2010 New Year 2010: BARCELONA IN BARCELONA WITH THE CAMPER CLUB CHANGING
(From 26.12.09 - 01.03.2010 at)
The whole group
26.12 to 10.30, from the point of meeting, the four campers Changing of the Club, under the guidance of Philip, unanimously appointed leader of the caravan, he began the trip to Barcelona by choosing the shortest route through the pass of Montgenevre. The trip will last all day through Briancon to Embrun, Sisteron at the gates of Provence, Arles, the Camargue up to take the autoroute towards Barcelona. We arrived in the evening to Carcassonne, a historic city in Languedoc, after 650 km of driving, parking under the walls of the Cité. After the dinner meeting of the entire company on Camper Toni where they are celebrating in joy, and delicious sparkling liquor with particular success in the base of licorice.
27.12
Alarm under a beautiful sunny day visit to the Cité, armed with cameras.
The famous citadel of Carcassonne, on a hill, was founded by the Romans, the Visigoths invaded by the Saracens, then to fall under the domination of the Franks in the eighth century. Under the reign of Louis IX became an important military fortress. La Cite, after the founding of the Lower Town began to lose its original military significance, being repeatedly dismantled. In 1835 began the immense restoration brought to light one of the most important examples in Europe of the medieval fortified city. The citadel is enclosed by a double ring of crenellated walls, defended by 52 towers. The exterior walls measure 1,672 m, and internal 1287. On the western side stand the castle and the Gothic Cathedral of St-Nazaire. The group of
Cambianesi and the surrounding area (hereinafter called "the Group") has been around the medieval village, between the small, winding streets and squares, with numerous boutiques. Many restaurants. On the right of the Castle Square is the Grand Puits, 40m deep well. The Group did not fail to visit the Gothic Cathedral of St.Nazaire.
Departure, before noon, direction Perpignan. A brief stop along the national coast for a quick lunch frugal (at least for this writer).
In the early afternoon is reached shortly after the frontier, the English town of Figueres to visit the Teatre-Museu Dali, the "gigantic surrealist object" as defined by the Dali, that the construction personally, and under which he was buried. The Catalan artist, born and died in Figueres (1904/89) has been living creating art as brilliant and amazing, bizarre and capricious and held that the excess as a rule The museum contains a wide range of works that describe the trajectory Art of Dali, from his early experiences: Impressionism, Futurism, Cubism and so on. and his creations within the surrealism to the works of the last years of his life. Although the work on display is fundamentally Dali (paintings, drawings, sculptures, compositions, etc..), there are also works of other artists including the private collection of Dali himself (Greek, Fortuny, Urgell, Meissonier, Duchamp, and Dou Bouguereau). Date
time you can not visit the museum, but the group did not give up and adhering to the desire to visit Paola decides to return from Barcelona, \u200b\u200bprecisely on January 2.
you start driving, is already almost dark in the direction of Roses, a beach resort 20 km. the homonymous bay (Costa Brava) You can find a free parking space on a plot about a hundred meters from the sea. After a dinner meeting in joy, this time on the camper Michele. Adds to the spirits of Carmela and Tony those of Philip and Laura, limoncello comparison between the two, you can not find the best, stop the search in order to avoid exhausting the contents of two bottles. A bunch of drunkards, and to switch around!
28.12 in the morning, before departure, a short walk along the beautiful promenade of Roses. Palm trees are full of date palms and parrots that make bellyfuls. Michael with his camera did not fail to grasp some image, we will see the beautiful site of the Camper Club di Cambio.
We leave to the goal. The day is pleasantly moderate along the undulating Carrettiera II with some beautiful views of the interior landscape Catalano, to Barcelona. The small caravan reaches the Costa Dorada, near Blanes. The 50 km of coast up to El Masnou, less jagged on the Costa Brava, as flat and calm, with long beaches, very popular and busy with lots of round, are skated in a couple of hours.
