SPAIN 2016
9 Days 8 Nights ( 1st Leg )
Self Drive Trip - 4 Couples
8 Days 7 Nights ( 2nd Leg )
Self Drive Trip - 2 Couples
MAP OF OUR ROADTRIP: BARCELONA > VALENCIA > GRANADA > RONDA > SERVILLE > CORDOBA >TOLEDO > MADRID > AVILA > SERGOVIA > LAGUADIA > BILBAO > SAN SEBASTIAN > PAMPLONA > ZARAGOZA > MONTSERRAT > COSTA BRAVA > BARCELONA
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BARCELONA
Two of us arrived Barcelona in the afternoon from France. After we checked into Ayre Hotel, our first stop was Park Güell . We took a subway to the station near Park Güell, and walked about 20 mins of hilly road to reach the entrance. The entrance fee to Park Güell is 8 Euro each. The Park Güell is a public park system composed of gardens and architectonic elements located on Carmel Hill, in Barcelona, Catalonia. Carmel Hill belongs to the mountain range of Collserola – the Parc del Carmel is located on the northern face. - Montjuïc Castle - Las Arenes Shopping Centre Ayre Hotel Rosellon |
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BARCELONA
Rented two vehicles through RentalCars.com. One from 16-22 Jan, pick up Barcelona Airport and drop off Madrid Train Station from Keddy By Europcar for SGD330.47. The other from 16-31Jan, pick up and drop off at Barcelona Airport from Avis for SGD721.32. - Mercat de La Concepcio Market - Checked into Ayre Hotel - La Sagrada Família (Ticket 15 Euro booked through Internet; lift 4.50 Euro) - Casa Batlló - Casa Milà - Dinner at 1 Euro Tapas shop - La Rambla, Barcelona Ayre Hotel Rosellon (70 Euro a night) |
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BARCELONA > VALENCIA > GRANADA
- El Palmer - Valencia - Granada The port city of Valencia lies on Spain’s southeastern coast, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. It’s known for its City of Arts and Sciences, with futuristic structures including a planetarium, an oceanarium and an interactive museum. Valencia also has several beaches, including some within nearby Albufera Park, a wetlands reserve with a lake and walking trails. Smart Suites Albaicin (222 Euro) |
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GRANADA > RONDA
- Alhambra - Generalife - Albayzin - Sacromonte Granada is a city in southern Spain’s Andalusia region, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It's known for grand examples of medieval architecture dating to the Moorish occupation, especially the Alhambra. This sprawling hilltop fortress complex encompasses royal palaces, serene patios, and reflecting pools from the Nasrid dynasty, as well as the fountains and orchards of the Generalife gardens. Apartamento La Bola (240 Euro) |
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RONDA > SERVILLE
- Puente Nuevo Bridge - Old City - Alameda Del Tajo - Plaza de Toros - Roman Bridge - Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Merced - Arco de Felipe V Ronda is a mountaintop city in Spain’s Malaga province in Andalusia that’s set dramatically above a deep gorge. This gorge (El Tajo) separates the city’s circa-15th-century new town from its old town, dating to Moorish rule. Puente Nuevo, a stone bridge spanning the gorge, has a lookout offering views. New town’s Plaza de Toros, a legendary 18th-century bullring, is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Puerta Catedral Suites (340 Euro) |
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SERVILLE > CORDOBA
- Seville Cathedral - Hotel Alfonso XIII - Metropol Parasol - Plaza de España Seville is the capital of southern Spain’s Andalusia region. It's famous for flamenco dancing, particularly in its Triana neighborhood. Major landmakrs include the ornate Alcázar castle complex, built during the Moorish Almohad dynasty, and the 18th-century Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza bullring. The Gothic Seville Cathedral is the site of Christopher Columbus’s tomb and a minaret turned bell tower, the Giraldo. Apartamentos Plaza de Austria (188 Euro) |
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CORDOBA > TOLEDO
- Mosque of Córdoba - Roman bridge of Córdoba - Calahorra Tower - Roman temple of Córdoba Córdoba is a city in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. It was an important Roman city and a major Islamic center in the Middle Ages. It’s best known for La Mezquita, an immense mosque dating from 784 A.D., featuring a columned prayer hall and older Byzantine mosaics. After it became a Catholic church in 1236, a Renaissance-style nave was added in the 17th century. Cason del Corpus (183 Euro) |
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TOLEDO > MADRID
- Jewish Quarter - Mirador del Valle - San Martin Bridge - Plaza de Zocodover - Alcázar of Toledo Toledo is an ancient city set on a hill above the plains of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain. The capital of the region, it’s known for the medieval Arab, Jewish and Christian monuments in its walled old city. It was also the former home of Mannerist painter El Greco. The Moorish Bisagra Gate and the Sol Gate, in Mudéjar style, open into the old quarter, where the Plaza de Zocodover is a lively meeting place. Aspasios Calle Mayor Apartments (264 Euro) |
