Day 16 and 17- Madrid 🇪🇸

We arrived in Madrid via train from Valencia. The trains are an amazing way to travel. The high speed trains are just under 300 km/h 😮😮😮. It doesn’t seem like your are travelling that fast because the ride is so smooth. 

296 km/h!! 😱

From the Madrid train station we taxied to the hotel. Madrid is the capital of Spain and the largest city in Spain. We were curious about the various populations of each city, unbeknownst to us we visited the three most populous cities in Spain: Madrid (#1), Barcelona, and Valencia (#3). Of the three cities I am sure Julie and I can agree Barcelona was our favourite!!! 

The people in all of Spain have been welcoming and kind. There are toilets to use- even without paying (same cannot be said about Italy) and the toilets all have seats (also opposite to Italy). The language has proved challenging- I only used Duolingo for Italian! In actuality in Italy most people spoke English but here in Spain our limited Dora the Explorer Spanish is proving inadequate. 🤣

The cities in Spain have been very very clean. They are filled with huge areas of green space often populated by families and everyone out for walks and fresh air. The parks are beautiful.

In Madrid we didn’t have any tours booked but we had booked a two day hop on hop off bus. This was perfect. There were two different lines- one an historic route, the other a modern Madrid route. We used both routes to view the major sites of the city. We listened to the bus narrative and filled in info with Google.

Hop-On-Hop-Off Selfie

We had heard about the nun cookies in Spain and knew we wanted to try to get some- when we arrived there was a sign saying there were no cookies on Wednesday! 🤦‍♀️ Darn it. 

Dang!!! ☹️

The desserts and empanadas in Spain are incredible. We sampled the delicious sangria as well. Julie asked a shop worker if she had any suggestions for where we should try churros- she pointed to a sign literally 30ft away where the most famous churros are located!! Our luck has been quite frequent like this on the whole trip as a whole- things that we hoped to experience just manifested. 

Goodies!!

The architecture in Madrid was stunning and you can see the evolution to the buildings into more modern designs. Beginning in Rome and travelling through Florence into Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid really was an interesting progression from ancient to modern. Incredible. 

 

Royal Palace

Egyptian Temple Circa 200 BC - Relocated To Madrid

Madrid Street Sign

As the trip nears its end we can only be thankful to have been able to experience this journey with lifelong friends, connected beyond distance. Fifty is looking great and has shown us everything is possible for the future. ❤️❤️❤️

Ps - Awaiting our departure from Madrid to Montreal. Back to Canada soon!

Madrid Airport - Return To Canada Underway

Day 15 - Valencia Day 2!

Our day began at a snails pace today- we have earned it! With the blinds closed and no light trickling in we slept soundly until 8am. We then lazed around in our beds, reading the news and catching up with the outside world.

Today we had planned a leisurely day of exploring -  on foot! The morning was overcast but it was already 24C when we headed out at 11am. We began our walk to a brunch location- Milk and Butter. We passed the FC Valencia stadium - insanely huge (That’s what she said 😂).

Valencia Stadium

As we travelled along we went through different neighbourhoods and definitely into a more upscale area. We have yet to see any single family homes - all apartment living around here. 

Apartment Living

The brunch options looked good and we both opted for French toast, freshly squeezed OJ (when in Valencia!), Julie an Americano and I had a cappuccino. It was delicious and the juice was off the charts. 

After a relaxing brunch we headed towards the neighbourhood of El Carmen, the oldest neighbourhood in Valencia. We can now verify that Google mapping Burger King or Taco Bell locations will lead you directly to high traffic tourist areas- crazy.

As we approached one area there was a huge outdoor festival ongoing. The food fair sampling was to promote EU Rice. They were selling a food sample that contained EU rice to promote its support. There were vendors and artisans selling items produced in Valencia. The atmosphere was one of fun and community. On our walk we noticed many places do not operate on Sunday.

We found the Barrio of Carmen area where we saw old portos, arch ways from the old entrances to the walled city. There was an old basilica and city hall among others. Street art adorns every wall and many buildings throughout the city, it is beautiful. 

Portos

 

Basilica

Street Art

The city is filled with giant swaths of green spaces, playgrounds and bike trails. The streets were packed with families and friends visiting and enjoying meals. Most were not on phones but were talking and connecting. It really was inspiring. 

We have been chilling back at the room for a few hours and at 8:40 pm we decided maybe we should eat something. We walked into the restaurant at the hotel but the server said maybe later there would be space for us. Not wanting to risk going without we head over to the mini supermarket. I opted for a Magnum ice cream bar with a Coke Zero, no caffeine. Julie chose sour cream and onion Pringle’s and a .55 euro beer! Nothing but the best for us 🤣🤣

We ordered our taxi for tomorrow morning to take us to the train station as we head to Madrid, our last stop! Wow. It has been nice to take a slower pace here in Valencia. Thanks for reading, next stop Madrid!!!

Julie
High - Freshly squeeze Valencia orange juice- delish.
Low - No fans the bathrooms.

Amanda
High - Watching people connect with one another.
Low - Not getting quite enough time to cross busy streets.

Day 14 - Valencia, Spain!

