A Window Through Spain

Barcelona and Madrid - Iconic Espanol

Spain was discovered in 2 phases – the first one in February 2011 (Mou’s extended birthday vacation) and the next in Dec. 2011 over the extended Christmas vacation planning.

Sagrada La Familia

Inside 

  In February, we covered the northern part, mostly around Barcelona. Montserrat, Tibidabo and Girona were the out-of-city Barcelona suburbs we planned for. Barcelona was one hell of a sea facing city with its mix of the modern and the ancient. The trip was planned to cover the Barcelona

Posing outside the Sagrada La Familia 

walking trips as suggested by Frommers (which caused a lot of grief !) and a few walks during the out-of-city trips.

Inside the Sagrada La Familia

So we started our adventure in that megapolis of melting cultures Barcelona – going via metro and Sants station to reach the shared accommodation we had booked for. The accommodation incidentally was a room in a 3-bedroom house. Although we had some interesting Italian visitors, the late night shouts and shared bathroom experience was a nightmare for the 5-day 4-night trip.

We had especially extended this trip as we had plans for Girona and Tibidabo and a relaxed vacation over the occasion of Mou’s birthday on the 7th Feb. Barcelona arrival and airport transfer was unspectacular, and we used the apt public transportation by train and bus to arrive at the shared accommodation. We were short changed by at least €2 at the metro ticket counter for the airport transfer and 10-metro ride tickets, so it was a bad start. It was then a quick shower and rush to start the visits. We had plans that included most of tourist hotspots as La Rambla, El Raval and Montjuic fountains.

3^rd Feb:

Sagrada La Familia

La Sagrada Familia was breathtaking as it was mind blowing. We could only marvel at this unique heritage of the nouveau architect Antoní Gaudí who dedicated more than 40 years of his life to its construction. It was an experience like no other, save the Sistine chapel of course. Our cameras were clicking non-stop, but the experience was ethereal, there was a divine sunlight giving an eerie halo to the Christ ensemble, and then the columns inspired devotion as much as awe. The Roman Catholic basilica towered over the city skyline, and we climbed almost to the top by the spires to get a grand view of the city. We should have kept this to the last, just for the sake of curiousity and awe.

After this, we rushed off to another marvel of Gaudi, Parc Guell, which was very touristy and for a reason.  

Gaudi Parc Güell

Spectacular View of Parc Guell

Tibidabo - Temple de Sagrat Cor

The park was choc-a-bloc with Gaudi style architecture and structures, with distinct mazing stone structures (see below), stunning tiling and fascinating buildings. You can see from this picture the Gaudí dragon fountain that is at the entrance to Güell park. This was too mind-tiring, so we decided to postpone Tibidabo to another day, and spent the rest of the afternoon strolling along the LaRambla – which is the major tourist attraction of Barcelona. Full of performing artists, and quintessential souvenir shops, we had a very interesting initiation to the Espanol Hola way of life. And then we made enquiries for the ‘touristy’ Flamenco shows on offer. Overall an interesting start to the adventure, though the accommodation at corner of the Balmes and Rhonda Universitat was a tad disappointing. But for €48 a night, it was as good as you can get!

                                       Parc Güell

4^th Feb: 
The next day we started for city tour and followed Frommers walking guides for reference. Gothic quarter, Església de Santa María del Mar, Casa Batla, the Passeig Maritim- we covered an astonishing array of city sights including the Barcelona waterfront, with its shipping and fishing boats stacked for a great view. The most interesting thing was that we had a day trip guide from the Frommers and other sources that we used for covering most of the top 10 city sights.  And then we had saved Montjuic fountains for the evening. Carrefour stores and café Vienna were interesting eating options that we had uncovered, and with the apartment kitchen at our disposal, delicious European food was always at hand.

Montjuic fountains were again fascinating. Words can hardly describe the spectacle that unfolded, so just admire the snaps. In fact, we returned the next evening for the free fountain show.

Barcelona Beach

5^th Feb:

Ramparts of Gothic Quarter

Off to Tibidabo for the largest or maybe the 2nd largest monument dedicated to Christ.  Rising sharply to the north-west, it affords spectacular views over the city and the surrounding coastline. The TheTemple de Sagrat Cor is at the top, all of which are visible from most of the city. It is topped by a sculpture of the Sacred Heart. The Amusement park is the oldest in Barcelona and retains most of the original rides, some of which date to the turn of the 20th century. We reached Tibidabo by a funicular railway, built in 1901, and was the first of its kind in Spain at that time.

Montjuic Fountains

Funicular to Montserrat

In the evening, we were back at the Montjuic, for another sighting of the magic fountain. It was well worth the trip, and the day was one of the more memorable days - till the next day when we went to Montserrat to see Black Madonna.

At Montserrat

6^th Feb:

Black Madonna

Barcelona Streets

Montserrat is a pilgrimage, and is one of the only 4 or 5 places where you can view the black Madonna. So it was a special day, and it was a long way till there- with trains and buses – but it was well connected from the Barcelona Catalunya and we took the Sant Joan Funicular Railway, and then the Santa Cova Funicular Railway and the Open Air Museum. But just have a look at the snaps, and you will know it was worth the excursion. It took a whole day, and we returned in the evening for a leisurely stroll around the city to marvel at the modern arts like Casa Milà and the Casa Batllo’. All are a part of a unique Spanish modern architecture, and what makes Barcelona a stunning city.

Flamenco

Casa Mila

Columbus 

Gothic Quarter Ramparts

Casa Batllo'

'Gat'

Casa Batllo

In the night we went to a flamenco show on the La Rambla, and it was for €8 per person. Not spectacular, but it was a very good initiation. Of course, Madrid is where one gets to see the real thing, and more about that later.
7^th Feb:  

Paella and Tapas - Quintessential Espanol

It was the birthday occasion, and we had a hearty Seafood Paella and tapas at, where else, La Rambla. El Raval was another of the hot spots we visited towards the end of our eventful journey. We had to skip Girona though. Maybe, there would be another visit for that. We did visit again, to Al Andalucia and it was grand-est!