Barcelona Tours by Rytis

Barcelona Tour by Rytis
March 7, 2015

We woke up and made our way fairly early to the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia.  We had a freshly ground coffee and hot milk with a croissant and freshly squeezed orange juice - for about $4.00 each. Still can't get over how good all of their food is here and the price is very reasonable. The food is wonderful and the coffee is strong and hot!

We went to the Basilica de Sagrada Familia on a very sunny day, which has got to be the best time to go.  The morning light really makes the entrance to the church from the East side show all it's details.  Right now this is the entrance for the tours.  I imagine as work gets done that they move the entrance for viewing the Cathedral, but for now you enter on the side.  We had our tickets scanned and went right into the basilica.  The tour starts outside, which we figured out after entering into the Cathedral and we couldn't find the headsets for the tour.  What really was stunning to me was the way the inside of the Basilica gets flooded with light from the stained glass windows and it pours down in colors onto the white structure on the inside.  The way Gaudi uses nature to support his structure and design is really incredible.  From columns shaped like trees and honeycombed walls and other areas where the stairs look like a seashell as the stairs go up.  It is all very pleasing to the eye.  We spent a good two hours there enjoying the place and then headed back to the hotel to shower and change for the day with Rytis.  We didn't know what he had planned, but we wanted to be ready if we were going to be walking a lot.

We met Rytis at the Arc de Triumph in Barcelona.  The arc was built in 1888 for the World Fair and it still stands today in all its glory.  It is a good meeting space since it isn't as large as the Plaza Catalunya where you could be searching for a long time for your partners.  We spotted Rytis straight away and he was in great spirits.  He brought us through the Ciutadella Park that is really large and was exploding with life as the Spring has started here in Northern Spain.  The students were out and the families with their kids to grandparents were strolling through the park.  We ended up looking at the Fountains and then moved on to have lunch at a Greek Restaurant.  Rytis told us how he really enjoys the city, but as a student his spots are different than those that would frequent, but he did manage to know a few wine spots that he would take us to later.

Arc de Triumph - Barcelona 1888

The area by the Ramblas had several places where one could choose either a local or any European wine that you could desire.  We were moving through areas that were designed by the moors and they certainly were maze like when you get into them.  Only after a long time can you move through these places with the surety of a native.  Even as we walked, you could see Rytis's eyes moving for locations and markers telling him he was on the right path.  Stores that close and shut their doors with metal coverings really change the landscape and seemingly disappear into the maze as lunch and evenings come and go.   A large restaurant may disappear behind a metal facade when the daylight comes, but during the evening is open to the street without any walls.

That was the case with a wine bar that Rytis brought us to.  While it was closed, it was opening shortly, so we had one last drink with him and he left us in the company of the waitress to notify us when the next door bar was open for business.  This wine bar was open completely to the street and carried hundreds of bottles of wine, and also about a dozen barrels where you could bring your own empty bottle to refill for your house or to drink at their tables.  Light on bocadillas, they had some tapas and we ended up staying for a while chatting with the bartender before the night was too busy.  He recommended a good bottle to bring back to the hotel.   We continued on our trip back to the hotel.  You know you have strayed far when even the locals are telling you that you should take a taxi or subway to get back.  We opted to walk it and stopped for a salad and pizza.  The cracker crust pizza hit the spot and we shared a plate of spaghetti carbonari with a light cheese sauce and bacon.  No complaints here.

When we did get back to the hotel - we were done walking.  Over 14 miles logged today.  It was great, but the feet were a bit swollen and it was time to just put them up and relax.  Great to have a comfortable room.