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MADRID
- Puerta del Sol - Plaza Mayor, Madrid - Mercado Anton Martin - Prado National Museum - Paseo del Prado - Plaza de Cibeles - Palacio de Cibeles - Gran Via - Mercado San Miguel Madrid, Spain's central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry. Aspasios Calle Mayor Apartments (264 Euro) |
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MADRID > AVILA > SERGOVIA > LAGUARDIA
- Valle de los Caidos - The Walls of Avila - The Four Posts - Segovia Aqueduct - Alcazar de Segovia - Cathedral of Segovia From Madrid, we set off to Valle de los Caidos, which is about 45 mins drive. After visiting the church inside the mountain, we set off to Avila, which was slightly more than an hour drive. We had lunch in a restaurant that is located just outside the walls of Avila. After lunch, we climbed to The Four Posts for a panoramic view of the walls surrounding Avila. Thereafter, we set off to Sergovia, which was an hour drive, arriving there in the evening. We had dinner here, and spend about 2 hours touring around the Aqueduct, Alcazar and old town area. Our final stop was Hotel Eguren Ugarte, 3 hrs 50 mins drive away. The Valle de los Caídos is a Catholic basilica and a monumental memorial in the municipality of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, erected at Cuelgamuros Valley in the Sierra de Guadarrama, near Madrid. Ávila, capital of the Spanish province of the same name, is a city in the rolling hill country northwest of Madrid. It’s best known for its intact medieval city walls, with 80-plus crenelated, semicircular towers and 9 gates, including the arched El Alcázar, on the eastern side. Long sections atop the walls are walkable. At night, the lighted walls are a distinctive sight. Segovia is a historic city northwest of Madrid, in central Spain's Castile and León region. Its centuries of settlement have resulted in a rich architectural legacy, including medieval walls, Romanesque churches, a former royal palace and a Gothic cathedral. Its iconic ancient Roman aqueduct has more than 160 arches, most in the original mortarless granite, and stands above Plaza Azoguejo in the heart of the city. Hotel Eguren Ugarte (155 Euro) |
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LAGUARDIA > BILBAO
- Eguren Ugarte - Bodegas Ysios The morning view from the restaurant is amazing. We can see the whole vineyard when the fog disappeared. Hotel Eguren Ugarte produces their own wines and olive oil, and hence the meal includes unlimited serving of their wines. After breakfast, we went for a tour at its vineyard and bought some wine. After checking out, we drove about 10 mins to Bodegas Ysios for some photos taking before heading to Bilbao (about 2 hrs drive). Laguardia is a town and municipality located in the southern province of Álava, in the north of Spain; it belongs to the region of Rioja Alavesa, in the Basque Autonomous Community. It has a population of 1500; but in the past it had 2500. Hotel Artetxe (110 Euro) |
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BILBAO > SAN SEBASTIAN
- Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao - Plaza Nueva - Zubizuri - Vizcaya Bridge, UNESCO listed Industrial Revolution icon - Gexto - San Juan de Gaztelugatxe 20 mins drive from Bilbao to Vizcaya Bridge. Took the bridge and drove to Getxo and to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (an hour 10 mins). Had a break before we climb up the church in San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Thereafter, we drove about 2 hours to San Sebastian, arriving late evening. After checking into hotel, we walked to the old town for dinner. Bilbao, an industrial port city in northern Spain, is surrounded by green mountains. It’s the de facto capital of Basque Country, with a skyscraper-filled downtown. It’s famed for the Frank Gehry–designed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, which sparked revitalization when it opened in 1997. The museum houses prominent modern and contemporary works, but it’s the curvy, titanium-clad building that receives the most attention. Hotel Arrizul Center (140 Euro) |
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SAN SEBASTIAN > PAMPLONA > ZARAGOZA
