We're back from our big Mediterranean trip. For those who weren't following along, we flew to Barcelona, Spain, on 12/14 (arriving on the 15th, thanks to the miracle of time zones and long distances). We spent a day-and-a-half in Barcelona, then on 12/17 got on the Brilliance of the Seas for our cruise.
Our itinerary had a nice blend of port days and at-sea days: At sea - Sicily - at sea - Athens - Rhodes - at sea - overnight in Alexandria (Port Said) - at sea - Valetta (Malta) - at sea - back to Barcelona. We had a chance to 'rest up' with an at-sea day after visiting every new country.
Overall impressions: Loved Barcelona, Rhodes, and Valetta; we'd go back to any of them. Glad we saw Sicily (Palermo), Athens, and the pyramids in Egypt, but don't feel the need to return to any of them.
DH wrote a travelogue, which he sent out to his family when we were able to get a decent Internet connection. I'm going to put up some posts using his writing, and add some photos.
So, here's his first update:
And we're off and running! The flight over was a non-event in terms of airplane rides - some bumps and jolts over the Atlantic, but nothing unexpected or particularly unnerving. Neither of us slept very much, since it was still a reasonable hour on our Pacific time zone body clocks during the flight, so when we landed and made our way over to the hotel we realized that we were tired. Nap time! Got a couple of hours sleep, then started walking around a bit.
Note to self: even though in a 'temperate' climate zone, Barcelona in December = cold. Just saying...
Our first impression that it's a very nice - clean and comfortable - city was reinforced by a city bus tour this afternoon. Many neighborhoods that looked like they'd be right at home. And the old city center - 'Barri Gothic' to the locals - is very fun. Narrow, winding "streets" (more like slightly out-sized alleys - with a mix of shops and residential buildings - all apparently built on top of the foundations laid by the Romans when they founded the place a couple of thousand years ago. This plus the added glamor of Christmas lights up on all the major streets and special markets in some of the town squares.
Did I mention that it's cold here? Clear blue skies, and OK if you stay in the sun and out of the wind, but otherwise...wow!
Great time being had by all so far.
Note to self: even though in a 'temperate' climate zone, Barcelona in December = cold. Just saying...
Our first impression that it's a very nice - clean and comfortable - city was reinforced by a city bus tour this afternoon. Many neighborhoods that looked like they'd be right at home. And the old city center - 'Barri Gothic' to the locals - is very fun. Narrow, winding "streets" (more like slightly out-sized alleys - with a mix of shops and residential buildings - all apparently built on top of the foundations laid by the Romans when they founded the place a couple of thousand years ago. This plus the added glamor of Christmas lights up on all the major streets and special markets in some of the town squares.
Did I mention that it's cold here? Clear blue skies, and OK if you stay in the sun and out of the wind, but otherwise...wow!
Great time being had by all so far.
No comments:
Post a Comment