Barcelona

I'm a novice when it comes to Barcelona. I never visited on my first trip 6 years ago and made it a point to go in the future. Mission accomplished. Last May I finally took my trip to Barcelona. It's nothing like any other Spanish city I've ever been to. The atmosphere, the artchitecture, the traditions and history.

Picasso statue on the way to Port Vell

If you know me, I'm a research freak. If I'm planning a trip I'm going to know everything in and out about a place before I go. I have to say Barcelona surprised me.

As soon as we arrived we went straight to the flat we rented in Barri Gotic (Gothic District). After 3 hours of confusion and waiting we finally got in. Talk about nightmare. When we finally left for dinner we came across this gorgeous site.

Port Vell right after rain



Placa Colom


Cruise ships docked at Port Vell


After dinner we went dancing in a true discoteque. The next morning we were moving a little slow (to say the least). Our tour started at the beginning of Las Ramblas, the most popular stretch that is covered with tourists and locals alike.

Las Ramblas

Along Las Ramblas there are many must-see tourist destinations.

La Boqueria Market




Casa Batllo



La Pedrera


Once you've traveled to the end of Las Ramblas, we took a right on Avenida Diagonal, which led us to more famous Barcelona landmarks.

La Sagrada Familia


Arc de Triompf, Entrance to the Park of the Ciutadella


Place Reial in Barri Gotic- block away from our flat


Meditteranean Sea


El Piex (left) by Frank Gehry


Port Vell

Introduction to Madrid

Madrid is one of my favorite cities in the world. It's a very special place and it really changes a person's soul. It changed mine forever.

My first experience in Madrid was 6 years ago when I was taking classes at Universidad de Alcala. It was only a 30-minute train ride into the city so we often took trips once classes were over.

The path from Estacion de Atocha (the train station) would lead us straight onto the Paseo del Prado, one of my favorite streets in the entire world. It's a tree-covered stroll that leads you straight the Museo del Prado, one of Europe's premier museums.

Paseo del Prado


Museo del Prado


Though we never had a set path, we would always end up in a few destinations.

Here is one of those paths...
Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol.

Once there we would walk around the neighborhood and explore. Plaza Mayor is a rectangular central meeting place in the center of the city. During the Hapsburg period it was used for bullfights or as a marketplace. Now it is lined with outside cafes and tourist shops and plenty of tourists.

Plaza Mayor




My favorite Irish Pub, Moore's, was located right off the plaza on Calle Felipe. We made use of our time here by relaxing and watching football matches or tennis. Well, any kind of sport that was on tv. I just remember it had cold pints and air conditioning--two very important things in a hot summer in Madrid.

Moore's Irish Pub


Puerta del Sol is nothing like I've ever seen before. A lot goes on in this modern central meeting point in Madrid. You have street vendors-- usually selling faux designer handbags, protesters, beggars, tourists, locals, teenagers and everything in between.


Famous billboard on Puerta del Sol


Cutting through Puerta del Sol takes you to Gran Via, nicknamed the "Spanish Broadway." I just know it as a great place to get afternoon cocktails and tapas and bask in the Spanish sun. Fabulous shopping and swanky hotels line the people-filled street.

Gran Via and Calle Alcala


This is where our day adventure ends. Back to the train station and on our way to Alcala. See you again tomorrow, Madrid!

Estacion de Atocha