Spanish Panorama
In and around Spain
This is the journal from a two week coach trip around Spain, with a company called Archers (sister to an international company called Cosmos). The first part of the trip went well and hopefully I have a fairly full journal for it. However things began to go wrong at about the time I arrived in Seville. First I suffered a cold, then a serious stomach bug, all of which put me off note taking. However I will try to fill out the gaps a bit. One thing is for sure, coach trips when you feel really ill are not for the fainthearted. Another tip worth remembering is that it's well worth taking rehydration powders - I'll never travel without them again!!!
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler Kerry Taylor
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1
Madrid
When I arrive at my hotel I decide to rest up rather than go straight out on the town. I tend to do this when I’m travelling. I prefer to recover f... Continue reading »
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2
The Royal Palace, Aranjuez
I have breakfast this morning with Grandma and Pinky. Grandma was born in the Philippines but now lives in San Francisco. Pinky lives in Las Vegas... Continue reading »
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3
Arriving in Cuenca
It is very, very warm here in Cuenca. The hotel is very pleasant and well air conditioned. I’m forced to wait patiently whilst waiting for my... Continue reading »
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4
Leaving Cuenca
Up early this morning to grab an early breakfast. I share a table with a gentleman called Peter, who is also travelling alone. There are actually f... Continue reading »
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5
Arriving in Valencia
We were given a sample of Valencia’s astounding civic architecture, by driving across town to get to our Hotel. The Town Hall, Post Office an... Continue reading »
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6
Leaving Valencia
At breakfast this morning I end up keeping Grandma company. Pinky in still in bed, she doesn’t really do mornings. Grandma on the other hand... Continue reading »
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7
Peniscola
We are right on the coast now and keep getting little glimpses of the sea. Unfortunately any relatively flat land tends to be spoilt by those typic... Continue reading »
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8
Arriving in Barcelona
We enter Barcelona via the third biggest harbour in Europe. On our left is a huge cliff face covered by tiny buildings, that turns out to be the Je... Continue reading »
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9
Gaudi's Barcelona
Today starts with an included guided tour around the city with a guide called Carlos. As we drive off, we pass the Arch of Triumph that once formed... Continue reading »
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10
Leaving Barcelona
Breakfast today is a treat. For those with a sweet tooth there are mini sweet pastry rolls filled with custard, chocolate or fruit. Alternatively t... Continue reading »
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11
Saragossa
After a further drive we arrive at our first destination of the day, Saragossa. For me the most pressing thing I need to do is find some money. Fun... Continue reading »
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12
Pamplona
On the way into this famous town we pass an impressive Roman aqueduct. It’s in very good condition and seems to be almost complete. We finall... Continue reading »
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13
Santuario de Loyola
Our first stop of the day is Loyola (or Loiola). We draw up outside a fantastic building, the Santuario de Loyola. It’s dedicated to St Ignat... Continue reading »
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14
Bilbao
Our next stop is for lunch in Bilbao. It’s a remarkably tatty looking town, perhaps because it’s a major port. It reminds me of Calais... Continue reading »
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15
Burgos
Our final stop of the day is Burgos and a lovely hotel opposite the Hospital de la Concepcion. After making myself comfortable I decide to see if Y... Continue reading »
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16
Segovia
For several days now, a cold has been slowly working its way around the passengers on the coach. Sadly it seems to have reached me and I’m fe... Continue reading »
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17
Avila
Luis has told us that history is the theme of today. Avila is a remarkable town because of the perfect condition of it impressive medieval walls. I... Continue reading »
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18
Arriving in Salamanca
Oh my goodness, if I thought Avila was wonderful – Salamanca left it well and truly in the shade. It was a lovely warm Saturday evening when I set... Continue reading »
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19
Leaving Salamanca
We began today by driving round to the Roman bridge I had discovered yesterday. Here Luis arranges for us to take our group photographs, with the w... Continue reading »
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20
Trujillo for Lunch
Bearing in mind I’m still writing this journal from memory, I really didn’t think I’d be able to remember where we finally stopped for lunch. I hav... Continue reading »
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21
Arriving in Seville
After another long drive we finally arrive in Seville. There isn’t a great deal of time to do anything tonight as I have booked the trip to t... Continue reading »
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22
Seville
Today starts with an included tour of the city and a house call on the Duchess of Medinaceli – well okay she wasn’t actually there at the time, but... Continue reading »
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23
Jerez
Our first stop today is a town called Jerez. It’s not a town I would normally want to visit. In fact the area we drive through looks like a r... Continue reading »
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24
Ronda
Eventually the effects of the sherry wear off and we arrive at our next stop – Ronda. The first thing I really notice is that we are suddenly... Continue reading »
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25
Arriving in Granada
Our final destination today is Granada and despite being very hot and tired, I’m heading straight out after dinner to see some gypsy flamenco... Continue reading »
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26
The Alhambra, Granada
I get up this morning with a dodgy stomach. Luckily I have my huge supply of pills and potions that I always travel with (I should make a note for... Continue reading »
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27
Arriving in Cordoba
The rest of today passes in a blur. We drive onto our overnight stop at Cordoba and I drag myself up to the hotel room. It’s a lovely room with rea... Continue reading »
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28
The Mezquita, Cordoba
It was a really horrible night and I really don’t want to get up today. However I don’t have any choice – if I don’t get on the coach, they leave m... Continue reading »
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29
Arriving in Madrid
One good thing about today is that we never spend more than two hours on the coach. But I really do find myself checking my watch every ten minutes... Continue reading »
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30
Madrid
Today I do feel slightly better, my temperature is down and I manage a little food for breakfast. But I’m not really up for anything too ambitious... Continue reading »
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