Valencia, Spain

Today we had an early wake up call at 6 so we could be ready for the train trip (Renfe) to Valencia. Hugo arranged for us a “take away” bag for breakfast since we were leaving before breakfast. After a short delay we were on our way to the Atoche Station. We had about a half hour to wait and the trip took about 1 1/2 hrs to arrive in Valencia.

Once here we boarded our bus and made our way to the Hotel to check in. We then had a small walking tour of the immediate area. We all had free time and then met the local guide at 2:30. We toured the Valencia Cathedral, visited other spots such as old colleges, post offices, city hall, other buildings and façades of the cathedral. We had free time and then dinner at 8 at el forret resturante. Tonight we dined on traditional Paella from Valencia (no rabbit only chicken). We then had a 30+ min walk back to the other end of the city to our hotel.

Tomorrow we visit the Market and the Art and Sciences and the Oceanographic museum.

Toledo, Spain

March 24

Hola! Today we had a day trip from Madrid to Toledo. A motor coach picked us up near the hotel. Once we arrived we took in the city by a panoramic view from above with views of the Cathedral and Palace. The Tajo river runs along the border and creates a natural defense on one side where the other side of the city is surrounded by walls. After the pano view we went into town and stopped at the Sword making shop. This shop makes jewelry, trinkets, swords (Lord of the Rings swords) and other items with inlaid gold. We watched a blacksmith and an apprentice at work. Once we finished that we went into the city center with a local guide for a walking tour of the city. We saw the Cathedral de Toledo, Santo Tope cathedral to see the painting by El Greco (Burial of Count Orgaz), we had free time for lunch and shopping.

We met after lunch and started the trip back to Madrid via our bus. Once we returned some students with with Señor to Estadio Bernabeau, where Real Madrid plays futbol (soccer). The rest shopped and wandered at their leisure around Madrid until meeting time for dinner. We had dinner as a group at Prado Tope. We all enjoyed this restaurant. The food was excellent.

Tomorrow we have an early day. We catch a train at Atoche station at 8:40, to Valencia.

Viaje a Espana – Coming Soon!

I have an upcoming trip to Spain coming up, March 21 through March 29th. I hope to live blog while touring the country. I do not want to blow out my data usage but I want to blog my experiences. I may actually blog it first at my LiveJournal site and then copy/paste and modify over here after that initial post.

I will have a brand new Canon Rebel to use in my journeys so I am uber excited!!!

My (tentative) Itinerary is as follows:

1. Saturday March 21, 2015, departure from Ohio en-route to Madrid
2. Sunday March 22, 2015 Arrival Madrid, Spain
   1. Visit Palacio Real  & Garden – The Royal Palace
   2. Visit Plaza Mayor
   3. Puerta del Sol/shop
   4. Free time
   5. Dinner
3. Monday March 23, 2015 – Madrid –
   1. Visit The Prado Museum (Art)
   2. Visit The Retiro Park; Crystal Palace, The Alfonso XII Monument
   3. Visit Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas (Largest Bullring in Spain)
   4. Visit Taurino Museum
   5. Shopping/Free time in Cheuca area
   6. Dinner
4. Tuesday March 24, 2015 – Excursion to Toledo
   1. Visit Sword Maker
   2. Local guide provided to tour Cathedral de Toledo
   3. Visit The Church of Santo Tome – Which houses El Greco’s Burial of Count Orgaz
   4. Free time
   5. Dinner/Return to Madrid
5.  Wednesday March 25, 2015 – Ave Train to Valencia
   1. Walking tour (with guide) of Valencia
      1. Barrio del Carmen
      2. The Cathedral (said to house the Holy Grail Chalice)
      3. Free time
      4. Dinner
6. Thursday March 26, 2015 – Valencia
   1. Mercado Central
   2. The Science Museum
   3. I’Oceanografic (World’s Largest Marine Park)
   4. Dinner/free time/night life
7. Friday March 27, 2015 – Bus to Montserrat
   1. Renaissance Basilica (houses La Moreneta)
      1.  Bus to Barcelona in afternoon
      2. Visit La Ramblas/Free time
      3. Dinner/night life
      4. Monumento a Colon (Christopher Columbus monument at the end of La Ramblas)
8. Saturday March 28, 2015 – Barcelona
   1. Visit Parc Guell (Gaudi)
   2. Visit Barrio Gotica (guided) and enter Cathedral
   3. Visit Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family) Cathedral (audio guide)
   4. Free time (I plan on going to El Camp Nou – Home of FC Barcelona – Futbol Club)
   5. Dinner and a flamenco show/night life
9. Saturday March 28, 2015 Return Home
   1. Depart from Barcelona arrival late evening