A Barcelonian visit would not be complete without a wander through the streets to sample the local fare. Our faves:
Cervecería Catalana – renowned for it’s tapas and an excellent little breakfast spot. Petite Spanish Omelettes stuffed with potato, served with slender, crunchy tomato rubbed bread fingers. ‘Huevos Cabreados’ a curious dish of shoestring fries with fried egg and spicy salsa, blended into a big mush at the table by the waiter…a novel take on egg ‘n chips and sure to be a Pom pleaser. All washed down with sweet freshly squeezed orange juice and superb coffee.
Sangrias on La Rambla, a popular pedestrian street, impressive but way overpriced, served by a rude, tourist jaded waiter. Sipping the big bowls while people watching the cruise ship exodus of chubby folk in three quarter length pants, sneakers and NYC t’shirts made the effort worthwhile.
Irati Taverna, a fabulous stand up bar in the old quarter, interesting morsels washed down with a fruity local red.
Pinotxo at the Boqueiro Markets. Watch them cook hot tapas morsels with market fresh findings that vary by the moment, we tried rabbit ribs and fried artichoke hearts.
Botafumeiro Restaurante for purportedly the best Seafood Paella in town. Shared an exceptionally tasty one quite unlike the usual yellow fare being hawked near the Park Guell and other touristy spots. Superb service too.
Fab food, good buddy, sunny skies…loved Barcelona. And now to Paris!
Hello Bruges. Arriving at the ever so quaint ‘Cote Canal’ B&B, our gracious host Caroline welcomes us to beautifully appointed suites overlooking the canal while sharing the city’s highlights. We learn that Colin Farrell actually lodged in Fifi’s suite while filming ‘In Bruges’…the room also referred to as the honeymoon suite or ‘play room’. Hearing this my mind starts to wander …Fifty Shades of Grey…me and Colin, Colin and I. But I digress!
We also meet Fidel, a friendly Labrador quite famous for doing absolutely nothing but snoozing in the window facing the canal to the delight of boats laden with tourists plying the waterways. Commercials, the movie, postcards, tourism brochures all under his belt, a star completely oblivious to the paparazzi.
little place is Bruges! Orientate with a canal boat cruise, horse and carriagejaunt and a stroll across the ‘golden triangle’ scenic spots, iconic monuments, galleries and churches.
