On my first night in this Catalan city I did a little walk around the centre so I can familiarise myself with the surroundings. The hotel I stayed at (has gorgeous floor to ceiling glass windows in the lobby offering panoramic views, go here: AC Palau de Bellavista Marriott) is a 10-minute walk to the old city centre. The neighbourhood looks pretty safe, and if in any case I ever felt uncomfortable, I can always take a taxi. Police were also patrolling the whole time in the city.
There are two things that make me happy in this world. Being with the Dutchman (I know that sounds cheesy) and when I am travelling (with or without him). And when I am travelling, I am most satisfied when I am discovering places and taking pictures, at my own pace.
My morning stroll pictures are here: Morning stroll in Bari Vell, Girona Old Town
Come and walk with me…
Girona has many of these colonnaded arcade galleries.
Spain is all about food and the omnipresent jamon.
It was a lovely dry November evening, not chilly, just cool and perfect enough weather to walk around.
Art Nouveau style building. A bakery and an ice cream parlor. Beautiful.
The gallery arcades at the Placa de la Independencia. The place to be in the evenings, and well during the day as well. I had dinner here at Konig Restaurant and lunch at Lizarran Restaurant where I saw a man with hanging bubbly mucuous sitting beside me, eww. The narrow shopping alleys in Girona.
The Jewish Quarter of Girona is a bit hilly and you can find many of these cobbled stone staircases here. I had a nice pinchos lunch in this quarter at Artusi Restaurant. A very interestingly designed restaurant. I am seeing the Spanish, Andalucian, Mediterranean and American Diner influences here.
Smoked, air-dried cured meats are big in Europe but specially in Spain. You might want to check out Girona’s market: Mercat del Lleo Catalan cookies and pastries.
Basilica Parroquial de Sant Feliu (St. Feliu Church). At the back of this church you can find the Arab Baths.
Street art on the vaulted walls of the arcade galleries.
This is the modern shopping area of Girona which is near Placa de la Independencia (before you cross the river if coming from the train station and the main road).
At the Girona City Hall. The lion is an impressive post mail box. Across the City Hall I had some real Catalan chocolate at Xocolateria L’Antigua. Back at the Placa de la Independencia and queueing up for some roasted castanes (chestnuts). Roasted chestnuts sold on the streets are popular in Southern Europe.
Travel Period: November 2013
Destination: Girona (Catalonia), Spain
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Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
