The pictures are:
1. Meeting Marta and the driver for the day’s tour
2. The city’s market
3. The Gaudi Church
4. Part of lunch, vegetables and sardines ( and we ate them)
Barcelona, Spain. So far, this is our favorite city on the cruise. It is the second largest city in Spain and while we have been here before, this is the first time we really saw the town. Settlement in Barcelona can be traced as far back as the 4th century B.C. The Greeks, the Phoenicians, the Romans and the Moors all controlled Barcelona at one time.
We were picked up by our guide, Marta and driver in a beautiful new Mercedes and off we went. Our first stop was the huge central market and it had just opened up for the day. It is one of the biggest markets we have ever seen and it was fun walking around it.
Then we walked thru the Gothic Quarter the oldest part of the City and it is mainly a pedestrian area made up of little street and alleys.
Then it was on to the La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, or locally called the Gaudi Church. The Cathedral was begun in 1882 and is still under construction. While the Pope is going to b
e here in November to consecrate it, final construction will not be completed for another 30 to 40 year. This is a church unlike any you have ever seen.
Lastly we went to the main part of town were Gaudi had built some other important properties and then to eat at a local Tappas restaurant. Tappas is what is called the small portions that they will serve for lunch. I am not totally sure what we ate, but it was good!!
Marta left us after lunch and she was one of the best guides we have ever had. Her full name is Marta Laurent and her web site is http://www.foreverbarcelona.com/. What a delight to have her show us Barcelona.
After lunch we walked back to the edge of the port stopping at dozens and dozens of shops along a tree-lined boulevard, which is the center of activity in the port area.
After dancing and listening to music, we joined some new friends that we met in the ca
sino at on of the specialty restaurants called Murano, which costs extra and served contemporary French food. What an outstanding meal and we had a lot of fun talking about trips we each have taken.
1. Meeting Marta and the driver for the day’s tour
2. The city’s market
3. The Gaudi Church
4. Part of lunch, vegetables and sardines ( and we ate them)
Barcelona, Spain. So far, this is our favorite city on the cruise. It is the second largest city in Spain and while we have been here before, this is the first time we really saw the town. Settlement in Barcelona can be traced as far back as the 4th century B.C. The Greeks, the Phoenicians, the Romans and the Moors all controlled Barcelona at one time.
We were picked up by our guide, Marta and driver in a beautiful new Mercedes and off we went. Our first stop was the huge central market and it had just opened up for the day. It is one of the biggest markets we have ever seen and it was fun walking around it.Then we walked thru the Gothic Quarter the oldest part of the City and it is mainly a pedestrian area made up of little street and alleys.
Then it was on to the La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, or locally called the Gaudi Church. The Cathedral was begun in 1882 and is still under construction. While the Pope is going to b
e here in November to consecrate it, final construction will not be completed for another 30 to 40 year. This is a church unlike any you have ever seen.Lastly we went to the main part of town were Gaudi had built some other important properties and then to eat at a local Tappas restaurant. Tappas is what is called the small portions that they will serve for lunch. I am not totally sure what we ate, but it was good!!
Marta left us after lunch and she was one of the best guides we have ever had. Her full name is Marta Laurent and her web site is http://www.foreverbarcelona.com/. What a delight to have her show us Barcelona.
After lunch we walked back to the edge of the port stopping at dozens and dozens of shops along a tree-lined boulevard, which is the center of activity in the port area.
After dancing and listening to music, we joined some new friends that we met in the ca
sino at on of the specialty restaurants called Murano, which costs extra and served contemporary French food. What an outstanding meal and we had a lot of fun talking about trips we each have taken.Our meal was three hours so we didn't make it to the last show and also skipped the casino to get to bed by midnight to be ready for Toulon France in the morning.
Night
