Portugal & Spain October 2023

Thursday October 19th - Last Supper, Adiós Barcelona We enjoyed the perfect ending to the perfect vacation with a visit to "The best restaurant in Barcelona" a tiny restaurant in Barcelona's El Raval district of narrow streets lined with shops and Tapas bars. Canete is well known to locals, but not to outsiders. Virtually all of the patrons were locals, and the atmosphere was jovial and welcoming. From the moment we entered the establishment we were treated like family, as if we had been dining there for years. I'm sure it didn't hurt that Kevin and Tina were referred by a long-time local who lives down the street from Canete (translation "Pipe"). The menu features a collection of artistic interpretations on standard Catlonian fare, with an abundance of pork, lamb and seafood. We shared a table with another group and dined en famiglia, soaking up the local culture and hospitality.  ...

Wednesday October 18th - La Pedrera We awoke this morning to sunny skies and warm temperatures after two days of overcast and intermittent rain, a fitting end to our journey. Today we started the day at our favorite breakfast spot Granja Petitbo, after which we set out on our last excursion to visit to another of Antoni Gaudi's masterpieces Casa Mila,  better known as La Pedrera. Commissioned in 1906 by Pere Milà and his wife Roser Segimo, it was controversial at the time because of its undulating stone facade and twisting wrought iron balconies. Several structural innovations include a self-supporting stone façade, a free-plan floor, an underground garage and the spectacular terrace on the roof. The interior courtyard is designed to provide illumination for all of the interior spaces. As with the exterior, straight lines and right angles are replaced by undulating surfaces wherever possible, from doorways and windows to stairwells and banisters. A bust of the lady of the hous...

Tuesday October 17th - Park Guell Today we ventured out to another Gaudi landmark Park Guell (pronounced like "Park Whale") that sits atop one of the major foothills to the North and overlooking the City of Barcelona and the Med beyond. Originally conceived as an upscale residential development for the elites of Barcelona hoping to escape the rabble of the city, Park Guell was the brainchild of a collaboration between Antoni Gaudi and Count Eusebi Güell circa 1900.  Count Eusebi Güell added to the prestige of the development by moving in 1906 to live in Larrard House. Ultimately, only two additional houses were built, neither designed by Gaudí. One was intended to be a show house, but on being completed in 1904 was put up for sale, and as no buyers came forward, Gaudí, at Güell's suggestion, bought it with his savings and moved in with his family in 1906. Gaudi's influence is evidenced by the extensive application of ceramic mosaic tiles to the facades of the two resi...