We went and explored the historic fortified city of Carcassonne in the southern part of France. We began by walking along the Roman bridge towards the fortified walled city.
View of the walled city from the Roman bridge.View of the fortified city
Carcassonne was of a key strategic importance between historic trade routes, linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea. It has a very long history that dates back to around 3500 BC when the first signs of a settlement was established. In 100 BC the Roman empire recognized the strategic importance of the area and began fortifying the hilltop. The hilltop eventually became a rural settlement and later under the control of Julia Carsaco. Eventually the name changed over time to Carcassonne.
The main gate entrance with draw bridge behind it.
The castle itself possesses its own drawbridge and ditch leading to a central area of the castle.
The draw bridge section into the main fortified city.
The fortified city consists of two outer walls with a total of 53 towers and fortified outpost to prevent attack. The walls consist of towers built over the years.
View of the outer wall fortification with a sentinel tower
We could see the different styles in the construction some were Roman and is notably different from the medieval walls.
One of these towers housed the Catholic Inquisition in the 13th century and is still known as “The Inquisition Tower”.
We explored the inner city and enjoyed walking along the narrow streets with unique shops and restaurants.
One of the many narrow streets inside the walled city
We walked the walls of the city exploring the different towers along the way.
Shelley and Ray on the walls of CarcassonneShelley and Ray on one of the sentinel lookout towers in Carcassonne
We had great views of the surrounding areas of the city.
View of the outer wall and the rolling hills of the countryside
There was views that overlooked the outer areas of the fortified city while other views overlooked the inner city. Both were tremendous and beautiful in their own way.
View of the city of CarcassonneView of the Cathedral from the walls of the city.View of the inner portion of the walled city.
We spent the entire day walking throughout this amazing walled city. There was so much history and unique things to see. There was even a Roman Amphitheater within the walled city.
The Amphitheater in the walled city of Carcassonne
We thoroughly enjoyed this UNESCO world heritage site . It is an outstanding example of a medieval fortified town, with its massive defences encircling the castle. Here are a few pictures of the castle and walled city. It was well worth exploring this city.
“Certes, voyager est plus que voir des sites touristiques ; c’est un changement qui s’opère, profond et permanent, dans les idées de vivre. “– Miriam Barbe
We went to visit the Marq Museo Arqueológico de Alicante, which had a special exhibition from China of the XI’AN Warriors.
There was a complete section of the museum dedicated to the terracotta warriors and the dynasties of Qin and Han.
The entrance into the exhibit had a video display with some of the history of the terracotta warriors. It also showed the behind the scenes of getting them to Alicante and how the set up of the exhibition was completed. The set up of the artifacts was extremely delicate and time consuming.
There were three galleries of the Qin dynasty which included tools, armour and weapons. One gallery displayed how the terracotta warriors were made.
They explained how prisoners and slaves were used to build the vast terracotta army, which included 8000 warriors, 500 horses and 130 combat chariots. which protected the underworld. The soldiers were dressed, hair styled and armoured according to their rank. Each one was unique and they were laid out in battle formation facing the East.
Display showing how the Terracotta warriors were constructed
Below are a few of the unique items we saw.
Armour made of Limestone and Copper wires Qin Dynasty (221-206BC)Limestone and Copper wires of the armour
In 221 BC, the king defeated enemy kingdoms and subsequently proclaimed himself as the First Emperor of China under the name of Qin Shi Huang Interestingly his name Qin (pronounced Chin ) would remain engraved in the name China.
Funeral carriageTerracotta horses as part of the funeral carriageTerracotta warrior behind a material wall
It was interesting to see that the details design of the terracotta warrior was 360 degrees and all aspects of the warrior were very detailed.
Front view of one of the unique terracotta warriorsDetails on the back of the terracotta warrior
There were different terracotta statues including horses, different warriors all with unique uniforms, ranks and faces.
terracotta horse and a terracotta chariot driver
The Terracotta General in full uniformTerracotta armoured generalShelley with one of the terracotta statuesRay with the terracotta statue of the General.Kneeling Archer terracotta warrior
Overall it was an amazing exhibit and one which we really enjoyed.
