Detailed Photo Review of Carnival Sunshine 12-Night Mediterranean Cruise 9/8/13

[deladane]

After that, we went back up the Ramblas to the Boqueria Market. I was greatly looking forward to walking through this market, and it exceeded my expectations! It was very lively and crowded as we were there at lunch time. Vendors were selling everything you can imagine- fish, meat, fruit, veggies, candy, wine, cheese, bread, and more! We bought some fruit juice (I had the orange, strawberry, and pineapple juice and it was delicious!), and wandered around the market.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[deladane]

I thought this vendor was pretty funny... she sold eggs! And a LOT of them!!

 

I really wanted a crepe for lunch, but the line was too long!

 

As we were leaving the market, we walked passed a restaurant that caught my eye. It was called Wok and Walk, and they served make-your-own-stirfry dishes in cute take out containers. I picked udon noodles with chicken, mushrooms, and a sweet and sour sauce, and it was great! They cooked it very quickly and I ate my lunch as we walked the rest of the Ramblas and back to the hotel.

 

 

 

 

[deladane]

We rested at the hotel for a few minutes, and then took a taxi to the Picasso Museum. We arrived at 2:30pm and there was a huge line to enter. Luckily, we had pre-purchased our tickets, allowing us to skip the line. Our scheduled time was at 3pm, but they let us enter when we arrived a half hour early. We read the Rick Steves walking tour along with what was posted on the museum walls, although I found that we really didn't need Rick Steves because it basically said the same things on the museum walls anyway. We spent about an hour at the museum, and while I enjoyed it, I don't think it would have been worth waiting on that long line.

 

 

 

 

After we left the museum, we walked through the Barri Gotic neighborhood back to the Gothic Cathedral to catch the orange route for the HOHO bus, since this was the second of our 2 days on the pass and we had only done one of the routes yesterday. The first half of this route was interesting, but we were bored with the second half as it drives to very spread out sites all over the city and offers very little info on the audio guide. It took us 2 hours to complete this loop, approximately the same timing as yesterday, but yesterday's itinerary was much better.

 

Las Ramblas

 

 

The Olympic Stadium

[deladane]

One thing I did want to point out was that our bus was basically empty. I don't know if it is because this route is less common or because it was so late in the afternoon, but either way, the upper level had tons of open seats for nearly the entire ride!

 

 

We got off the HOHO bus when it got back to Placa Catalunya, and walked back to our hotel by 6pm. We got changed and left for dinner by 7pm. Tonight's plan was to go back down to the beach for dinner and to watch the fireworks. We rode the metro bus from a stop around the corner from our hotel for 15 minutes to Barceloneta Beach. Our timing was pretty good because we arrived right as the sun was setting.

 

 

 

[deladane]

Once the sun set, we doubled back to the marina harbor area to check out the vendors, restaurants, and a big carnival. We ate dinner outside at a restaurant caled Hispano Restaurant. They had a price fixe menu for 18.75 Euro including an appetizer, entree, dessert, and wine.

 

 

 

Patatas bravas

 

They serve a Catalunyan style of paella mariscos that is made with very thin short noodles. It was very unique and I really liked it since I always prefer pasta over rice anyway! Mom and I both ordered it as our entree, so they brought it out in the pan to show us, and then they divided it up onto two plates for us to eat.

 

 

Casaba melon for dessert

[deladane]

After dinner, we walked around the carnival for a little while.

 

 

 

After that, we walked back down to the beach to get a spot to watch the fireworks. I would say these fireworks were mediocre at best. As someone who has stood on the FDR Drive in Manhattan to watch the Macy's 4th of July fireworks in person, these fireworks were a bit of a letdown. Apparently they were part of a competition from the La Merce Festival, so that's why I had somewhat high expectations. The most interesting part was to see the locals react- there were audible oohs and ahhs from the crowd, so I guess the fireworks were pretty good by Spanish standards lol

 

 

The fireworks lasted about 20 minutes, then we quickly got a cab back to the hotel. Once again, it was very loud outside the hotel all night with whistles blowing, car horns honking, people screaming, and loud music playing from Placa Catalunya. I think there was actually a concert there for the Festival. After another long day of touring around the city, we were exhausted and managed to fall asleep despite the noise.

 

Up next: our Gaudi-filled last day in Barcelona!

[Jeafl]

Your pictures of the market are gorgeous! I think it looks even nicer than the Rialto market in Venice.

[trippingpara]

Thank you for the awesome photos, especially of the Boqueria Market. We have rented a rooftop apartment right across the street from the market for a few days after Vista's inaugural cruise. I can't wait to go food shopping in the market and then run back across the street to cook it and then sit out on the rooftop deck, eat, sip some wine and people watch Las Ramblas below us! Again, thank you for reposting this review!

