Day 2 - gaudí day
One of the major reasons I wanted to visit Barcelona, Spain was to see the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. The second day of our tour was arranged to focus on his work in the Eixample area of the city. I was very much looking forward to this day of our tour.
Breakfast was included each day of the tour at our hotel, which was extremely convenient. Our group gathered in the lobby at 8am each morning to head out and see the sights. It was easy to grab breakfast by 7am, allowing time to really enjoy what you were eating and ease into the day ahead. Better still, I could leave my coat, camera, and purse in my room rather than toting them with me to breakfast. Something so little really made a big difference in the start of the day.
Breakfast consisted of: assorted pastries, cured meats, cheeses, fruit, juices, coffee, tea, water, and even wine! Items were buffet style and you could help yourself. Forgive me: I failed to remember to take a picture of the spread... I'm not a morning person.
Breakfast was included each day of the tour at our hotel, which was extremely convenient. Our group gathered in the lobby at 8am each morning to head out and see the sights. It was easy to grab breakfast by 7am, allowing time to really enjoy what you were eating and ease into the day ahead. Better still, I could leave my coat, camera, and purse in my room rather than toting them with me to breakfast. Something so little really made a big difference in the start of the day.
Breakfast consisted of: assorted pastries, cured meats, cheeses, fruit, juices, coffee, tea, water, and even wine! Items were buffet style and you could help yourself. Forgive me: I failed to remember to take a picture of the spread... I'm not a morning person.
Casa Milà (aka La pedrera)
We met our local guide, Sonya, and began the day at La Pedrera (translated: "the stone quarry") also known as Casa Milà (it was built for the Milà family). At the time of our visit, the facade of the building was covered in scaffolding because it was being cleaned and restored. That project has finished now but at the time we couldn't see much of the building from the outside. The rooftop views were spectacular and the interior was also very interesting. The building was built to allow natural light into many portions of the interior... which was somewhat hindered due to the scaffolding. Despite that, I still enjoyed the visit and was a big fan of the gift shop located at the base of the building. They had a large variety of items... more than most other Gaudí sites.
|
Basílica de la Sagrada Família
Our visually stunning experience continued this morning as we made our way to the next stop Gaudí's Basílica de la Sagrada Família (translated Basilica of the Holy Family). Still under construction, the church was dedicated and declared a basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, becoming a holy place open for worship. The structure is amazing inside and out. There are three exterior facades: the Nativity, the Passion (completed in 1986), and the Glory (under construction).
This visit was definitely a WOW moment. Also interesting to know is that the current architects are staying true to Gaudí's vision while adding their own touches to the project. The foundation was laid in 1882 and the basilica is expected to be completed in 2026. Learning the admission cost of my visit helps to build and complete the structure was one of many WOW moments today.
This visit was definitely a WOW moment. Also interesting to know is that the current architects are staying true to Gaudí's vision while adding their own touches to the project. The foundation was laid in 1882 and the basilica is expected to be completed in 2026. Learning the admission cost of my visit helps to build and complete the structure was one of many WOW moments today.
Afternoon free time
One of the things that I really appreciate about Rick Steves' tours is the amount of free time travelers are given to craft their own agenda. On our tour, we would typically sightsee as a group all morning until about 1pm. Afternoons were free. Some nights we would gather together for dinner and others were completely open. The only days that were different were travel days. With two more nights left in Barcelona, we were released with recommendations of where to grab lunch and told to meet in the hotel lobby at 6pm so we could go to dinner as a group.
A fellow traveler and I decided to grab lunch together before going our separate ways. She planned to see Casa Batlló and I was intent on finding a chocolatier I had seen on a travel show. It was pretty obvious that the area around Sagrada Família was touristy. We looked for a restaurant that looked good and didn't have a menu posted in eight languages. We were happy with our choice, it wasn't crowded, and they had Jamón ibérico (translated pata negra or Iberian ham). I was sold and not at all worried about my cholesterol levels after all the walking we did that morning!
A fellow traveler and I decided to grab lunch together before going our separate ways. She planned to see Casa Batlló and I was intent on finding a chocolatier I had seen on a travel show. It was pretty obvious that the area around Sagrada Família was touristy. We looked for a restaurant that looked good and didn't have a menu posted in eight languages. We were happy with our choice, it wasn't crowded, and they had Jamón ibérico (translated pata negra or Iberian ham). I was sold and not at all worried about my cholesterol levels after all the walking we did that morning!
mercat st josep - la boqueria
Before heading to dinner, our group met with another local tour guide, Alberto, who took us to La Boqueria which was nearby off Las Ramblas. We were treated to more cured meat, cheese, and juice samples as we strolled through the market. The group was given some free time to shop and stroll around on our own before we walked through more of the city, learning about the food that makes Barcelona famous. It was a wonderful introduction to shopping opportunities for the next day (which would be our last full day in Barcelona).
Since a picture is worth 1,000 words, I'll let them do the talking. You'll have to visit yourself to get the full sensory experience!
Since a picture is worth 1,000 words, I'll let them do the talking. You'll have to visit yourself to get the full sensory experience!
Group dinner
Group dinners were often within walking distance of the hotel. Generally, we all met in the lobby and followed our guide to the restaurant. Tonight we went to dinner after our La Boqueria visit. It was nice to eat together again and continue to get to know and bond with fellow travelers. Our group bonded more and more each day thanks to the way the itinerary was orchestrated.
Tonight's dinner consisted of small plates or "tapas". Tapas bars are extremely popular in Barcelona. This wasn't a bar but the restaurant arranged for each table to have a sampling of fare from the menu. My big adventure for the night was fois gras. It's not something I would typically eat but I have friends who LOVE it. I tried it and it was good. It was served cold which was slightly offputting for me... which is the only reason I don't claim it was great. |
I highly encourage you to make the most of any travel experience and step out of your comfort zone. This tour allowed me to do that in a very comfortable way. Opportunities to do and try new things abounded. There is nothing to lose... dive in! If you need some help, have some more wine... have I mentioned it's included in this tour's price?
|