I (Ray) went back to Canada for a few weeks in the cold of January. I was there to help a family relative with some medical issues. While I was there I was able to enjoy some outdoor activities with some friends.
Ray enjoying some time with friends and playing in the snow.
Dan and I went snowmobiling along some beautiful pristine trails.
Dan on his snowmobile on the trail
There was a fair amount of snow so it made the trails very fun to ride on. We even had a great cabin to stop and warm up if we got to cold.
Dan and Ray on the snowmobiles in front of the cabin
It was a long time since I was on a snowmobile and it was quite enjoyable. At first, it took me a while to get accustomed to the snow and riding on the trails. At one point I even ended up getting stuck and Dan had to help me get out of the snow.
We stopped and took a nice break at the cabin and enjoyed the fresh cold crisp fresh air.
Afterwards we continued enjoying some snowmobiling and we separated along the trails in order to explore more of the area.
We left the cabin and explored the trails I stoped along the way to admire the sheer beauty of nature and peace of being in the bush.
It was so quiet and peaceful. It was quite cold and you could here the snow cruch when you walked.
It was truly so much fun and relaxing at the same time. Along the way Dan even managed to get a video of me on the snowmobile.
Normally we are not in Canada during the winter months for obvious reasons, however this was a fun time and reminds me of the fun winter brings in Canada.
¨The simple things in life can be the most enjoyable, like playing in the snow.¨
We headed by car to Granada driving along the scenic route. The views and country side were gorgeous. Spain is truly a beautiful country and the landscape changes fairly quickly into something totally different.
We arrived in Granada and stayed in the heart of the city. It was a perfect time to visit because it was Christmas season and there were lights decorated throughout the city.
We walked and explored some of the main streets of Granada.
Shelley, Dan, Kathy and Ray in downtown Granada
We walked for a fair amount of time and came to an outdoor area that was converted into an outdoor skating rink.
Outdoor temporary ice rink in Granada
We watched as people enjoyed skating or tried skating for the first time. We decided to stop and enjoy some tapas and watch the skaters for a while.
Shelley and Kathy at our table enjoying a tapa and drink
The following day we went to see and explore the Alhambra Palace which is a world UNESCO site. It is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world. We walked up the path leading to the Palace. The views along the route up to the Palace were beautiful.
View of the Alhambra Palace walking up the route towards the Palace.
Once we reached the entrance we saw just how large and wonderful it was.
The way to the Alhambra area through arched walls along the route to the main entrance.
We entered the Alhambra and walked along the different paths that lead throughout the Palace. There are gardens located on a raised area that provide great views of the Palace as well as the city below.
Kathy and Dan overlooking the Alhambra PalaceView of part of the garden in AlhambraInside islamic designs inside some of the palace buildings.
We walked through many of the different buildings in the palace. Some of the buildings were quite unique and included ornate islamic designs.
Beautiful marble floors inside the PalaceShelley, Kathy and Dan on one of the walkways in the Palace with the city of Granada in the backgroundShelley and Kathy inside one of the courtyards within the palace building.One of the many water features in the Alhambra palace
After exploring this mazing Alhambra Palace and the city of Granada, we were off to our next adventure in Sevilla.
Sevilla
We arrived in Sevilla and we were immediately impressed by the display of lights that were set up for the holiday season.
We stayed in the heart of Sevilla and we were able to walk to the major sites. One of our first stops was the Sevilla cathedral which was open and we were able to get inside.
Seville Cathedral
The cathedral was spectacular and we even saw the resting place for the remains of Christopher Columbus.
Inside the Cathedral of SevilleKathy and Dan inside the Cathedral of Seville
After touring the Cathedral we walked along the streets exploing the area. We came across some beautiful buildings and sites. The streets were wet from the rain and it made everything look like polished marble.
Dan and Kathy on the streets of Seville, Spain
The following day we went to see an authentic Flamenco dance show. We arrived at the building which was located in the heart of the old quarter. We had great seats in the front row. We could feel the emotion and enjoyed the amazing dancing of the Flamenco. It truly was one of the highlights of Seville.
After Seville we went to another great city, Cordoba.