Awoke early Saturday to another hotel breakfast- Julie splurged and tried one of the donuts- they seem to have donuts everywhere here! We had packed the night before so it was a quick out this morning. We cabbed to the bus station, our bus was set to depart at 10 am. We loaded up onto the bus for the four drive South.

 

Julie And Her Breakfast Donut!

We ended up sparking up Netflix for a bit, Julie was dozing right away but I held off a bit longer. I gave in and slept until about an hour outside Valencia. Julie pointed out all the orange groves as we drove on- amazing. The terrain and climate are much like Kelowna. Today’s high was 28C!! 

From the bus station we took a cab the 3km to the hotel. Spain is full of stop lights and what should be fairly quick turns into a longer commute.

We rested for a bit in the room and then set our sights on the beach! On the way we fuelled up with Cortado coffees and some NY rolls- pistachio.

Bastard Cafe 🤣

Yummy!!!

Our walk to the beach wasn’t the most picturesque. There are many areas here that appear economically depressed. It was very quiet though and we wondered where all the people were! Well, once we spied the beach, we found everyone! 

Although there were loads of people out, the beach goes on and on and there was plenty of room! There was a whole section of volleyball courts- many! People were swimming, taking surfing lessons, kayaking, flying kites, running, sunbathing etc. It was amazing to see everyone connecting with each other. The sun was amazing on our skin, we sat on the sand and took it all in.

We walked back an alternate route in a busier area. Throughout Barcelona and here, the street art has been amazing. It is everywhere.

We popped into a grocery store as we opted for a snack based dinner. Although our day was shorter we covered a lot of ground! We are resting back at the hotel and plan to check out the historic square and building tomorrow. The Holy Grail is even here in Valencia! I will hold back any Monty Python quotes here! 

Tonight we go to bed early!!!! Final full three days ahead- can’t believe it!

Julie
High - Decent bus ride without nausea
Low - Our stroll through a bit of a sketchy area

Amanda
High - Using my French to communicate with the cab driver since he knew zero English!
Low - Not feeling a 100%

Day 13 - Exploring Barcelona 💃 💃 💃

We took an easy, leisurely morning today to wake up. We rolled out of bed and headed downstairs to our hotel buffet breakfast. The food is great and the cappuccinos earned! We sat and chatted and enjoyed our time.

We rolled out of the hotel at about noon and hit the streets. We started walking towards the Gothic quarter - the oldest neighbourhood in Barcelona. We popped in and out of shops, browsing and enjoying the sunshine. The sidewalks are much wider than in Italy, making it more enjoyable as you are not under constant threat of being rammed by other pedestrians! The side walks are smoother under foot too.

We loaded up a walking tour of the Gothis quarter that began at the Barcelona cathedral. The city is quite unique since there are some ancient Roman ruins dating back to BC but you have so many examples of modernism through to current art expressions; there is also unbelievable street art! 

Arc De Triomf

Lots Of Green Spaces

Gothic Quarter

Barcelona Cathedral

Gaudi - Cassa Baltic

Gaudi - Cassa Mila

Picasso Sand SketchesOn Facade Of Spanish Architecture Centre

Bar With Funny Name

We viewed more Gaudi buildings- literally mind blowing. We made our way through the streets and headed towards the beach to cap off the day.

Barcelona’s Beach

Barcelona has been a gem. The people are kind and welcoming and the city is packed with treasures and excursions. You could come back time and again to visit and not have seen everything. You can find bathrooms easily- and the toilets have seats!!! More pluses. 

Tomorrow morning we head to Valencia. The temps are increasing so lots of sun ahead. Off to bed for us, more tomorrow! Xo

Julie

High - Just happening upon masterpieces and treasure while we strolled

Low - The beach view West is blocked by buildings so our sunset was not so colourful. 

Amanda

High - Being surrounded by so much art and culture

Low - Not having more time to explore this city!

Day 12 - First day in Barthelona

We crashed last night and had a great sleep- too short but we slept well! We awoke and headed down to our hotel breakfast- it was a feast! There were tons of delicious choices!

 
We had to eat quickly to walk over to Park Guell. The park was designed and built by Gaudi, an architect who led the Modernisme era, many of the features look like living Suessian creations. We had pre-booked our times and being there early paid off as it was not very busy while we were there. We spent two hours exploring and gaining an appreciation for Gaudi.

 

 

 After the park we walked back to the hotel for a bit of a rest. We put our feet up and relaxed- maybe even dozed in and out.

 
Our next stop would be the Sagrada Familla- a church designed by Gaudi. We had the audio guide to tour us. This church cannot be explained by words. If you ever have a chance to visit, it is a must. The sheer magnitude of the building is insane. The level of detail and planning also insane. You then step inside the church and your mind is blown! Seeing and feeling the beauty is overwhelming and transformative. The church is still under construction today. Gaudi had left plans for the church as he knew it would not be finished if he didn’t leave the plans. The stained glass colours pour out through the space creating more magic and beauty. It really is impossible to describe its magnificence.

We are back at the hotel after a quick bite to eat. The day was filled with beautiful art and company. Barcelona is clean and friendly and beautiful.

Julie
High - Sagrada Famillia
Low - No energy to keep exploring tonight

Amanda
High - Sagrada Familla
Low - People taking Instagram shots and not being present in their moments