Nice to Barcelona
Trip Start
Jun 05, 2011
1
20
51
Trip End
Jul 26, 2011
Nice, Provence, France
Thursday, June 23, 2011
We then left the Grande Corniche and started driving on the Middle Corniche (about half way down the mountain and the one that Princess Grace was killed on). We stopped at a medieval stone village called Eze at the pinnacle of a 427m peak. It was lovely to walk around - a lot of shops and a place where you could drive a Ferrari - Lee was tempted - but resisted!!
We then drove to the Lower Corniche, which follows the train line at the bottom. We drove around St Jean-Cap Ferrat. This peninsula is a playground for the wealthy - with many millionaire villas, eg Rothchilds. The next fishing town we stopped at was Villefranche-sur-mer which has pastel coloured houses with terracotta roofs overlooking Cap Ferrat. It has a 16th century Citadel and lovely sand beaches.
We then had to drop our trusty rental car which we had done 3,200 km in 13 days - with no scratches (a miracle with the way everyone squeezes their cars in around ours for parking). Unfortunately our plane was delayed an hour to get to Barcelona. When we arrived we caught the Aerobus into the city, we noticed a huge amount of people milling around the museum and fountains - we thought something interesting must be happening. We also went past a demonstration where there was all these people on roller blades with torches that were actually on fire. In the middle of the street was a huge pile of chairs and lounge chairs that they were going to set fire too. We waited around for awhile, but decided they were taking some time and we should check in to the hotel. We found out that tonight is a special festival and all of Barcelona stays up to about 3 am and light fire crackers (tomorrow is a public holiday). We went back to the museum and watched an amazing light show and fountain display with noisy firecrackers going off around us. As I am writing this, I can hear them going off all around - as the concierge said it sounded like Beirut.
We were recommended a place to eat (again very late). The food was absolutely delicious and very cheap compared to France!!! A bottle of sparkling water cost 1.22 Euro - the same size in France was 4 Euro. A pity we are not here a little longer. Tomorrow/(today now!) we are going to rush around and see a few sights and then we board the cruise boat. I am not sure how regular the blogs will be there as internet will be satellite based - we will see how we go!
Comments
Have just caught up on your wonderful travels so far. Have enjoyed all your commentaries and especially your wonderful pictures! Brings back memories from ones youth and makes me want to go again! So glad you are having such a wonderful time........ and more to come!