Last Day in Barcelona

Day 34

Barcelona has been fantastic.  It has been incredible to visit different cultures, and really get the full experience of Europe.  I'm excited to see what Italy has to offer.  I'll miss all my classmates who are off on other summertime adventures!

Today was pretty relaxed.  Dani and I did some laundry, then headed off to the beach, and got a little shopping in!  It was a great day.

Got a little refreshment while waiting for laundry!

There were so many little shells!  Some of them had holes so you can make them into jewelry.  I wish I could take a ton home so I could make a piece of artwork or something.

A cute little boy playing in the surf.

Footprints!  The swimming was fantastic... except for the extreme saltiness of the Mediterranean Sea. Bleh.

The weather was perfect.  Totally refreshing!

We got a little lost on the way home, but we found the walk way designed by Gaudi!  

My experience in Spain was fantastic!  I love the relaxed, beach-y feel, and especially the fantastic architecture.  Gaudi's work is fantastic, and something you can't find just anywhere.  I feel like his influence really made Barcelona what it is, of course along with all the others who put love into their work.  I hope to come back soon!  

Now off to experience Italy! :)   

Free Day 1 in Barcelona!

Day 33

Due to swelling in my legs and such, today wasn't too eventful.  I relaxed in the hotel room while everyone went to the beach.  It was nice to take it easy for a day.  I found the laundromat and went to the Farmacia (Pharmacy) to find something to help the circulation in my legs.  Later I met up with everyone for dinner.

The candles at the hotel.  They are huge!

Another candle shot.

We tried Tapas for dinner.  I had olives, tomatoes and goat cheese, and salmon... except the salmon was raw.. haha, should have guessed.  This wasn't my very favorite dinner, but it was a fun experience.

All of us at the restaurant.  Doesn't it look yummy?

The hotel recommended the restaurant and gave us a card with directions.  Elyse was holding the card and the waitress ripped it out of her hand and promptly brought us some fine looking drinks... which would have been fine, except most of us don't drink alcohol.  It was pretty funny.  Elyse told us it wasn't very good anyway... I'll take her word for it.  Maybe I'll enjoy a Tapas experience more next time, when I know what to expect!  

Overall - A fantastic, relaxing day in Barcelona. :)

A Grand Tour of Barcelona

Day 32

I'm totally in love with Barcelona!  I came not knowing what to expect, and I was most certainly surprised by her hidden treasures!  Today was a full day of exploring!  It was fabulous!

The Sagrada Familia has been a highlight of my European tour.  I had seen pictures, and I wasn't sure how I felt about this (newly consecrated by the pope) minor basilica, with it's almost sand castle appearance.  After seeing it in person, I am beyond impressed.  Gaudi had such a complete approach to his work.  I loved how each facade, as they are completed, have significance and tell of Christ in a biblical and even personal way.  

It is obviously way more than just a "sand castle!"  :)

 I was amazed to learn (from William, our tour guide) of Gaudi's study and use of the hyperboloid structures. 

I think I was most impressed by the interior.  The stained glass are perfectly in Gaudi's style.  It is a cathedral in a way you would never think of one, and that is especially impressive after seeing so many.  The pillars, the iron railings, the choice of materials... it all is put together beautifully.  It is amazing that this is only the beginning.  I can't wait to come back in ten or twenty years and see the work they put into this incredible building!

These are the doors at the back of the cathedral.  Gracies means thank you in Catalan. 

Another of Gaudi's incredible work that we visited today.  I am completely in love with his use of mosaic tiles!

This is the Torre Agbar (the "gherkin" of Barcelona).  It was designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel.  It was amazing to see this building up close! 

We toured the modern architecture district around the Torre Agbar.  As you can see, this is the reflection of it in this fantastic orange colored building.

After a long day of touring we headed off to put our feet in the Mediterranean Sea!  That is the "W" hotel in the distance... wish we were staying there!  Perfect way to end the day!

Off to Barcelona!!

Day 31

Ah, Barcelona!  What a beautiful city!  Full of the unexpected, for me at least.  We arrived at the airport and we were greeted by our tour guide, William.  We climbed on a bus and proceeded to explore!

This is the Palau Nacional which houses the National Art Museum of Catalonia. They have a fantastic fountain show, the Font Magica, which is lit, and set to classical music!  Nearby is the Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe.

This is the Olympic Stadium.  It was built in 1927 for the 1929 International Exposition and also for the 1936 bid for the Summer Olympics, which actually went to Berlin.  It was later renovated for the 1992 Summer Olympics and was used as the main stadium.

