We went to a park in Barcelona, called Park Güell. It was designed by two famous artist, Eusebi Güell and architect Antoni Gaudí. They began this project in 1900 after working together on other projects.
The Park Güell is located on a mountain called “Muntanya Pelada (bare mountain). Its location was unbelievable, with amazing views of the city and Mediterranean Sea.
We began our walk up steep roads working our way towards the park. On the way up the steep road there was a store called Gaudi Experiencia. We stopped there to look around and catch our breath from the steep walk. The store had some neat souvenirs and others information on Guadi and the Park Güell. It also had a theater which advertised a 4D movie about Güell. We never experienced a 4D movie so we decided to check it out. Basically a 4D movie is a 3D movie that combines other features like motion seats, wind, strobe, fog, rain and even odours or scents.
Inside the 4 D movie theater in BarcelonaRay and Shelley wearing 3D glasses and buckled into their chair.
We went into the theater and found perfect seats and put on our 3D glasses. We also had to buckle up in the chair which felt more like a race car seat that a theater seat.
When the show started it was a full sensory experience, the chair moved in the motion of the movie. We flew through the air dipping and diving around obstacles. We felt the wind blowing from a dragon and felt the mist of the waterfalls we flew near. The experience was focused on all our senses and quite an enjoyable experience.
On Tuesday evening we went out with friends to a quaint Spanish restaurant called “La Taberna Iberica”. The restaurant is in the old quarter of Alicante in a small alley up some stairs.
The walkway towards La Taberna Iberica Restaurant
Inside the restaurant, we were greeted by the owner who welcomed us more like family than customers. We sat down in the quaint restaurant and chatted with the owner for a while.
Inside La Taberna Iberica RestaurantMike, Ray Liz and Shelley at “La Taberna Iberica” Restaurant
We did not have a menu and only ordered some red wine. What was truly enjoyable was the fact that she decides what to cook and serves us a variety of different dishes.
One of the many courses served to us over the evening
We were served numerous courses of food, including tapas, fish, shrimp, ham, cheese and an assortment of sweet treats for dessert.
When we were leaving the restaurant she took the time to chat with us and walk with us to the door. It was a very nice spot and the service was friendly.
One of the owners of “La Taberna Iberica” Restaurant
After our meal, we took a walk and stopped at a terrace bar in a small hotel called “Les Monges Palace”. The terrace bar was quiet and we had a perfect spot to enjoy a nice after dinner drink. The view from the terrace was beautiful and we could see the Castillo de Santa Barbara.
View of the Castillo de Santa Barbara from the terrace bar
We were able to tour the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, in Italy. The city of Pompeii was destroyed, along with other communities by the major eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The eruption was so sudden and severe that it covered the city in 4 to 6 meters of ash in a very short period of time. Pompeii was preserved under the ash until it was excavated some 1,600 years later.
The excavation of Pompeii revealed an extremely preserved and detailed insight into the history of the time. It is the best preserved and complete roman ruins in the world and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We arrived at around 10 a.m. and the heat was already extreme at over 30 degrees celsius. We started the walking tour of the site with our first stop in the common square area which was used for the gladiators to practice in.
Square where gladiators practiced in Pompeii
We then walked through the streets looking at the remains of the houses in Pompeii. Most of the houses we saw had a similar design. In the front of the houses, there was an area for a small storefront or market. The rear of the house was the living space.
Streets of Pompeii
The cobblestone was well-worn and you could see the grooves made by the wheels of the oxen-drawn carts in the streets.
The groves in the cobblestone over years of wear by the use of oxen-drawn carts.
We went into several houses and looked at the layout. The Roman city is so well-preserved that in certain areas of the buildings we could still see the original paint on the walls.
room with original paint on the walls
It was spectacular to see a complete Roman city preserved and excavated in such great detail. We walked several of the streets in Pompeii looking at the different remains of buildings.
We entered a Roman bathhouse and the guide explained how the process worked. The bathhouse was an area where people would meet and socialize. It was considered a social event and people would gather for saunas, baths, and messages. The design of the bathhouse is ingenious. It used steam that flowed under different floor areas heating baths to different temperatures.
The floor framework in stone where the floorboards would be supported and steam would travel underneath.One of the baths in the bathhouse elevated above the steam channels.Area in Bathhouse where personal belongings would be stored. Similar to a locker
We walked along a street called “Alley of the Skeletons” one of the main streets of Pompeii . At the end of this street, there was a display containing a cast of a body from Pompeii.
Cast of body from excavation in Pompeii
The display is not a body but a cast of a body. During the excavation process, it was discovered that there were hollow spaces in the ash. They poured plaster into the hollow area and it formed a cast of the body.
Cast of body in Pompeii
We walked freely around the streets of Pompeii looking at the different buildings and streets. It was enjoyable but very hot and there was basically no shade throughout the entire three-hour tour of the Roman ruins. It was worth every bit of sweat to see the site. It is hard to put into words the amazing ruins and how well-preserved they were. Below are some of the pictures we took in Pompeii.
We went to visit Monaco which is the second smallest state in the world. It is just under two square kilometres and located on the Cote d’Azur, in the French Riviera and is bordered by France on three sides. There are stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Monaco harbour as we were heading up the mountain to Monte Carlo.
View of the Monaco Harbour
Monaco is located on the Alpes Maritimes and overlooks the Mediterranean sea. The world renown Grand Prix race is held in Monaco and runs through the streets every year.
Road in Monaco which is used for the Grand Prix race. Rubber marks on the curb are still visible from last years race cars
The James Bond movie “Golden Eye” was filmed in part at the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco.
Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco
The Casino de Monte-Carlo is well-known as a high roller casino where the rich come to play. While we were outside we saw some very expensive cars parked out front of the casino.
Expensive cars parked outside of the Casino de Monte-CarloA red Ferrari parked beside the Casino de Monte-Carlo
We decided to go into the Casino de Monte-Carlo to check out the inside. We only went into the lobby area and saw the interior entrance area. It was like a movie set from the 1930’s with marble floors, pillars and ornate decorations.
Lobby area of the Casino de Monte-CarloCeiling in the lobby area of the Casino de Monte-CarloCasino de Monte-Carlo main lobby area
We took a candid selfie while in the Lobby of the Casino.
After touring the casino lobby we headed back outside to walk around the city. From outside of the casino we could see the mountain tops in the distance.
View of Monte Carlo with the Alpes in the background
We came across the Prince of Monaco’s Palace during our walk.
Palace in Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo is a beautiful spot and is very clean and well maintained. Our guide informed us that the police are very friendly but strict and the rules are strongly enforced with fines. We were to follow the rules or risk a possible fine. We noticed that people cross the street at the crossings, there is no littering and people walk on the paths in the park and not on the grass. We even saw a tourist couple get put into a police cruiser with their dog for what appears to be allowing the dog to run loose with no leash.
We walked through this beautiful cliff top park which overlooks the Sea.
Park on the cliff edge in Monte Carlo Monaco
We walked along the path looking at the statues and panoramic views of the sea.
Statue in Monte Carlo ParkStatue in Monte Carlo ParkStatue of nude women playing Ping PongView from the Park looking at the marina in Monaco.
We walked the entire pathway which ran along the cliff edge of the park admiring the views.
Ray and Shelley with the Monaco Marina in background
Eventually, the trail ended at a lookout which overlooked the sea.
Lookout at Monte Carlo Park
Monaco is a beautiful spot and the views are gorgeous. We enjoyed our time there and wish we had more time to spend in Monaco.
“jusqu’à la prochaine fois et avoir une bonne journée”
We toured the “Papal Basilica of St. Peter” which is commonly referred to as simply St. Peter’s Basilica.
The St. Peter Basilica with Michelangelo’s done n the Vatican Rome
The history of the church and why it is called St Peter is interesting. Peter was one of the 12 apostles of Christ and was crucified upside down at the top of the hill called “Vaticanus” and the site of the Clementine Chapel. His remains are said to be those contained in the underground Confessio in St. Peter’s Basilica.
We entered the Basilica through the massive main doors and we were immediately exposed to the vast size of the church.
Entrance of the St. Peter Basilica in Rome
The high ceiling and ornate designs were very impressive. The high ceilings accented the vast size of the church. The ceilings were decorated with ornate gold designs and other art motifs with marble pillars throughout.
Ceiling in St Peter BasilicaCeiling section in St Peter Basilica
There were numerous statues throughout the church some of which were from the 1st century. These statues were created by many famous artists including Michelangelo. The first chapel on the right when we entered the Basilica contained the famous sculpture by Michelangelo “Pieta” which he completed before he was 25 years old.
Michelangelo’s “Pieta” sculpture
There were mosaic decorations that were very impressive including the mosaic decoration of the Martyrdom of St. Sebastian. It adorns the chapel of St. Sebastian and at the base of the chapel is the tomb of Saint John Paul II.
Chapel of Saint Sebastian in St. Peter BasilicaThe tomb of Saint John Paul II
The basilica floors were marble and had different designs. One area of the floor had engraved markings identifying different churches throughout the world and their size in comparison to St. Peter Basilica.
St. Peter Basilica floor with engravings of different Churches throughout the world
We went to the center of the Basilica and looked up to see the interior of the Michelangelo’s dome decorated by Calvalier d’Arpino. It is breathtaking with the rays of the sun shining through.
Interior of Michelangelo’s Dome in the St Peter Basilica
We saw so many different monuments, altars and works of art that were very impressive. One monument that was amazing was situated under the Michelangelo dome .
Monument under the Michelangelo dome in St Peter’s Basilica
There is an alabaster window which is quite impressive and large. It is located above the “Chair of St Peter” the window displays a dove signifying the holy spirit.
The window is very large and the dove wing span is 6 feet wide. The beauty of this window is unbelievable. The light shines through the alabaster window highlighting the dove in a stunning and brilliant manner. It is one of the most stunning pieces of art we have ever seen.
We exited the Basilica and stepped out to see and admired the St Peter Square. The size and scope of the square were amazing.
View from the front steps of the St Peter Basilica looking towards St Peter Square
We walked through the square and stopped to see two of the swiss guards who are the official guards of the Vatican since the 15th century. They are wearing their tradition dress uniform whose design is traditionally attributed to Michelangelo.
Two swiss guards protecting an entrance to the Vatican
St Peter Square is a very large area with several iconic features. The square is bordered by two colonnades. They are composed of pillars and on, top there are 140 statues of Saints.
End of the Colonnade in St Peter SquareOne of the colonnades at St Peter Square
From the far end of the square, you overlook the square with St. Peter’s Basilica and the Michelangelo dome in the distance.
View of Saint Peter Square
The square has an Egyptian obelisk from the 1st century which was erect in the centre of the square in the fifteenth century.
Egyptian obelisk of red granite, 25.5 metres tall, in the centre of the St Peter Square
We had a very long day walking through the Vatican museums, The Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Saint Peter Square. It was an amazing experience for us. Below are some pictures from St Peter’s Basilica and the St Peter Square.
Ray and Shelley in the St Peter Square with the St Peter’s Basilica in the background
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