Madrid to Barcelona

Las Ramblas
12,824 steps

We took our longest drive yet of the trip - a nearly 6 hour drive from Madrid to Barcelona.  I didn't realize central Spain would be so dry - in many ways it looks like central Utah.  We had to return our rental car by 2:00 so we left early!  My kids have been real troopers - especially Sydney and Charlie who have had to share a seat squished in the back of our tiny car since we picked up Stewart - they are hoping for a bigger in car in England (so am I).

We made a quick stop at a car wash to clean up the car before returning it - and upon returning it learned that we have travel 8473 kilometers since we picked it up in Rome (do the math) - that's something like driving from Anchorage Alaska to Mexico City in the last 50+ days.  Wow!

We took the train into Barcelona (a quick 30 minute trip) and I watched my little travelers maneuver the train station, tickets, escalators and busy streets of Barcelona with their carry-ons like pros.  I know they were tired and hungry, but no complaining - they really have been great traveling companions.

Our apartment is at the heart of Barcelona - just off Plaza Catalunya, like the Time Square of NYC.  After some time to rest and relax we took a walk down the main pedestrian drag called Las Ramblas and ended up in a market where everyone had 6 Euros to find themselves dinner.  Menu items included skewered meats, yucca with chicken, empanadas, fruit drinks, chocolate covered strawberries, crochets, and candy bars.

After dinner we decided to head to a fountain that was built in the 1920s for the World's Fair that today has an evening show with lights and music.  We watched the water dance around in a variety of combinations and sang along to our favorite top 40s songs for the "show". The kids up front got wet as they ended up in the splash zone.

Dinner at the Ramblas Market

Maxfield Modern Art