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.
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.
I’d walked there on the first morning but wasn’t allowed in.
That’s it for one day!
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.
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.
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.
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!
Enough said!
Hmmm …..
We’re not huge fans of travelling later in the day, and so a 4.30 flight to Valencia wouldn’t have been our first choice, but needs must!
Surprisingly it’s a 3 hour flight, and when that’s added to a 2 hour delay, an hour forward in the clocks and too much messing about meeting up with the Uber, we were pretty (extremely) tired when we arrived.
But it’s our first time in Valencia and it hasn’t disappointed.
Great flat with balcony in the centre.
Start with the bling ….
And then a venture out to the science and art museums
We like it already.
After 8 nights we’re on the move. But before we go, here’s where we stayed. A cactus nursery, in a beautiful location, but a mile up an incredibly steep hill to get to civilisation!
