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Good afternoon from sunny Barcelona! Hope you are all well.
Well, I am not entirely sure how we made it here, but we have. We have had to endure to painstakingly long train trips since we last blogged, the first being from Rome down to NIce and then after a brief stay in the south of France, another all day ride to our current location, Barcelona.
Rome proved to be one of, if not the highlight of our trip so far. The sights did not disappoint, and we tried to use our 4 days wisely to ensure we got to see them all!
After visiting the Vatican (which is where we left you guys last I believe), we were blown away by the enormity of the Colloseum, Basillica and Pantheon.
The heat in Rome was sapping, but we didnt let it deture us as we walked pretty much all over Rome (with the exeption of a tram ride part of the way across the city to the Colloseum).
The hostel we stayed at was also a huge highlight of ours. The guys who ran it (Raul and Titto) were absolute legends and we also met some really great guys & gals during our stay.
After cutting right back on our alcohol intake during our first 3 nights in Rome what with the early starts for sightseeing, we thought it would probably be best that with an early train to catch for Nice the next day, we make it 4. Anyway, that original plan never materialised and we awoke at half 9 the following morning, with our half 8 train to Nice, missed.
Luckily for us, our new Spanish friend David was willing to take the some route to Barcelona via Nice, and was taking a later train to do so. We had reserved seats on the earlier train but travelled to the station in the hope that we could blag it! In the end, it was much a do about nothing, as we didnt even have our reservations checked, but it was still a pretty harrowing experience, especially as we were still more than feeling the effects from the night before!
After this experience, we have decided that the rest of the trip will be a "non-alcoholic" affair...sorry, that should have read "the rest of the trip to Nice".
After this ordeal, we eventually rocked up in Nice at around half 10 in the evening, tired, oderful and ready for bed. Unfortunately, Spanish David and Sarah (who we had met at Nice train station) were not able to reserve a room at the hostel we were staying at so they intended to roam the streets until early morning, when Sarah would catch a connection to get to Amsterdam, and David would catch a train to Cannes, back to Nice, back to Cannes, back to Nice, back to Cannes and back to Nice, so that he had somewhere to sleep!
The next day was spent in Monaco. It had everything you expect. A huge array of expensive cars & boats, beautiful views from the shore and astronomical prices (though actually cheaper than Nice!). We spent around 5 hours there before heading back to Nice to catch the 2nd half of the football (should have stayed in Monaco!).
The next day, we are up early to grab some food before heading off to attempt to catch a train out of France. Now for anyone has has travelled into and then out of France via train before, you will probably understand when I say, its easier said than done!
Anyway, after a bit of banter with the International ticket office, we decided to plump for a reservation to Avignon, from there, we would catch a bus and two more connections to reach Barce (€21 for the privillage as well!).
And this is where we find ourselves. We crashed as soon as we got here last night and have been sorting out clothes washing so far today (believe me, it has become a priority for the both of us!) but we will be venturing out right after I have finished up here and Max is done grooming himself.
We will be in Barce for 3 more nights before heading down to Valencia for 2 nights. From there, its across to Madrid for 3 nights before crossing the border for the 7th time to hit Lisbon!
You'll next update should arrive via Valencia or Madrid, until then, despedida!
- comments
Cath and Dad Hi Steve and Max. WOW what a journey. Sounds like you are both having a blast. Enjoy Spain it is lovely but very hot. See ya soon xxxxxx