Mia Avventura Italiana

We arrived after a long night in Barcelona at about 10 am.  Our rooms of course were not ready so we dropped off our bags and then started our walking tour.  First we went down Las Ramblas, the main drag of the city.  On Las Ramblas was our first stop, the Boqueria Market.  It was like the Mercado Centrale in Florence, only bigger.  They had fresh fruit juices in all kinds of combinations.  I personally got Strawberry Mango and it was so refreshing.  The next stop was the Christopher Columbus monument which was right next to the harbor.  This was the first look at the ocean I had in a long time, not including Venice because those are more classified as rivers.  The sun was shining and the weather was warm.  It felt like it was late May more than it was late March.  We then headed to the Casa Baltó, a famous building designed by Antoni Gaudi.  We then headed up behind the Casa Baltó and saw the 1992 Olympic Stadium.  It was not as large as I pictured it to be.  We then continued with our Gaudi tour to see the Güell Park that was designed by Gaudi.  And to finish up the tour we ended with the temple designed by Guadi, La Sagrada Familia.

The tour was technically over, but Dave wanted to add a little input into the best places to go to in Barcelona.  He took some of us to the best gyro place that I have ever been, including in Greece.  It was amazing how much food you got for so cheap.  The cucumber sauce was to die for and the fresh feta cheese just put the icing on the cake.  After that he took us to get something a little bit more Spanish; Sangria.  The best Sangria in Barcelona, according to Dave who lived here for three weeks, was not at a little restaurant or a Spanish bar; it was at an Irish Pub.  Ryan’s had the best Sangria I have ever had in my life.  They put some sprite in it as well to make it sparkling.  It was a great way to end a VERY long day.

Saturday was our last full day in Barcelona, and since I squished all of my site seeing into one day I was able to spend it relaxing.  I chose for this relaxation to occur at Barcelonetta, the third best beach in 2005.  I laid out on the sand with a book in my hand, listening to my iPod.  It was a great way to unwind after eight days of straight touring.  It was the perfect way for me to end my spring break.  That night, the group went to a Flamenco show in order to experience what Spain has to offer.  After the show a group of us went out for a traditional Spanish dinner:  paella.  It was a great bonding experience and we all had a great time.

Then then next morning we started out on our journey home.  15 hours later, we finally arrived back in Florence.  Overall it was a great break but it has been good to be back in Florence and not be traveling or on the go 24/7.