Spain
Eixample

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    • Day 10

      Barcelona! Day 1 and 2 of 3

      October 7 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

      There was some disappointment this morning as we realised tickets to go inside Sagrada Familia were online only and booked out for 4+ weeks, but we quickly moved on to other parts of the city.
      Starting with the Aquarium which was fascinating, we then went to visit Gaudi's famous work-in-progress, only from the exterior but still incredible.
      Some smooth Metro trains and a funicular later, we were taking a cable car up to Castell De Montjuic, a castle with magnificent views of the city and its harbour.
      Finishing the day, we caught up with some of Jono's friends from his previous visit for dinner and then the three of us kicked on to a jazz bar.
      There is currently a thunderstorm around the city, and we've miraculously landed tickets to the Sagrada Familia tomorrow after a 'random' refresh on a whim before going to sleep 🎉
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    • Day 4

      The meaning of private

      September 20, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

      We arrived to our accommodation in Barcelona to discover that private room has a slightly different meaning here. What is meant by private is "not a dormitory", so you get a door o your room but no lock. Be caèful booking self catering in Barcelona and unless the listing specifically mentions door locks the room probably doesn't have any. A quick search on Booking.com and a much better place was found and booked just 9 mins away and although it is a hotel it will do for our stopover in Barcelona.Read more

    • Day 73

      Leticia -> bogota -> home

      March 17, 2020 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

      Mer sind z leticia am hafe weder vo eusem taxifahrer angholt worde und zu eusem hotel bracht worde.
      Wo mer endlich weder internet gha hend, hemmer ganz e hufe nachrichte vo anderne becho wo au am reise sind.
      Überall hends afe grenze schlüsse und d lüt sind nümme wiiter cho. D grenze zu ecuador, eusem nächste ziel isch zue gsie. Mer hend eus denn dezue entschiede nach bogota z gah, well mer det meh optione und bessers wlan hend. Flug bueched und öppe go schlafe.

      Am nächste tag simmer de uf bogota gfloge und is hotel a einere vo de hauptstrasse. Die strass isch im verglich zum letschte mal extrem leer gsie. Mit em bessere wlan hemmer eus über d situation ins latinamerika informiert und eusi optione abgwoge. Mer hend eus schlussendli schwerem herzns entschiede eusi reis abzbreche.
      Mit hilf vo tui hemmer den en rückflug chönne organisiere am nächste tag.
      Znacht hemmer chlr müeh gha zgfinde, well i de umgäbig alles zue gsie isch. Nebem esse hemmers eus im 4stern hotelzimmer gmüetlich gmacht.

      Am nächste morge hemmer den s zimmer nur zum esse verlah und schlussendlich zum an flughafe z gah.

      Vo bogota ischs de uf barcelona gange.
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    • Day 17

      Day 14 - Barcelona (post Camino)

      October 10, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

      What a day! Today, I experienced La Sagrada Familia (the Holy Family) and Casa Mila, locally known as 'La Pedrera' (literally 'the stone' but named as such because the locals thought it looked like a quarry). I also walked around the Gothic quarter at a little bit but had to return to my room to recharge my phone (after having taken so many photos)! My eyes flooded with tears as I saw the exterior of Gaudi's genius for the first time up close. No pictures could prepare me for the brilliance of his work. Once I got inside, I was overcome by the sheer magnitude of the structure. But more than that; I have never been in a church more fit for purpose - the glorification of God. I went up the Torre de la Pasion (Passion Tower) and was so glad I did. Casa Mila was also fantastic. It is sun filled and cool and, obviously, incredibly beautiful. I learnt two things today; a church is made a Basilica by the Pope and Gaudi invented the first underground carpark in an apartment complex - Casa Mila was built in 1906 and so hosted both cars and carriages.Read more

    • Day 18

      Day 15 - Barcelona (post Camino)

      October 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

      Another lovely day in Barcelona. Today, I walked just over 25 km. My first stop was Park Guell (I was there for hours with masses of people), then, after chancing upon another of Gaudi's houses (Casa Vicens) and a phone recharge (again, so many photos), I got to see more of the Gothic quarter as I visited the Picasso Museum and the Moco Museum (modern art). All three are 'must sees'. It was a genuine joy to see more of Gaudi's work as well as my first real life Banksy and a bronze piece by Dali (amongst many other amazing works). I clutched my bag and kept checking that I still had my watch the entire time I was in the Gothic quarter LOL.Read more

    • Day 21

      Day 18 - Barcelona (post Camino)