Cordoba
The city is located near the banks of the Guadalquivir river. It was once a Roman settlement along with the historic Roman bridge of Córdoba. This bridge is in the Historic centre of Córdoba, and originally built in the early 1st century BC.
Historic Roman bridge in Cordoba Spain
We walked across the Roman bridge and were amazed at the size and length of it. It is 9 meters (30 ft) wide and 331 meters (1,086 ft) in length.
Kathy and Dan walking along the Roman Bridge in Cordoba Spain.
It was a rainy day and we able to explore the area without large crowds of people. It was a nice pace and very relaxed. We walked from the Bridge to the Puerta del Puente which means Gate of the Bridge. It was built in the 16th century. The gateway is located on the site of the previous Roman gates, linking the city with the Roman bridge.
Puerta de Puente in Cordoba
We walked the streets of the old section of Cordoba, including in the jewish quarter. The streets are very narrow and it was easy to get disoriented and loose yourself in the back streets.
We wandered around for about an hour or so before deciding to stop for lunch.
Tabursa Restaurant and bar in Cordoba.
We enjoyed Cordoba and the final leg of our whirlwind tour of Spain. We headed back to Madrid and said goodbye to our guest. It was a great time and lots of fun but it was time to get back to our normal routine and plan our next adventures.
“Vivimos en un mundo maravilloso que está lleno de belleza, encanto y aventura. Las aventuras que podemos tener no tienen fin si las buscamos con los ojos abiertos”.
We met our friends Dan and Kathy from Canada in Madrid. From there we did a tour of some of the most beautiful cities of Spain. We of course began our adventure in Madrid. We walked the city centre exploring the architecture, food and culture of Madrid.
Dan in front of a Bocadillo restaurant in Madrid
Ibérico de bellota, is a type of ham, the ¨bellota¨ refers to the acorn-rich diets of free-range Iberian pigs. It is considered one of the best type of ham in Spain.
Shelley, Kathy and Dan in front of the oldest restaurant in the world ¨Botin¨ located in Madrid.View of the Palacio de Comunicaciones in MadridThe front of the Royal Palace of Madrid
We decided to take a break and try some Madrid tapas.
Dan enjoying tapas in Madrid
Toledo
The following day we took the high speed train to Toledo.
Kathy and Dan at the Toledo sign
The city of Toledo represents the essence and soul of Spain. There are beautiful historical landmarks that are located throughout the city. Toledo was declared a Historic-Artistic Site by UNESCO in 1940 and later, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 for its extensive monumental and cultural heritage. It has a rich and long history and dates back to the fifth century BC. In 193 BC, it was taken by the roman empire and remained an important city. During the ages Toledo was known for the quality of the weapons it made for the Romans.
Store front in Toledo selling assorted swords and knives.
We went into the ¨Iglesia de los Jesuitas¨ a beautiful 18th-century baroque church.
Iglesia de los Jesuitas in Toledo Spain
We explored the church and even went up the tower and onto the roof area.
From there we could see the spectacular views of Toledo and the surrounding area.
View of Toledo Spain from the roof of the Iglesia de los Jusuitas
We had a wonderful day in Toledo exploring the many sites and historic areas.
Barcelona
The following day we took the high speed train from Madrid to Barcelona. The train speed was as fast as 300 kilometers per hour during the trip. We arrived in the heart of the city and began exploring the second largest city in Spain.
We went to the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, known as the Sagrada Familia basilica. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an extraordinary cathedral. It is the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. Designed by the Famous architect Antoni Gaudí,
Barcelona Cathedral
Dan in the base of the Sagrada Familia church
We went to see the Güel park which was built from 1900 to 1914. It was designed by the same architect Mr. Antoni Gaudí that was in charge of the construction of the Sagrada Familia Church. The Güel park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. It is one of the large green spaces in Barcelona, with more than 17 hectares. We walked throughout the park admiring the unique designs of the walls and walkways.
