Valencia to Barcelona! 

We travel by train along the Mediterranean coast to Barcelona. Our hotel is easy to find from the metro and we drop our bags to explore the city. After a long walk thru the city down La Ramblas we make our way to the Cathedral, past the Picaso exhibit and the music museum. So much to see and do here in Barca definitely not enough time. 

We stopped at fun bar for afternoon bevies before we gather together for one of our last meals of our tour. 

I’ve decided I’m moving to Spain to become a busker on the street. I’m not sure of my talent yet but I’m sure I can figure something out compared to some of these guys. I wonder how much money they make in a day? 

Valencia… La Bienvenida a la Mediterranean! 

Our day begins with a nice leisurely 3 hour bike ride around Valencia starting in the old town Coutat Vella. Luckily there is a dedicated bike path around much of the city so we have little car traffic to contend with. We make our way to what used to be the river leading to the Mediterranean Sea, however its now a luscious garden. The river used to flood the old town so a diversion project was instigated to reroute the river to the outskirts of the city. 

Our first stop is into the art district offering interesting architecture for the Palau De Les Arts and Museu De Les Ciences. 

In the distance I see cranes in the sky and I know we are only a short distance to the Port and the marina filled with many yachts (still trying to hijack my way onto one). We cycle along the 5km beach that’s practically empty even though the temps are reaching 27 degrees. Our next leg is through the university campus and its apparent frosh week is in full force with boys dressed as bananas are out and about.The next stop is at one of the mid-evil gates, Torres de Quart, used to guard the old town. This is one of two in the city remaining of the 12 used with to surround the city. 

Next stop, we enter into a geological site filled with Roman ruins, just a tiny sample of the ruins that lay under the city. 

Our bike adventure ends at the Cathedral and Basilica noting legends of THE holy grail are kept inside, not so sure I believe that one.

I didn’t fall off… But just barely! 

Madrid to Valencia via train
The train from Madrid to Valencia was a speed train, reaching speeds over 300km an hour. Every time we passed thru a tunnel, I had to pop my ears. 

As they say, when in Espana, travel in style. And by “they” I mean Aleks and myself. A 2£ bottle of rose Cava and popped the cork on the train to pass the 2 hour ride. 

Upon arrival of Valencia, we drop our bags in the room and head out for a walking tour of the 3rd largest city in Spain. Our place is deep in the heart of old town Valencia. It’s a good thing Marcos was with us as I’m not sure we would make it back, even with a map. 

When in Valencia, Paella for dinner…

Madrid…
After a stroll through Plaza Mayor, we found “Chocolateria San Gines” to eat churros and chocolate for breakfast. I’ve been thinking about them since I knew we were coming back to Madrid. No, they are not GF, yes i totally regret trying it… well mostly. They tasted every bit as good as I remember, but brain fog set in shortly and my energy level crashed not long after that! Serves me right, I know better. 

As Madrid is the fashion capital of Spain, we spent the afternoon and early evening on a serious shopping saga. I found a few pieces that I’m excited about and a few that I’m still wondering if they would fit my pack at the moment.
We headed out to Mercado de San Miguel for dinner. This place reminds me of Granville Island back home, but everyone is eating tapas and drinking vino! C’mon Vancity, get on it. 

Oh and did I mention our hotel is across from the Real Madrid store? I met Rinaldo, well I met a poster of him. 

Granada to Madrid

Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery as our chauffeur (aka the bus driver) drove from Granada to Madrid. A scenic drive filled with hills and hills full of olive trees and vineyards. Hundreds of wind turbines on hilltops and solar panels and roundabouts lined the highway. I must admit I am thoroughly enjoying turning my brain off and not driving anywhere.

Madrid… Our hotel is located at Puerto del Sol, Gate of the Sun. This is the centre of the roads for Spain, 0km! It’s the busiest place in Madrid. The plaza is full of buskers and great for people watching, we must have spent an hour or so out watching all the action after dinner. 

One word…. Alhambra!
I am so happy our visit to Granada included a tour of Alhambra. The last time I was here I missed out, I wasn’t going to miss out this time. 
Alhambra (“Red One” for the colour of the bricks in the sun) is a palace and fortress nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains and nothing short of magnificent! It’s a city within the city! Although only a short distance from our hotel (literally 1km) it’s a rather steep walk to the grand opening of the fortress.The guide for this adventure, a true historian by the name of Ramon. He was full of clever anecdotes including tales of Washington Irving’s visit to the palace. Though most notable, Alhambra is the palace where Christopher Columbus received the royal assent from Ferdinand and Isabella for Columbus’ famous expedition. The palace is full of influence from multiple religions, including the colourful gardens, even this late in the summer.