      October 14, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

      I've run myself ragged over the past five days, trying to fit everything in. So, today, I took it a lot easier. I visited the Palau de la Musica Catalana, the Cathedral, and ended my evening at Casa Sors to immerse myself in the Spanish art of Flamenco. Opulent is the best word I can use to describe the Palau de la Musica. Everywhere you looked in that building was a feast for the eyes! The stand out feature is the skylight - I have never seen anything so impressive and beautiful. The Cathedral was wonderful, and I highly recommend the audio tour and the lift to the rooftop. They keep 13 geese in the cloister to protect the building. And have a piece called the Monstrance, which contains the largest gemstones I have ever seen (no photos allowed in that section). I even got to see a small Matisse exhibition at the Cathedral. All for the modest price of 11€. The Flamenco performance blew me away. The guitar, the voice, and the feet all work together so well. I had no idea that the feet played the role, as well as the finger clicking of a third (and fourth) instrument. I met a lovely couple from Massachusetts there: Doreen and Herb.Read more

    • Day 9

      Park Guell

      October 18, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

      After a long day of walking, I forgot to post a few impressions of Park Guell, a beautiful space on a hill at the edge of Barcelona. Gaudi created this beautiful and large park in collaboration with Eusebi Guell a wealthy industrialist. The original plan was for a 60 home development, but the residents never materialized, so the space eventually became a public park. Our gain! It’s a whimsical and relaxing space surrounded by trees that were planted intentionally. Supposedly only one tree was present on the site at the time of construction. Guell added the whole landscape around Gaudi’s creations.

      Several of the spaces have a cave theme complete with stalactites of native rock. The shape of palm trees is a theme within the work here as they are said to have religious significance for Catholics in particular.

      What a relaxing space to visit and get in some serious ‘steps’.
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    • Day 47

      Barcelona Besichtigung

      October 8 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

      Als der richtige Bus gefunden war sind wir heute vom Campingplatz aus nach Barcelona gefahren, um die Stadt zu besichtigen.
      Als erstes sind wir zum Mercat de la Boqueria gegangen. Dort gibt es von Schinken und Salami über getrocknete Früchte und Gebäck bis zu Fischen und Meeresfrüchten alles mögliche. Das meiste wird liegt frisch in der Theke und wird teils noch geschnitten oder filetiert. Man hätte sich dort dreimal satt essen können und immer noch nicht alles probiert...
      Durch die alten Gassen der Innenstadt ging es dann weiter durch den Arc de Triomf Richtung Basilica de la Sagrada Familia. Rein kamen wir leider nicht - bis Freitag alles ausgebucht. Aber auch von außen ist die noch in Bau befindliche Kathedrale schön anzuschauen.
      Danach nochmal zum Hafen und anschließend erschöpft von Großstadt Verkehr zurück zum Campingplatz...
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    • Day 5

      Casa Batlló

      July 8, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

      Casa Batlló is one of the most interesting, beautiful, and creative places of the trip so far. It was a great way to start our Gaudi's day. The exhibition was a mix of 2 digital experiences and an audioguide with AR complement using a tablet. The guide helped us understand the story and design elements of the house in a playful way (e.g., pointing the tablet to a window in the main hall would show a turtle to highlight the inspiration behind it). The tablet also allowed us to visualize how the different rooms looked like when the house was originally built and inhabited by the Batlló family and few residents.

      Each room was unique, and we could also experience some of the furniture designed by Gaudi for the house. Is a playful and gorgeous piece of architecture inspired by the sea, salamanders, rain, plants, and many other natural elements. It is a really unique experience, and there may be nothing else like it in the world.

      We got some orange juice and a coffee on the top of the building, and then we finished our tour and headed out to see other modernist buildings on the same block. Finally, we took a bus to Park Guell, where Gaudi created a unique public space while exploring how to alter known shapes and structures (like aqueducts and gardens) in unique ways.
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    • Day 3

      Barcelona day 2

      September 7, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

      One more day of exploring Barcelona. We went to Sagrada Familia, a Catholic Church built by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. It is the largest unfinished Catholic Church in the world. Ground breaking was in 1882, expected completion date is 2026. We also went up Montjuic which is apparently the birthplace of Barcelona. We had sweeping views of the Mediterranean and the city of Barcelona. And of course we enjoyed our drinks and tapas. Tomorrow we are making are way to St Jean Pied de Port, France where will will spend the night then begin our Camino on Saturday.Read more

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Eixample, Eixample de Barcelona, Εσάμπλε, Distrito del Ensanche, EixampleBCN-projecteRovira.jpg|250px|miniatyr|höger|'''Antonio Rovira i Trias stadsplan'''., אישמפלה, アシャンプラ, Distrikt Ensanche, Districte de lEixample, Eixample distritu, Эшампле, Ашямпла, 扩展区

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