Caga Tió, Caganers, and Los Reyes Magos- Although it has become popular in recent years, traditionally Christmas (or at least the version with Santa Claus) has not really been celebrated in Catalonia. They do, however, celebrate Three Kings Day on January 6th, and they celebrate something called “Caga Tió” on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Caga Tió, which roughly translates to “Pooping Dude,” is a magical cut tree stump with a face and a Catalan hat traditionally worn by farmers or people living on the countryside. Often parents will take their children to a forest to “find” Caga Tió , then they bring him home and place a blanket behind him. The children then feed Caga Tió in the days leading up to Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, depending on the family. When the day arrives, children beat Caga Tió with sticks and sing a song saying things like “Poop hazelnuts, don’t poop fish, they are too salty, poop turrons, they are tastier.” At the end of the song, the kids will command the tree stump to poop and the blanket will be pulled away revealing the presents that have been “pooped.” Also, in the month of December “caganers” will be on sale throughout Catalonia. They are a good luck symbol because it is believed that Catalan farmers had a big harvest after using their own feces as manure. They are now commonly featured in Catalan nativity scenes, and many celebrities are “honored” by being made into caganers. A wide variety of celebrity caganers can be found, but some of my favorites are R2-D2 and C3P0, who poop nuts and bolts. Día de Sant Jordi- As Valentine’s Day is historically not celebrated in Catalonia, the biggest romantic holiday in Catalonia is Dia de Sant Jordi. The legend of Saint George (Jordi in Catalan) goes like this: A dragon was pestering a town, and a person had to be chosen to be sacrificed to the dragon. When the name of the princess was drawn, Saint George killed the dragon— saving the princess— and a rose grew out of the dragon’s blood. The Day of Sant Jordi (April 23) is also a prominent day in the world of books. It is known as World Book Day by UNESCO, and it is the anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. Miguel Cervantes, whose Don Quixote has been translated into more languages than any book other than the Bible, died one day before on April 22. Traditionally on the Day of Sant Jordi, males would receive a book and females would receive a rose. However, now females will usually receive a book and a rose (males will still typically only receive a book without a rose). Also on this day, Casa Batllo in Barcelona is usually decorated with massive amounts of roses. Las Comparsas, La Merengada, Carnaval, and La Mona- Also most of those celebrating it do not know why they are celebrating, the beginning of Lent and the Easter season are one of the biggest celebrations in Catalonia. For Las Comparsas, couples will link arms and dance throughout the city. While I was in Vilanova i la Geltru, Las Comparsas culminated in a fun, massive candy battle in one of the main city squares that left anyone who walked through La Plaça de la Vila with sticky shoes for days. In the same week in Vilanova i la Geltru, children from the town will take merengue and have a massive food fight in the Plaça del Mercat. These will lead up to Carnaval, which many people spend the whole year preparing for by building floats, choreographing dances, and designing costumes. Usually they will go from town to town participating in parades on different days, one of the biggest taking place in Sitges. About six weeks later on the day after Easter, Catalonians celebrate by giving elaborate cakes— known as “La Mona”— to children. The cakes are usually chocolate with chocolate figures on top, and are usually given from godparents to their godchildren. On this “Dia de La Mona,” extended families will usually get together and share a big meal. Festa Mayor and La Mercè- Most small towns throughout Catalonia will each have a town festival, usually in the summer, known as Festa Mayor. The biggest of these is La Mercè, which is a multi-day festival with a firework finale on September 24. One of the highlights are the parades and dances of the “Gegants i capgrossos,” which are giant paper mache figures that are worn similar to the way someone wears a mascot costume. There will also be “Castells,” which are human towers that can go so high that sometimes there are double-digit people stacked on top of each other. Another main feature is the “correfoc,” or fire-run, where festival goers will run under the sparks and fireworks shot by dragon mascots and other costumed people with spinning, spark-shooting contraptions. Calçotada and Food and Wine Festivals-
There are numerous food and wine festivals throughout the year in Catalonia that I have had the opportunity to attend, such as the Temp de Vi in Vilanova i la Geltru, the Cava Festival in Vilafranca, and the Tast a La Rambla, All Those Food Market, and Time to Eat Fest in Barcelona. One of the biggest food festivals I was able to enjoy is known as a “Calcotada.” Calcots are a Catalonian vegetable similar to a scallionor spring/green onion that are in season in the spring when the Calcotadas take place. The calcots are usually grilled and wrapped in newspaper (and sometimes roof tiles) to keep them warm, then peeled and dipped into a romesco sauce. They are usually accompanied by grilled meats like butifarra (a Catalan sausage), cava or “vino tinto,” and family and friends.
