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Europe 2024

September - October 2024
  • Catherine Kidd
A 23-day adventure by Catherine Read more
  • Catherine Kidd

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  • France France
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  • Netherlands Netherlands
  • Gibraltar Gibraltar
  • Spain Spain
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  • Catherine KiddTravelerEurope 2024

    YVR

    September 22, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Arrived at the airport and had easy check in. Flying to Barcelona via Montreal. First flight on time do far!

  • Catherine KiddTravelerEurope 2024
    Street view from apartmentFrom apartmentPedestrian walkway lined with restaurants.1Refreshing adult beveridge

    Day 1 Barcelona

    Sep 23–25, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Had a few naps overnight. Beautiful sunrise this morning. Flight on time. It was challenging navigating the Metro with 4 suitcases to wrestle. Steep escalators up and sometimes only stairs both up and down. Note to self: take an Uber next time!

    After storing our luggage, we took the Hop on Hop off tour. It was drizzling off and on, so the top was up and we couldn't really take pictures. It was a good way to orient ourselves to the city, however. Amazing architecture.

    Found our Air B&B. The Ryoko WiFi is working well for our maps and apps. A nice view from our balcony. Seems to be a quiet area.

    Walked half a block to a pedestrian only area, which was lined on either side with restaurants. Very charming. Had tapas and sangria for dinner.

    Early to bed for us!    Read more

  • Catherine KiddTravelerEurope 2024
    Statue from Olympics in 1992. Start of bike tour.
    Remaining building from French occupation, now the seat of Catalonian governmentDry waterfall from Worlds Fair.Evidence of Moorish influence in some buildings.Arc de Triumph from Worlds Fair because every country needs one!World's Fair building, built over foundations of old homes that were demolished.Foundations uncovered during renos to building.1st C Roman wall.

    Day 2 Barcelona: bike tour

    September 24, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Slept off and on over night. Up early drinking coffee and reviewing our plans for the day.

    Took the Metro to go on our bike tour that started at 1000. Our guide, Bella, took 8 of us (family of 4 from Auz, a couple from the US and us) on an excellent 4.5 hour tour of the Marina district and the old town. The old town area is called Born. We saw the remnants of Roman walls dating from the first century; excavated ruins of homes built from 1300 to the 1700's; really narrow cobblestone streets with apartments on either side dating from the 14th Century; churches built in the 1300's and other attractions such as the buildings and monuments from the 1888 Worlds fair. What an amazing history!Read more

  • Catherine KiddTravelerEurope 2024
    Front of Music Hall
    Inside Music HallExterior of 4 cats restaurantPicasso's menu at 4 catsParadeParadeCat - symbol of BarcelonaChristopher ColumbusEntrance pillars to Worlds FairNarrow streets in BornInside Santa Maria 1300'sThat's a huge serving of Mejillones!Intricate Ironwook everywhere!Welcoming Statue from Worlds FairApartment building where Picasso lived

    Bike tour more pictures

    September 24, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    The 24th of September is also a holiday in Barcelona. It is the Festival of Merce, or the Virgin of Grace. She saved Barcelona from a plague of locusts in the 17th C.

    It is a major, multi day event, celebrating the religious aspects, but also the culture of the Catalan people.

    In some areas, we were hard pressed even to move in the throngs of people watching parades, listening to concerts, and just out and about enjoying street performers and other special events. An amazing experience!

    When the tour finished, we had lunch at the Olympic wharf. I had moules et frites, John a burger and fries.

    We then went on the Hop on Hop off to do the 2nd route. Again, we were amazed at the history of this city. So many artists, in addition to the famous architects, made Barcelona their home for a period of time. There is a restaurant opened in the mid 1800's, that is still in business. Picasso had his first public exhibition there in 1899. It was the artistic hangout of its day.    Read more

  • Catherine KiddTravelerEurope 2024
    The nativity
    Cypress tree with Holy Spirit doves.Resurrection side still under construction.Passion of Christ.The Nativity.Inside pillars formed as if treesJoseph, Mary, Jesus inscribed on the floor of the Nave.Jesus on the cross. Grape vines and wheat around the parasol, depicting the Eucherist.Joseph.

