Travel Experience – Spain and Barcelona
By Jo Baxter
I flew into Madrid and out of Barcelona with Qatar Airlines.
Checking in was very quick and easy.
Doha Airport was a great place to explore with an amazing and refreshing indoor rainforest garden, Shops, plenty of quiet spaces or areas to relax and recharge yourself of your electronic equipment. The flight was good, with standard meal choices and in-flight entertainment.
On arrival in Madrid, I joined a 7-day Southern Spain and Barcelona Tour, hosted by Entire Travel Group.
Traveling on a small group tour on a luxury coach was extremely comfortable and a great way to see the countryside. We always had plenty of room, access to Wi-Fi and regular stops to grab a coffee and stretch our legs. Our Tour Leader kept us well informed and gave us great insight into the areas we were travelling through without overdoing it.
The accommodation on tour was 4-5star. We were not always in the centre of towns, but access to the town was easy. We could explore the highlights and find restaurants to experience the amazing culinary delights of Spain. I loved getting up each morning to the most amazing breakfasts – coffee, juice, champagne, omelets, pastries, fruits and much more.
The trip was amazing and well planned out with a unique blend of history, culture and cuisine. All brought together by our attentive and informative Tour Guide.
We had a beautiful Welcome Dinner in Madrid, with an array of Tapas and Sangrias, where we were well informed of the trip ahead and what to expect.
The first morning was spent exploring the main attractions and familiarizing ourselves with the layout of Madrid on a fantastic, guided walking tour, taking in the Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace, Plaza de la villa just to name a few. In the afternoon we were free to explore more of the areas that took our interest, people watch in the Plaza Mayor or shop. The evening was spent exploring rooftop bars and eating Tapas.
From Madrid we headed to Seville via Merida. Merida was one of my favorite places. Arriving before lunch we had a short amount of time to explore the city, a maze of narrow streets filled with shops, restaurants and people, dotted with ancient ruins. After a beautiful lunch in the sunshine, we had a guided tour through The Teatro Romano (Theatre of Merida an ancient Roman Amphitheatre), established in 15BCand still used today for concerts and plays, we also visited an amphitheater dating bac to 8BC that was used for Gladiator contest.
Seville after another informative walking tour, winding our way through the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter, exploring the plaza de Espana and The Cathedral of Seville. I joined an optional trip to Jerez de La Fontera, in the Andalusia region of Spain famous for its Sherry, horses and Flamenco. We had a short walking tour of the main town and then headed out to the most magnificent Sherry-producing property Estevez Winery, also known for its Andalusian Horses and Picasso sketches exhibition. During the tasting of the Sherry, the production and different styles of Sherry were explained to us.
From Seville we headed to Cordoba home of the Mosque- Cathedral of Cordoba an incredible Mosque that is now a Christian cathedral, we explored the narrow Arabian style streets before heading on to Granada. In Granada we attended a Gypsy Flamenco show set in a cave, a fun evening filled with beautiful food.
The highlight of Granada was the Alhambra Palace, located on a hilltop looking back over Granada. This was truly an amazing experience of history and architecture. I also managed to do another walking tour of the Albaicin Moorish quarter, narrow alleys and whitewashed houses amongst shops filled with colored lanterns making you feel like you are in Morrocco.
We made our way to Valencia via Ubeda. After a walk around Ubeda and a visit to Religiosas Clarisas Franciscanas convent, you enter a room with a list of baked goods. When you are ready to order you go up to the lazy susan contraction, ring the bell and a nun (who you cannot see) will ask you what you would like. You tell her, she tells you the price, you put it on the lazy susan, she spins it, takes the money and when it spins back to you whatever you bought is there. The afternoon was spent learning and tasting everything Olive oil, an amazing and very entertaining experience.
A full day in Valnencia on a guided walk through the old town, following with a visit to the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciences (a modern scientific and cultural complex.) A stark contrast between the old and the new. I would have loved to have more time to explore this unique town. Lunch was perfect Paella on the beach front.
Our tour finished in Barcelona with a morning city discovery tour including a visit to market full of the most amazing Spanish delights. The views of Barcelona city from Montjuic mountain were truly spectacular as were the facades of Gaudi’s buildings along the Passeo de Gracia. The highlight of Barcelona was the Sagrada Familia (you must make sure you have a tour of the inside booked as it is nearly impossible to do on the day). Another must in Barcelona is just sitting and watching the world go by in a beautiful Tapas Bar on Las Ramblas, a perfect way to end a magical trip.
I was surprised as to how much free time we had to do our own exploring, and the optional tours were all fantastic, with very informative guides.
Spain, I will be back.
