FUN-travel: Northern Spain – SOS Del Rey Catolico to Pamplona
July 15, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Northern Spain – SOS Del Rey Catolico to Pamplona
Day 4 – Friday, July 13 – SOS Del Rey Catolico to Pamplona, Spain
Pamplona
What I LIKE
Pamplona Partiers
- the Euro exchange rate is at an all time low
- the most expensive local wine in the grocery store is $6
- only takes 45 minutes to get here
- Zenit Hotel is 1.5 miles from Pamplona City Center
- free shuttle every 20 minutes
- away from the maddening crowds
- fresh, crispy bread
What I DON’T LIKE
- too much bread – not enough vegetables
FF (FUN-fact) – The Running of the Bulls happens every year from July 6th to the 14th.
FUN-travel: Northern Spain – Barcelona to SOS Del Rey Catolico
July 13, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Northern Spain – Barcelona to SOS Del Rey Catolico
Day 3 – Thursday, July 12 – Barcelona to SOS Del Rey Catolico, Spain
Church Bells in SOS
What I LIKE
Afternoon Walk
- took another sleeping pill and slept great
- 8:00 am turn on TV to see live feed of today’s running of the bulls!
- got rental car and drove away fully armed with directions
- Road Atlas + Garmin + Google maps almost guarantees hassle free driving!
- nice roads – but you pay for them – 28 Euros to go 350 miles
- arrive 4:30 pm – nice walk through town takes an hour
- staying at Parador – once an Aragonese mansion – hotel is located in the centre of this charming medieval walled city on top of a hill – (looks like Italy)
- sipping a nice cold beer on balcony patio with symphony of birds chirping & views to the Pyrenees
- sunsets @ 9:30
What I DON’T LIKE
- having to double check everything – Hertz reservation was screwed up – took 30 minutes to straighten out
- unemployment rate @ 25% makes us potential targets for thieves
Church Entrance
FF (FUN-fact) – Paradores are luxury accommodations in Castles, Palaces, Fortresses, Convents, Monasteries and other historic buildings. There are also modern hotels, built in traditional style, in areas of outstanding beauty.
FUN-travel: San Diego to Northern Spain – 17 Days
July 13, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: San Diego to Northern Spain – 17 Days
Day 1 – Tuesday, July 10 – San Diego to Barcelona, Spain via London
What I LIKE
- 8:05 pm flight
- non-stop to London
- 2 business class seats only 100,000 miles
- full lay down seat
- taking a sleeping pill
- waking up feeling mildly refreshed
- able to get on local time zone
What I DON’T LIKE
- the actual airport/travel experience
Day 2 – Wednesday, July 11 – London to Barcelona, Spain – arrive Barcelona airport 8:30 pm
What I LIKE
- Barcelona airport – no visa – no reciprocity fee – smooth sailing through customs! It wins a Gold Medal in the Travel Olympics! 10+ rating
- free shuttle to Renaissance airport hotel
What I DON’T LIKE
- having to go back through security when I am changing planes (it borders on the ridiculous!)
- waiting on delayed flights
- paying for internet at any hotel! the LAST TIME I will ever stay at a MARRIOTT property (this is 2012! we’ve had free internet all over the world)