Europe 2023

A long awaited trip to Europe via Japan.
We'll visit;
Japan, France, Sardinia, Corsica, Spain and England Read more

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Europe 2023
La Alhambra de Granada
August 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
And yet another angle. This time at sunset and an almost full rising moon.
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Europe 2023
One last wander around Granada
August 30, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
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Europe 2023
Madrid
August 30, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Drinks and dinner at Viva Madrid on the recommendation of Cath Thompson.

This bar is a piece of living history, with its original 1856 tiles lining the walls and wood-framed mirrors yellowed by time. The central bar is worn smooth by generations of madrileños leaning in to order their vermut. The bar preserves its authentic taberna vibe - dark wood, antique posters, and ornate ceilings that have witnessed over a century of Madrid life. It serves traditional tapas and drinks without any modern twists or pretense. The house vermouth comes straight from the barrel, and the tortilla is exactly how it should be.

Address: Calle de Manuel Fernández y González, 7, MadridRead more
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Europe 2023
Mercado de San Miguel, Madrid
August 31, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Mercado de San Miguel is one of the main gastronomic markets in the world. From the best Iberian ham or the freshest seafood arrived daily from Galicia, to Mediterranean rice dishes or the most special cheeses from Castilla, Asturias or the Basque Country.Read more
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Europe 2023
Catedral de la Almudena, Madrid
August 31, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
The cathedral is the main temple of the Archdiocese of Madrid, seat of the archbishop and the metropolitan chapter. It is a building 102 meters long and 73 meters high, built from the end of the 19th century to the end of the 20th , in different architectural styles: neo-classical on the outside, neo-Gothic on the inside and neo-Romanesque in the crypt.Read more
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Europe 2023
Palacio Real de Madrid
August 31, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Palacio Real de Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish royal family in Madrid, although now used only for state ceremonies. The palace has 135,000 m2 (1,450,000 sq ft) of floor space and contains 3,418 rooms. It is the largest royal palace in Europe.Read more
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Europe 2023
Lunch - Casa Toni
August 31, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Tapas and great, friendly service.
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Europe 2023
Wandering in Madrid
August 31, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
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Europe 2023
Best negroni in the world
August 31, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
This is what happens when you google "best negroni in Madrid".

Aged for a week, the Negroni is served chilled in metal flasks, intended to keep the drink at the right temperature, without diluting it with melting ice.

Salmon Guru brings a shot of Tokyo energy to central Madrid's cocktail scene. It's a tiny spot with big personality - think neon lights, quirky decorations, and drinks that come served in everything from ceramic dragons to smoking boxes. Behind the creative chaos, there's serious cocktail craft happening.Read more
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Europe 2023
Still wandering in Madrid
August 31, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Walked down to Lavapiés and then to the San Miguel mercado, got a roadie whilst we perused our options. So civilised... Wandered back to our end of town past the shop that has everything.
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Europe 2023
Wandering in Madrid, day 3
September 1, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
A morning at the Museo del Prado and a walk through Parque del Buen Retiro.
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Europe 2023
Lunch - Mercado de San Antón
September 1, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
A contemporary food hall with a range from supermarket to individual vendors and a large garden terrace.
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Europe 2023
Last night in Madrid
September 1, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Drinks at Bar Cock (on the recommendation of David Pring) just off Gran Via, followed by tapas dinner at Bombilla Gastrobar in Plaza de Santa Ana. Pretty decent gambas al ajillo and delicious goats cheese salad.

Thankfully dodged the rain that's headed to Madrid.Read more
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Europe 2023
Wandering around Barcelona
September 3, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
The Columbus Memorial (Mirador de Colom in Catalan) is a striking 60-metre tall monument that stands proudly at the lower end of La Rambla in Barcelona, where it meets the Port Vell waterfront. It's quite a sight for anyone doing a Mediterranean cruise, as it's one of the first things you'll spot when arriving at the port.Read more
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Europe 2023
Museo Banksy, Barcelona, 1/3
September 3, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
In search of a decent coffee we happened upon the Banksy Museum. Fabulous.
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Europe 2023
Museo Banksy, Barcelona, 2/3
September 3, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
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Europe 2023
Museo Banksy, Barcelona 3/3
September 3, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
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Europe 2023
Lunch in our hood, Barcelona
September 3, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 28 °C
Cute little brew house, Abirra Adero, on our corner.
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Europe 2023
Mercat de la Boqueria, Barcelona
September 4, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria is a large public market in the Ciutat district of Barcelona.
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Europe 2023
A bit of Antoni Gaudí, Barcelona
September 4, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Among Gaudí's largest and most striking works is the Casa Batlló (1904–1906). Commissioned by Josep Batlló i Casanovas to renovate an existing building erected in 1875 by Emili Sala Cortés, Gaudí focused on the façade, the main floor, the patio and the roof, and built a fifth floor for the staff.

