"Live" Enchanted Princess, 26 Days, Nov 12th to Dec 8th, Barcelona to Ft Lauderdale (+ Madrid Pre-Cruise)

[LACruiser88]

Tonight, we had a spectacular tapas dinner! Based on the recommendation of Madrid expert/food critic, James Blick, we dined at La Casa del Abuelo, established in 1906. 

 

It is a seafood Lover's paradise! The shrimp in garlic & chili peppers (the house specialty) was truly amazing.  As were the grilled baby langostinos, aged Manchego cheese, and house red wine.

 

I would highly recommend this restaurant!!!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debbie was hiding in this photo, behind the wine glass.

 

Btw, even Debbie ate the langostinos whole, tails and heads!  I was very proud of her!

 

 

[LACruiser88]

29 minutes ago, loge23 said:

You may have went by Plaza de Espana on the HOHO -

Hola Vines amigo!  That is exactly where we got off the HO-HO bus for the Royal Palace.  Amazing location!

[Host CJSKIDS]

Wow, dinner tonight looks amazing.  Looks like the trip is off to an amazing start.  My questions is...dowe up up needing another suitcase?!!!

[dockhl]

What?

[Pepes Pal]

6 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

Tonight, we had a spectacular tapas dinner! Based on the recommendation of Madrid expert/food critic, James Blick, we dined at La Casa del Abuelo, established in 1906. 

 

It is a seafood Lover's paradise! The shrimp in garlic & chili peppers (the house specialty) was truly amazing.  As were the grilled baby langostinos, aged Manchego cheese, and house red wine.

 

I would highly recommend this restaurant!!!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debbie was hiding in this photo, behind the wine glass.

 

Btw, even Debbie ate the langostinos whole, tails and heads!  I was very proud of her!

 

 

Christmas time there must be so amazing. I loved the narrow streets & their decorations. Enjoy! 🎄🧑‍🎄

[LACruiser88]

3 hours ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

Wow, dinner tonight looks amazing.  Looks like the trip is off to an amazing start.  My questions is...dowe up up needing another suitcase?!!!

No extra suitcase needed as of yet! 🤣  I'll keep you posted on the remainder of the week!

[LACruiser88]

Yesterday, while Debbie was shopping I did some shopping of my own.  Whenever in Spain, I stock up on a traditional Christmas treat from my childhood.

 

My maternal grandparents emigrated to Cuba from the Canary Islands in the early 1900's.  They always made sure to have "Turrons" available during the Christmas holidays.  My parents did the same.

 

Turrón is a southwestern European nougat confection (hard and soft), typically made of honey, sugar, and egg white, with toasted almonds or other nuts, and usually shaped into either a rectangular tablet or a round cake. It is frequently consumed as a traditional Christmas dessert in Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

 

Turron always brings me right back to my early memories of Christmas.  Thank you for indulging in my Happy memories!

 

 

 

[LACruiser88]

Today we had a fantastic time with our Devour Tapas Tour! We visited ten different locations and ate our way throughout.

 

We started with hot chocolate and churros.  The chocolate is very thick and not too sweet.  The churros were piping hot.  This is a typical Spanish breakfast.

 

 

 

 

At Moega, we had traditional Spanish empanadas.  Sorry, I forgot to take a photo. 🤷‍♂️

 

 

Next stop was the Mercado Anton Martin which has been around for over 100 years.

 

In the Mercado, we started with an olive tasting consisting of 8 different types of olives.

 

 

Next, Iberian ham.  For us pescatarians, it was Manchego cheese.

 

The top end ham was only 189 euros per kilo!

 

 

Next stop was Casa Gonzalez for a cheese and wine pairing.

 

 

 

Luckily for our next stop we walked for about 30 minutes thru Plaza Mayor to the very popular and crowded Casa Revuelta for Spanish tortilla and beer.

 

We needed to walk for awhile to shake off the food coma that we were experiencing!