[deladane]

Your pictures of the market are gorgeous! I think it looks even nicer than the Rialto market in Venice.

We skipped the Rialto market in Venice, but the Boqueria was very unique. I wish I could have captured it from overhead somehow because the market was so huge and it would be neat to see a bird's eye view. Every time I look at these photos, it makes me hungry haha

 

Thank you for the awesome photos, especially of the Boqueria Market. We have rented a rooftop apartment right across the street from the market for a few days after Vista's inaugural cruise. I can't wait to go food shopping in the market and then run back across the street to cook it and then sit out on the rooftop deck, eat, sip some wine and people watch Las Ramblas below us! Again, thank you for reposting this review!

 

Oooh what a fabulous location for your apartment!! Plus you'll be super close to the HOHO bus stops, public transit, and all the fun things to do in that neighborhood! How many days are you staying there?

[trippingpara]

We skipped the Rialto market in Venice, but the Boqueria was very unique. I wish I could have captured it from overhead somehow because the market was so huge and it would be neat to see a bird's eye view. Every time I look at these photos, it makes me hungry haha

 

 

 

Oooh what a fabulous location for your apartment!! Plus you'll be super close to the HOHO bus stops, public transit, and all the fun things to do in that neighborhood! How many days are you staying there?

 

We are staying on Las Ramblas for 3 days post cruise. Is the Rialto Market at or near the Rialto Bridge in Venice? We got a hotel right at the foot of the Rialto Bridge pre-cruise (plus a couple days at an apartment in Trieste).

[Bimmer09]

So glad you visited and beautifully photographed Boqueria market-mouthwatering shots!

 

We have to fit in a visit there after our Gaudi tour (9.30 to 1.30 Oct 3).

At 5 pm that day we visit the Picasso museum-great to see it in your review.

We have timed tickets for 5 pm so no waiting in line. I don't like waiting in line at the best of times but when I only have two days to see a Treasure Chest which is Barcelona....have to avoid.

 

Any pickpocketing concerns while you were in the market?

 

I will be sorry to see this review ending.

 

Norris, flying in 2 days to Rome

[Jeafl]

We are staying on Las Ramblas for 3 days post cruise. Is the Rialto Market at or near the Rialto Bridge in Venice? We got a hotel right at the foot of the Rialto Bridge pre-cruise (plus a couple days at an apartment in Trieste).

 

Yes, the Rialto market is right near the bridge. It is basically two large sections, one seafood and one fruits and vegetables. They were selling sea creatures that I never even knew existed!

[deladane]

Sunday, September 22 - Barcelona, Spain

 

Today was another one of the days I was most looking forward to on this vacation. Our plan was to visit all of the Gaudi buildings, and I saved it for today as an exciting end to our vacation (and because many other things in Barcelona are closed on Sunday, so it worked well to spend the day inside museums haha)

 

I got up around 8am, got ready, and went downstairs for another great breakfast at the hotel. At 9am, we left the hotel and took the metro to Sagrada Familia! The metro stop is literally right next to the church, and I thought this sign was pretty funny considering it is still under construction and they don't know when it will be completed...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We walked across the street and around to the other side of the building to find the main entrance. Of course, there was a huge line to enter when we arrived, but that didn't bother us because we pre-purchased our skip-the-line tickets for 10am. They allowed us to enter at 9:45am, and we waited in line for about 10 minutes to pick up the audio guides. Rick Steves does have a written walking tour for Sagrada Familia, but the audio guides on site only cost a few extra Euros, so we decided that would probably allow us to appreciate it more.

 

We spent a little over an hour walking around and taking photos. It is such an intricate and beautiful church with incredible details at every turn. I did remember to bring my skirt today, but it turned out that the guards didn't care if your knees were covered or not. I saw many people inside wearing shorts, so I left my skirt in my purse and walked inside with no trouble.

[deladane]

Here are a bunch of photos from inside and outside the Sagrada Familia:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[deladane]

 

 

 

 

They were holding Sunday mass in a chapel downstairs, but these windows offered a good view to see inside...

 

 

 

[deladane]

We also walked through the museum in the basement. It was surprisingly interesting- they had photos of the various stages of construction, and they had models on display for how the church will look when it is completed.

 

 

 

 

This model shows the premise behind how Gaudi designed the church. It is meant to look like the mirror image of draped ropes hanging down.

 

 

 

 

 

[deladane]

Once we were finished, we took the metro to the Passeig de Gracia stop and walked along the Block of Discord up to Casa Batllo.

