Excited for Europe trip

Hola, in two weeks we will be strolling the streets of Barcelona in Spain and Paris France. This is our first Europe trip and we are very thankful and excited! I can’t wait to see Barcelona the second largest city in Spain and Paris the City of Lights and one of the most romantic cities in the world.

I remember thinking about Spain, specially Madrid, when I studied history with Jose Rizal. And, Paris, who doesn’t love to see Paris? 🙂 But, because of our limited time we agreed to explore another one country to add on this Barcelona trip. We choose Paris.

We have confirmed flights booked last July and we got our Schengen visa approved last month. For EJ, this is a business trip because they have a company event in Barcelona. He will be in Barcelona on 4^th of October, I’ll follow him on 8^th. We booked my airfare in Singapore Airlines, it cost me SGD $1,756.90 including the $70 AIG travel insurance, when converted to pesos at 32.30 rate the cost is PHP 58,979.80. Current SG-PHP rates can be check at PisoRemit app.

During the event, EJ will stay at Hotel Catalonia Port, this hotel is just 247 meters from the bottom of the famous Las Ramblas, and Port Vell Harbour is a quarter mile away. Drassanes Metro Station is a 5-minute walk away.

After their company gathering, we will be staying at Gràcia district. We booked our accommodation at Residencia Erasmus Gràcia because of its great location and good value for money. There are lots of restaurants, bars and grocery stores that were within walking distance and the Metro is very convenient. Lesseps Metro Station is just 202 meters away. The residence is just a 15 minutes’ walk from Gaudi’s famous Park Guell, from there you can easily reach the La Sagrada Familia too. Gràcia is a great choice for travelers interested in architecture, nightlife and museums.

Here, I noted some places in each country that we would love to visit. 🙂

Barcelona, Spain

1. La Sagrada Familia
   
   Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, La Sagrada Familia is consecrated and was proclaimed a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI.  A must-see tourist destination for anyone visiting Barcelona.
   Admission fee: €15 (without guide)
   Location: Plaça de la Sagrada Família
   Subway: Sagrada Familia (L2, L5)
2. Parc Guell
   
   One of the most impressive public parks in the world, designed by famous architect Antonio Gaudi. Park Güell has 2 different areas: the Monumental Zone, which requires the purchase of a ticket, and the free access area which is open to all visitors at no charge.
   Admission fee: € 8 (general ticket)
   Location: Carrer d’Olot
   Subway: Lesseps (L3)
3. Sightseeing architecture, beaches and museums
   • La Pedrera (Casa Mila) & Casa Batlló – Modernist building by Gaudí
   • FCBarcelona Stadium (Camp Nou)
   • Passeig de Gràcia (shopping)
   • La Barceloneta and Port Olimpic (beach area)
     
   • La Rambla (famous street in Barcelona)
     
   • La Boqueria (famous fresh food market located on the Rambla)
   • Museums
   • Museu Picasso €11
   • Museum d’ Història de Catalunya – €4,50
     
   • Gothic architecture old churches
   • Barcelona Cathedral
   • Santa Maria del Mar church
   • Santa Maria del Pi church
   • Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic)
   • Arc de Triomf
     The Arc de Triomf is an arch in the manner of a memorial or triumphal arch in Barcelona.
     
4. Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
   Barcelona’s Magic Fountain is the most famous fountain in Barcelona.
   From 1 October until 30 April
   Friday and Saturday: Shows from 7pm to 9pm
   Sunday to Thursday: closed – no shows
   Admission free.
5. Montserrat Monastery
   The mountain Montserrat with the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat lies about 45 km northwest of Barcelona. The about 1,200-meter-high mountain is a grand sight from far away already. From the top, you can experience a view far into the landscape of Catalonia. Montserrat is a world class visitor’s attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage site.How to get to Montserrat from Barcelona by train:Catch the R5 Train from the rail station at Placa d’Espanya, in the direction of Manresa.1.) Local Train + Funicular Railway: You can take a local FGC train (R5) from Plaza España in Barcelona and at the Monistrol de Montserrat station you can change to the green funicular railway (called “Cremallera”). Combined tickets can be bought in Barcelona.2.) Local Train + Cable Car: You can take the same local train R5 from Plaza España in Barcelona and get off at Montserrat-Aeri for the cable car ride. The latter combination is shorter with even more amazing views, but the cost is slightly higher than that of the 1st option. Combined tickets are also available.

I think there are lots and lots and lots of things to do in Barcelona aside from beautiful churches, architecture, museums, tapas, beaches, etc. so much that I wish we had more time to fit in more activities.

Paris, France

1. Eiffel Tower
   
   • Parc du Champ-de-Mars
     
     The Champ de Mars is a large public greenspace in Paris, France, located in the seventh arrondissement, between the Eiffel Tower to the northwest and the École Militaire to the southeast.A hotspot for national events, it can be accessed freely and offers the most beautiful view of the capital’s landmark monument.
   • Trocadero Gardens
     
     Might be the best place in Paris to spot the Eiffel Tower.
   • Montparnasse Tower 56th Floor Observation Deck
     A great option for an alternative way to experience the total view of Paris.
     Admission fee: € 15 (Access to both the 56th floor and 59th floor outdoor roof entrance )
     How to get there: To easily find your way to reach the Montparnasse Tower by metro, download the metro map above.The closest metro station is “Montparnasse Bienvenüe”, on lines 4 / 6 / 12 / 13, which is less than a minute away from the tower.
2. Seine River Cruise
   
   Enjoy unique views over Paris on a Seine River Cruise and pass under top attractions from the Orsay Museum, Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral
3. Museum
4. Musée Rodin
   
   Ponder the Thinker… and the other extraordinary works of art Musée Rodin is situated within the Hôtel Biron, an 18th century mansion, close to Invalides and the Eiffel Tower.
5. Musee du Louvre
   
   The Louvre Museum, former residence of the kings of France, has for two centuries been one of the biggest museums in the world. The Louvre is home to some of the rarest and most valuable treasures including famous masterpiece the Mona Lisa.
   Admission fee: €12
6. Musée d’Orsay
   
   Home to the world’s largest collection of Impressionist paintings, the Musée d’Orsay is widely considered among Paris’ finest museums and gallery spaces.
   Admission fee: €11
7. Churches
8. Notre Dame Cathedral
   
   Notre Dame Cathedral (full name: Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, “Our Lady of Paris”) is a beautiful cathedral on the the Île de la Cité in Paris.
9. Sainte-Chapelle
   
   La Sainte-Chapelle (The Holy Chapel) is a 13th-century Gothic chapel on the Île de la Cité in the heart of Paris, France. It was built by Louis IX for use as his royal chapel.
   Admission fee: €8.50
10. Architecture, Landmarks & Park
11. Pont Alexandre III
    
    The Pont Alexandre III is a deck arch bridge that spans the Seine in Paris. It connects the Champs-Élysées quarter with those of the Invalides and Eiffel Tower.
12. Arc de Triomphe
    
    Situated at the Place de l’Etoile, overlooking the Champs-Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe is the biggest arch in the world.
13. Jardin des Tuileries
    
    The Tuileries Garden is a public garden located between the Louvre Museum and the Place de la Concorde in the 1st arrondissement of Paris
14. Pont des Arts
    
    The Pont des Arts or Passerelle des Arts is a pedestrian bridge in Paris which crosses the River Seine.

Train route from Barcelona to Madrid is 2 hours and 30 minutes, if theres a chance would love to check the city too.

Wow, I guess with all those many tourist spots this will be a very busy days. Thank you, Lord!

“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” – Anonymous

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