Trip to Barcelona and Cruise to Italy & Islands off Spain
Above is the Itinerary for our cruise to Spain & Italy. We planned to arrive in Barcelona 3 days early to adjust to the time and see the city but that didn't happen. Our flight from LAX to Charlotte, NC was delayed by 3 hrs and we missed our connecting flight to Barcelona. American Air put us up a hotel in Charlotte and we left the next day for Barcelona. There was a taxi strike in Barcelona so we had to take the airport bus to town. The terminal was at the Placa de Catalunya not far from our hotel. While asking which direction to walk to our hotel, Joan's purse was stolen with her passport, cell phone, medical cards and what not.
We spent half the next day phoning to cancel 2 debit cards, and cell coverage, and going to the police station to file a report where the translator directed us to the U.S. Embassy to get Joan's new passport . Fortunately, the taxis were working, We managed to go to the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's masterpiece which is amazing (see photos. below) using the tickets we purchased on-line before we left home.
After that it was a long walk to find our hotel. We were lost and the taxis were back on strike. Finally we met a wonderful young man, Andreas, from Venezuela. He was heading in the same direction so he showed us how the various underground Metro lines worked and we rode with him and were able to get very close our hotel. He even prompted some young men to get up and give us their seats..some did it automatically. Very polite people in Barcelona (except for the purse thieves).
From Charlotte we flew to JFK Airport (the Big Apple) before boarding the plane to Barcelona for the 9 hour flight.
Facade of the Sagrada Familia which is still under construction.
Sagrada Familia Interior
Sagrada Familia another view
This is a real person, not a statue performing at the Barcelona port. We had to take the Metro again to catch our cruise ship due to - yes, same old taxi strike.
Sight-seeing trolley at our first stop Savona, Italy
Savona, Italy harbor passage
Priamar fortress, Savona.
Very narrow streets and alleys in Savona
We took a tour to Pompeii with an English speaking tour guide. Pompeii is an hour outside Naples.
Pompeii - main square
The large stepping stones were there to cross the streets filled with sewage in the day. It was very hot in the 90's for 2 hours without shade. At the end of the tour we were very tired.
Pompeii
This is a floor mosaic - one of several surviving mosaics in homes
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Pompeii ruins after the lava flow, a child and storage amphoras
This is our huge ship, Costa Fascinosa, with tiny Joan docked at Palermo, Italy
We liked all the signs here - hard to get lost in Palermo, Sicily
If you can't find a place to park just double park - a motor cycle is best in Palermo
A day at sea getting ready for fancy dinner
Here we are strolling in Ibiza, one of the islands off Spain (supposed to be a party island)
Ibiza, near beach promenade - a pretty town with lots of greenery
Ibiza harbor - the prettiest harbor views.
More Ibzia Marina and promenade with shops and outdoor cafes...
Next to the harbor, heading downtown Ibiza
Interesting Condos at Ibiza harbor - with view of penthouse roof shaded with palms.
View of Palma de Mallorca an island off Spain from the top of our cruise ship
More views from cruise ship of Mallorca, our last port before Barcelona.
More views of Mallorica while docking
Costa Fascinosa docked at Palma de Mallorca
Palma Cathedral dominates the downtown area full of shops, restaurants, and people - Palma de Mallorca
A rest in the shady green space around the city government buildings.
A real fountain with real water in the center of the round-about.
A ficus tree sends down roots, note the drip irrigation.
Some local stops to chat up a cute woman walking her dog....note all the bicycles, some for rent.
Horse drawn carriages for the tourists to use.
Note the lottery store next to Don. The old architecture didn't leave much room for a balcony, or privacy.
More of the boulevard in the old town by the beach front.
Mallorca with it's clean streets, and wide boulevards.
Last chance to buy a souvenir before heading back to the cruise ship and setting sail for Barcelona, and, the day after that, to the airport.