The Entrance to the Güel park in BarcelonaOne of the stone walls along the walkway in the Güel Park in BarcelonaStone pillars of the bridge section in Güel ParkShelley towards the top of the Güel park with views that overlook Barcelona
After exploring Barcelona for a few days we were off on the train again this time to Alicante
Alicante
Alicante is a historic Mediterranean port city with a long rich history. The history of Alicante spans thousands of years. The first settlements in the Alicante area were made by Iberian tribes. Since then the area has been inhabited successively by Greeks, Romans, Muslims, and Christians. Today Alicante is a bustling city of over 320,000 population.
Kathy and Dan near the entrance to the Castillo de Santa Bárbara in Alicante
We explored the city and walked the beautiful coastline of the Mediterranean sea enjoying the kilometres of white sandy beaches.
Kathy, Dan, Shelley and Ray on the beach in AlicanteKathy and Dan walking in the Mediterranean sea in AlicanteKathy and Dan leaving their mark on the shore of the mediterranean Sea.
Over the next few days we explored the city at a relaxed pace. We walked the promenade. It was decorated for Christmas and there was a very large nativity scene on the promenade.
Kathy and Dan at luceros plaza in Alicante10 meter hight Nativity scene on the promenade in AlicanteDan and Kathy on the Promenade in AlicanteDan and Kathy in front of an old Ficus Microcarpa tree in the Canalejas Park in Alicante.
We explored some museums which were quite unique. The Fogueres Festival museum was very special with different fogueres on display.
Kathy and Dan in the Fogueres Museum in Alicante
We went to the Castillo de Santa Barbara and explored this historic castle.
View of the Santa Bárbara castle from the waterfront of Alicante.
The medieval castle is a historic landmark and was built on the top of Mount Benacantil. The views of the mediterranean Sea where amazing and the colour of the water stunning.
View from the top of the Castle of Santa Bárbara in AlicantePartial view of the castle and the mediterranean seaKathy and Dan with some Knights of the Castle of Santa BarbaraKathy, Dan and Shelley on a section of the castle of Santa Barbara
Kathy in the lookout on the top of the Santa Bárbara Castle
Kathy on the lookout tower of the Santa Bárbara Castle in Alicante.
While in Alicante we enjoyed trying a few of the traditional Spanish restaurants and walking through the fresh food markets.
Dan and Kathy at one of the Spanish restaurants in Alicante
Guadalest
After spending time in Alicante we took a few day trips around the area. The first trip was to Gaudalest a small village anchored in a small valley. Gaudalest was declared a Historic-Artistic monument in 1974. It is known for its ‘castle’, which is literally hanging on the edge of the cliffs.
Kathy and Dan looking out over the Valley in Guadalest
We did a day trip with our friend and tour guide Filipe to a town called Novelda.
Novelda
The day began with a tour of the Mola castle which stands 360 metres above sea level. The castle was built in the late 12th century by Islamic occupiers. The castle was originally a polygonal layout with eight square turrets jutting out from the outer wall, although only four still survive today.
Dan, Kathy and Shelley with Filipe explaining the history of the Mola castle
We climbed the steep narrow stairs inside the towers reaching the top of the tower.
Narrow and steep staircase within the Mola castle
We also could see the remains of the 12th century layout of the castle from the rooftop.
View of the remains of the rooms within the 12th century castle
We could also see the church Shrine of Mary Magdalene .
View from Castle of the Church Shrine of Mary MagdaleneThe church Shrine of Mary Magdalene in Novelda
We explored this amazing and unique church. Work began on the church in 1918 and was completed in three phases. The architect Jose Sala Sala, who is a native of Novelda, he dedicated the church to Mary Magdalene, the patron saint of Novelda.
The outside is made of stone, brick and marble with a similar style to the Sagrada Familia Church in Barcelona.
Outside walls of the church
The main entrance archway is made of large sections of marble and is quite impressive. The marble organ system which is still under construction is made completely of marble. The three main marble pipes are mounted above the entranceway of the church.
Shelley and Dan at the entrance area of the church
After visiting the church we finished our day by visiting the Bodega Casa Cesilia which has a great restaurant. We enjoyed a great meal and then toured the winery.
Casa Cesilla winery in Novelda
It was a great way to end our day. Over the next few days we relaxed and enjoyed home cooked meals and some quiet time in Alicante before heading back out on our next adventure.
“Las cosas bonitas se aprecian mucho mejor en compañía de amigos”
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