complex were amazing and you could see snow on the Pyrenees and almost to the coast of the Mediterranean.
Now down the mountain and to the other side and into one of the wine growing areas in Spain. This area was perendes compared with the Rioja or Ribera areas that also produce wine. The tour was of a biological organic winery. They make cava in addition to wine. The winemakers are all female in Spain because the thought is they have better pallets then men for determining flavors and combinations.
So cava tasting consisted of 1 cava, 2 whites and 2 reds. The wines were more aeromatic than most we have tasted in the US. This winery was able to blend grapes from different areas since it had vines in various areas in the valley so the grape would have different flavors while being the same grape. Over all the price of wine at the winery was the same as the grocery store and cheaper than the restaurants. This is way different than home where wineries are generally more. Plus at this tasting we were given bread and olive oil, cheese and salami. This was not your typical tasting since we were a group of 15 in a private tasting room. All in all a really fun day inspite of missing the Madonna and boys choir. Yes we bought wine, cheese at Montserrat from the vendors all to bring to Madrid when we travel home. The red we purchased was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. With the name “Mas Elena “. How can we go wrong. Tomorrow we travel by train to Madrid.
The wheels on the Bus
So here we are on day 3 in Barcelona. Our consensus is we love the city. It is extremely walkable lots of things to see and if museums were our things lots of top notch museums. Our day today is the “hop on-off” bus. Although not for everyone, Dan and I like the commentary a chance to hear something we might have missed and also see parts of the outer reaches of the city we haven’t seen or will see. We have 2 days of >17000 steps so we are okay with an off day.
It is Easter Sunday and all the tourists and locals are out but many of the businesses are closed not that we need to go into a shopping mall. The markets are closed so the entertainment value is gone. Today the first stop is the skyway on Montjuic and the a walk on the trails around the Castell obviously an old fort on a bluff overlooking the harbor. Our weather today is sunny with a wind but pleasant to be out and about.
Next stop is the waterfront on these tours we go by the facilities from the 1992 Olympic Games. Lots of street statutes and art. Lunch is at a Mexican restaurant. Leaving lots to be desired. Should’ve found something a little more upscale but we are after adventure and there seem to be lots of locals there. Food was fresh and a bano available. What more can you want. A walk along the waterfront to see the beach and even past the casino (didn’t want to press our luck).
Spent the rest of the day on the bus only 10000 steps but tired. I search for a restaurant close by. Unfortunately nothing opens until 8pm, we came upon an Italian restaurant. Yes. Mexican for lunch Italian for dinner makes perfect sense. Great dinner, a bottle of wine and short walk home stopping at the coffee shop to get pastry for the morning since we leave for a tour of Montserrat before the hotel dining room is open since it will be Easter Monday which is as much or more of a holiday than Sunday
It is Easter Sunday and all the tourists and locals are out but many of the businesses are closed not that we need to go into a shopping mall. The markets are closed so the entertainment value is gone. Today the first stop is the skyway on Montjuic and the a walk on the trails around the Castell obviously an old fort on a bluff overlooking the harbor. Our weather today is sunny with a wind but pleasant to be out and about.
Next stop is the waterfront on these tours we go by the facilities from the 1992 Olympic Games. Lots of street statutes and art. Lunch is at a Mexican restaurant. Leaving lots to be desired. Should’ve found something a little more upscale but we are after adventure and there seem to be lots of locals there. Food was fresh and a bano available. What more can you want. A walk along the waterfront to see the beach and even past the casino (didn’t want to press our luck).
Spent the rest of the day on the bus only 10000 steps but tired. I search for a restaurant close by. Unfortunately nothing opens until 8pm, we came upon an Italian restaurant. Yes. Mexican for lunch Italian for dinner makes perfect sense. Great dinner, a bottle of wine and short walk home stopping at the coffee shop to get pastry for the morning since we leave for a tour of Montserrat before the hotel dining room is open since it will be Easter Monday which is as much or more of a holiday than Sunday
Monday, April 2, 2018
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