    Day 3 Barcelona Sagrada de Familia.

    September 25, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    This morning, we had tickets for the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's church, which he started in 1882. We had an audio tour that worked really well. To see Christ's story from the Nativity facade to the Passion facade to the Glory facade (birth, death, & resurrection) from the outside was amazing. Inside was awe-inspiring. Pictures don't do it justice.Read more

  • Catherine KiddTravelerEurope 2024
    Statue commemorating the Camino de Santiago

    Day 3 Barcelona: Poble Espanyol

    September 25, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    We took the Metro up the hill to see the Pablo Español. This area was created for the Barcelona Univeral Exhibition in 1929. In 1927, a group of architects and artists drove around Spain and took pictures and made sketches of the architecture of all of the areas of Spain: North, South, Central, and Mediterranean. They represent all styles from Romanesque to Baroque.

    They then built an area that represents all these regions and styles. Truly an amazing accomplishment. Included on the grounds are various artists that represent the best of Spain. These include Lladro, Majorca pearls, leather, pottery, mosaics, and other art forms. Really worth the visit!

    After a few hours rest, we went to the local pedestrian area and had paella for dinner. A great end to a wonderful day!    Read more

  • Catherine KiddTravelerEurope 2024
    Gaudi designed house
    Dragon effect of the via ductsFrom a Parc Guell viewpointGreen parrots.Parc entranceSt Josup market on La RamblaFlower stall on LA Rambla

    Barcelona Day 4 Parc Guell

    September 26, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Our last day in Barcelona! Our apartment has worked out ok, it's small, but adequate. The building is really old, but apartment has been modernized. Stairs to the 2nd floor, which is really the 3rd, give us our daily cardio. Not looking forward to carrying the suitcases down them tomorrow morning!

    This morning, we went to Parc Guell. This parc is the largest in Barcelona. It is up in the hills above the city. It was begun in the early 1900s, conceptualized as a sub division of 50 homes. Guell was the entrepreneur. Gaudi was commissioned to design and build display homes and ornamentation for the area. Gaudi lived in one of the houses for many years until moving to the site of Sagrada Familia.

    The subdivision was a bust, but Gaudi's elements make it interesting. We got a panoramic view of the Barcelona skyline from the top of the hill.

    Lots of climbing, but it is worth it to enjoy the park and see the views. At one rest stop, we found some green parrots busy making a nest in a palm tree.

    After leaving the park had tapas and drinks in a shady restaurant.

    Took the Metro to Plaza de Catalunya. I walked down the Rambla and left John in the shade on a chair. He's done so well today! Lots of up and downhill today with over 13,000 steps for him.

    Found the St Josep market that's like Granville Island on steroids. Walked quickly through. Ready to go back to the apartment, cool off, and prepare for our departure for Seville tomorrow.    Read more

  • Catherine KiddTravelerEurope 2024
    Entryway to apartment building
    BedroomLiving areaFrom apartment windowSeta de Seville, largest wooden structure in Spain built in 2011

    Seville Day 1

    September 27, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Left our apartment at 0700 for a cab ride to the airport to fly to Seville.

    Took an Uber to our apartment.
    A delightful owner greeted us when we arrived and showed us around. She lives in the apartment above us. The building seems quite posh. Lovely apartment in the old part of town.
    After unpacking, we went to an area very close by and had lunch. We shared a wonderful salad and some ham croquettes. The food was delicious! We've decided that as great as Barcelona is, we really like Seville.

    Found a grocery store and stocked up with basic food items for the apartment. We then did a very Spanish thing, and both had a brief siesta.

    Decided to go out and explore the area a bit more. The streets are very narrow and intersect at odd angles with plazas full of people and restaurants around almost every corner.

