Mark and Charlotte's Travel Blog

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

Drive through Rioja

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.

Funicular

Age of Discovery in Lisbon

Vasco da Gama Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

Lisbon roofsHills of Lisbon

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