Camping Masnou (C / Camil Fabra, 33, 08320 El Masnou) about 20km from the center of Barcelona, \u200b\u200bsituated on the slope of the hill facing the sea, is already almost clogged with campers, mostly Italians. The Group combined system on a single platform, under low gnarled trees. The difficulty is overcome by the skill of the parking of campers and companions of effective instructions that direct the operations from the ground. The time About 14 when in their own cabin lunch, not frugal, this time. In the afternoon the group split. Most young people make a quick trip to Barcelona by train, the station of El Masnou at 500 m., the other making an excursion nrlla town that looks nice on the hill facing the sea. (
29.12 The Compact Group reached by train in 20 minutes, Barcelona with stops to Placa Catalunya in the city best known and reference especially for tourists, the most experienced. And 'here you will find the largest arteries, the beginning of La Rambla and the Barri Gotic and the presence of El Corte Ingles, the most famous department store in Barcelona
first impact with the crowded La Rambla. None of the group is lost, having as a reference point high above the silhouette of Philip, always, with his long strides, the whole company. In addition to the watchful eyes and attentive Michele nobody could escape. The women discuss among themselves, secure the protection of the Group.
The long shopping street, a grand boulevard plane for a length of 1180 m. runs from Placa Catalunya to the port sea. La Rambla was a symbol of Barcelona's most authentic, but also infamous. Today, as a whole has rediscovered the ancient theatrical vocation of humanity by attracting diverse place dedicated to a variety of activities, from trade exhibition of himself, the simple walk (ramblejar). And it is just walking along the Rambla which is almost impossible to stop and see the many street artists performing, without pause, in tests of their skills, earning the day, loaded in their original costumes. Events include what will become their stand for hours and so the Rambla is enriched with colorful and creative living statues. The Group continues walk, then return to the port on the Rambla and have lunch at one of the many tourist restaurants open where Mirka has not been refused.
After lunch the group will shine in your eyes of the nineteenth century phantasmagoric "Mercat de la Boqueria, all under cover. It 's the busy market of food-grade. After passing the arch of wrought iron and glass into a world of colors, smells and sounds, the desks are arranged artfully to win at first glance. Tourists flock especially the fruit stalls where they are cared for sale in single portions and delicious smoothies.
Group, is introduced by the Rambla in the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic The) a dense tangle of streets and squares on which the palazzi and churches that embody much of the medieval history of the city. The restoration of the whole area started in the 20's of 900, has returned to the area around the cathedral a picture of a great medieval capital. The route is viable in the Barri Gotic everything on foot, leaving so carried away by the atmosphere. Striking the Placa del Rei, the nerve center of the civil power in the Middle Ages (see the group photo)
During the walk through the Barri Gotic, it starts to get dark. The group heads towards the station, going over the Rambla. The evening ends in the camp in the company, directly on the camper and Filippo di Paola, with the usual carefree joy of the holiday, with the inevitable champagne, cake and the usual spirits & Toni C.
30.12 Today, like yesterday, the temperature is mild in the morning is already around 15 °. The group arrived in Placa Catalunya decides to use the tourist bus discovered (Barcelona City Tour), under the sun .. At a cost of € 21 per person, 17 for the one lucky senior (+65) of the group, Mirka can travel free in the stock market. You can turn the whole city all day. One can also get off at any stop, go back and visit the place on a bus after passing every 15 minutes. Tourist bus routes are two, the Group uses the first in the morning and the second after lunch. The shots with digital cameras are wasted. He hopes to see the beautiful site of the Camper Club The route embraces all the landmarks of the city, through the headset in Italian can be heard the explanations of the places, monuments, palaces and parks that are crossed. It 's a long walk on the tourist bus making an overall idea of \u200b\u200bthe city, through the Gothic Barcelona (Barri Gotic above), the SEA Barcelona Port Vell. revolutionized and reorganized since the last century, transforming a stretch of the promenade along the 5 km in one of the most popular and visited the city thanks to the many trendy bars, shopping malls, the Aquarium, one of the largest d ' Europe The arm of the old pier is attached to the Place of the Portal of Pau (Here we begin the Rambla) by a runner in wood and concrete, known as the Rambla de mar. The modernist Barcelona L'Eixample is an outdoor museum of modernism, a style close to Liberty here has had its best expression. The ROMANTIC BARCELONA La Ribera, the area around Santa Maria del Mar (one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the city), remained unchanged: to narrow roads do not let the sun too hot, the tiny balconies full of succulent plants. The Olympic Barcelona The Barcelona Olympic complex is almost entirely focused on Montjuic. Hill of 212 m. reachable by subway in the lowest and highest cable car in that. Formerly there was a lighthouse built in the seventeenth century, the castle can still be seen. The exploitation of the area dates back to 1929, during the Universal Exhibition with the arrangement of gardens, palaces and sports facilities, expanded and modernized for the 1992 Olympics. It 'also home to several museums. The MUNDANE The Diagonal Barcelona is a luxury area with the typical atmosphere of the metropolis: this is succession exclusive boutiques, restaurants and nightclubs, pompous hotel, commercial buildings, huge leafy boulevards, modern buildings that house home to prestigious businesses and buildings public.