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What I did and saw: Towers of Bologna- Pisa is not the only city with a leaning tower. Bologna has a pair of leaning towers in its city center, the Asinelli Tower and the Garisenda Tower. Known as “Le due torri,” they were built in 12th century. They have seen a variety of uses such as a prison, a watchtower, a lighting rod, and scientific testing. They are believed to be the inspiration for the construction of the twin towers in New York City, and they have been written about by authors such as Dante and Charles Dickens. We were able to go up the 498 steps of the Asinelli Tower, which is the taller of the two and offers some unique views of the city. Museo Della Specola- Bologna is home to the oldest university in the world, the University of Bologna, which was founded in 1088. The influence of the school is prevalent throughout the city, and there are opportunities for learning all around the city. For just 5 euros we were able to get a tour of the Museo Della Specola and see the original instruments used by past astronomers. It was very interesting to see the old maps, and to learn about the construction of telescopes. Also, the tour concluded on the rooftop terrace, offering nice views of the surrounding city. Luigi Cattaneo Collection of Anatomical Waxes- Another example of an interesting learning opportunity is found at the Anatomical Wax Collection. Past students used the models to study anatomy and pathology in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is a small museum, but it is free, unique, and interesting. Botanical Garden and Herbarium- Located next to the Luigi Cattaneo Collection of Anatomical Waxes is the Botanical Garden and Herbarium. Like the Anatomical Wax collection, it is also free to enter (tours cost €5). They have a nice space to walk through and a wide variety of plants to check out. Piazza Maggiore- The largest plaza in Bologna is Piazza Maggiore, and it is surrounded by impressive architecture. The Basilica di San Petronio and the Fontana del Nettuno are both located next to the plaza in the city center. Where I ate and drank: BrewDog Bologna, Il Punto, and Beer for Bunnies- Bologna has some nice offerings for craft beer at BrewDog Bologna, Il Punto, and Beer for Bunnies, all located in the same area of town on the western side. The area also features a some cool graffiti. Zerocinquantino- Tigelle are small, round breads local to the Bologna/Modena/Emilia-Romagna region. They are sliced and filled with you choice of sweet or savory items. Zerocinquantino (which means 050), serves tasty tigelle and quality wine for a wallet friendly price. Salumeria Simoni and Tamburini- If you are looking for deli meats or cheeses, Salumeria Simoni and Tamburini are both good places to go. They have a nice selection of Italian food to get to go. Tamburini also has a few tables and offers meat and cheese plates and wine if you want to try something there. Cafe Cocoa- Cafe Cocoa is a cool cafe with good cocktails and espresso based drinks. They also serve wine and beer. I had one of the best Negronis of my life while I was there. Pappare- Although Italy is an espresso country, it is possible to find good filter coffee in some places. I had a good Chemex at Pappare, close to the Two Towers of Bologna. However, the service was extremely slow, it took over 20 minutes just to get my coffee. I was unimpressed by the food I had off the lunch menu, but the breakfast menu looked like it had some good options. Trattoria dal Biassanot- Bologna is home to many foods many people think of when they think of Italian food, such as lasagna, ragu, and tortellini in brodo (tortellini in broth). I was able to try all three of these tasty foods at Trattoria dal Biassanot. Also, right next to the restaurant is the “Finestrella,” which is a window to one of Bologna’s canals. Stefino Organic Gelato, Cremeria Mascarella, Cremeria Santo Stefano, and Gelateria Galliera 49- I am a big fan of Roman food and Roman gelato, but I think Bolognese gelato gives Roman gelato a run for its money. They offer some tasty and unique flavors like a turmeric cinnamon black pepper gelato at Stefino Organic Gelato, egg custard pine nut and chocolate pear grappa flavors at Cremeria Mascarella, and theobroma, a chocolate and orange flavor I had with speculoos gelato at Cremeria Santo Stefano. Where I stayed: We Bologna- The staff at We Bologna was super helpful when I had to adjust my reservation to teach an English camp. The facility itself seems to be a mix of college dorms and a hostel, but in a non-obnoxious way. It was a very nice place to stay, with nice common areas and a nice shared kitchen. How I got around: I arrived in Bologna on a train from Florence, and left on a train to Turin. While in Bologna I walked to get around and see the sights (and make more room for Italian food). My favorite thing:
