Alps and Med Day 11: BNC to ZRH to BOS

From Boston …

A long day of flying today as we make the return trip to the United States. We check out of the hotel at 7 AM and board the bus for the airport. Our planned 9:40 AM departure from Barcelona-El Prat Airport onboard Swiss International Air Lines flight 1953 to Zurich is delayed 25 minutes. Not to worry. More time for a Starbucks in the exterior airport courtyard.

We arrive at Terminal A in Zurich, but our Boson-bound flight departs from Terminal E. It takes 30-minutes to get from the A gates to our E19 departure gate. At 1 PM we leave Zurich Airport enroute to Boston Logan on Swiss International Air Lines flight 54.

We’re back in Boston about 20 minutes before the scheduled 3 PM arrival time. Then it’s through customs and baggage claim to bring the international portion of this trip to a close. Time to say our goodbyes until the next trip. Most of the group leaves Logan by express bus back to New Hampshire. When planning my flights to Boston and back I decided not to try and make a connection flight to DC today. Instead Sophie, Greg, and I share an Uber to North Station. I check in at the Courtyard Boston Downtown. Sophie and Greg drop their bags at Sophie’s a few blocks away. We grab a quick bite at A&B before I reset for tomorrow’s return to DC.

Alps and Med Day 10: Barcelona

From Barcelona …

Barcelona is known for its mix of Mediterranean culture, historic neighborhoods, and modernist architecture. The city’s skyline is defined by the iconic Sagrada Família. Barcelona also offers the lively street life we saw yesterday along Las Ramblas, beautiful Mediterranean beaches, and a strong Catalan identity expressed through cuisine, language, and traditions.

And it’s an incredibly pedestrian friendly city. The areas we walk through have been converted to 3×3 Superblocks that are car-minimized. Also, buildings at intersections are chamfered so that each intersection is diamond shaped, increasing visibility and light.

Our morning stop is Casa Batlló, Antoni Gaudi’s whimsical and organic building, commissioned by Joseph Batlló. Known as the House of Bones or the House of the Dragon the structure is a prime example of Catalan Modernism architecture.

Lunch is at The Grill with Michelle and Peter and features a firm cheese selection, the jumbo-sized chicken, and an enhanced sangria.

It’s about an hour by bus to our next destination. Originally a housing development and now a municipal garden, Park Güell was also designed by Antoni Gaudí, Sagrada Família’s architect. Construction of the park began in 1900 and the park officially opened in 1924. The park’s common elements feature symbolic references to Catalanism, Catholicism, and Greek mythology.

Under construction since 1882 the soaring towers of the Sagrada Família basilica make it one of the most recognizable structures anywhere. Designed by architect Antoni Gaudí, it’s the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. But that will change with the expected completion of construction this summer. The design features 18 spires representing the Twelve Apostles, the 4 Evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ.

Montjuïc, located to the southwest of the city, is just under 200 meters tall. The site of a medieval Jewish cemetery, Montjuïc translates to “Jewish Mountain.” More recently this was the location of the 1929 World Fair and the 1992 Summer Olympic Games. With miles of forests and parks this is the largest “green zone” in Barcelona.

Today is the last day of touring on this trip. Tomorrow we make our way back to the US. But before we leave, tonight’s dinner at El Glop features Paella, a traditional Spanish rice dish from the Valencia region about 200 miles southwest of Barcelona.

Alps and Med Day 9: Provence to Barcelona

From Barcelona …

After breakfast at the hotel, we check out at 8 AM for the short walk from central Avignon to our bus parked just outside the city walls. Today is our longest transfer day. We leave France and head to Spain. It’s a 6-hour bus ride from Provence to Barcelona with a couple of road stops along the way. (Thanks to Brad and Michelle for the mid-morning potato chip snack!) Our route today takes us around the Gulf of Lion past Montpellier and Carcassonne. My soundtrack for this part of the journey … Exile on Main Street by The Rolling Stones, recorded in 1972 in the basement of Nellcôte in nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer.

