Riviera Glamour & Spanish Charm
|
From Monaco's Millions to Gaudí's Barcelona (Sep 16-27)  A Taste of the High Life - Monte Carlo, Monaco (Sep 16-18) If Monaco were a cocktail,
it’d be shaken with horsepower, stirred with royalty, and garnished with a
beach umbrella. We only had 3 days but wished we had many more, especially
after we learned that we were just going to miss the Monaco boat show (huge
bummer)! It wasn’t all that bad as we were docked at Port Hercule and our
view allowed us to see plenty of Mega Yacht’s that were so large they must have
their own zip codes (we were able to walk the pier down a bit so we could see
some up close). It is the only place where “boat envy’ is a diagnosable
condition. Another envy, Formula 1 races that already commenced a bit earlier than our arrival. Even though it was pretty cool riding on and walking by the track, where even the Hop on Hop off bus and the sidewalks felt fast. One day maybe we will go back to watch the race. First, however, we have to find a billionaire that will take us on their boat! A little more site seeing including the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate, final resting place of Princess Grace. It’s serene, solemn, and surprisingly photogenic—like Grace Kelly herself. We swung by the Prince’s Palace, where we missed the changing of the guard, but we were amused at the local police blowing their whistles at all the tourists that walked over a “roped off” area. It was a battle, and they were not winning. For a breather, we wandered through the Saint Martin Gardens—a lush cliffside escape with views that scream “Instagram me!” and benches that beg for a baguette break. We walked by some bat caves; thank goodness it was midday!! This was the quickest and most unique walk back to the ship; we didn’t necessarily know that but glad it was! At night, we did channel our inner Bond and played a few hands at the famous Monaco Casino Here is where the chandeliers drip with drama and the blackjack tables whisper, “Just one more hand…”. Unfortunately, there was a strict policy that no one could take photos inside the casino. We also had to pay to enter and there were only 4ish blackjack tables that were in operation. Certainly not Vegas! I am sure they were more interested in the clients that were in the “secret” high stakes rooms. On our final day, we kicked off our sandals at Larvotto Beach, where the Mediterranean sparkles like it knows it’s being watched. And another view of some of the larger yachts that have tenders that are bigger than what I think a tender should be. Monaco: where every step is a photo op, every view is a flex, and every moment feels like you accidentally wandered into a Vogue shoot. The Sites: Formula 1 Track, Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate
(Princess Grace’s AKA Grace Kelly’s Final Resting Place), Monaco Casino, Saint
Martin Gardens, Prince’s Palace of Monaco, Port Hercule, Larvotto Beach   We took a bus to Antibes to
walk around the Old Town and visited their local Market – “Le Marche Provencal”
which is one of our favorite things to do as it gives a glimpse of what the
area produces. The real highlight of Antibes was under the market. Here is where
we had an Absinthe Tasting in a unique bar that is in a 9th-century Roman
vault (the Absinthe Bar). Thank goodness they did change the recipe a while
back and took out the wormwood (its banned) which was thought to cause
hallucinogen effects. We got back to Cannes and decided to walk where famous people would for the film festival. Again, we missed the festival, but we were able to see the process of how the red carpet is laid which was pretty neat. We had a quick stop in Toulon where we walked pasted many military boats at the pier to get to “Halles Municipales”, which is a food hall. We sat down at a wine bar and enjoyed wine, of course, along with a charcuterie board – got to love France! The Sites: Antibes, Le Marche Provencal, Absinthe tasting, Cannes Film Festival Hall, Halles Municipales The Tastes: La Pizza Cresci, Lucky You Saloon, Balme      Day at Sea (Sep 21): Relaxing by the pool and a
first for Karaoke for Meghann, with a former client of Chris’! Spanish Shores (Sep 22-27) Island Time in Palma de Mallorca and a Stop Across the way Castello (Sep 22-23): Our adventure continued just outside Porto Cristo, where the promise of natural wonder led us deep beneath the island’s surface. Following a gently winding walking path—about three-quarters of a mile long and descending 82 feet—we entered a cave that shelters one of the world’s largest underground lakes. The anticipation built as we moved further in, the air cooling and echoes amplifying our footsteps. The highlight was an ethereal water concert, with musicians gliding past us in a small rowboat, their notes weaving through the darkness. The scene was surreal: a piano balanced on the boat, gentle music drifting above the shimmering water, and a mesmerizing light show illuminating the cavern walls. Though cameras were strictly forbidden, I tried to soak in every detail, knowing this was the sort of magic you carry home in memory rather than on film. Returning to Palma, we found ourselves meandering through lively streets, careful to sidestep the persistent vendors hawking imitation designer bags. It was almost comical how quickly they vanished when the police appeared—a little street theatre we witnessed several times. As we wandered, the city’s