Barcelona still almost two decades has been actively involved impetuous economic growth, which began with the great works built in the 1992 Olympic Games. .
The day the group spent the most of the tourist bus, with the interval for the midday snack based boccadillos delicious servings of fruit salad and the Boqueria market. La Sagrada Familia
A side note to Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926) the architect's most famous exponent of Catalan Modernism. They are typical of his work forms arrotondate.Barcellona always has lots of works by the famous architect and sculptor, among those in the photo above, the design of the Park Guell and the most famous and important monuments: Sagrada
FAMILY, a source of wonder to many. Imposing church reminiscent of the cathedrals of the Middle Ages to the long construction time (despite the use of modern technology, it is not expected before the end of the work a few decades). To her devoted Gaudi devoted his life began to deal with it in 1883 and 1915, esauritesi funding, we worked for free until his death in 1926 (under a tram). Gaudi conceived for a church complex symbolism, tied in numeric form three sides (the Nativity, Passion and Death, Glory of Christ), three main gates (the theological virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity), a central tower (Jesus Christ) surrounded by four towers (the evangelists) construction continues inspired by other events or characters of the New and Old Testament. To understand, at least in part, this complex symbolism is essential to visit the first museum housed in the crypt of the Sagrada Familia, the history of the construction of the complex. Among other things the museum is the only interior space actually concluded, as the heart of the church is still a construction site. The interior trim and plastics through video traces the work of Gaudi especially in recent years when the construction of the Sagrada Familia was also his home.
In the afternoon the group goes in search of a restaurant near the port or elsewhere to spend New Year's Eve prices are often unaffordable to give up the business. The Group does not give up and decided to celebrate New Year's Eve together and then go to the campsite, before midnight in Barcelona
returning to the camp, where this time the company meets the camper of John and Laura. Even here the celebrations are rampant as usual, including beverage and small snack.
31.12 The Group is preparing to celebrate New Year to camp, the weather is promising, there is a warm sun. Part of the group went to Barcelona for the purchase of the fish to use for dinner, Laura and Gabriella to roam El Masnou for other expenses, return laden with bags after traveled a dozen miles. walk. John and Mirka remain on guard.
In the afternoon each of the company is to be done, according to their skills. Tony and Carmela, the chefs prepare the fish. Michele scratch mussels then help the others for the construction of the camp for the table.
Dinner gets a resounding success, thanks to chefs who deserve the acclaim. Almost all made of a delicious "pasta with seafood" (this is the name?) Proprietary absolute Carmela and Tony. Someone has taken away the recipe. The cheerful table takes up about ten o'clock. After the dismantling of the camp and put everything in order, the Group set off for Barcelona to attend the arrival of the new year.
Laura, is to camp with Mirka. The dog has done well otherwise it would have a hairy chops in the crowd, especially sull'affollatissimo bus home, where he had barricaded themselves in like sardines. (A nightmare!).
