Mediterranean Navigation Day 17

Day 17 - Tuesday, March 18, 2025 – Visit and Explore Barcelona; Montjuïc Hill; Drive Passeig de Gràcia; Walk Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau; See Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia; Discovery Walk; Farewell Dinner

The Clio pulled into the Port of Barcelona at 7:15am, right on schedule. The port is very easily situated in the city as there are many cruise ships visiting Barcelona each day. It was empty today except for the few of us from OAT.

Barcelona is the capital of Spain’s autonomous Catalonia region and the second-largest city in the country. After breakfast we began our exploration of the city with our local guide, Mariona.

As we drove, she gave us the history and background of Barcelona; you guessed it – founded by the Romans in the 1st Century BCE. The bus paused, giving us a great view of one of the many houses in Barcelona designed by Antoni Gaudi.

We made our first stop at Montjuïc Hill for a scenic view of the city below. There were many school groups out and about today. As we stopped at the historic sites of the city, there were groups learning more about Barcelona also.

We continued our drive through the city seeing the venues from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Down into the city center, we visited the main avenue, Passeig de Gràcia.

We got off of the bus and began our walking tour exploring the historical hospital of Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau. The first medical facility was built in Barcelona in 1401 and then this facility was begun in 1902. The site is known for its Catalan Art Nouveau architecture as well as its importance in research and teaching hospitals.

From the hospital we could see La Sagrada Familia, the unfinished Catholic church of Antoni Gaudi. We had visited the church before and it doesn’t seem any more complete than it was 20 years ago.

From the church we walked to a local restaurant and then we got back on the bus that took us to the port. It was 2:30 when we arrived and turned in our boarding cards for the last time.

Our next activity was packing our bags for our journey home. We always say that dirty clothes are much harder to pack than clean ones, but it helps that we aren’t shoppers and we didn’t buy anything on this trip.

Lufthansa sent us an email today telling us they are expecting us for our 7:45 am flight to Munich. The crew will take our bags to the office at 4:15 and we leave at 4:45 for the airport.

When we get back home, we will send out one final edition of GarciaTrips. Please know how grateful we are that you followed our Mediterranean Navigation, 2025.

Accommodations: M/V Clio

- - - - - - - - - - - -

If you wish to travel with OAT Click Here.

To receive $100 per person off your first reservation with OAT, mention the following information when reserving your Overseas Adventure Travel Trip: Mr. Victor Garcia Customer #673062

You explored things in such great depth; what interesting experiences. Love following you!

Enjoyed your daily comments and photos very much. We didnt visit this area during our traveling days so interesting to read about it. Welcome back to windy and snowy Monument!

Fun trip! Welove OAT! amor ebeijos, Susie and Bob

You’re missing snow here! It was so enjoyable to read about all your adventures. Welcome home!

Another quick city tour. I love the Gaudi architecture. Touring one of his apartments was very interesting. Safe travels home. Getting to and from these trips are some of the hardest parts causing lack of sleep. Thanks for sharing your trip.

Post a Comment!

Day 18: Mediterranean Navigation

Day 18 - Wednesday, March 19, 2025 – Disembark Ship & Return to USA

It was a dark and rainy morning when we put our luggage outside of our cabin door at 4:15. We met three of our fellow passengers also on the same flight...

Continue Reading Day 18