We flew to Barcelona, and arrived in the morning by 8am.  Soon after  we arrived at our hotel in Plaza Espanya by  bus.  Before noon, we made our way to the HOP on Hop off bus. The RED LINE bus was crowded so we didn't get off for at least 2 round trips. We walked Las Ramblas for a bit and found the Boqueria market. 

Later, we found  the Blue line Route which took us past Sagrada Familia and points outside the main city area.  We had dinner and enjoyed our first view of the amazing and colorful fountains at Museum National Art Catalan (MNAC).  

The MNAC is on the Plaza Espanya Side of Montjuic.    On the other side of Montjuic, is the harbor area  and Beach front.  Montjuic means "Mount of the Jewish" in honor of the Jewish cemetery on this mountain.  Montjuic also has beautiful gardens, a castle, and several Olympic venues. 

The Red line bus took us up and over Montjuic, through the beach area, and back around to Plaza Espanya.

Lillia Joined us in Barcelona on our third day. In this collection, you'll see photos from day 1 and day 4 in Barcelona.  As previously  stated, Day 1 was our arrival and Hop on Hop Off bus.    On day 4 we walked down Las Ramblas to the beach area, through the beach area and the took the sky ride across the harbor to the base of montjuic.  We ended the day visiting the castle on top of Montjuic and walked back to Plaza espanya.  This night we enjoyed Mexican food Catalan style.   On day 2, was Montserrat and Day 3, we concentrated on Gaudi which are in separate collections.

We set our goal on our second day to see Montserrat.  Conveniently, the train left from Plaza Espanya to the Monistrol de Montserrat station.  A quick walk to the next platform brought us to the Cremallera rack railway for the steep climb up to Montserrat.   On arrival in Montserrat,  you're amazed by the beautiful pink rocks that climb still higher.   It is actually a very comfortable place with many modern conveniences. The basilica was very beautiful and it was worth the wait to see the famous "Black Madonna".  The line moves quite swiftly, and there is a nice chapel behind the statue.

We next took the funicular up to St Joan chapel.  JOAN is JOHN in catalan, the language of the area.  We hiked quite a bit higher but our only limit was time.   Shops and restaurants are very nice. We  also enjoyed a farmer's market where we purchased Sheep and Goat Cheese. When we thought we had enough we found a very nice combination of Curds and Honey.

Our third day, started with a brisk march up and over Montjuic to the Olympic stadium and pools.  We found a nice garden and then back to meet Lillia who arrived at our hotel Before noon.   Then afternoon, we took the train to Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's unfinished Cathedral.

 In 1883 Gaudi began this work, and after visiting hundreds of churches in my life, this one is most memorable.  Quite often you ask, how did they do that?   Here you get to see history in the making and "previously, thought to be lost tradesmen" in action.   Your entry fees will help continue this memorable work.

The cathedral has 2 "almost completed" facades referred to Nativity and Passion.  The Glory Façade, which began construction in 2002, will be the largest and most monumental of the three and will represent one’s ascension to God.

When finished the cathedral will have 18 spires. We did climb up one and down another of these spires. 

After our climb to the top of the cathedral we climbed still higher to Park Guell (prounounced gwell) , was planned as a Gated Community for 60 residences,  which also did not quite  take off.  It was a kind of Disney World, before it's time...    . None the less, it has some very amazing features and will be a certain return visit some day!

Tonight dinner was very memorable both in our search to find Restaurant Can Treso,  and then the friendly atmosphere. We were hosted by our waitress and a very talented Catalan style Chef.  Our waitress impressed  us with how much she "LOVES New York" .  If only mayor Bloomberg could hire this young woman.  You can find the pictures of Can Treso in the other Barcelona collection.

We day tripped to  Segovia on our Second day in Madrid.  Friday,  turned out to be the feast  Corpus Christi, a national holiday.  We had originally set our goal for the day as Toledo, but due to the holiday all the trains were booked.   In all the style of "Incredible Race",  we managed to  find a convenient bus to Segovia.   We arrived in plenty of time to enjoy this city which has it's origins back to the year 1.  Literally, the Roman Aqueduct dates all the way back to the first century.  With the Aqueduct at one end, another Plaza Mayor in the middle, and the Alcazar at the other end,  We walked a loop past the Aqueduct, and over to the Alcazar (fort), and several detours through over and under the streets to find our way back to the beginning.

The bus conveniently put us in the center of town.   We later learned that the train requires an additional bus ride from the train station.

The city is 3000 feet above sea level and situated just north west of the mountains. We were happy to be here and I think the bus ride was a bit more scenic.  We enjoyed many panoramic views getting there as well as around this town.  The aqueduct was our focal point.  And in every direction we found nice shops, trinkets of of history, and friendly people.  

It was hot, and perhaps, with a bit more planning we could have enjoyed a nice overnight stay here for the cool evenings.

We had an enjoyable lunch at a restaurant next to the Cathedral. It was called the same name... La Catedral restaurant.   Frequent ice cream helped with the bright sunshine.

Our second attempt to reach Toledo was a little easier today as we were sure to purchase our train ticket to Toledo on the way back from Segovia the evening before.   We had a happy reunion with a nice family we met the day before on the ticket line at the train station.   The AVE train is less than 30 minutes ride to Toledo.    The train station is a brisk 25 minute walk up to Plaza de Zocodover,  the town center.  Mind you, we opted for the bus back later in the evening, and due to the holiday events... we had exciting challenges finding the bus a tense moment  when it seemed we were headed in the wrong direction after several detours.  We arrived at the train station in sufficient time.

We took a brief,but cool, museum tour through an El Greco art exhibit... following that we toured the gothic cathedral of St Mary.   

We found a nice cool restaurant,  with bottle of wine for two, and did not eat Ham. You'll notice hundreds of hams curing as they hang from the ceiling.  We found Ham to be quite common in every city we toured. 

We arrived at Plaza de Zocodover to find a major league embroidery event with hundreds of Women actively, doing their craft.   Very complicated patterns involving ten to 15 different spools of thread were common.  Many vendors were selling thread and other supplies.   

The plaza was decked out  in full Corpus Christi holiday regailia.  Beautiful banners hanging from each balcony and window.   We spent the day and got lost and found in and among the very up and down and  intricate medieval street layout.    Where is my GPS?

Late in the afternoon, we enjoyed the Mini train ride which took us quickly around the town and gave us views we did not even imagine.

As we ran out of time in Toledo, we discovered another Jewish section of the  city which we briefly  walked through.   So there is more to see the next time.

Our Journey to Madrid took us from Barcelona via the High Speed Train to Atocha Station.  Only a short walk to our hotel,  Hotel Onix Atocha was a very convenient location.  From the hotel, Plaza del Sol was a 15 or 20 minute walk.  As, well, Prado Museum was 10 minutes away.   

From Madrid we took day trips to Segovia and Toledo. 

We used the  Hop-On-Hop Off bus tour around Madrid to help us understand the city layout.   From that experience we found it very convenient to walk to most anywhere.   Palacio Real, Botanic Garden, Plaza Del Sol, etc.

After days delaying our Authentic Paella Meal from Barcelona to Madrid,  Saturday night we found a great outdoor restaurant were able to catch a table at 10:30pm.

We felt very comfortable till all hours of the night. Sunday, evening, we enjoyed 11PM Flamenco Show  and the walk back to our hotel with people we met at the show well after 1AM.