Barcelona and Amsterdam in 3 days

Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain and Canary Islands
Tue June 13
-last morning in the villa and we helped clean up and pack up. We got rolling before 10 which was quite an accomplishment 
-the drive to BCN was uneventful but humorous that gas cost almost half the rental cost. We easily returned the car and rode the train to the city. 
-we found our apartment pretty easily and got settled. Laura was hungry so we headed to the tapas place recommended by family. Lo and behold who was sitting in the window but uncle Doug and family. We had a good chuckle and a fine meal although the staff was curt
-ty and I walked with uncle Doug to a gelato shop and then where he was staying. One more set of goodbyes and we headed backwards to the apartment 
-the family was ready for downtime so I headed out solo in the Barcelona heat to see La Rambla. It was just a street of shopping. Cool old architecture but not really my thing. I returned to meet up with the family
-after some cards it cooled down a bit and we all headed out together to see the sites. The highlight was the yummy meal and friendly proprietor. We headed home with full bellies and ready for sleep

Wed June 14
-big day of touring Barcelona. Up at 8 to go see Sagrad Familia at 9:15. Was warm even then and the crowds kept coming. Glad we went early
-interesting to see Gaudi's inspirations from religion and nature. Was a good tour even if the kids kept asking if we could leave
-walked back to apartment and saw the other two Gaudi buildings, Pedrera and the House. Good to see and right in our hood. Best to walk in the shade where tolerable. Way too hot in the sun
-took a little down time in the apartment. I did planning for Amsterdam. Ty motivated us for lunch and we ate at an outdoor table for the local wurst shop. Much better than the stuffy tapas place from yesterday
-a little more rest and then motivated the kids to the Picasso museum. Was located in a tight little alley of the Gothic district
-kids were well behaved for the 1.5 hour visit and the material was interesting. Picasso was amazingly prolific and even more amazing was how much material he saved for years and years 
-we returned to the apartment via metro much to the joy of the boys. After some rest Laura and I headed to the supermarket and gathered yummy supplies for an eat in dinner. Precooked pasta n Spanish omelette n veggies were well received
-we played some more cards and then the boys got ready for bed. I went out solo for one last look at Barcelona and the Gothic cathedral and the music hall. Pretty views and finally cooling down at 9pm. 
-we r packed n ready n excited for our adventures in the Netherlands 

Thu June 15
-up at 7 to catch the airport train at 8. Well used and glad we took public transportation. Had time to grab a bite in the lounge and then onboard the flight to Amsterdam 
-easy train into city and easy walk to our well positioned hotel. Busy in our room with four beds but got the kids out for 2 walks to get Indian for lunch and to see the old part of the city with the Dam and the palace. Second walk was to grab shwerma for a picnic dinner along the canals. Kids were a bit of a pain, particularly Finn, about going back to room, but I think they got a flavor of Amsterdam and also a chance to contrast it to Barcelona. For me, Barcelona was a hot, noisy, crowded, smoky city. Amsterdam has its crowds and noise but u can escape it as well. Happily we hit some really nice temperatures as well. 

Friday
Yummy pancake breakfast 
Awesome Van Gogh museum in morning. Then train and get bikes. Finally settle in and Walked town w Laura n then got boys for Italian dinner. Tower in the geographical center of Netherlands 

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2025-02-09

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