June 29, 2011-10 "MAGICAL" nights in the Mediterranean

[thinkoflaura]

Crazy, Shel!!! So glad you got a flight!

We leave for London in a few hours. Bursting with excitement!

Can someone bring an extra copy of the FE exchange list for me? I forgot to print it at work and my home printer ran out of ink.

Can't wait to meet you all at 3pm before sail away (what's the location again? I have it in my email but just remind me please!)

Safe travels, everyone!!

Laura

 

[keenercam]

Hi, everyone! We are leaving for the airport and I just wanted to wish everyone safe travels. Looking forward to seeing 37 of you at dinner Tuesday and everyone else on Wednesday at 3.

Bon voyage!

 

[macassi]

We're packing. Yippee! Of course, we are missing an itouch...

The meet is in the Promenade Lounge. Looking forward to seeing everyone at dinner and/or the meet!

 

[MissReeRee]

So excited everyone is starting to catch flights! We still have a few more days, but I can't wait to hop on the flight!
Speaking of which our flight time got moved up to 8 am and we will be landing a couple of hours earlier... Our port check in time is 1pm, if we get there earlier can we check in anyways?

 

[MissReeRee]

Also for all those spending some time in barcelona please hit up my favorite Spanish "fast food" 100 Montaditos! Its a sandwich/beer place. The table have menues you write in what you want and then take it up to the register. Please order my favorite chorizo and brie! The sandwiches are 1-2 euro each and small enough so that you can try a few different varieties.

Also if you are looking for a summer drink order some tinto de verano (this is EVERYWHERE!) its pretty much red wine and orange or lemon soda and is similar to sangria but is VERY light and refreshing for summer...

 

[macassi]

So excited everyone is starting to catch flights! We still have a few more days, but I can't wait to hop on the flight!
Speaking of which our flight time got moved up to 8 am and we will be landing a couple of hours earlier... Our port check in time is 1pm, if we get there earlier can we check in anyways?

I put an early port check in time without thinking that we were trying to meet relatives for lunch before boarding, so we are basically swapping times!

 

[sinnika]

We leave tomorrow! So excited that everyone is on their way or leaving soon! I still havew a few odds and ends to take care of, but we are READY!!!! Hope everyone has a safe journey. See you in Barca or on the boat!

 

[kmc33]

We are all packed up and leave tomorrow!

Safe travels everyone! See some of you in Barcelona for tapas and looking forward to meeting everyone on the Magic.

Thanks for the tips Rebecca! Can't wait to try a tinto de verano! I could use on right now!!! And we will watch for 100 Montaditos.

Hasta luego! Ciao ciao!

 

[DorothyDamato]

Also for all those spending some time in barcelona please hit up my favorite Spanish "fast food" 100 Montaditos! Its a sandwich/beer place. The table have menues you write in what you want and then take it up to the register. Please order my favorite chorizo and brie! The sandwiches are 1-2 euro each and small enough so that you can try a few different varieties.

Also if you are looking for a summer drink order some tinto de verano (this is EVERYWHERE!) its pretty much red wine and orange or lemon soda and is similar to sangria but is VERY light and refreshing for summer...

Yum - sounds like a strange combo...brie with Chorizo?! But my only vice in life is food - and this sounds good! see ya there! Just googled! There is one on the same street our hotel is on! We are on Avenida Diagonal! Got on today (too buzy to check last few days) and everyone is leaving! Freaky Deaky!

 

[keenercam]

Hi, everyone! We are in Barcelona and enjoying ourselves immensely already. We are at the Barcelona Catedral Hotel right next to the cathedral. Our flight landed at about 8:00 a.m. and after getting luggage we got a minivan cab. It was 34€ plus 1€ per large suitcase in the boot.

Arrived at the hotel around 10 a.m., checked our large bags, cleaned up and changed clothes and then went out to explore. We had a nice breakfast at a little place near our hotel and then toured the Cathedral. We walked Las Ramblas, the kids got a bite at Burger King and then we went to Hard Rock Cafe to pick up a tee shirt for our niece. Our rooms were ready at 2 and we napped until 5:30. We are going to a dinner show tonight to see Flamenco dancing at a place off Las Ramblas. The first show was sold out, so our dinner is 8:45 and the show is at 10. We are really looking forward to it.

