Four European Cities

Barcelona, Paris, Venice, Rome

June 2017

We had a wonderful , but tiring two weeks visiting four European cities – Barcelona, Paris, Venice and Rome - with so much to see and explore.   Much more expensive, of course, than what we are used to in SE Asia but something we both wanted to do while we are still (reasonably) active!  

We were not interested in visiting the dozens (hundreds?) of museums and art galleries but in seeing the most important sights of each city and soaking up the atmosphere.. 

In Barcelona and Paris we joined the 'Hop On Hop Off' bus during our first day to get an idea of the geography of the cities.  Venice, of course, was different.  As you know, the only way to travel around this island city is on foot or by ferry (Vaporetta) along the canals.  These ferries (just like a bus service on land) - and vehicles such as taxis, police, ambulance, fire service - all have to travel along the maze of canals.  

Rome is very compact and we travelled around quite easily using the metro and local city buses.

We saw some amazing sights in all four cities.  In Barcelona the Sagrida Familia Basilica, the largest, unfinished Catholic church in the world.  140 years after the laying of the cornerstone, construction continues on the Basilica. 

We strolled along La Rambla (the 1.2 km tree-lined street with flower and souvenir stalls), the Colombus Monument (at the lower end of La Rambla) constructed in honour of Columbus' first voyage to the Americas and the colourful, bustling Mercado de La Boqueria, Europe's largest market. 

For cool refreshment following a few hours exploring the city, the market stalls selling pots of mixed diced fresh fruit or squeezed fresh fruit in dozens of flavours were kept busy!

But the highlight of our stay in Barcelona was the Flamenco Show at Palau Dalmases, a former 17th Century Palace in the Gothic Quarter of the city.  

The performance was only one hour long, but the energy, passion and talent of the two Flamenco dancers, singer, guitarist and drummer were sensational.  It was certainly a memorable evening and something Elaine has wished to experience for a long time.

From Barcelona we had booked a flight to Paris where we visited many of the iconic sights of this city.  The Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Tuileries Gardens, the Louvre (exterior) and the Louvre Pyramid, etc.  On the second day we went to the Montmartre area, ambled along the cobbled streets and squares and admired Sacre-Coeur Basilica 

and (allegedly) the most famous windmill in the world at the Moulin Rouge.

But the highlight of Paris was on our final day when we travelled by train to the Palace of Versailles, built by Louis XIV (the Sun King) when he decided to move the Royal family's residence out of Paris.  We decided to give the interior of the Palace a miss (and the endless queues) and just explore the vast expanse of gardens on a day when the Musical Fountains were open.  

Dozens of elaborate fountains played in time with classical music.  It was a magical experience just to sit in beautiful surroundings and simply watch and listen.  A perfect end to our short stay in France.

Our next journey was a flight from Paris to Venice.  Almost every view of this city was reminiscent of a Canaletto painting.  

We ambled around St. Mark's Square to see St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, admired the Rialto Bridge   

and the Bridge of Sighs and wandered along the canal-sides to enjoy views of elegant buildings, churches and palaces.

On our second day, we crossed the lagoon to Murano and Burano, quiet picturesque islands with colourful houses lining the canals.

   

The final European hop was an enjoyable train journey to Rome, our final European destination packed, of course, with 'must sees' and many reminders of the ancient Roman Empire.  Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica was our first port of call, followed by the Pantheon, the spectacular Trevi Fountain, the impressive Colosseum,

the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus, the elegant Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful & famous squares in the city, and the Spanish Steps:

It will not have gone unnoticed that there has been no mention of beaches - yet!  But, when you spend many days exploring European cities with the temperature in the mid-30's, you do feel the need to relax and cool down.  And even in cities, lovely beaches are not far away.  Well, Paris is an exception but the weather there was mixed with rain and cloud.  

 

So, we spent afternoons relaxing on Barcelona's La Barcelonata Beach; across the Lagoon to Venice's Lido de Venezia; and a 40-minute train ride away to enjoy Rome's Ostia beach. 

On Monday morning we left our apartment in Rome to get the train to the airport and our 11-hour flight to Bangkok then a much shorter flight to Da Nang.  See you in Vietnam!