Grape Vine, Jean Leon Vineyard, Catalonia, Spain |
We decided to take the touristy coach so that both of us could drink - so we visited Freixenet cava bodega, which I'd already been to with Sean (see the post at the top for slideshow) - and two other famous ones: Torres and a much smaller one now owned by Torres, Jean Leon.

I also learned that roses are placed next to each row of vines because they are a delicate plant; if there is a disease, they'll get it before the vines, which will be saved.
The Spanish countryside is so beautiful - and the weather is perfect - it's really a pity that the economic situation is so awful. Maybe I can find a way to make life work here!
Rishi at Jean Leon vineyard |
Barcelona & San Juan
Window, Casa Batllo |
(*hint *hint - potential visitors from Canada?)
- Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and Gaudi houses (Casa Batlló)
- Camp Nou - actually I've never been, but I'm not that into football
- Montjuic Magic Fountain and Olympic Park
- Las Ramblas and a walk around the center and the university
- Tapas at La Flauta
- Horchata - a bean based delicious drink - the best are in Valencia, but Valenciana comes quite close!
- Beach Day!
- Picasso Museum - definitely worth a visit. I'm not a fan of the temporary exhibit though (his sketches)
- Gracia, the Gothic Area and my favourite gelateria - Gelaaati Di Marco!
- Drinks at El Nacional
- We also had drinks at an amazing terrace (not so amazing view) on the 6th floor of Hotel Pulitzer, in Placa Catalunya
- Drinks in El Born - we went to La Hacienda for cocktails and Mexican food - pretty good - and then to Alsur Cafe for slightly cheaper cocktails that were just as good
- We had a coffee in the Palau de Musica - which is a beautiful building where they have musical concerts, flamenco shows and symphony performances
- We skipped Montserrat, Girona and Tarragona because of time constraints
San Juan
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Photo from: hostalmarenostrum.com |
June 24th was San Juan, when we decided to head to Badalona beach, which was a lot less busy than expected! San Juan is the shortest night of the year and the beginning of summer for the Spanish (actually I think it's mostly celebrated in Calalunya and Valencia). Basically, a week before, people start throwing firecrackers around, which you can buy at every street corner (totally legal). On the actual night, people go to the beach and light campfires/bonfires. Apparently you're supposed to burn papers with awful things that happened during the year on them in the bonfire, and step into the sea at midnight. Thus begins the summer - and also a new year of good luck. How beautiful!
Stay tuned for a post on Rishi and my trip to Valencia -a small, but lovely city a few hours south of Barcelona.
*Remember: anyone who is using a mobile phone that doesn't support Flash (ie: Android) needs to go to www.flickr.com/sapna_pics and choose the album to view slideshows I embed here.