I hope you are all having a wonderful day! Safe travels, and we will try to check in here again. I love that our hotel has free internet.

 

[sinnika]

Cam, how's the weather? We are at the airport heading to Montreal, then on to Barcelona. We arrive at 7:30am. Can't wait to have some churros and chocolate.

 

[keenercam]

Cam, how's the weather? We are at the airport heading to Montreal, then on to Barcelona. We arrive at 7:30am. Can't wait to have some churros and chocolate.

Taina - The weather is gloriously perfect! Sunny and warm but not wicked hot. The sun is strong, but especially on the side streets there is a nice breeze. It is really beautiful!

Safe travels!

 

[macassi]

Just got back to our hotel and we passed cam's hotel on our travels. It is gorgeous and perfect temps. We ate at hard rock which the kids really enjoyed. DH and I loved the taste of American food! Doing a walking tour of old town in the morning. Wish we had been to the cathedral a bit earlier tonight as an outdoor church service was wrapping up when we got there. Think it would ave been very interesting to see.

We were required to take two cabs at the airport since there were five of us. We both payed 30 euro for the cab.

 

[sinnika]

We landed at 7:30am and was at our hotel by 8:30!! The que for a taxi - none! 31 euros for the four of us. They tried to put us in a small taxi since that was at the head of the line but I refused and said we would go in the larger van taxi - they still only hold four but could accommodate all our luggage. We are staying at the Hotel Continental Palacete on Rambla Catalunya. We were upgraded to a suite. DH and DS are sound asleep in the room while DD and I shop and sight see on Paseo de Gracia. Before you leave, be sure to pack your sunscreen because the sun is strong.

 

[MissReeRee]

Welcome to Spain everyone! I hope you love it!!

 

[DCLShel]

Hola! We had another great day in Barcelona! I tried to get free Wifi in a couple of places but no luck. I finally broke down and paid for it at our hotel.

We went to Sagrada Familia and Park Guell today. Also rode the Teleferic de Montjuic and walked around the castle. But the best part of our day - when we walked down to Rambla de Mar, we saw the Steve Irwin ship from Whale Wars. DD is a HUGE fan! They are giving free tours during the day so we're going to try to go back tomorrow and tour it.

Looking forward to dinner tomorrow night!

 

[grizbuzz]

Still finishing up packing here in Switzerland. We leave in a few hours for our flight. Jealous of all of you who get to spend some time in Barcelona. We don't get into the airport until 7pm. I'm hoping to see a little something tonight and a little tomorrow morning.

Ugh...must finish getting stuff together. Final push and we will be packed and off!

Safe travels to all who are yet to travel or in route. And ENJOY BARCELONA for all of you who have arrived.

'til soon...
Jen

 

[kmc33]

We love Barcelona! Yesterday we went to Montserrat. Today we went to La Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell. We are getting ready to head down to Las Ramblas.

Did anyone see Obamas Pub? It´s on Gran Via at Las Ramblas Catalunya. You might spy it heading to the Taller de Tapas tonight. It´s a hoot. Looking forward to meeting everyone this evening!!!

 

[wakeboarder72]

DCLShel, thanks soooo much for that post about the Steve Irwin. We're gonna try to go down there today and find it. We're also huge fans, as are our kids (who aren't w/ us this trip) and to get a photo of us on the ship to show them would be really cool. Thanks again.

We did Las Ramblas last night and veered off into several alleyways, just exploring the city. Ate at a little tapas place while watching the street vendors and performers. "Interesting" is the only word that I can use to describe it )

Happy travels into Barcelona everyone....Take care....Bill

 

[sinnika]

Spent a lovely day visiting the Picasso museum, followed by lunch at a place we just happened on called Restaurante Nervion. DS had a good cheese pizza, DD and I tried bocadillos (hot sandwiches) and DH tried the chicken paella. But the best was the churros and chocolate!! Absolutely yummy! DS and I went on to the chocolate museum which we really enjoyed. Just came back from the tapas dinner with the dis group. Great tapas and great company!