The food in Bologna was very good, but my favorites were the gelato from various places and the tigelle I had at Zerocinquantino. My least favorite thing: In August in Bologna much of the cities shuts down, so many of the places I wanted to visit were closed. Also, I had a few eye problems (due to something that happened prior to Bologna) that hampered my time there a bit. For next time: As mentioned above, many of the places I wanted to explore in Bologna were closed while I was there, so I would like to get a chance to check them out and to try more of the Bolognese food. I would also like to see the Santuario Madonna di San Luca on the outskirts of the city. Additionally I would like to visit Modena, another foodie city in the Emilia-Romagna region. As I have mentioned previously, hostels can be a great option to use when traveling. However, some can be better than others. Here are a few of my favorites:
M Montreal- M Montreal had great, well kept facilities while I was there. Each bed is equipped with privacy curtains, outlets, shelves, and large lockers. They also have two kitchen, and have added a rooftop sauna in the time since I’ve stayed there. It is well located and a good starting off point to get around Montreal. Room2Board- The best part of Room2Board is its amazing beachfront location in the Costa Rican beach town of Jaco. They also have a pool that even has a small slide, and they offer cheap surfboard rentals to help take advantage of the awesome location. Hostel Paradiso- Although it is slightly outside any major city, Hostel Paradiso is situated beautifully on the shores of Laguna de Apoyo in Nicaragua, and it is a great place to get away and relax. I swam in the crater lake, paddle boarded, kayaked, and took in the amazing views. The food is not included, but the options were good and well priced. And the dorm rooms were only $9 a night! Youth Hostel Plakias- One of the best and worst things of Youth Hostel Plakias is its location as one of the southernmost hostels in Europe. Getting there can be a slight challenge, because it will likely require getting a plane or boat to the north side of Crete, then taking two bus rides totaling over a couple hours. However, this also seems to help this paradise from getting overrun by too many tourists. The hostel itself is just a short walk from the cool little laid back beach town of Plakias on the south side of Crete. There are lots of beaches and places to hike, and it wasn’t overcrowded even in the high summer season. There were lots of cool people at the hostel when I was there and it had a great environment. They have big, clean showers, clean bathrooms, and good WiFi. Drinks from the fridge can be taken on the honor system, marked down, then paid for at the end of the stay. Home Lisbon Hostel- In my opinion, the best hostel I have stayed at is Home Lisbon Hostel. They beds are some of the most comfortable dorm beds I’ve ever slept on, and they are equipped with privacy curtains, outlets, a shelf, a reading light, and larger than average lockers underneath. Also, for €10 I enjoyed “Mama’s dinner,” which was a tasty three course meal cooked by the hostel owner, and came with plenty of food and drink. The hostel had a good social environment, making it easy to meet people while I was there. The staff were also very friendly and helpful. Honorable Mention- The Freehand hostels I’ve stayed at in Miami and Chicago had the best bars of any hostel I have stayed at. Sungate One in Madrid had an amazing atmosphere and great hostel dinners, and Mermaid Hostel in Cancun had a great atmosphere and staff that went over and above what was expected. Auberge NOLA hostel also had a great environment and felt more like living in a house/mansion than a hostel. Another hostel with a great atmosphere was Planet Traveller in Toronto, and they also had free dance classes. City Circus had the most convenient laundry service of any hostel I’ve stayed in- just fill up a laundry box with whatever you want and they wash and dry it for you for one price while you are out exploring the city. Jacques Brel Youth Hostel in Brussels offered great craft Belgian beers at their hostel bar and had an absolutely amazing breakfast included. Packing cubes are a great way to stay organized when traveling. I have been using Tortuga’s packing cubes, and here are my thoughts:
