There are two places in Barcelona that would be very easy to miss because they are not as famous as Gaudí’s buildings. But they are just as spectacular if not more so. They are the Palau de la Música Catalana and the Hospital de la Santa Creu i de Sant Pau. We think these are absolute “don’t miss” destinations if you get to Barcelona.
Barcelona is a beautiful city. Wide streets as well as a wonderful Old Town area. It has many beautiful buildings, the work of Gaudí is everywhere, great restaurants, art, shops, the La Rambla and a wonderful public market with amazing colors on display. We were there in March of 2023 as well as in 2015. We would not hesitate to return.
Another city in Provence worth a look is Nîmes. It has been called the most Roman city outside of Italy and dates to the days of the Roman Empire. Its Maison Carrée is considered the world’s best preserved Roman Temple and dates to the first century. It, like Arles, has a 2,000 years old amphitheater that is still used for concerts and bullfights. A short distance from Nîmes is the Pont du Gard, an aqueduct begun around 19 BCE, that stands as the tallest of all Roman aqueducts at 158 feet. Individual stones weighed as much as six tons.
Just a 30 minute drive southwest of Saint-Rémy is Arles. Arles was an important city for centuries of Roman emperors and some of the relics that remain in some form are the baths built by Constantine, the theater and a 2,000 year old amphitheater that is still in use. As a former student of Latin, Arles is a gold mine of Roman relics. In addition, Arles was a temporary home to such artists as Picasso, Gauguin and Van Gogh.
And, as happens often in France, they are willing to put very modern structures in close proximity to the relics.
St.-Rémy is a lovely town of about 10,000 people in the northern part of the Alpilles in Provence. We spent a week here and on four of the days did trips to other interesting cities in the area. St. Rémy was quiet (at least during late March!) with plenty of amenities. Vincent van Gogh spent a year in the Saint-Paul Asylum here and painted The Starry Night during that time. The ruins of the Roman city of Glanum are walking distance from the town. The area is filled with vineyards and orchards and there is a fabulous market that takes over the downtown on one day a week.
We started our first trip to Europe in over three years with a visit to Girona Spain. We visited here in 2015 but only spent a day in the city while using it as a base for day trips on the other days. Exploring the stone labyrinth of a city and its medieval stone wall can entertain and intrigue for several days. Some highlights of this beautiful old city.
In mid-March I headed to Orlando to catch up with what was new with granddaughter Lara Jane. She and I had an early joint birthday celebration, played miniature golf and visited Downtown Disney.
From there I headed to Indiana to visit with my Mother and siblings. My sister Kathie put together a small celebration in recognition of the upcoming March and April sibling birthdays. She presented the birthday cupcakes on a platter that had been a wedding present for our Mother and Father when they were married in 1945.
Little did I know that it would be the last time I saw my Mother. 😘❤️
In January we returned to Sayulita for the first time since our initial visit in 2019. It is a perfect escape for us with a lovely house that overlooks jungle and the Pacific Ocean. The town, which is about a mile away, offers plenty of coffee shops, dining options and retail. We plan to return in 2024.
