September 23, 2012 Sunday Barcelona

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Our last full day in Spain. Miriam and I walked down the quiet street of Ramblas, only quiet because everyone in the city slept in due to late night celebration of the Old City. We toured the Palau Guell, built for this very wealthy industrialist and designed by Antoni Gaudi. Another unique 6 story home built with horse stables below and colorfully design chimneys above. Later we took the local bus to the Parque Guell where Gaudi started a housing development which only resorted in a few colorful houses being built. The park is designed with many pillars, mosaics, and cactus plants. Passed by the Sagrada Familia (the Gaudi designed cathedral) which we had toured during our previous trip to Barcelona.

September 22, 2012 Saturday Barcelona

Took the metro to the Passeig de Gracia for the two hour train ride to Figueres, the former home town of Salvador Dali. We had no time to buy breakfast before boarding the local train which made nearly a dozen stops. After a needed respite in the town with coffee, ham and cheese croissants we passed by the farmers marker and a short walk to the museum. This is the site of the Dali Museum which houses thousands of the artist's paintings, drawing, sculptures, murals and other works. The museum and the quaint town are well worth the trip. Our afternoon meal was at a fabulous restaurant with french influenced cuisine.  Back on the train we returned to our hotel and a stop for dinner at a buffet restaurant, Fresh, much like the Fresh Choice chain in our country. We finished the night walking through small plazas and atop the Havana Hotel.

September 21, 2012 Friday Barcelona

Walked with our luggage to the train station for five hour trip to Barcelona. Passed many  wind turbines in very barren lands then saw many olive and various other fruit tree farms. After checking in to the Granvia Hotel (a former palace), having lunch along the Passe de Grace we strolled by two of the Gaudi designed houses. Finished our walk to narrow streets avoiding the large crowds around the Ramblas packed in for Old Town Festival Week .

September 20, 2012 Thursday San Sebastian

After breakfast in the old town of San Sebastian we took the walk up to the top of Mount  Urgull with the statue of Christ.  This is a major park with beautiful forest and great panoramic view of the city. An extensive museum provides a history of the city which has been a major port for imports and exports to and from the new world as well as a major manufacturer of ships producer of whale oil and timber.The French and English had laid seige to the city on separate and occupied it for many years. The museum is free and provides visitors with audio units in several languages. Down to the old town for lunch then to drop off our car. Took public bus for 1.4 Euros.

September 19, 2012 Wednesday Off to St Sebastian

Departed Bilboa after our usual coffee and croissants for Guernica for tour of the Peace Museum which memorialized the bombing raid by the German Luftwaffe in 1937. Franco had given Hitler permission to test their blitzkrieg bombing techniques on this Basque capital city. Very moving exhibits and narratives of the aftermath. A copy of  Picasso's famous painting depicting the event hangs in the museum. A very curvy drive through beautiful forests and mountains with dozens of round-abouts and we stopped for late lunch in the fishing village of  Lekeitio on the Gulf of Biscay. It was only due to the use of the Albon's GPS that we are making it through this country. Further on we settled in at St Sebastian, a beautiful coastal city on the Bay  of Concha. The Spanish Film Festival will be held here the day after we leave on Friday. 

September 18, 2012 Tuesday Off to Bilboa

Left Santillana del Mar to visit the Altamira Caves Museum, the site of 14000 year old cave paintings. The site is a replication of the actual cave which is only open to archeologists now in order to preserve them. Moved on to Bilboa for tour of the Guggenheim Museum with displays of the art forms of David Hockney and Richard Serra.  The structure of the museum is the real masterpiece although we were greatly impressed by the massive collection of Hockney's works. After a very nice dinner at the Gorbee Restaurant of fresh fish , we missed the last streetcar back so took a cab. Just another case of not knowing what the locals know.

September 17, 2012 Monday Picos de Europa

Monday September 17, 2012 Picos de Europa

Leaving Oviedo for drive part way through the Picos de Europa. First stopped at an old church built in 800 AD originally a castle. Our drive took us through many small colorful towns and streams up to the Basica de Covadonga and adjacent caves. Stopped in town of Covadonga for excellent meal including traditional fabada (beans and sausage soup), breaded chicken or beef. Back along the coast to the very old town of Santillan Del Mar for overnight stay in hotel originally the home of the Marques de Santillana dell Mar.  

September 10, 2012 Wednesday

Took the Renfe Train to the walled city of Toledo, once the capital of Spain.  Toured the magnificent Cathedral and many colorful twisted streets. 