- La Concha Beach - Bridge of Maria Cristina - Puente del Kursaal - Getaria for lunch; 1-star Michelin Restaurant Elkano - Iglesia de San Salvador - Estatua Jose Sebastian Elkano - Pamplona - Town Hall Today, we start with breakfast in one of the restaurants in old town. Walked around the old town and to the La Concha Beach. After checking out, we drove about 40 mins to Getaria for seafood lunch (famous for their grill fishes). We tried two restaurants here, one by the fishing port and the other one is a 1-star Michelin restaurant, Elkano. Food at both restaurants taste good, but the service in Elkano is better. After lunch, the girls did some quick shopping here before we head out to Pamplona (1 hr 25 mins). We spend 2-3 hours in Pamplona, focusing only the bull run streets and city centre. After dinner, we drove to Zaragoza to stay the night. (1hr 45 mins). San Sebastián is a resort town on the Bay of Biscay in Spain’s mountainous Basque Country. It’s known for Playa de la Concha and Playa de Ondarreta, beaches framed by a picturesque bayfront promenade, and world-renowned restaurants helmed by innovative chefs. In its cobblestoned old town (Parte Vieja), upscale shops neighbor vibrant pintxo bars pairing local wines with bite-size regional specialties. Getaria is a coastal town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, in the North of Spain. This coastal village is located on the Urola Coast, with Zarautz to the east and Zumaia to the west. Pamplona is the capital of Navarre province in northern Spain. It’s best known for the Running of the Bulls (Feast of San Fermín) in July. During this legendary multiday festival, bulls are led through the city streets by daredevil runners. A major stop along the Camino de Santiago, a medieval-era pilgrimage route, Pamplona is also home to Gothic-style churches including fortresslike San Nicolás. Hotel Sauce (90 Euro) |
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ZARAGOZA > MONTSERRAT > PALAFRUGELL
- Puente de Piedra - Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar - La Seo del Salvador - Plaza del Pilar - Calle Alfonso I - Montserrat Monastery Spend the morning touring the river side, the Basilica and shopping street in Zaragoza before we start our drive to the Montserrat Monastery (slightly more than 3 hours drive). We spend the whole afternoon here, and left for Palafrugell in the evening. Zaragoza is the capital of northeastern Spain's Aragon region. Overlooking the Ebro River in the city center is baroque Nuestra Señora del Pilar basilica, a famous pilgrimage site with a shrine to the Virgin Mary and multiple domes. Mudéjar-style landmarks, combining Islamic and Gothic architecture, include the Aljafería, an 11th-century Moorish palace, and the Cathedral of the Savior, begun in the 12th century. Montserrat is a mountain top monastery in Catalonia, Spain. Situated atop an unusual rock mountain, it is very popular among Catalans, and Catholic pilgrims come from far and wide to see the Black Madonna. The monastery is Catalonia's most important religious retreat and groups of young people from Barcelona and all over Catalonia make overnight hikes at least once in their lives to watch the sunrise from the heights of Montserrat. At 1236 meters (4055 ft) above the valley floor, Montserrat is the highest point of the Catalan lowlands, and stands central to the most populated part of Catalonia. The stone monolith is ideally located to play an important role in the cultural and spiritual life of Catalonia. Hotel Llevant (97 Euro) |
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LLEVANT
- El Port de la Selva - Cap de Creus Lighthouse - Corçà, Girona, Pottery village - Dinner at Hotel LlaFranch Drove an hour 30 mins from Llevant to El Port de la Selva and had light meal here. Next, we drove 40 mins to Cap de Creus Lighthouse for lunch. Here, you can enjoy sweeping views of the ocean from atop the cliffs. From here, we drove 1 hr 30 mins to Corçà, Girona, which is famous for its pottery. Patrick and Jean bought quite a number of pottery stuff here. Drove back to Llevant and had dinner at Hotel LlaFranch. Tried the Uni here, which is suppose to be in season. The taste, however, pales compared to the one we had in Japan. As its name suggests ('llevant' means 'east' in Catalan), this is Barcelona's easternmost beach. It opened in 2006 making it the city's newest beach. Until relatively recently, factories and other facilities almost reached the shoreline but today the beach is another of the seafront recreational spaces used by locals and visitors alike. Hotel Llevant (97 Euro) |
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LLEVANT > BARCELONA
- Tossa de Mar - The Wall Vila Vella (old town) After we checked out from Hotel Llevant, we drove towards Tossa de Mar, taking the winding road as suggested by the hotel reception for the best view of the ocean and cliffs. Took us about an hour 15 mins to reach Tossa de Mar. We had lunch here before heading back to Barcelona (slightly more than 2 hrs). Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, is known for its art and architecture. The fantastical Sagrada Família church and other modernist landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí dot the city. Museu Picasso and Fundació Joan Miró feature modern art by their namesakes. City history museum MUHBA, includes several Roman archaeological sites. Ayre Hotel Caspe (144 Euro) |
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BARCELONA > SINGAPORE
- Arc de Triomf - Barcelona Cathedral - Gothic Quarter, Barcelona - Historical Cafe Granja M. Viader - La Boqueria |
TRIP PHOTOS - SPAIN 2016