Eurosummer 2008 - Barcelona!

Eurosummer 2008 - Spain, Barcelona

Sunny, beautiful Barcelona! We packed up our little car, checked the map, and off we went! Once we crossed the border into Spain, traffic at the toll booths got very heavy - we arrived in Barcelona at noon, and once we found (!) the parking area, we went straight to Subway where we met a nice (ask the girls!) fellow who spoke beautiful english AND cooked us a great meal. We took the subway into the city, and decided to take the Bustouristic - the same kind of tourbus that we had taken in London. Very hot day - we did see most of the sights - including the incredible Sagrada Familia, the Olympics park, the royal family's city home, the waterfront, the incredible artwork & statuary around the city - lots of Gaudi influences, and more! The city was filled with visitors, we ended up grabbing a quick dinner (mexican - beer) and driving out of the city again - arriving home very late in Limoux the same day. Full day, lots of sunshine, and great sightseeing!

Eurosummer 2008 - Spain - Cadaques

Another day trip! This time, leaving early in the morning from Limoux, and heading south along the old highway through the mid-Pyrenees to the border and into Spain. Our destination this time - a small fishing village along the Costa Brava, called Cadaques - recommended to us by our housekeeper. It became a hugely popular destination for artists, painters who found the light there 'perfect'. Salvador Dali had a summer home there (you can still go on a tour), and many of his works, and galleries are found throughout this small village. Usually a population of 2,000, it swells to 20,000 in the summertime. Another hot day - market shopping and then wandering through the village shops, and then we could smell the Mediterranean as we rounded the corner, and found the beach! Jen's #1 - to swim in the Med - and we sure did! Another great pizza restaurant, and then home again that night - great day!

At the border between France and Spain

Gorgeous vineyards along the mountains




And castles thrown in....

Jan at the wheel, the gang ready to go! Along the highway, which takes you right THROUGH tiny little villages along the way - literally. Definitely recommend this route if you're not in a hurry!

Village of Cadaques - shops and restaurants galore at the beach

The water was VERY salty, buoyant, and a wonderful respite from another record scorcher and a hot market shop!



Terracing of the olive groves along the way

A long, winding drive along the mountaintops, until we see the Mediterranean!




All of the buildings in the gorgeous, fresh white with coloured shutters - so beautiful

What a great trip!

Eurosummer 2008 - Alet-les-Bains

And as we near the end of our stay in beautiful southern France, Bob, on one of his treks, discovered this gorgeous little village, Alet-les-Bains, about 1/2 hour drive south of Limoux (Bob did the hike in under 3 hours) Here's a write up of this little village that I found online:

Alet-les-Bains was once a walled city with its own abbey - and later its own bishop and cathedral. In 1197 the abbey and the town were fortified by ramparts and a moat. Now it is little more than a village of just over 500 people but you can still see vestiges of the city walls and ruined Cathedral. There is even a medieval Jewish ghetto.

Alet's centre is unusually well preserved and the ruins of the Cathedral are worth a visit. There are numerous "belles demeures à colombages" - half timbered houses. There is also medieval square featuring traditional medieval houses, including the one where Nostradamus was believed to have lived. There is a small restaurant in the square. You can also still see the ruins of the 12th century cathedral, the 14th century Chapter House, the Episcopal Palace, the Medieval town and many 12th and 14th century Colombage mansions.

The name Alet is not pronounced "Alay" as the unwary generally assume, but "Alette" - apparently a remnant of its earlier name Aleth - the local valley is still called the "val d'aleth".

Again, centuries old village, once the site of an abbey and cathedral, and in it, the perfect place for lunch, outdoors in what was once the orchard and gardens.









Crossing the pont vieux from the highway into the village.



The buildings were incredible - old brick and original timbers

Jen in seventh heaven...

Winding our way through the narrow streets, through the centre courtyards and beyond to the restaurant, almost impossible to find, on the site of the old monastery.

The ruins of the cathedral

All of the little doorways and windows were decorated with flowers and baskets, and old benches. Each house with its own unique identity, and many new doorways (still not quite 6' high..).

And again, the perfect lunch - french cheeses, fresh baguette and beer!

The winter salon, part of the monastery - the floors are dirt and rock, a huge old open pit fireplace, and impeccably clean. Nice and cool!

The doorways are too low for Bob - gorgeous architecture

You can almost hear the bustle of life here hundreds of years ago...

The village centre, with a hotel and stage set up in front for a gathering

And this is where we sat, in the orchard under the trees for a perfect french summer lunch...