September 15, 2012  Saturday Ovieto
A better result today at the Davis Cup.  The Bryan brothers won an exciting four setter from the Spanish team of Lopez and Granoliers.  Fantastic shot making by both teams. Before the match we spent a couple of hours walking around the old parts of Gijon and the city's beach walk. Back to Ovieto  for dinner in the old town section in one of the few italian restaurants in the city, Taormina.

September 13, 2012 Thursday Train to Oviedo

September 13, 2012 Thursday

Caught the train from Madrid to Oviedo. The rail company RENF needs to spend some money to repair the rails but the trip is quite pleasant. The town is where the movie Vicki, Christina, Barcelona was filmed.  It is this location where Javier Bardem had flown the two women to spend the weekend in northern Spain. There is a bronze statute of the director Woody Allen which sit adjacent to the Paseo de Bombe. The cathedral and many classic buildings here are well worth the walk around this pedestrian friendly city. A music concert is going on tomorrow which we hope to attend after the first day of Davis Cup Tennis in Gijon which is about 20 minutes drive from here.

September 14, 2012 Friday Davis Cup Tourney

September 14 Friday

Browns and Sedens rooting on the team USA

Bryan Brothers and members of US Davis Cup Team

Ferrer and Querry

Captain JIm Courier

Today after a nerve racking effort to find our way driving out of Oviedo we made it to Gijon for the first day of the Davis Cup Semifinals between Spain and the US. Sam Querry played a competitive match against David Ferrer but lost in four sets. We expected Sam Eisner to walk over his opponent Almagro but the match went back and forth with Sam losing in five sets. The matches lasted till dark and it was only due to the GPS that we borrowed from our neighbors, Sue and Rod, that we found our way back to our hotel. Every restaurant and bar was filled to capacity, so much for rough times in Spain.  We finally found a diner with traditional northern Spain cusisine. Then, it was off to bed for a needed long nights sleep.

September 12, 2012 Wednesday Toledo

Our travels are to the walled city of Toledo, only a 30 minute train ride south of Madrid.  The highlights were the massive cathedral high atop the fortified city. Having taken 280 years to complete, the structure impressive with its massive columns and gold laden altar and choir. The Alazar (the fortress) is still closed for repairs. The streets are windy and pictureques with cobblestone streeets.

September 11, 2012 Monday Madrid

After a breakfast at Starbucks, much cheaper than our hotel buffet of $18 euros we prepared for our assault on El Prado.  A fifteen minute walk along Arenal Avenue to Madrid's largest collection of art in a fabulous modern building.  Lots of Gregos, Goyas, and Velazquez's. The museum is now open M-Sunday.  The restaurant is fabulous at reasonable prices. After covering as much as we could take we took a walk through the huge Retiro Park built by Charles III and turned over to the public in the late 18th century.  The 300 acre park is next door  to the Prado.  We enjoyed a cool drink while listening to a street musician playing a saxaphone and looking over the ornately decorated lake. A short ride on the Metro took us back to our hotel for a nap and then off to dinner along the PlazaMayor. It is Myrna's birthday so we went to a dinner and flamenco performance. The venue is more intimate with other dancers, musicians, and guitar players coming to the stage to perform along with the regular cast at the conclusion.

September 9, 2012 Sunday Madrid

Big day in Madrid. Met the Browns yesterday.  Their flight was delayed and their luggage did not arrive. Got word it was to be delivered today. Many Street performers including this fellow in golf leaf. Off to the Royal Palace. Tapestries, frescos, chandeliers, clocks, furnishings, and murals are all magnificent.  Lots of gold leaf and silver utensils. Can't take pictures accept for Royal Stairway so must rely on our memories. Toured the Cathedral next to the Palace. Lunch at the Plaza San Miguel. Took the Madrid City Bus tour (hop on, hop off).  Still feeling jet lag, so back to Hotel Opera for one hour nap. Off for dinner before Flamenco show to celebrate Myrna's birthday.

September 8, 2012 Saturday Off to Spain

Leaving today on KLM to Madrid with transfer to Air Europa Airline in Amsterdam. Will meet up with our traveling companions, Myrna and Larry, in Madrid. Flights all went as planned. Took taxi to Hotel Opera. Had to take longer route due to Spain's national bicycle race finishing in Madrid. Browns' plane had been delayed in San Francisco so they missed connecting flight to Madrid. They arrived about the same time as us. We walked around the Royal Palace and grounds before having dinner.