Advantages: Size- The Tortuga packing cubes are perfectly designed to fit in my Tortuga backpack. I have one large cube and two smaller cubes, and their dimensions are well designed to work with my bag without taking up all of the bag space, leaving room to put things in front of or behind them. Organization- I can use the cubes to divide things by category and keep them organized. For example, I can use one for shirts, another for shorts/pants, and another for toiletries. Visibility- The tortuga packing cubes have a mesh top that allows me to see a glimpse inside, so I can quickly and easily see what I have put in each cube. Straps- The Tortuga packing cubes are equipped with straps that allow me to easily grab them and/or pull them out of my bag. Disadvantages: Not waterproof- It is tough to find a disadvantage to using packing cubes, but if I had to pick one I would point out that the Tortuga packing cubes are not waterproof. However, if you are looking for something waterproof to put in your bag I would recommend the Sea-to-Summit Dry Bag instead. Personally, I use the Dry Bag to store anything I want to make sure I keep dry (like electronics), and I use the packing cubes for things like clothes and toiletries. Bottom line: I would highly recommend packing cubes for travelers that want to stay organized. They make packing and unpacking easier and more convenient. What I did and saw: Plaza de España- Sitting in the Parque de Maria Luisa, Seville’s Plaza de España was built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. The semi-circle structure features shout outs to regions all around Spain. It is a beautiful place that has been featured in movies such as Star Wars: Episode II and Lawrence of Arabia. Holy Week Processions- I was in Seville during Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter. Similar to other parts of Andalusia, during this week in Seville there are numerous processions, where people (penitents) parade through the city wearing what appear to be KKK outfits. It was quite a shock to see, and many of the penitents are also barefoot. Also, some penitents carry floats depicting religious scenes. Sandemans Free Walking Tour- As I have done in a variety of other cities, I went on a Sandemans Free Walking Tour while in Seville. It started in the beautiful Plaza del Salvador and ended in the picturesque Plaza España. It was a nice way to get a recommendations, context, background, and other interesting facts about the city. Plaza del Triunfo- Many of the most impressive landmarks in Seville surround the Plaza del Triunfo. The Seville Cathedral, known as the Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede, is a beautiful building. Across the plaza is the beautiful Alcazar, which has been featured in Game of Thrones. Due to its proximity to some of the main sites in Seville, the Plaza del Triunfo is a beautiful place that most visitors to Seville will likely pass through at some point. Metropol Parasol- Seville has what is said to be one of the largest wooden framed structures in the world. Resembling giant mushrooms, the “Setas de la Encarnación” structure is an interesting place to visit. Also, due to the relatively flat landscape of Seville, there are some nice views of the city from the top of the “Setas.” Flamenco show- While it has been exported to other parts of Iberia and throughout the world, Flamenco originated in the Seville area. Its origins are somewhat disputed, but it is believed to have been started by gypsies in the eighteenth century. Due to its Mediterranean location and proximity to Africa, the Andalusia area has allowed for an interesting mix of cultures that in part led to the Flamenco music and dance style. I had the opportunity to see a Flamenco show in the Triana neighborhood, and it is the best Flamenco show I have seen and worth checking out. Where I ate and drank: Torch Coffee Roasters- Set next to the Canal de Alfonso XII, Torch Coffee Roasters is a great place to get a coffee. While I was there I had a high quality cold brew and club sandwich. They also offer other filter options such as V60s and a variety of espresso based options. There is a good amount of seating, and while I was there they also offered tasty alfajores (dulce de leche pastry). Cerveceria Internacional- Just around the corner from the hostel I was staying at in Seville was Cerveceria Internacional. They offer a nice variety of well priced tapas