Post by Baz Faz on Oct 15, 2016 17:53:53 GMT 2
We have just returned from a week in Girona (which Ryanair tries to pretend is Barcelona, 90 kms south). Girona is a small city, not over run by tourists, and with some lovely old buildings. It is split in half by a river. The north bank has most of the old buildings and 95% of the tourists. We were on the other side which has a local feel and the restaurants are for the locals who won't put up with being gouged by money hungry restarauters.
As you know Mrs Faz loves her birds so this was a good welcome on our first afternoon.
We did a couple of trips by bus to the coast. This was Llafranc. It is just what a seaside resort should be like with not concrete monster hotel in sight. We were able to walk along a coastal path with views down to rocky coves - the Costa Brava must have all been like this 60 years ago.
We took a train to Barcelona for the day. As soon as we arrived we walked to Gaudi's Sagrada. We got there at 10.45 and the first entry ticket was for 6 pm so we gave it a miss. Even in October there are hordes of tourists. The church (it is cathedral sized but not actually Barcelona's cathedral) was started in 1882. It is not yet finished as you can see from all the cranes. When we were there no builders were actually working which possibly explains why so far it has taken 134 years.
We loved the city for its decorative touches...
...and its quirky architecture on just about every street in the centre.
Back in Girona we visited the cathedral. It was Sunday and a service was going on so we didn't have to pay (it was not a "cultural visit).
The Jews had a thriving quarter until they were expelled in 1492. There is nothing specially Jewish about the area (except for the museum) but the alleys and steps are atmospheric.
Walls surround quite a lot of the old town. Some stretches date from the Romans. Other parts are quite modern (Middle Ages).
This is the river that divides the town. There is nothing spectacular about the red bridge except that it was designed by Eiffel.
Another day out we had was to Palamos. This indeed had a line of concrete monstrosities but we walked though the old town, followed steps up a cliff and then along the costal path for an our until we descended to a bay with a small resort. The restaurants and small hotels are out of sight. Not too many tourists in October.
We ate quite well. We were recommended to go to this restaurant which is famous for its tapas and combinados. The first time we tried to go there was a queue for a table so we gave up. The next night we were lucky.
And here we are.
As you know Mrs Faz loves her birds so this was a good welcome on our first afternoon.
We did a couple of trips by bus to the coast. This was Llafranc. It is just what a seaside resort should be like with not concrete monster hotel in sight. We were able to walk along a coastal path with views down to rocky coves - the Costa Brava must have all been like this 60 years ago.
We took a train to Barcelona for the day. As soon as we arrived we walked to Gaudi's Sagrada. We got there at 10.45 and the first entry ticket was for 6 pm so we gave it a miss. Even in October there are hordes of tourists. The church (it is cathedral sized but not actually Barcelona's cathedral) was started in 1882. It is not yet finished as you can see from all the cranes. When we were there no builders were actually working which possibly explains why so far it has taken 134 years.
We loved the city for its decorative touches...
...and its quirky architecture on just about every street in the centre.
Back in Girona we visited the cathedral. It was Sunday and a service was going on so we didn't have to pay (it was not a "cultural visit).
The Jews had a thriving quarter until they were expelled in 1492. There is nothing specially Jewish about the area (except for the museum) but the alleys and steps are atmospheric.
Walls surround quite a lot of the old town. Some stretches date from the Romans. Other parts are quite modern (Middle Ages).
This is the river that divides the town. There is nothing spectacular about the red bridge except that it was designed by Eiffel.
Another day out we had was to Palamos. This indeed had a line of concrete monstrosities but we walked though the old town, followed steps up a cliff and then along the costal path for an our until we descended to a bay with a small resort. The restaurants and small hotels are out of sight. Not too many tourists in October.
We ate quite well. We were recommended to go to this restaurant which is famous for its tapas and combinados. The first time we tried to go there was a queue for a table so we gave up. The next night we were lucky.
And here we are.