The view overlooks the mountains including Albaicin, where the gypsies live. 

In the afternoon, we wondered around the side streets of Granada and settled in for a lunch filled with Rioja wine and lamb skewers- delish! The 34 degree temperature gave a perfect excuse to detour through the cooler, narrow alleys of the Moroccan influenced markets filled with spices, tajines and hookah pipes. I really want one of these lights, just not sure how it would make it home. 

When in Spain, tapas and cava for dinner.

Córdoba to Granada. We depart Sevilla to the town of Córdoba, Europes hottest city, with an average summer temp of 37. Today read 36 degrees. Córdoba is a town dating back to the Christian mid-6th century. We visited the Mosque-Cathedral temple. As the area was divided between Christians and Muslims, a mosque was built within the temple grounds in the late 8th century. Over the next hundred years the Mosque was extended several times, unlike other Mosque’s, the qibla wall is facing south instead of Mecca. It was questimated Córdoba was once the most populated city around the 10th century. In the conquest of 1236 the Catholic Church was once again in power. However instead of demolishing the Mosque, the Catholic Church persevered the integrity of the amazing architecture and adapted the chapel within the Mosque. Such a beautiful landmark to see. 

After lunch filled with local wine and chorizo, we make our way to our next stop, Granada! After dropping our luggage in the room we head out the closest bar for cava and tapas! Pay for a drink (or two) and tapas are free!!!!

Sevilla, the city of Flamenco! I could get lost in this city for days. So much history to absorb. We walked through the cobblestone city past Plaza De Espana built for the 1929 expo. Following the passage ways to the canal and the Plaza De Torro, where still to this day they have bull fighting. It continues to be a huge part of Spanish tradition in Seville and Madrid although banned in the Catalonia region of Spain. 

We opted to visit the top attraction in Seville, “La Catedral”. Originally constructed as a Mosque in the 12 century, it was later Christianized by Ferdinand III. The cathedral is known as the largest Gothic temple in the world, it is said to hold remains of Christopher Columbus! I must admit, it is spectacular inside and out.

 We spent the afternoon at the “Real Alcazar”, the royal palace. Areas of the palace are still occupied by the royal monarch, although we didn’t see any royals today. While walking thru the palace, you see distinct Arabic, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque influences. A very eclectic experience, right through to the luscious gardens. Sevilla trivia- the Alcazar was part of season 5 of Game of Thrones – Water Gardens of Dorne.

A visit to Sevilla would not be complete without Flamenco at Casa De Le Guirtarra. The dedication of dancing and guitar solos was intense in this intimate setting. 

We end the night with tapas and cava followed by a stroll through energetic streets. I love how the streets are so alive at night. The restaurant tables take over the plaza and people spill onto the thoroughfare during the warm summer nights.

Tchau Lagos, Hola Sevilla
We spent the morning around sunny Lagos beach promenade. 

It was a sad farewell to watch a wild fire burning in the hills. The smoke haze followed us all the way to the Spanish border. As we crossed the Rio Guadiana and a timezone change, we found ourselves in the amazing city of Seville. A quick change of clothes and we head out for tapas, tapas and more tapas… and some wine, of course! After dinner we take a long stroll through the city to make a plan for tomorrow. So much to see, not enough time.

Don’t worry about us, we are in good hands as Marcos is our guide for this tour. 

BEST! DAY! EVER! Lagos, you did not disappoint. Waking up to another sunny day. Somehow we ended up at the swanky resort in town, hotel Tivoli, still not sure how we managed that? 

The temp by the sea was a perfect 28 degrees. The day started with a leisurely walk thru the old town filled with shops and restaurants along the promenade. Followed by Lagos Castle which offered amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. As we hiked up and down the cliffs we ended up at a Ponta Da Piedade lighthouse. 

In the afternoon we joined a kayak tour along the coast line past beautiful beach after beautiful beach thru sandstone grotto’s. We stopped at a secluded beach to snorkel and take in the surf. The kayak trip took us outside the alcove to the open sea, where we looked up at the lighthouse we visited earlier in the day. Amazingly, we managed to only fall in once! I did not bring my camera on the kayak trip with fear of falling in so this video will have to suffice.

All and all, a spectacular way to spend our last day in Portugal.