and montaditos, which are small, usually grilled, and often times open faced sandwiches. And as their name would suggest, they also have a very nice international beer selection in addition to some good wines including the Orange Wine made from local bitter oranges. Virgin Coffee- Located near the Metropol Parasol, Virgin Coffee is a take away coffee place with great coffee and service. They have limited seating, but there are places to sit in the area around the shop. La Jeromina- Just down the street from Virgin Coffee is La Jeronima. It is a place that sells books, craft beer, food, and espresso drinks. They have great food prices, good craft beer options, as well as paintings, mugs, and shirts for sale. It also has good wifi, which makes it a nice place to get some work done. Hops & Dreams and Bier Kraft- Both Hops & Dreams and Bier Kraft are great places to get craft beer, food, or just hang out. Hops & Dreams even had some legitimately spicy food, which is uncharacteristic for Spain, and Bier Kraft had some fun board games available to use. Where I stayed: Black Swan Hostel Seville- Overall, Black Swan was a very good place to stay in Seville. There were no curtains on the hostel beds, but they were comfortable and there were outlets for every bed. They served a free dinner for hostel guests, and after the dinner they had a free Flamenco show. I was even able to get out of my comfort zone and join in on the show and try some of the dancing myself. How I got around: I arrived in Seville by bus from Granada (unfortunately there was not a great Granada-Seville train route). Once in Seville I walked to get around and see the city and its impressive architecture. When I left Seville I caught a bus to the airport (which was fairly convenient) and catch a plane. My favorite thing:
I had some great food and drink while in Seville, and I was only able to sample a small part of the culinary offerings in the city. I also got to see some impressive architecture in the city. My favorite part of Seville is the unique mix of cultures that shows itself in theses ways. My least favorite thing: It would be nice if trains between major cities in southern Spain were more conveniently linked, but it is still significantly better than the train system in planes like North America. For next time: There are quite a few things I would like to do next time I am in Seville. While I was able to see the outside of the Alcazar and the Seville Cathedral, I would like to see them from the inside. Also, I would like to visit some of the food markets in Seville. I bought my REI Pinecliff Rain Coat a few years ago and I have travelled with it frequently. Here are my thoughts on it:
Advantages: Mostly waterproof- I have worn my REI Pinecliff Rain Coat many times in the rain, and it has held up well. If I am in a tropical storm for an extended period of time some water might get through, but otherwise it keeps me nice and dry. Good temperature- My REI Pinecliff Rain Coat is great in a variety of different temperatures. It is a bit uncomfortable to wear on a humid summer day, and it doesn’t provide enough warmth for below freezing temperatures, but it works well for most temperatures between those two. Removable hood- I like the option to have the hood when it is raining, and I like the ability to take it off when it isn’t. Unfortunately one of the buttons on the hood attachment has broken, but it still work ok for me as of now. Lots of pockets- Originally I was going to purchase either the Baubax travel jacket that was prominently featured on Kickstarter, the Scott-e-vest jacket featured on Shark Tank or the REI Pinecliff Rain Coat (that I ended up buying). However, after reading some negative reviews about the Baubax jacket I decided to trust the reputation of the REI brand and go with their jacket. I do think there are some good Scott-e-vest options, and Baubax has come out with a new edition of their jacket, but the REI Pinecliff Rain Coat has held up well for me. It has 6 different pockets that I can use to carry a variety of different things in. Durable- The REI Pinecliff Rain Coat has been very durable for me. With the exception of one of the buttons on the hood attachment breaking, there are no real signs of wear and tear after a couple of years of use. It is nice to have clothing items I can wear for a variety of different activities or throw in a bag without worrying they will get damaged. Machine washable- If I ever do get my REI Pinecliff Rain Coat, I can just throw it in the washing machine, let it hang dry, and it is good