Taormina is lovely, but 2 1/2 days is probably enough. So today just relaxing and enjoying the experience.
Coffee
Afternoon beer
That’s Castello di Mola perched up at. The top.
Dinner
Found the seaside today and relaxed.
Taormina 14 March
It’s lovely to be in the sun. Gets a bit chilly in the shade and at night, but who’s complaining!
Today starts with Etna and Roman/Greek theatres.
Decent coffee and a decent view.
And the amphitheatre which we had last visited in October 2012 (pre blog!), and it hasn’t changed much…
It would’ve been nice if the clouds had cleared the top of Etna for the iconic picture but it wasn’t to be.
Thought we’d head off to the beach in the afternoon but one of the disadvantages of the low season is that things are shut for maintenance. No funicular down to the beach so decided to drive. And even then too many steps down once we’d got there, and got stuck in a car park because the machine ate my ticket.
Anyway, Castello di Mola was a brilliant diversion.
Sicily – 13th March
Sitting at home on a miserable Saturday evening, watching Monty Don doing a tour of Spain, and, having checked the weather forecast said why don’t we just nip to Bilbao for a few days (as you do when you’re privileged pensioners!). So here we are having 10 days in Sicily (also, as you do!!).
And let’s start with a little scam which we fell for. On the motorway out of Catania and hit the toll booth. Unsure of what passes you need, so to be on the safe side go to the only manned booth. Lovely lady hands you the ticket and asks for the €5 toll. Except that it’s €1.80 payable when you exit 30 miles later. Ho hum – didn’t see that one, although Eileen was suspicious.
Anyway, wonderful apartment right in the centre of Taormina (that’s the chair on our balcony).
And a few nice pics to get us on our way.
Casa Vicens
Last one! Barcelona is feeling a bit like New York, in that you get tired and then something amazing turns up. One of the first houses to be designed by Gaudi and just restored.
It was originally a summer house in the country, but has been encroached upon.
But amazing.
Palau de la Musica
We’d seen this on our first day, but, of course, couldn’t get in as we hadn’t booked. So we did.
Bit alarmed at hundreds of children on a school visit, but the huge bonus was that they had come to see a flamenco concert which we were allowed to watch.
Ticket booth (no longer in use, sadly)
Main concert hall
And other bits.
Park Guell
I’d walked there on the first morning but wasn’t allowed in.
That’s it for one day!
The Going Gets Tough – Sagrada Familia
- Tickets booked
- Apartment is central, for R&R in the middle of sightseeing
- Acclimatisation well under way
- Weather ok, but not too hot, which is a relief
And so we start at Sagrada Familia – extraordinary! Spent 3 hours in there and still reeling.
And the chapel
And then pictures of pictures
And finally, a model of what it will look like if they ever finish it.
Barcelona
Real change of gear needed now. Big city with some serious sights to see, and some reasonable distances (probably no more than a couple of miles, but it adds up). And seriously busy – not compared to itself in high season, but busy enough.
So no meandering about and making stuff up on the hoof – this is serious planning and buying tickets online beforehand.
Found the cathedral
And Park Guell – or at least the outside – only open for residents before 9.30.
First morning I had a call, so Eileen took herself off to Pedrera (a Gaudi house)
Afternoon headed over to the port area and a Picasso Miro gallery
And finally walking back up La Rambla (not as busy as we feared, but nothing special)
And an old fashioned tapas bar near our (astoundingly quiet, central) apartment.
Tuesday – On the Move
But firstly Valencia went some way to redeeming itself by giving us a lovely last evening. A little bit of warmth, wandering, wine and some nice squares is a big plus.
Then on the train to Barcelona – it had slowed down to 250 km/h as we approached Barcelona. A brilliant way to travel, and to arrive at a really sensible time.
Monday 12th February
Trying to understand Valencia this weekend, although not helped by a very cold wind yesterday.
Flat in a terrific location with balcony.
What we can see is a massive park that goes all around the city, made by diverting what used to be a river. Makes for the best morning walks – flat, quiet, close.
The modern museums (see pics from yesterday) are stunning – don’t think we’ve seen buildings like that since the Sydney Opera House, nearly 10 years ago.
Anyway, tried the old town. From the top of the tower it’s clear that it’s a “street level” city, as there really wasn’t a lot to see.
Cathedrals, Palaces and so on.
And today down to the port and the beach (including lunch).
But it’s a bit strange. It should be ticking a lot of boxes, and objectively it is. But both of us are finding it a bit hard to properly connect which we don’t really understand. But what a privilege to be in a position to at least try.
And getting the train to Barcelona tomorrow which should be a fun journey, and an exciting end to the trip. I last went to Barcelona on my gap year in 1976!