Following this itinerary you will experience Gaudi architecture, early Picasso, and walk one of the Europe’s greatest boulevards in Barcelona.
Sagrada Familia – (A giant temple, probably Gaudi's greatest work and is the No.1 most visited attraction in Barcelona)
Sagrada Familia
Sagrada Familia
Casa Batlló – (One of the most interesting and unusual houses in Barcelona)
Cassa Batllo
Cassa Batllo
Boqueria Market off the Rambles'
Boqueria Market
Boqueria Market
In San Sebastian's (“Donostia” in Basque) old town, eat the world’s best tapas and walk them off on a two mile promenade that lines a perfect shell shaped beach once used by the royal family, then go eat more tapas!
Hotel Santa Cristina Maria, San Sebastian
Mom and Pop tapa shop Beach promenade leads to a some great medal artwork
Take the funicular to Monte Igueldo for commanding city views San Sebastian during Halloween! Side trip to Bilbao to see the Guggenheim Museum Charlotte and nice Basque man
Where we found the nice Basque man
Top the tapas off in the small Tuscan-like medieval hill towns of the Rioja region, with arguably Spain’s best wine.
Walled town of Laguardia, Rioja
Mayor de Migueloa Inn Mayor de Migueloa Inn wine cellar
Another wine cellar in Laguardia Bodegas Ysios
Bodegas Ysios
The wine museum near Logrono is well worth the visit
The Way of St. James or St. James' Way is the pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, where legend has it that the remains of the apostle, Saint James the Great, are buried. On your way is Leon, home to one of Spain's most magnificent cathedrals in its own right. The stately Castilian city of Leon has a compact historical center, making it a magical place to explore. Today as in centuries past, Leon is one of the main stops along the legendary pilgrim route.
León Cathedral
Leon Cathedral
Hostel de San Marcos
Pilgrim route
Pilgrims Bar food. Not sure what it was, but it was good! Churros and Chocolate
Follow the shells from Leon to Santiago de Compostela, a World Heritage city, pilgrimage destination, cultural and historical capital.
Saint James Way
Santiago de Compostella Cathedral
(Hit Play) Mass at Santiago de Compostella Cathedral
Plaza at Santiago de Compostella Cathedral Hotel Rua Villar
From Santiago de Compostela depart for Porto, Portugal and re-tune your ears for the fourth language of this itinerary (Catalan, Basque, Spanish, and Portuguese). In Porto start another kind of pilgrimage to port lodges across the Douro River where the best Port wine in the world is blended and aged.
View from room at Hotel Pestana Porto
View from room of Port Lodges across Douro River
Douro River in Porto
Tiles, Tiles everywhere! The Majestic Cafe Porto
Continue south to Sintra, where Portugal’s aristocracy escaped to fantasy castles set amidst exotic tropical gardens on craggy hilltops with views of the Atlantic.
The landmark of Sintra is the National Palace Pena Palace
Pena Palace
Pena Palace and the Moorish castle B&B
End your trip in Lisbon "the town of the seven hills" and the city of the explorers, once the launch pad for many of the voyages of discovery. Lisbon was the first true world city and retains World Heritage architectural marvels, such as Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower, with their intricate carvings showcasing all the glory and excitement of the age. Vasco da Gama and his crew spent their last night in Portugal in prayer at the Monastery before leaving for India and are entombed there now. Don’t miss the world-class Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. Lisbon is also Fado country; wander the Alfama or the Barrio Alto for a taste of the Portuguese version of the blues.
Age of Discovery in Lisbon
Vasco da Gama Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
Lisbon roofsHills of Lisbon
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 comments:
Your Blog is an awesome site and reference for any wannabe or experienced traveler!
Where are your pictures of the nations capital?
Where did you stay in Lisbon? And, how long did you stay there?
To see where we stayed on our trips and other detailed information, please review our trip at a glance spreadsheets or email us directly with questions.
Mark
Post a Comment