as new. Disadvantages: Broken button- As I mentioned above, one of the buttons on the hood attachment broke, but there are no other signs of wear and tear after a couple of years of use. Rain can soak through in a downpour- If you are stuck in a tropical storm for an extended period of time water will eventually soak through. However, if you are planning on being stuck in a tropical storm for an extended period of time I would recommend a high performance jacket instead anyway. Not good for every temperature- As I mentioned above, the REI Pinecliff Rain Coat is not good for below freezing temperatures or for extremely hot temperatures, but it is good for a wide range in the middle. Bottom line: My REI Pinecliff Rain Coat has been and continues to be an excellent jacket, and I would highly recommended it. It is not available to directly purchase through REI anymore, but it can be found on some re-sell sites (for an even cheaper price!). What I did and saw: Castillo de Gibralfaro- The Gibralfaro castle is a great place to walk up to. It offers some amazing views of the city, the ocean, and the mountains. It is also a very historic place with construction dating as far back as 770BC! Alcazaba de Malaga and Jardines de Puerta Oscura- An Alcazaba is the term for a Moorish fortification inside a city. The Alcazaba of Malaga was built in the early 11th century and is one of the most well preserved Alcazabas in Spain. There are also some Roman ruins by the Alcazaba that date back to the first century BC. The Jardines de Puerta Oscura, or Gardens of the Dark Gate, is a nice area to explore or to just sit and admire the ocean views. The Alcazaba is free to enter after 2pm on Sundays, but only costs a few euros on other days/times. Museo Picasso Malaga- Prior to living in Barcelona and Paris, Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga. While many of his works are now in cities such as New York and Madrid, there is still a good collection of his works in the museum in the city he was born in. The museum is free to enter during the last two hours it is open on Sundays, which was when I was able to visit. Catedral de la Encarnacion de Malaga- The Malaga Cathedral is a beautiful building located in the city center, but its construction was never finished. After one of the cathedral’s towers was completed, the money for the construction of the second tower was diverted elsewhere (there is some disagreement on exactly where it was diverted to). Because of this, some locals now call the building “La Manquita,” which roughly translates to “The one-armed lady.” Mercado Central de Ataranzanas- The central market in Malaga is a beautiful building that offers a variety of different foods for sale. There are also a good number of places to get something to eat or drink around the market. Where I ate and drank: Bodega Bar El Pimpi- Around the corner from the Picasso Musuem, Bodega Bar El Pimpi is a nice, local, wine and tapas bar. It is worth checking out on a visit to Malaga. Los Gatos- I had a nice, tasty dinner at Los Gatos. It was also located right around the corner from The Urban Jungle Hostel. Mia Coffee Shop- Mia Coffee Shop is one of my favorite coffee spots, not just in Malaga, but anywhere. The coffee is delicious and the service is excellent. They don’t have much of a food menu, but what they do offer in terms of food is super tasty. I highly recommend stopping by this cozy little place if you are in Malaga. Casa Mira- Casa Mira is a historic place that serves ice cream and turrons. It is located on the beautiful Calle Marques de Larios. Santa Canela Cafe- Santa Canela Cafe is an excellent coffee shop in Malaga. They serve quality coffee, and I had a Chemex brew while I was there. I also at a “Pitufo,” which literally translates to “Smurf,” but it is the local term used for a type of sandwich unique to Malaga. Cafeteria Bertani Cafe- Cafeteria is another little spot in downtown Malaga that serves craft coffee. El Rincón Del Cervecero, La Botica de la Cerveza, Cerveceria Arte&Sana, and Central Beers- Despite its relative size, Malaga offers some great options for craft beer. Also, the Beer-amisu at Central Beers was super tasty. Antigua Casa de Guardia- Located close to the Mercado Central de Ataranzanas, the Antigua Casa de Guaria is a unique, rustic spot. It features a simple long bar that stretches almost the entire length of the space. Behind the bar are barrels of different types of wine to choose from. They also offer a small selection of food. One of the unique things about the place is they write