1. Vacation Travel • Поездки

Spain (09.2011)

Two weeks in Spain - certainly not enough to take in or absorb all there is to see in the four cities we visited - Madrid, Alicante, Valencia & Barcelona with a day trip to Toledo. As always, we did too much, though our beach break in Alicante helped. It's easy to understand why Europeans love to vacation in Spain - fabulous weather, varied landscapes, history, culture & style.

Such striking architecture from the Medieval to the contemporary. Oh those Spanish masters - artists & architects - with their indelible contributions to civilization. Oh that sweeping history from the Romans to the great empire; and, yes, its tainted past filled with dictators & despots leading to the Inquisition, colonial cruelty, & the Civil War.

Spaniards certainly haven't lost their lust for life despite teetering on the edge of default. Their cities seem to never sleep with hordes of Spaniards & tourists wining & dining, and walking & talking until the wee hours of the morning. Glad we weren't there in high season as the crowds were a bit overwhelming even into early October. Each of the cities we visited could use another go-round, but of course, there are so many other Spanish cities to explore...

I have seen dawn and sunset on moors and windy hills, Coming in solemn beauty like slow old tunes of Spain... "Beauty" ~ John Edward Masefield
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Barcelona's La Rambla.
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Barcelona's La Rambla.

ИспанияSpainEspañarusurusu photographyБарселонаBarcelonaLa RamblaLas Ramblas

  • Santa Maria del Mar Cathedral.
  • Interior of the 14th century Catalan Gothic Cathedral, Santa Maria del Mar.
  • Barcelona building.
  • Facade of the Hugo Boss store in Barcelona.
  • Gaudi's Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera, 'the cave' - a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Us in our sidecar as our tour comes to an end. It was loads of fun traveling the city streets in this.
  • "B" on the B Hotel rooftop.
  • The rooftop of the B Hotel.
  • Infinity pool atop the B-Hotel with a stunning view of Plaza Espanya.
  • Rustem in the infinity pool atop the B-Hotel. In the background are the Venetian Towers built in connection with 1929's International Exhibition. The towers are modeled after those in Venice's St. Marks Square.
  • Yes, even Susan took a dip.
  • Relaxing by the infinity pool atop the B-Hotel.
  • Rooftop of the Las Arenas shopping center next door to our hotel. This 19th century building was the old Barcelona bullring. It opened as a shopping center in March 2011.
  • The old & new of Las Arenas. Clearly visible is part of the old bullring. The building conversion was designed by British architect, Richard Rogers, who also designed the Pompidou Centre.<br />
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Barcelona has banned bullfighting & the last bullfight occurred shortly before we arrived in the city.
  • Interior of Las Arenas.
  • Barcelona's La Rambla.
  • La Rambla at night.
  • Life on the streets. (La Rambla)
  • Waiting for a night time cappuccino.
  • Bar man reading newspaper.
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