The view of the harbor and the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.

This is the Palau de la Musica Catalana.  It is a gorgeous building that really captures the style of Barcelona.  It is a concert hall, and next time I will definitely stop in for a concert here!

William showed us this building that you can see the coast line in the reflection!  

The market in Barcelona was fantastic.  I got some fresh fruit, and I am not sure I've tasted better!  mmmm

Last Day in Paris... (*sigh)

Day 30

Pere Lachaise Cemetery, Luxembourg Gardens, and Duck.

Today was a surprise visit to the Pere Lachaise Cemetery.  It was incredible!  It is the largest cemetery in Paris.  I was in awe at the architecture, the design, and especially the inspiration that can be found here.  As weird as that sounds for a Cemetery.  This was one of my favorite places to visit.

A bit more on the eery side.  Neat though.

Lots of gorgeous photography opportunities.

Beautiful stained glass.

Overall view.

On a lighter note... The bakery items are unbeatable in Paris.  We got multiple eclairs, but these purple eclairs Dani and I found at a nearby bakery were the best thing I have ever eaten.  They were vanilla... but magical.  They had vanilla custard type stuff inside, and the icing was.... oh man.  They tasted like purple... ya know, like how purple would taste, not grape or anything, just heavenly, delicious, melt in your mouth, eat 20 at a time, savor every last bite... yummy goodness.  If only I could take enough home to last me a life time.  I'm definitely going back for these!

For dinner I tried duck!  It was actually pretty tasty.  And the chips (little fries) were yum too.  Oh, and the restaurant was well decorated also. :)

Versailles!

 Day 29

Well, talk about crowded!!  Nevertheless, Versailles is gorgeous!  We began by touring around the gardens, which seem to go on for miles.  I was most impressed by the cottages.  They are monuments in themselves, with gorgeous thatched roofs, and impressive spiral staircases.  They are deteriorating but they are amazing. We spent time sketching, taking lots of pictures and really just taking it all in.  Versailles is incredible!

The golden gates.

The view from the back.

The group walking to the gardens.

Marie Antoinette's retreat, The Petit Trianon.  

One of the cottages.  I loved this area!

The little tower by the lake, set amongst the many cottages.

Group shot outside The Grand Trianon.

The gorgeous Hall of Mirrors.  This was where the crowds were the most intense.

The courtyard, looking up at the Palace.

Sacre Coeur

Day 28

Today we visited the Sacre Coeur.

On our way there we stopped by the Moulin Rouge.  Te he... It's just what you'd think it would be.  I do love the movie based on it though!

The graffiti in the area was very creative.  Watch out for the time bombs!

The Sacre Coeur (The Basilica of the Sacred Heart) is incredible!  It's the highest point in Paris, so of course I climbed 300 stairs to the dome to see the fantastic view of Paris!  And it was gorgeous!  The area around is amazing as well.  There are cute little boutiques and a square filled with artists who paint and draw views of Paris or even a quick caricature. I loved the area, it felt like what I pictured Paris to be. 

The dome of the Sacre Coeur.

 Stephanie, Dani, Griffin, and I finished the day perfectly with a picnic beneath the Eiffel Tower!  To top it off, there was a lady playing her cello nearby.  It was fantastic!

Free Day 3! The Paris Opera House and The Grande Arche

Day 27

If you've seen the movie version of the Phantom of the Opera, than I can tell you that the Paris Opéra, also known as Palais Garnier (the Paris Opera House) is just as glamorous and fantastic as you may think it is!  In fact I was more than impressed.  You just have to see the pictures to know! It was designed by Charles Garnier in the Neo-Baroque style.

There were lots of people outside, even a group of break dancers surrounded by tourists, and some ice cream!

On the magnificent staircase!

I got a sneak peek of the theatre. 

Incredible huh??!?

The Grande Arche is about 3 miles on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées from L'arc du Triomphe.  It is actually just outside the city limits, and we walked to it from the Louvre, which is just a little way away from the Paris Opera House. It was about a 5 and 1/2 mile walk.  The Avenue des Champs-Élysées has some fantastic, but expensive shopping.  It was fun to take in everything.  It is also interesting to take in the stark contrast between the neoclassical style of the L'arc du Triomphe and the extreme modern style of the Grande Arche.  Incredible!

Almost there!

Dani and Griffin holding The Arche up!

Looking back on it's neoclassical counterpart.  Lots of walking, but what a fantastic day!