 

 

 

 

 

Casa Batllo was one of the houses that Antonio Gaudi built. It was whimsical and ornate, and there are no straight lines in the structure so all the corners and windows and door frames have rounded edges. The balconies on the front facade are designed to look like Venetian masks.

 

 

 

[deladane]

The line to enter was not too long when we arrived, but we had pre-purchased our tickets anyway. The tickets for Casa Batllo are bought for a specific day, but you can enter at any time, and it included the audio guide as well. We walked through all the floors and up to the roof. There were a lot of stairs involved, but they also have an elevator if you need it (just be prepared to wait a loooong time because the elevator only holds 2-3 people and there is only 1 so it takes a while before it stops at your floor and is empty enough for you to get on lol)

 

 

 

 

 

This was a video display that was really cool to watch. It repeats on a 3-minute loop, and the lights and music were exciting to watch.

 

 

After the video display, I walked up these stairs...

 

 

[deladane]

...to reach the roof! I certainly had never seen a roof or chimney like this before!

 

 

 

 

We left Casa Batllo around 1pm and were ready for lunch, but surprisingly, there were very few options. We headed in the direction of the next Gaudi house and kept our eyes open for somewhere to eat.

 

Burberry store (too bad it was closed because it was a Sunday!)

 

[TxStacey]

Congrats on your engagement! I am sailing out of Barcelona next July on the Harmony of the Seas..7 day itinerary..but many of the same ports as your 12 day. We will be in Barcelona just 2 days prior to cruising. I am loving your pictures. Since we only have 2 days, we are also considering the HOHO bus. Would you still recommend 2 days on it or just 1? Also what would you consider the highlights that we must see in 2 days? Thanks for taking the time to write this an post pictures..they are awesome!

[deladane]

Congrats on your engagement! I am sailing out of Barcelona next July on the Harmony of the Seas..7 day itinerary..but many of the same ports as your 12 day. We will be in Barcelona just 2 days prior to cruising. I am loving your pictures. Since we only have 2 days, we are also considering the HOHO bus. Would you still recommend 2 days on it or just 1? Also what would you consider the highlights that we must see in 2 days? Thanks for taking the time to write this an post pictures..they are awesome!

 

Thanks Stacey! Which ports are you visiting on your cruise? If you only have 2 days in Barcelona, then I think you should just do 1 day of the HOHO bus. Of the things I did, I'd say you should do the Green route for the HOHO bus and only get off for Park Guell (since that is the best/easiest way to get to the park aside from paying for a taxi), definitely go to Sagrada Familia and maybe one of the other two Gaudi houses (Casa Batlo or Casa Mila, don't do both with limited time), definitely walk along Las Ramblas and visit the Boqueria market (try to go at lunch time so you can eat while you are there!). If you have time one night, try to check out the Magic Fountains!

[mj]

First off, congrats on your engagement.

 

It was fun to go back and re-read your review again since I did a Med cruise this year. You did a great job on your review.

[Jeafl]

You look like you had some spectacular weather in Barcelona! There was not a cloud in the sky in your last set of pictures!

[deladane]

First off, congrats on your engagement.

 

It was fun to go back and re-read your review again since I did a Med cruise this year. You did a great job on your review.

Thank you! :)

 

You look like you had some spectacular weather in Barcelona! There was not a cloud in the sky in your last set of pictures!

We actually had fantastic weather for the entire trip! It rained a bit in Croatia and Naples, and it was VERY hot in Athens and Turkey, but other than that, it was clear sunny skies and warm weather. September tends to be a good weather month in the Mediterranean because it is after the peak heat of the summer but before the autumn rainy season.

[deladane]

We ended up finding a nice restaurant on the second floor of this fancy, old building.

 

 

I ordered the seafood risotto... it was very tasty, and it reminded me of yet another variety of paella (my third in 3 days haha)

 

 

We pre-purchased tickets for 3pm to see Gaudi's other house, Casa Mila. We arrived at 2:20pm and they allowed us to enter early. Since the audio guides had been so helpful at Sagrada Familia and Casa Batllo, we decided to upgrade our tickets for an extra 4 Euros to add the audio guide here. It is interesting to note that people actually live in this building on the lower floors. I couldn't imagine really living in a public museum like that, but the residents use a separate elevator bank, and visitors are escorted to the museum floors so we weren't walking through the private apartments.

 

 

 

Our first stop was to go straight up to the roof. This roof was even more impressive than the one at Casa Batllo! There were tons of stairs going up and down the wavy roofline, and the chimneys all resembled warriors. Yet another example of Gaudi's creative genius!