Museo Dali, Figueres and Girona

There is so much to see just outside of Barcelona, and my new friend Mara and I were lucky enough to be able to travel out of the city limits to see some of the more popular sites like the Dali Museum and the medieval town of Girona.

                           

Girona

Spot the Catalan Flag?

Catalunya... Adventures outside of Barcelona

When I wasn't working, I spent my time traveling outside of the city to other parts of Spain.

I went with a friend to see the Roman ruins at Tarragona (one of Rome's first resort cities), and then to spend some time at the beach in Stiges. I felt like a nun hanging out on a European beach in a one piece suit!

Barcelona - Sant Joan

Cava, cake, and cuetes are the things that make up the Catalan celebration of Sant Joan.

Chaos is another aspect of the celebration as well. Hordes of Catalans take to the streets, and rowdy crowds head to the beach at Barceloneta to party through the night. The city is alight with bonfires and cuetes (fireworks) that are set all along the streets.

In order to avoid the more um, lively, crowds a friend and I headed up to Montjuic to see the fountain display and watch the fireworks over the city. We were armed with cava and a traditional Catalan Coque (a yummy light cake topped with fruit).

So what is Sant Joan? 

"The Feast of Sant Joan celebrates the start of the summer, the longest day of the year and the Summer Solstice. It is one of the most important feast days for Catalans and is celebrated throughout the city. The idea is that on the night of Sant Joan the sun reaches its highest point, before beginning to drop. The sun is seen as a symbol of fertility and wealth and so it must be given strength. The strength is provided by bonfires and fireworks lit throughout the city for Sant Joan."

Coque de Sant Joan

Arrival in Barcelona

Barcelona was a change from Madrid. I has a more beach-like balmy climate, and the Catalan culture is quite different from that of central Spain and Andalucia. It is a breathtakingly beautiful city.