New Year on the Rambla is completely cleared of stalls and cars on either side of the avenue, was a small disappointment, only large crowd, police everywhere, sales of beer and champagne. Placa Catalunya was off limits. All foreigners, mostly Italians. The party with special music and concerts certainly there, but elsewhere in the city. The Group
since midnight to bring a quiet place not far from the monument to Columbus C. unapproachable as surrounded by barriers, and drinking champagne uncorking led by Toni, all 'arrival in 2010. Lack of barrels, except the classic fireworks over the harbor glimpsed in the distance.
The return through the Rambla was adventurous among gay or drunken crowd. Broken bottles everywhere, at one point it rained dangerously in the middle of the road forming a mountain of glass from which flowed a faint smell of champagne .. Must be careful to avoid being hit by some earthenware bottle or misdirected.
The return was a bit 'difficult because after midnight as there is no longer the train, the Group had to use a night bus leaving from a side street to the Placa Catalunya. The boarding the bus 82n in the crowd waiting to enter it was to the white. Fortunately, all the Group was able to intrufolarvisi. After about an hour to travel under torture, the bus left the group a few miles from the campsite.
Finally at three o'clock in the morning or so each group of 01/01/2010 was safe on their campers. 01/01/2010
out day, with the intention to reach Girona to visit its attractive medieval town. The group had seen fit to settle the bill at the camping reception, the night before, thus avoiding the many campers out. The convoy soon reached Girona along the first stretch of highway, 50 km ina, with the beauty of three tolls. Not one enough? The visit of Girona is blown, the parking very far away from the center gave no expectations, as reported by Philip and Paul, went on ahead in a parking lot that was more to the center, an RV was the subject of burglary. The Group has decided, for the avoidance of unnecessary worries, leave after lunch, at a time directly to Roses Camping Joncar Mar, already saw the first leg, 30 m. from the sea, near the city. The address is: Apt 483 17480 ROSES (Costa Brava) Tel fax 972256702 - Carrettiera Figueres, s / n. The camp is completely flat, well-lined, excellent services.
(or almost equal to those of Camping Flaminio in Rome, according to Toni and confirmed by John) Trust and whether any of the players, assuming that someone will read it, had the opportunity to take advantage of it. Roses has a beautiful promenade and wide sandy beaches, is a fine place for a holiday. The group took advantage for a long walk to the port of the many luxury yachts and pleasure craft. Almost everyone was admiring the beautiful yachts, except for Laura who did not make it hot and cold. Toni was, however, especially those concerned with equipment for fishing high seas. The evening
the Group has determined that the camper Michele offered champagne brand specially brought for the occasion.
01/02/2010 - Departing early to reach 20 km Figueres, to visit the Museum of Salvador Dali, missed the first leg. A sure shot for the stand at 1 km. Museum. (See the note about the museum in the previous pages). After a pair of hours, the caravan goes on the road stopping at the English border (Antequera) to buy at the supermarket, at low prices, and lunch in the camper. Restart with the intention of reaching an appropriate stand from the Camargue and Provence, to stay overnight. Everything went smoothly behind the leader Philip until the barrier out of Montpellier. Here the row of cars was intense and Philip came out first, following the instructions of your browser, has taken a few hundred meters to the first exit Montpellier followed by Toni and Michael. John
not with the CB has not done in time and has continued to the Authority discontent (many!) In that crew!. Through the phone he agreed with John Gabriel of finding the exit of Aix en Provence. The shortest route is indicated by the navigator Philip proved to be the slower and more tortuous. However, the great doors of the Autogrill La Provence, the caravan is happily reunited with John Laura and waiting.
The evening was serene and the group spent the night along with many other campers in the area specially dedicated to them. Toni, taking the alarm out of service, spent the night in the campground of Aix en Provence with the agreement to join the next morning along the highway for Gap, as is the case then.
01/03/2010 - Departure at 8.30 and finish at 15.30 to the change without a hitch, after the lunch break at Susa and the last cup of coffee, a long series, prepared by Paola for all.
impressions of travel and holidays are all positive for the writer and Laura. The whole company is revealed, (Not 'was no doubt!) Pleasant, friendly and above all agree on every occasion. Laura and John, after so many trips for 20 years always alone, performed with enthusiasm the first trip in the company, acquiring new dear friends with whom they hope to replicate others.
