Today we were very fortunate to have our own tour guide and driver taking us around to some of the best sites in Catalonia. Jaume being our driver and Jenny being our tour guide, Jenny is one of Merryn’s close school friends and Jaume is her husband. We caught the train from Barcelona to Blanes (coastal town) and away we went.
Sights of the Day
- We started off by going to Besalu, a medieval city near the mountains. Here Jaume confessed that when he takes people on tours he makes up some of the facts ‘a lot of the time’. It was quickly decided that Jenny would be our tour guide for the day. The city was amazing and the surrounding mountains and the remaining autumn leaves made the visit even better. Also, this is one of the rare places Michael and Merryn have not been to. Very nice to get one up over those experienced travellers!
- We then went back to Blanes for lunch with Jenny’s son Roger and a tour with Jenny as Jaume had to go off to work.
- Jenny took us to a huge rock with a look out on the main beach of Blanes to show off the sights of their hometown, it was beautiful. The pine tress on the boulevard and the surrounding views were impressive. Jenny and Jaume both enjoyed pointing out throughout the day that Spanish beaches can give Sydney beaches a run for the money
- Jenny then took us to a castle right at the top of Blanes, we could see all the way back to Barcelona. It was an amazing view and enhanced by the fact that Jenny was showing us all the best places for photos and selfies.
- We then went to Tossa and explored around there, saw some Christmas markets and walked up to yet another castle. Spain really is an amazing country!
Eats of the Day
- There is one standout today, that is Restaurant Kiku. I think Kirsten and I agreed that this was the best meal of the trip by far. Three courses of perfection, it was so good that we found ourselves enjoying seafood! Something neither of us could have ever expected. The entree platter of squid, calamari, mussels and salad was followed by the most delicious paella and fideua, the Catalan cream for dessert topped it off perfectly. Just delightful!
Catalonians scoff at Sydney’s buildings
One of the repeated stories we heard from Jenny and Jaume was Michael showing Jaume the oldest building in Sydney which was 100 years old back in April when they visited. Jaume scoffed, ‘that’s a baby building in Catalonia’. When you have 1,000 year old buildings, apparently having a 100 year old building as your oldest is embarrassing.
Brewer Tour 19-20 
They have every reason to scoff when it comes to architectural history!! Looking forward to the two of you cooking up a paella for us when you come back.
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Hahahaha Jaume forgives you!!Babies are also a delight!😉
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