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The Magellan Expedition
  • Amy and Pat Taylor

The Magellan Expedition

24 Days. Switzerland, Italy, Croatia & Spain. Traveling with Gary and Patty. Read more
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  • Amy and Pat TaylorThe Magellan ExpeditionTraveler

    Plitvice National Park 1

    September 5 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    When we saw pictures of this park we knew that we couldn't get this close and not see it. So we rented a car and booked an overnight at a B&B and spent the afternoon seeing as much as we could. We didn't have time to get to the upper lakes, but what we did see was breathtaking. Soglad we did it!Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorThe Magellan ExpeditionTraveler

    Ahh! Croatia!! We Hate To Leave

    September 6 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    As we drive through Croatia, we see that everyone has a garden of some sort. And most homes and most businesses beautify with flowering trees and plants.

    The people we encountered were friendly and open. We felt welcomed everywhere we went.

    The roads and highways are in great condition. No potholes. No Thumpita, thump, thump, as you drive. No trash along the highway. And almost no road construction. Definitely no semi-permanent orange barrels.

    The coastal towns we visited are ancient by our standards, most of them dating back to the 13th century, some older. And the granddaddy was Zadar. 3000 years old - predating Jesus by 1000 years.

    The stores, shops, facilities have all been cleaner than what we find in the USA. I don't mean a little clean. I mean really clean. No trash. No junk. No signs of lack of maintenance.

    As tourist here, we are walking ATM machines. Wealthy by comparison and not only willing, but ready to spend our money. But they are not tugging at us to get our money. The people were quite helpful and incredibly polite. Americans have rough reputations abroad, but there was no sense of that here.

    We also noticed that the people here seem to be tall and relatively thin. (Just an observation)

    The food was tasty and fair portions (if not more than fair) for the money.

    It would be fair to say that the people are prideful of their country - and they should be.

    Croatia has been controlled by 9 other countries (in whole or in part), and some of those countries have owned or controlled Croatia several times.

    Something that struck us was when we learned about their "Homeland War" - their Civil War - the War for Independence (1992). It was bloody and horrendous. But after the war, Croatians fostered a concept of healing and forgiving. All thoughts toward moving forward.

    Croatians are extremely proud of their membership in the European Union and NATO.

    The only "tourist tax" I felt was with respect to public toilets and (especially) laundromats. The prices were steep.

    This was a fabulous trip.
    We enjoyed.
    We experienced.
    We opened our eyes.    Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorThe Magellan ExpeditionTraveler

    Barcelona Reality Check

    September 6 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    Reality Check

    I wouldn't say that our vacation, so far, was fantasy like. And we have been moving quite a bit, so relaxing is not exactly the right word. But wonderful and well paced it has been.

    Barcelona, day 1, reality check: What was peaceful was replaced by a loud and busy city.

    Today was a travel day. Never a relaxing situation. Today will be marked by a good dinner, and a wonderful old condo. But the condo lacks a/c, thus the windows had to be open letting in fresh air ...... and a city full of noise. But such is the Spanish way of life. Tomorrow....Siesta!

    Day 2
    After the balloon flight, Domi dropped us at his favorite Tapas Restaurant (Bar Jaica) for lunch. It was delicious and the chef made sure Bear's food was gluten free. Then we meandered back thru the Gothic Quarter/ Old Town to the apartment for a Siesta. Pat and I went out to dinner at another of Domi's suggestions (La Dentellerie). Again...delicious!! We walked to the marina and sat in the park, listening to a man play guitar and sing. Dogs walking by and playing (all so so well behaved!)
    The walk back to the apartment we didn't feel quite as safe as elsewhere on our trip. There were plenty of people about, but we were very much on guard. The biggest negative though, is the trash everywhere, overflowing trash receptcals, and THE SMELL. Tonight sounds like it will be much quieter....    Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorThe Magellan ExpeditionTraveler

    Floating In The Wind

    September 7 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    Barcelona Day 2

    The Flight

    Today is one of my favorite things. I get to watch someone live a "moment".

    Today is is Ballooning Day. My Lovely and I will love it. There is no doubt. But this is a bucket list item for Patty - and we get to watch.

    It is not a the top of Gary's list, but making your true love happy always ranks. We get to watch that too.

    The sun still sleeps. We ride into the mountains. My Lovely comments about the Spanish guitar music on the radio. The sounds are soothing, wonderful and varied, but distinctively Spanish. We discovered later that our driver/balloon crew extraordinaire, Domi, is also a DJ!

    The city slips into the past. The silhouetted moutain range out our right window. We will fly from the mountain valley.

    Barcelona is a coastal city, surrounded by mountain ranges. After 30 minutes of driving, we have left the city. We have mountains on all sides now.

    A stop for coffee and a danish.

    Now it is time to fly. Our captain, Santiago, aka Santi, has 23 years of experience.

    Prepping and inflating, anticipation builds.