    We're a bit fatigued today. Decided to go back to the apartment, have a shower, and enjoy an evening in.    Read more

  • Catherine KiddTravelerEurope 2024
    Birds of paradise everywhere.
    Torre del OroThe Gualdalquiver River that is navigable to Cadiz on the Atlantic.Plaza des Espagnole built for the 1920 Expo to celebrate Spain and its history.Casino de la Exposition. No gambling but built for entertainment.Puerto de Juariz. Known affectionately as the peeing fountain.The CathedralView toward the Alcazar.Original city walls.Cathedral.Many beautiful plazas.

    Seville Day 2

    September 28, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    This morning, we're taking the Hop on Hop off tour. We walk to a stop that's 10 minutes from the apartment.

    Hopped on and did the whole route, then got off at the Plaza Español.

    The history here is extensive, starting prior to the Roman occupation in the first century. We saw parts of the original city walls and areas built in the 1700s, but most of what is seen from the bus tour are the monuments/artifacts from the 1929 Expo and the 1992 Expo.

    In the early 700s, the Moors, from Africa, conquered most of what is now Spain. Their influence is evident in the mosaic decoration, and the unique building style still evident today. Many of those buildings are still in existence. However, the Muslim towers were turned into church steeples after the French invaded and retook.Spain in the 12th and 13th centuries.

    We had another delicious tapas lunch, after which we walked around the cathedral. It is immense! It was a mosque but was consecrated as a church in 1507.

    We head back through the streets to our apartment for siesta. Getting to be a habit!

    After siesta, we decide to go back and check out what's happening at the mushrooms. Surprised to see that there is some sort of cheese market going on. Lots of people tasting. We then went up to see the view from the platform. So many families with kids playing. Great fun just sitting and watching.

    On the way back to the apartment, we see a lady and gentleman getting into a cab, both in traditional dress. Then we come upon a religious procession. Haven't been able to find out what it's about, but the church nearby has been ringing its bells off and on for a while. What an experience!    Read more

  • Catherine KiddTravelerEurope 2024
    Royal Alcazar entrance the leads to the Spanish Royal families quarters when in Seville.
    Lions Gate entrance.Entrance courtyard.Gothic periodArabic period.Muslim craftsmen were hired to do the buildingCentral courtyard with cooling water.Ceiling of reception room.Inside reception roomsGame of Thrones filmed here.Queen's bath

    Seville Day 3 Royal Alcazar

    September 29, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Today we are going to the Royal Alcazar. Only 15 minutes walk from the apartment. Where we are staying is very convenient!

    Purchased dos cafe con leche to enjoy while we await our entry time. Met our tour guide, Fran and the 4 others who were on the tour.

    The Royal Alcazar is situated where a Moorish palace was located in the 10th c, but it was destroyed when the Christians took over in the 1300's. Seville was a major commercial and governance centre due to its location on the only navigable Spanish river that reaches the ocean. Christopher Columbus set sail from here. Once trade started with the colonies of the America's, it became even more important.

    The Alcazar was built in stages over many years, and each stage has its own look. The Medieval times saw the building of the city wall and some parts of the palace which are not really evident today.

    In 1248-49, the territory was conquered by the Castilians, who gave it the role it still retains as a Royal Residence and as the city's political hub. This was a historical moment, the crux of the cultural synthesis that has defined the city of Seville, when palaces rose up around the original foundations, like Alfonso the Tenth’s Gothic Palace, shaped by the new cultural framework that had taken hold of the city. In the middle of the fourteenth century, at a time when al-Andalus was already under the rule of the Crown of Castile, we see the re-appearance of old Mediterranean concepts, now dressed up in Arabic style, in the Mudéjar Palace of Pedro I.

    Aside from its architectural framework, the elements that breathe life to the Alcazar of Seville are it's gardens and the fountains of water seen throughout the palace and it's grounds. Some episodes of the Game of Thrones were filmed here.    Read more

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