Another of Gaudí's major projects and among his most admired works is the Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera (1906–1910), commissioned by Pere Milà i Camps. Gaudí designed the house around two large, curved courtyards, with a structure of stone, brick and cast-iron columns and steel beams. The façade is built of limestone from Vilafranca del Penedès, apart from the upper level, which is covered in white tiles, evoking a snowy mountain.

The Palau Güell (English: Güell Palace) is a mansion designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí for the industrial tycoon Eusebi Güell, and was built between 1886 and 1888. It is situated on the Carrer Nou de la Rambla, in the El Raval neighbourhood of BarcelonaRead more
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Europe 2023
Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona
September 4, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
The Palau de la Música Catalana was built between 1905 and 1908 by the modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner as a home for the Orfeó Català, financed by popular subscription.

The Palau de la Música Catalana is an architectural jewel of Catalan Art Nouveau, the only concert venue in this style to be listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (4th December 1997), which today represents an essential landmark in the cultural and social life of Catalonia. Read more
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Europe 2023
Barcelona street art
September 4, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Barcelona's vibrant street art scene transforms the city's walls into an ever-changing outdoor gallery. While the council maintains strict rules about graffiti, designated areas in neighbourhoods like El Raval and Poblenou showcase impressive murals by both local and international artists. From political statements to abstract designs, these urban artworks add a dynamic layer to Barcelona's cultural landscape, with new pieces regularly appearing throughout the city.Read more
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Europe 2023
Lunch - Bar Cañete, Barcelona
September 4, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Worth queuing for.

Bar Cenete sits in Barcelona's Raval district, a family-run establishment that's more interested in feeding locals than impressing tourists. This no-frills tapas bar serves proper Andalusian cooking - the owners brought their Granada recipes when they moved north decades ago.

Inside, it's all functionality - a long bar, basic tables, and walls decorated with football scarves and old photos. The speciality here is their tortilla - a proper Spanish omelette that comes out thick, golden and slightly runny in the middle. Their montaditos (small sandwiches) and raciones of fried fish draw local workers at lunchtime.

Prices have stayed remarkably reasonable for central Barcelona, and the service maintains that gruff efficiency typical of old Spanish bars. You'll hear more Catalan and Spanish than English here, and the house wine comes without pretence in basic glasses. This is the increasingly rare sort of place that serves the neighbourhood rather than tourists and Instagram.Read more
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Europe 2023
El desayuno, Mercat de la Boqueria
September 5, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
La Boqueria, located just off La Rambla in Barcelona, stands as one of Europe's most notable food markets. Dating back to 1217, this covered market combines historical architecture with a lively modern atmosphere. Under its iron framework, visitors find an extensive array of fresh produce, local seafood, Spanish hams, cheeses, and regional specialties. The market's organised chaos of colours, aromas, and sounds creates a distinctive shopping experience, drawing both locals seeking fresh ingredients and tourists exploring Barcelona's culinary culture.

[Ross] Best coffee I've had in Barcelona (maybe Spain). El Mitic Bar, inside the market. Oh, and the Chucho (pictured) was excellent.Read more
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Europe 2023
Basílica de la Sagrada Familia, pt 1
September 5, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Sagrada Familia, is a Catholic cathedral in Barcelona, designed by Antoni Gaudí. Started in 1882, it is still under construction. It is Gaudí's masterpiece and the greatest exponent of Catalan modernist architecture . It is one of the most visited monuments in Spain.

Leaving aside the religious iconography and purpose, the building is a civil engineering marvel. To have had the vision and construction methods in the 1880's to commence a work of this scale was truly revolutionary. A 45 metre ceiling, no external buttressing and a 172.5 metre spire.

Like many of the great cathedrals of Europe, this one will require several generations to complete.Read more
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