We made it safely back... full of impressions of this beautiful country. It was Sara's first time in Europe so she kept taking pictures... I hope you will enjoy these pictures (if you were there - to reminisce, if not to get to know this heaven on Earth).
First pictures are from Madrid where we landed and spent the night. Then Zaragoza with Basilica del Pilar and Aljaferia Palace built in 11th century as well as La Seo Cathedral. Entrance into the City - the Roman bridge. On our way to Barcelona windmills... plenty of them. Spain has become the greenest country in Europe.
Then Barcelona with Guell park built by Antonio Gaudi on the hill El Carmel. Investment of the count Guell for the rich people of Barcelona at the beginning of the 20th Century. Nobody bought the property there (it was far away from the center), so instead of paying taxes, the count gave it to the state. Park on the upper level, market place under, Hansel and Gretel's houses at the entrance... fairy tale.
Then Montjuic and the Magic Fountain. At night - bull ring that has been converted into a shopping mall (Catalonia does not have bull fights any more).
The next day we went to Monserrat, a Benedictine monk mountain. Height 1236 m. Now THOSE are bikers. 10 km of the steepest climb, no flat parts at all. Pics from the bus make you dizzy. There is a picture of the Convent on the way up. I do not know whether it is harder to get there, or get down on a bike.
Barcelona again with Gaudi's buildings and Sagrada Familia Cathedral... being built since the beginning of the 20th century... they are still going.
Peniscola was a stop on our way to Valencia. Beautiful Mediterranean beaches- view from the Castle built in the 14th century where Benedict lived his last 5 years...
Valencia... modern part of the City "The Arts and Science" and then the old part of the City

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