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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Puerta del Mar tram stop on the shore. The tram goes up to the ever-popular Benidorm, but we were so glad we stayed in Alicante.
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Puerta del Mar tram stop on the shore. The tram goes up to the ever-popular Benidorm, but we were so glad we stayed in Alicante.

ИспанияSpainEspañarusurusu photographyAlicanteMediterranean SeaСредиземное мореАликантеPuerta del Mar

  • Beach-goers enjoying the Mediterranean. (Zoom from our balcony)
  • Looking down from our balcony. We slept with our doors open so we could hear the waves pounding the rocks below - heaven!
  • Night time view from our balcony.
  • Castillo de Santa Bárbara from our balcony at night.
  • Puerta del Mar tram stop on the shore. The tram goes up to the ever-popular Benidorm, but we were so glad we stayed in Alicante.
  • At last - the beach!
  • High above our umbrella, Castillo de Santa Bárbara.
  • Do not disturb!
  • The beach was packed and you have to pay for chaises & umbrellas.
  • Girl playing in the sand.
  • Some people really shouldn't wear bikinis or go topless.
  • On our way into town - a short walk.
  • Alicante.
  • A little fan in a shop window.
  • People relaxing around the 'dancing fountains' in Alicante's main square.
  • We had such a nice conversation with this woman in her candy shop where we bought Turrón - Spanish nougat.
  • Mirror & flowers in the candy shop.
  • Police patrolling the beautiful Alicante promenade, Explanada de España, which is paved with 6.5 million marble floor tiles.
  • Photographer on the promenade.
  • Cafés & caricatures on the promenade.
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