At 11:30 AM we stop at Village Catalan for lunch. Rest stop wine and cheese in France for lunch is pretty good! Then we’re back on the road at 12:30 PM, quickly cross into Spain, and enter the Pyrenees Mountains.

Once we get to Barcelona we check into our hotel, take a walk around the hotel block, then hop on the subway to the harbor area at Las Ramblas a pedestrian promenade connecting Plaça de Catalunya to the Christopher Columbus monument and activated with cafes and street performers. We board a boat for a harbor tour of the waterfront and beachfront. Then it’s back on the subway and a 15-minute walk to Txapela a tapas dinner. That’s a busy day!!

Alps and Med Day 8: Provence

From Provence …

It’s the May 1 holiday in France … Fête du Travail … Labour Day or May Day. Late back to the hotel last night at the Beer District bar in Avignon, but we’re ready for a full day in Provence and there is much to see.

We leave the hotel at 8:15 AM and arrive at Pont du Gard at 9 AM. This ancient Roman aqueduct and bridge, carried water to Nîmes over the river Gardon near the town of Vers-Pont-du-Gard. At 160 feet tall and 902′ in length, the arch bridge is a masterpiece of Roman engineering. Constructed mostly without mortar with 50,000 tons of precisely cut shelley limestone blocks.

Next we visit the Arena of Nîmes. Constructed in 100 AD it’s one of the best-preserved of the 400 Roman amphitheaters in existence. Today the arena features rock concerts (Sting, Katy Perry, Lenny Kravits, and The Cure among the shows this summer), but in Roman times 24,000 spectators could watch gladiator battles. We’ve got time for lunch in Nîmes at Le P’tit Nîmois with Michelle, Sophie, Greg, and Peter.

Our last stop of the day is Les Baux-de-Provence, a medieval hilltop commune as villages in France are known. With cobblestone streets and castle ruins the Les Baux offers stunning panoramic views of the vineyards and olive groves of the Provençal countryside. We’re only here for an hour, time for a few photos and a boule of gelato!

We’re back in Avignon at 5 PM. Time to walk around the town for an hour and then an Aperol Spritz at Maison Gayte before dinner at Le Lutrin at 7 PM. Tomorrow we’re off to Spain.

Alps and Med Day 7: Côte d’Azur to Provence

From Provence …

Dinner last night was at Arabo Cafe in Nice. Limited bus parking in the heart of Nice, so a good amount of walking last night. But slept well and I’m regrouped this morning. Still smiling from a day in Monaco and Nice!! What a great travel experience!! And then to think we were up in the Alps just a few days ago … and in Cinque Terre the day before yesterday. Incredible!!

We start the day with a 4-hour bus drive, leaving Côte d’Azur and heading to the Provence region of France. We’re heading west on European Route E80, known in France as the A8 autoroute. Provence, with its landscapes and relaxed way of life, inspired post-Impressionist painters Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne. The area is know for its fields of lavender, Roman ruins, and pittoresco hilltop towns and villages. I’m hoping to enjoy some rosé wine, olive oil, and classic Provençal cuisine!

Just one stop today … a hike along the Ochre Trail. Located in the heart of Provence, within the department of Vaucluse and near the town of Roussillion, the trail loop features incredible rock formations with vibrant colors. We arrive about 12:30 PM. We’re advised that the ochre sand may temporarily stain shoes or clothes.

The trail walk takes about an hour. We finish just as it starts to rain. But the shower ends quickly and we walk into Roussillion. For lunch I have chorizo from Artisan Boulangerie to eat while exploring the village. Off in the distance I can see the peak of Mount Ventoux, a famous Tour de France finishing climb. Then Michelle and I enjoy a vino rosé at La Treille.

It’s a 2-hour drive north to our hotel in Avignon. The Hôtel du Palais des Papes is located on the Place du Palais. We check in and quickly get out in to the town to see Palais des Papes, Cathédral Notre Dame des Domes, and Le Jardin du Rocher des Doms.

Then it starts to rain again. Conveniently we are right outside Le Lutrin Restaurant and Bar. Time for an Aperol Spritz and dinner. After dinner a walk through Avignon and a pilsner at the Beer District bar. Tomorrow we see more in Provence!