    The balloon stands tall; the basket finally upright... The time is here.

    Our first instruction, the "Landing" (some might call it the crash) Position.

    The Pyrenees Mountians. Ranges in all directions. Farm lands, small towns, a castle, horses in their corrals. So much to see. But we just breathe. Take it all in.

    Only a moment or 2 of trepidation. Mostly the surprise bursts of gas. No fear of heights. "Nervous going up, but not scared." Enjoyed every minute of it. Peaceful, quiet, still. Not floating with the wind but floating in the wind.

    "I did more than survive. I LOVED it". Patty said.

    After we all "survived our flight" captain Santi) awarded us each with a Certificado de Vuelo en Globo and we all celebrated with champagne and a biscuit. Santi noted that it was tradition because the first balloon flight was in France....good thing it wasn't In Russia...it's too early for vodka!    Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorThe Magellan ExpeditionTraveler

    Patty Got The Balloon Bug

    September 7 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    (Thoughts From Patty) Floating, soaring, and remembering to breathe!!! That is what riding a hot air balloon is like to me! Always a dream but now a reality! How peaceful the still air as you soar above the land! You see all God has created and soak it in! Afraid? Not really! There's a hush in my spirit as I realize I'm not in control! My God is and I trust Him! Thank you Pat & Amy for making this dream come true! And thank you babe for sharing this tremendous experience with me!! Who's up for a balloon ride in each country we experience??!! Count me in! I have the balloon bug! ❤️Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorThe Magellan ExpeditionTraveler

    A Garden With No Night

    September 8 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    "A garden with no night" is how one artist described it.

    Palau de la Música Catalana

    I have to start this footprint with a quote from My Lovely. Amy said,

    "Of all the palaces I have been in, this is the most beautiful building."

    For my part, I am simply amazed that every fixture, every post, every backdrop is either a piece of art or a part of a piece of art.

    In an intro video on the tour, one of the performers said that she would catch herself enjoying the art as she performed.

    Regardless, everywhere you look there is art, from sculptures to mosaics to glass art. Every single thing is art.

    The central point of the building is natural light. The building was constructed of steel, but the steel was covered in art, with an emphasis on glass and light.

    The central piece is the stained glass ceiling with the inverted dome - the "Sun" (The Glow Worm).

    This palace is the only UNESCO World Heritage site that is a music hall.

    The palace, Palau de la Música Catalana, is privately owned and was built with no government funds. The cost of construction was less than $300,000 in today's money. But with that said, this building could not be built today for a billion dollars.

    The building was built with "cheap material." In this case, 'cheap' means locally sourced materials and common materials.

    The central feature of the stage's architecture is an organ, comprising 3,900 pipes. During the tour, they played a piece as we stood on stage. It began ever so softly, then slowly built to a crescendo. It was awe inspiring. Bringing involuntary gasps of joy and tears to our eyes.

    Built as part of the music hall are three apartments. One of the apartments was for the owner. He had a keyboard that was connected to the organ so that he could play.

    There is a circular balcony directly above the stage. That balcony is in the living room of the owner's apartment. He could look directly down on the stage    Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorThe Magellan ExpeditionTraveler

    Bear's 1st Car

    September 8 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    Bear's 1st car was a 1967 600D Fiat that he bought for $50.00 at age 15. He drove it for 4 years and made some memories...like sliding into a ditch one winter...he and his 3 passengers (fellow football players) lifted it out of the ditch back onto the road.

    We found this similar fiat being used in a store display and we had fun listening to Bear reminiscing about those times.    Read more

  • Amy and Pat TaylorThe Magellan ExpeditionTraveler

    Pick'n & Grin'n Catalan Style

    September 8 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    Pick'n & Grin'n Catalan Style

    After enjoying the privilege of touring the Palau de la Música Catalana we enjoyed its purpose.

    Three renowned guitarists, a
    pair of dancers, and a flamenco percussionist, to deliver a tribute to Paco de Lucía fusing both flamenco and Spanish guitars.

    The show was lively and fun --- and funny. Latin style guitar being a favorite, there was little doubt we were in store for a lovely evening.

    The bonus was supposed to be the flamenco dancers, and they were great, but the real bonus was the humor. Being a mixed crowd (from many nationalities), they did a great job with non-verbal humor.

    To begin the encore all 3 guitarists and the percussionist played a song, all on 1 guitar, all at the same time. Three artists picking cords at the same time. One sat still and began to play, the others crowded around and joined in. The arrangement required that at least 1 guitarist was always playing with his hands reversed.

    The dancing portion was impressive and enjoyable. What stuck me, that has never stuck me before, was that some of the dancing was music itself.

    Below is a you tube link to the performance, since photos and video were not allowed.

    https://youtube.com/shorts/fSScPB5nCtg?si=Hj3iF…    Read more

  • Trip end
    September 10, 2025
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