Monday, April 13 and Tuesday, April
14, 2015
Traveling away from Nice, through
the Gulf of Lion, which is a wide embayment of the Mediterranean coastline in
France, reaching from the border with Catalonia to Toulon and very
beautiful. Also the area is known for
cold and blustery winds, some of which helped blow us to Barcelona.
Barcelona is an overnight stop on
the itinerary allowing more time for passengers and crew to enjoy the many
wonders available. The city is the
capital of Catalonia, Spain, full of rich culture, art and architecture. Art lovers probably should not miss seeing
the Picasso Museum to view the famed artist's work but be prepared for long
lines to get inside! One of the most
famous architectural works of art, by Antonio Gaudi, is the La Sagrada Familia,
the 19th-century church which remains unfinished to this day.
Food and wine are always a highlight
while in Barcelona. We have a favorite
restaurant, Les Quinze Nits, that we always visit. But others find that they enjoy the tapas,
small plates of food like olives, cured meats and cheese, or chopitos, tiny
fried squid - maybe just some paella will do for us!
One way to spend your day is touring
the Barri Gothic, the old part of Barcelona, walking through the narrow,
winding ancient streets, you can see buildings and sites dating back 2,000
years. Then head to Las Ramblas which
connects to the Barri Gothic district. A
famed poet once said, "Las Ramblas is the only street in the world which I
wish would never end." It features
flower carts, street markets, sidewalk cafes, opera houses and MIMES!
After a day and a half of glorious
weather and time in Barcelona, we sadly said goodbye at 8PM and began our sail
towards Cadiz, Spain scheduled for arrival in 2 days.
