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
Read More
Cervantes. The University in Alicante maintains the Miguel de Cervantes Digital Library, the largest open-access repository of digitised Spanish-language historical texts and literature.
241 / 522

Cervantes. The University in Alicante maintains the Miguel de Cervantes Digital Library, the largest open-access repository of digitised Spanish-language historical texts and literature.

ИспанияSpainEspañarusurusu photographyAlicanteАликантеCervantes

  • Cervantes. The University in Alicante maintains the Miguel de Cervantes Digital Library, the largest open-access repository of digitised Spanish-language historical texts and literature.
  • Jesus behind a gate with flowers.
  • The plaza across from our hotel at night.
  • The Alicante Harbor on the other side of our hotel.
  • Rustem on the boardwalk along the beach.
  • Entrance to the Castillo de Santa Bárbara.
  • Tunnel leading to the lift of the 9th century Castillo de Santa Bárbara which stands 166 meters above ground. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
“Will our life not be a tunnel between two vague clarities? Or will it not be a clarity between two dark triangles?” ~Pablo Neruda, The Book of Questions.
  • Despite the fact that there's an elevator, it's still a long, steep climb up.
  • View of the sea from the Castillo de Santa Bárbara.
  • Flowers on the way to the top.
  • The blue dome of the 17th Century Cathedral of San Nicolás viewed atop the Castillo.
  • Looking down from the Castillo.
  • Castillo de Santa Bárbara - still not at the top.
  • The Mediterranean viewed from above.
  • A glorious day.
  • Castillo de Santa Bárbara.
  • Ancient astronomy?
  • Not sure of the symbolism of this.
  • A Moorish face in the wall.
  • Almost to the top.
  • No Comments
  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2023 SmugMug, Inc.