architectural treasures slowly revealed themselves. For the first time, we encountered the whimsical touch of Antoni Gaudí, the renowned Catalan architect whose playful curves and vibrant style adorn many corners of Spain. Stepping inside the Cathedral of Mallorca, we were awestruck by its grandeur. The highlight here was discovering relics displayed in a way that made them easily recognizable—a rarity for us, as these objects are often shrouded in mystery elsewhere. Seeing history so plainly before us was unexpectedly moving, connecting us to generations that came before. Our next stop was the town of Castello, a place that felt refreshingly undiscovered. The locals greeted us warmly, eager to share their home and perhaps nudge it closer to the spotlight it deserves. We strolled through quiet streets, eventually tackling the ascent of the bell tower—a climb of 192 narrow, slippery steps winding up 190 feet. Oh yeah, and the way up is the way down. The absence of railings meant that passing others required a little bravado and trust, and I couldn’t help but imagine all those before us who’d left their mark on the well-worn stone since its completion in 1604. Every step was a tiny leap of faith, and reaching the top brought a rush of exhilaration as we could see far across the city. What goes up must come down, with the reverse obstacles. We were relieved once we got to the street level. From there, we made our way to the Plaza de Toros de Castellón, once the heart of local bullfighting. The building itself was closed, so we admired what we could from the street, reflecting on the traditions that have shaped the area. Despite not seeing everything, wandering through Castello felt intimate and genuine—a reminder that travel isn’t just about the sights, but also the small moments and connections along the way. The Sites: Drach Caves, Mallorca Pearl Factory, Catedral de
Mallorca, Oldest Olive Tree, La Sala del Rellotge, Plaza de Toros de
Castellón The Tastes: Mercat de l’Olivar, Can Jaume         Disembarking in Barcelona, new accommodations at the W Barcelona (Sep 24-27): After a single vibrant night on the ship docked in Barcelona, the whirlwind pace finally slowed. We traded our cozy 323-square-foot cabin for the sheer luxury of a sprawling 1,000-square-foot suite at the W Barcelona—a transition that left us wide-eyed, almost unsure how to fill all that space. The city’s pulse was right outside, promising adventure with every breath. Everyone raves about Barcelona, and now, we truly get it. The city feels like an ongoing celebration, buzzing with playful energy and a sense that anything can happen. Walking along the winding streets, we were immersed in an ever-changing gallery of spectacular architecture—each building a distinctive character, with the warm terracotta hues and whimsical shapes of Gaudí’s creations drawing us in at every turn. The sunlight danced across mosaic tiles and wrought iron balconies, casting intricate shadows that moved with the day. It was as if the city itself was performing, and we were the privileged audience. With recommendations from locals echoing in our ears, we set out for the restaurant atop the cable car tower, a short walk that let us digest both the artistry and the city’s rhythm. The transition from Gaudí’s dreamlike world to the sweeping panoramic views from our table was seamless—almost cinematic. Up there, the city unfolded before us in a tapestry of color and movement. As soon as the sun dipped below the horizon, streetlights cast a warm glow on the cobblestone roads, neon signs blinked to life above bustling cafés, and the city lit up like a sparkler—truly spectacular. We made it our mission to soak up as much of Gaudí’s genius as possible, marveling at the artistic chaos and brilliant engineering woven into his works. Though we couldn't secure tickets to step inside the Sagrada Familia, just standing beneath its soaring towers gave us chills— or at least made our heads tilt. Casa Mila was our next stop, and inside, we felt transported; the undulating walls and organic curves seemed to breathe, and interactive displays helped us truly understand Gaudí’s vision. As we left, our hearts and minds buzzing with inspiration, we found ourselves hungry for something equally memorable. Our stroll back to the W included walking along the beach, where a calisthenics gym drew a lively crowd. The air was tinged with sunscreen and sea spray, and the rhythmic thud of bodies landing on the sand mixed with cheers and energetic music. Locals gathered in small groups, encouraging one another, their shouts and laughter echoing against the crashing waves. Watching competitors flip, balance, and push the limits of strength, we felt the community spirit and raw joy that make Barcelona so magnetic. It wasn’t just a spectacle—it was a celebration of life lived fully and out loud. In that moment, the city felt boundless and drew us to love it even more. A new adventure awaits as we now stay on dry land with our sea legs. Onward we will continue our final leg: a land-based adventure to two of Europe's greatest capitals. The Sites: Sagrada Familia, Mercat de la Boqueria, White Rabbit:
The Off-Museum of Barcelona, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà (also known as La
Pedrera), and Casa Vicens, Cathedral of Barcelona, Las Ramblas, Gothic
Quarter, Barcelona Beach, The Tastes: Chupitos, Salt, Altamar, McDonalds, Marn  |
Comments
Post a Comment