your tab on the bar in front of you with chalk, then add it up when it is time to pay. It is an great, inexpensive place to try some local wine and snacks. Where I stayed: Picnic Dreams Botique Hostel- I only stayed one night at Picnic Dreams Botique Hostel. Overall, it was a nice, comfortable place to stay. However, due to its downtown location (which is very convenient) it can get a bit noisy outside at night. There is also a very nice cafe in the lobby of the hostel. The Urban Jungle Hostel- I was very happy with my stay at The Urban Jungle Hostel. The staff were super nice and helpful. It is well located in the city center. Also, each of the dorm beds had curtains on them (which not enough hostels do). How I got around: I flew to get to Malaga, and took the metro to get downtown. The metro was clean and easy to use. Once in the city I walked to get around, enjoy the city, and take in the sites. My favorite thing:
The weather in Malaga was very nice while I was there, and the downtown area is very walkable. I really enjoyed stopping at Antigua Casa de Guardia, and Mia Coffee Shop is my favorite coffee spot in Andalusia. My least favorite thing: There is not much to dislike about Malaga, but I’ve heard it can get crazy hot in the summer. Also, it may not be as big as other cities like Barcelona, London, or Chicago, but there are still a good amount of things to do and see and eat and drink. For next time: Next time in Malaga I would like to check out the beach, because I didn’t get a chance to last time I was there. I would also like to go outside of town to visit the Caminito del Rey if I got the chance. In my opinion trains are the best way to get around Italy by far. However, I have been on some very good trains and some very bad trains in Italy. The train I took to go to Pompeii is one of the worst trains I have ever been on. There are a few different train companies in Italy, and here are my experiences traveling with them: Italo- I highly recommend taking Italo trains when in Italy. They have the best prices, the more comfortable trains, and are more reliable. I have traveled between major cities in Italy for less than 10 euros. They also show movies in some train cars for no extra charge, but the movies are usually in Italian. The only time I had much of a delay with Italo, they offered a partial reimbursement for my ticket (and the delay wasn’t even their fault, it was due to a issue with the tracks). The only downside to Italo is their lack of access. The only travel to the more major cities in Italy, but their customer service is above average for a European company. Trenitalia- The state run train company in Italy is Trenitalia. The run trains such as Thello, Frecce, and Intercity trains. The Trenitalia trains are usually more expensive, lower quality, and less reliable than Italo trains. Also, I have never been offered compensation for a delayed train, and a high percentage of my Trenitalia trains have been delayed. The main benefit to Trenitalia trains is their high amount of destinations. In many cases, the only trains offered to smaller cities in Italy are Trenitalia trains. I have taken Trenitalia trains on journeys to smaller cities where I taught English camps such as Volterra, Casalmaggiore, and Cirie. Also, Trenitalia runs some overnight trains, which can be convenient and cost effective. However, both the Intercity Night train I took to Bari and the Thello overnight train I took to Paris were much lower quality than the Renfe-SNCF overnight train I took to get to Barcelona. In the past couple years I have bought very few clothes (my merino wool products have worked out very well for me). However, one of the purchases I did make in Barcelona was a “Buff,” which is a appears to be a play on words of the Spanish “bufanda,” or scarf. The company was started in Barcelona, and while they sell a variety of different products, their flagship product is a piece of multifunctional headwear. Also known as a balaclava or neck gaiter, it can be worn in a variety of different ways. For example, it can be worn as a scarf, as a hat, or as earmuffs, just to name a few. I have gotten a lot of use out of mine in colder temperatures such as visiting winter markets in places like Germany and Belgium. I have found it to be very functional, and with its versatility and merino wool fabric it can be used in a variety of different circumstances. Also, it packs down very small, so it can easily fit in a backpack or even in a pocket. I have been very happy with my purchase and would recommend it to others.
