Northern Spain w/Insight Travel

Day 1 We joined up at a Hotel near the American embassy.  Dinner the first night was at a solarium type restaurant near the botanical gardens.  

Day 2The next morning an excursion to Segovia a UNESCO world heritage city home of an amazing Roman Aqueduct that supplied a palace from ancient times.  

Day 3 Traveling  to  Santiago de Compostela which is reportedly the third most import city in the Christian religion ; Know as the “Way of St.James.

We stoped for a wine tasting and learned about the regions production.

Day 4. A escorted walk through the gardens and old city with emphasis on the “camino” traveled by those completing the pilgrimage. It was raining all morning and I was soaked.

Day 5. Left the hotel for Oviedo. Stoped for a coffee and then proceeded to a “point” overlooking the Atlantic for photos at Oviñana.  We had a lunch at a private residence consisting of classic fare of the Asturias region; fava bean stew and Beef.  Onward to Oviedo and a walking tour of the city before checking into out hotel.  It was raining there so a quick walk to a Patisserie afforded a small bite and then bed.

Day 6. The highways throughout this trip are beautiful.  The autovias are control access multilane  and we’ll manicured.  There are bridges that are hundreds of meters above the valleys.  And everything is well maintained and paved. The drive thru these mountain valleys is spectacular.  

Covadonga is our first stop.  It is a stop for the “pilgrims” making their “way” across northern Spain.  There is a chapel inside a cave. These is an old stone bridge in a local town. Hotel at the Real in Santander.  Its on a hill overlooking the bay and port.  It was a beautiful accommodation.  I had drinks on The patio.  I never  left the hotel.

Day 7. First stop was the Guggenheim in Bilbao.  The structure was more interesting than the exhibit.  The museum is world famous because of the architect Frank Gehry.  This modern titanium building was built on an industrial site on the middle of this unknown town.  The museum opened in 1997 and has completely change the economy of Bilbao. We stopped for lunch in a small port city of Getaria  where they grill freshly caught seafood.  I had Octopus(pulpo a la gallega) which is grilled and sautéed in olive oil and paprika.  Its a real Iberian delicacy.

Finally we arrive in San Sebastián where we will spend the next two nights.  After a really short check in and “confort” stop we load on the bus again with a local expert to see the town which is beautiful.  It is as developed and manicured as any place i have seen in Southern California.  There is a long horseshoe shaped beach  “La Concha” which we overlooked from a vantage point high above the city.  We went to the old city and walked for  an hour and half and then presented ourselves to pre arranged restaurant for a gourmet dinner.  This city is know as the culinary capital of Spain as more Michelin chefs got their training here.  This restaurant was ranked 5 stars and it was something. This city is also home to the wealthy Spaniards.  It was the most expensive place of my summer

Day 6 The official tour loaded and went to France to some resort for the day.  I slept in and walked to Playa La Concha.

Day 7. To Pamplona.  We walked the narrow street which hosts the run of the bulls and then a coffee at the Cafe Iruna, which may ring a bell for Hemingway fans.

 On to Barcelona. Hotel check-in and then a short walk to one of my favorite pintxos bar.

Day 8 Local guide took us through La Sagrada Familia .  

Day 9 Early call and off to the airport for my flight home. 

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BARCELONA AND MADRID

 This is my fifth visit to Barcelona since I started traveling to Europe seven years ago and it really hasn’t changed much although you wouldn’t expected a city that is 2000 years old to change but there are some notable differences that are worth mentioning; more on that in a minute.First the city was bustling, full of people of all ages. Many families with children and toddlers in strollers. Most of these I believe are European tourist. I say that because they’re all wearing American sports memorabilia but none of them look authentic; for instance the most common item seen is a New York Yankees ball cap but it was never in the correct colors.  It is amazing that people all over the world in particular Europe are fascinated with American sports and not European football. The other observation I see is the love of American Hamburgers.  It appears that the younger generation is tired of Ham and upscale hamburger restaurants are everywhere. Not only are  Micky D and Burger King prevalent but now 5 Guys are common. Now here is the not so rosey  observation.  Most storefronts and restaurants are closed. Apparently closed since Covid and haven't reopened. This does not bode well for the European or world economy.

The train from BCN to MAD was packed. Not a seat free in first class.  Tourist are on the move.

Madrid was similar to BCN in storefront closers although the August effect would be more obvious in MAD.

I visited the Royal Palace on my own and did a nice wine tasting.  

Good Photos Here

Cruising the Mediterranean

 

Cruising the Mediterranean.  A few words about my cruise.  I’ve been  ~35 cruises in my last 15 years.  This cruise is amongst the top 3.  The ship was the RCL Vision of the Sea.  Not a new mega ship but a craft that was christened in 1998, rather old by today's standards.  However it just spent 3-4 month being updated and returned to service in February.  It was beautiful and spacious and the staff were fantastic.  Usually I can think of one crew member that deserves special mention as I respond to the post-departure survey.  Today I have made a list of 5 various crew members  who will receive my accolades.

We left Barcelona and have called on the following ports:  Villefranche(Nice-Cannes), Toulon(Aix-Provence ), Ajaccio Corsica, Portofino Italy, Civitavecchia (Rome), Palermo Sicily and finally departing in Barcelona 8 days later.  I was off the ship at every stop.  Taking formal excursions to Cannes and Aix-Provence as they were new to me.   I like Nice , Cannes was hot and crowed and basically a shopping center.  Same thoughts of Aix-Provence.  I would probably not return to any of these areas.   Nice could have some possibilities, but not in the summer.  Actually the season for the coast of France is the winter, not the summer.  Corsica is an interesting island in the Med off the coast of France.  It might have further possibilities.  My favorite was Portofino.  A beautiful inlet on the upper coast of Italy.  A small harbor where we had to anchor about a mile offshore and tender.  We walked along the mountain road which hugged the mountain for 5 km to Santa Margarita, a neighbor and larger port.  The walk along the mountain cliffs with the ocean below was breathtaking.  It was quite hot in the middle of the day but we made it in an hour and a half.   Had a snack in Santa Margarita and took the ferry back to Portofino.

Got off the ship in Civitavecchia and had lunch.  Did not go to Rome as it is a hour’s train ride in each direction and quite frankly after 3-4 visits there over my lifetime I don't find Rome appealing.  Its basically a large, unkept chaotic city.  Some interesting ruins to see once in you lifetime.  Essentially been there, done that!  Finally the last port of call is Palermo Italy.  I was looking forward to visiting the sites where the Godfather III was filmed and possibly the gravesite of Lucky Luciano who was deported there after the second world war, but learned that Luciano was buried in the Bronx.

Cruising the Med is much different than the Caribbean.  The water has a bluer hue and is calm.  The land is usually mountainous and seems to come right out of the water.  Most areas are not as lush as the Caribbean but that adds to the visual spectacle.  If you like the life on a cruise ship, you must invest the time and fly to the Mediterranean for a week or two on one of the many boats that make their summer there.

I've spent the last 3 weeks with my good friends and long time travel companions Sandra and John Lopez.  They are departing Europe and flying home upon embarkation as they have been away for 2 months.  I have another 3 weeks in country and will keep you updated later

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