Day 7 - Gaudi's masterpieces, a trip to Tibidabo and time for some tapas
The breakfast at Grupotel Gravina hotel was delicious and there was plenty to choose from. I started with chopped frankfurters, bacon, smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, beans and tomato. Just as I finished this I spotted a selection of cakes and pastries so went to take a closer look.
The chocolate donut was a bit dry but the chocolate and pecan nut cake was quite the opposite. I was full up by now but decided to get a coffee to finish breakfast on.
I returned to the table with my coffee and thought I may as well try the fruit juice, chocolate milk, pain au chocolat and really tasty iced muffin.
Our plan for today was to visit Tibidabo, a mountain behind Barcelona and home to a really good amusement park. We decided to walk there and look at some of Antoni Gaudi's finest buildings on the way. I have seen them lots of times before but they still fascinate me everytime I see them.
Casa Batllo is my favourite with its skull like balconies.
Our next destination was Sagrada Familia which eventually popped into sight.
The construction of Sagrada Familia is ongoing so there is always a new section to see each time you visit.
Parc Guell was very busy and hot so we had a very quick look before heading to an air conditioned 4D cinema nearby showing "The Gaudi experience"
The final part of the walk was uphill and it wasn't getting any cooler. These walls ice creams we picked up on the way may not have been hugely special but they did include 2 for 1 entry to the amusement park we were heading for.
We started our journey today close to the sea and apart from a five minute funicular ride up the mountain we had walked all this way, the view from Tibidabo was stunning.
Once inside the amusement park we headed for this rollercoaster.
Before reaching the rollercoaster we queued up for an hour in the direct sunshine for this water ride.
The queue for the rollercoaster was only about ten minutes and the first drop revealed an amazing view of Barcelona.
We stopped for some lunch but feared none of the food on offer here would be very special. This €4.25 hot dog proved us wrong though, a juicy hot dog sausage served in a crisp bun with ketchup and mustard, it was much bigger than we were expecting and tasted really nice 8/10
Next we headed on the fast and rickety Tibidabo express.
Before leaving we went on this gentle hanging gondola ride which gives amazing views over Barcelona and eventually goes into a dark themed area where a member of staff jumps out on you!
I don't think either of us expected to walk back to the hotel but once we started we just kept going, passing Guadi's La Pedrera on the way.
We stopped for a nice cold beer and some tapas close to the hotel in El Ravel.
These fresh anchovies drizzled with oil were amazing! 10/10
The patatas bravas was nice and the hot sauce was served separately 7/10
We expected the shish kebab to arrive on a skewer but the tender meat was served in a bowl with a delicious spicy sauce 9/10
The hot sauce arrived with some mayonaise, perfect to dip those potatoes into.
The catalan bread accompanied everything else nicely 8/10
This delicious tapas eaten in a beautiful El Ravel courtyard was a great end to the day.
It was a huge relief to enter the air conditioned hotel after being out in the sunshine all day.
Sadly the air con in our room was not working as effectively as it should have, I have since complained about this and the hotel have offered us a free night at the hotel next year!
Before going to bed I realised that I really should have put some sun cream on today!
Day 8 - Click here
Day 8 - Click here
Cool!
ReplyDelete