Barcelona to Segovia
Empty streets, unexpectedly empty roads, closed shops... Is it a plague or what? No, it's just lunch time - or - the siesta. To go along with this unique custom, Spain stays up and eats dinner late, and thus gets up late. This shift in daily routine might take us some getting used to, but today we seized the opportunity and took advantage of our jet lag. We got up early and visited Park Guell.
Park Guell is one of Barcelona's top tourist sites. When you see a picture of Barcelona, most likely it's taken in Park Guell.
Spanish entrepreneur Guell hired architect Antonio Gaudi to build his vision of upscale housing for early 20th century urbanites. Failed partly due to WWI, the park was given to the city. Now a days, one can't visit Barcelona without coming here. As you can imagine, there are long lines to get in. Except before 8am, when it's also coincidentally free. "No crowds" and "free" are my favorite words!
The highlights of this beautiful park are the serpentine benches from where you can overlook the city of Barcelona, the "Hansel and Gretel" lodges, and particularly the colorful, mosaic dragon - Barcelona's emblem.
The plan was to then visit Gaudi's most famous creation - La Sagrada Familia, a massive Catholic Church that has been under construction since 1882. Jeremy describes it as a sand castle because of it unique design. As a way to get a sneak peak inside without forking out €150, we were going to attend mass. But just as I suspected we would, we opted out. If the kids didn't care, neither did I; I know Greg and I will be back someday.
Next was the first leg of three 7-hour drives. To put it into perspective, it's the same length as our drive to LA, which we do several times a year. At the train station we picked up our rental for the next 2 weeks: a Mercedes B180d. Our grown family of 5 squeezed in - and we were off to Segovia.
In 1985, UNESCO listed the old city of Segovia as World Heritage thanks to its amazing architecture and because it's been an exceptional witness to years of history and culture. Its sites include an old aqueduct, an imposing cathedral, a sumptuous fortress and a series of churches and monasteries, so it's definitely a place you want to visit. Most people make the day trip from Madrid, an hour away.
We are staying in a nice apartment right next to the aqueduct in the Plaza del Azoguejo. After getting settled in, the kids joined Greg and me for our favorite traveling evening activity - we grabbed some cold beers and a spot on the platform overlooking the aqueduct and the mingling crowd below. Something didn't feel quite right and soon we sensed we were the only ones drinking in public. We're not sure but there might be a €3000 fine - so we quickly transferred our beverages to coffee mugs, and watched the silly comedy show (in Spanish) in the plaza below. The plaza was quite lively all night and into the morning. At one point, very late by American standards, a marching band came out of nowhere. It was rather entertaining. Despite all the mayhem, we all got caught up on our sleep.
Park Guell is one of Barcelona's top tourist sites. When you see a picture of Barcelona, most likely it's taken in Park Guell.
Spanish entrepreneur Guell hired architect Antonio Gaudi to build his vision of upscale housing for early 20th century urbanites. Failed partly due to WWI, the park was given to the city. Now a days, one can't visit Barcelona without coming here. As you can imagine, there are long lines to get in. Except before 8am, when it's also coincidentally free. "No crowds" and "free" are my favorite words!
The highlights of this beautiful park are the serpentine benches from where you can overlook the city of Barcelona, the "Hansel and Gretel" lodges, and particularly the colorful, mosaic dragon - Barcelona's emblem.
View of Barcelona from Park Guell
Before opening is the best time to get a pic with this popular guy, "El Drac"
Fooling around on the park's paths
The cranes above La Sagrada Familia will be around until at least 2026 - 144 years since the first stone was laid
Picturesque spot in front of the church
Next was the first leg of three 7-hour drives. To put it into perspective, it's the same length as our drive to LA, which we do several times a year. At the train station we picked up our rental for the next 2 weeks: a Mercedes B180d. Our grown family of 5 squeezed in - and we were off to Segovia.
In 1985, UNESCO listed the old city of Segovia as World Heritage thanks to its amazing architecture and because it's been an exceptional witness to years of history and culture. Its sites include an old aqueduct, an imposing cathedral, a sumptuous fortress and a series of churches and monasteries, so it's definitely a place you want to visit. Most people make the day trip from Madrid, an hour away.
We are staying in a nice apartment right next to the aqueduct in the Plaza del Azoguejo. After getting settled in, the kids joined Greg and me for our favorite traveling evening activity - we grabbed some cold beers and a spot on the platform overlooking the aqueduct and the mingling crowd below. Something didn't feel quite right and soon we sensed we were the only ones drinking in public. We're not sure but there might be a €3000 fine - so we quickly transferred our beverages to coffee mugs, and watched the silly comedy show (in Spanish) in the plaza below. The plaza was quite lively all night and into the morning. At one point, very late by American standards, a marching band came out of nowhere. It was rather entertaining. Despite all the mayhem, we all got caught up on our sleep.
Enjoying the evening together
The crowd surrounding the hokey local comedy show
View from our apartment
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