Antoni Gaudi is considered the best known architect in the Catalan Modernism style. He has arguably had the biggest impact of any other human be on the architectural uniqueness in Barcelona, which is one of my favorite things about Barcelona. Just walking around parts of the city and looking at the buildings can be a great experience, even for someone like myself who isn’t an architecture aficionado. Here are a few of his works that I have visited: La Sagrada Familia- The most impressive building I have ever been in is the Sagrada Familia, and it was not even finished. Construction started in 1882, and although Gaudi died in 1926, the Sagrada Familia is not scheduled to be completed until 2026 (100 years after his death). I have seen building that are as big as the Sagrada Familia and I have seen buildings that are as detailed as the Sagrada Familia, but I have never seen a building that is as big and as detailed as the Sagrada Familia. It is one the most unique and amazing buildings I have ever been in. Casa Batllo- Done for the Batllo family in 1904, Casa Batllo (also know as the house of bones due to its exterior appearance) has become an iconic building in Barcelona. It will be beautifully decorated for Catalonian holidays, such as St. Jordi (which is similar to Valentine’s Day in other parts of the world), when it is covered in roses. In the summer they also do a rooftop concert series, and an admission ticket allows for a tour of the building and a rooftop concert. It is a great way to see such an iconic building. La Pedrera (Casa Mila)- Passeig de Gràcia is arguably the most architecturally beautiful street in one of the most architecturally unique and beautiful cities in the world. Like Casa Batllo, La Pedrera (also known as Casa Mila) stands out as a star amongst stars. I was able to visit it on a field trip with some of the classes I was teaching in Vilanova i la Geltru. The “stone quarry” was built for the Mila family in the early 1900s. Parc Guell- Situated at a natural elevation that offers excellent views of Barcelona, Parc Guell is another one of Gaudi’s masterpieces. While all of the park used to be free to enter, a portion of the park (the most beautiful part) now requires an entry fee during most hours, and the tickets usually sell out. This was done to limit foot traffic causing wear and tear to the site and to fund maintenance and upkeep. I would suggest booking in advance or going early for one of the free times. However, the free part of the park offers the better views of the city and is beautiful in its own right. Parc Guell was initially meant to be a housing development of luxury homes funded by Eusebi Guell, but this business plan failed in part due to the distance (and uphill walk) from the old city. It was then converted into a municipal garden and has now reached iconic status. Church of Colonia Guell- I had the opportunity to visit Colinia Guell on a field trip with some of the English classes I was teaching in the El Prat area of Barcelona. As its name alludes, Colonia Guell was also funded by Eusebi Guell, but when he ran out of funds the project was not completed. It is located a bit outside of the city of Barcelona, and while not quite as impressive as some of Gaudi’s other works, it is a nice display of his unique architectural creativity. Placa Reial- Located in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona just off La Rambla, Placa Reial is a popular place for tourists to pass through. However, many people do not take the time to look closely at the unique lampposts, which were beautifully designed by Gaudi. Lock Clock Misión Gaudi Escape Room- Although it was not actually built by Gaudi, I was able to try a Gaudi themed escape room in the center of Barcelona. It was my first time trying an escape room, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. And we made it out! |
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