 

 

 

Another 10 minute walk took us to the La Campaña, for their famous calamari sandwich.  There were two lines here, each with at least 50 people in each one.  Our guide had pre-ordered and brought the sandwiches out to us.  We each shared a sandwich, they were DELICIOSO!

 

 

 

 

 

Our final stop was at El Riojano bakery.  The original owner (over 100 years ago) was the private baker for the King of Spain at the Royal Palace.  He convinced the King to allow him to "share" his Royal deserts with the masses. 

 

 

 

The total tour took 4 hours and we had a total of 8 people.  Our guide, Andrea, was extremely knowledgeable and shared lots of history as we walked.  I would highly recommend Devour Tours.  They now have tours in many European cities.

[LACruiser88]

A few more photos from today.

 

Plaza Mayor in the background.

 

 

 

 

Plaza Mayor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 7, 2023 by LACruiser88

[dockhl]

We did a night-time tour there with them a few years ago (also in Barcelona and San Sebastian!). We happened to be the only two on our Madrid tour--it was fantastic! Totally different than what you just did. What a great way to check out the local restaurants. 

[Pepes Pal]

1 hour ago, LACruiser88 said:

A few more photos from today.

 

Plaza Mayor in the background.

 

 

 

 

Plaza Mayor.

 

 

Rafael, what type camera did you use? Surely your pics weren't taken with your phone!  Inquiring minds want to know. 🙏  The pics were fantastic for distance & detail.  Thank you for sharing. 
Judy

 

 

 

[LACruiser88]

5 minutes ago, Pepes Pal said:

Rafael, what type camera did you use? Surely your pics weren't taken with your phone!  Inquiring minds want to know. 🙏  The pics were fantastic for distance & detail.  Thank you for sharing. 
Judy

Thank you! I no longer travel with a camera.  Photos taken with my Samsung Galaxy S21 phone.

[Pepes Pal]

13 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

Thank you! I no longer travel with a camera.  Photos taken with my Samsung Galaxy S21 phone.

Amazing phone!! 

[LACruiser88]

After our food coma tour today and 5 miles of walking, we choose to have dinner tonight at our hotel.  We both had grilled octopus in a mole sauce and a very nice tempranillo.  

 

Tomorrow, we go to Spain's former capital, Toledo.

 

[globetrekker88]

11 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

Today we had a fantastic time with our Devour Tapas Tour! We visited ten different locations and ate our way throughout.

 

We started with hot chocolate and churros.  The chocolate is very thick and not too sweet.  The churros were piping hot.  This is a typical Spanish breakfast.

 

 

 

 

At Moega, we had traditional Spanish empanadas.  Sorry, I forgot to take a photo. 🤷‍♂️

 

 

Next stop was the Mercado Anton Martin which has been around for over 100 years.

 

In the Mercado, we started with an olive tasting consisting of 8 different types of olives.

 

 

Next, Iberian ham.  For us pescatarians, it was Manchego cheese.

 

The top end ham was only 189 euros per kilo!

 

 

Next stop was Casa Gonzalez for a cheese and wine pairing.

 

 

 

Luckily for our next stop we walked for about 30 minutes thru Plaza Mayor to the very popular and crowded Casa Revuelta for Spanish tortilla and beer.

 

We needed to walk for awhile to shake off the food coma that we were experiencing!

 

 

 

Another 10 minute walk took us to the La Campaña, for their famous calamari sandwich.  There were two lines here, each with at least 50 people in each one.  Our guide had pre-ordered and brought the sandwiches out to us.  We each shared a sandwich, they were DELICIOSO!

 

 

 

 

 

Our final stop was at El Riojano bakery.  The original owner (over 100 years ago) was the private baker for the King of Spain at the Royal Palace.  He convinced the King to allow him to "share" his Royal deserts with the masses. 

 

 

 

The total tour took 4 hours and we had a total of 8 people.  Our guide, Andrea, was extremely knowledgeable and shared lots of history as we walked.  I would highly recommend Devour Tours.  They now have tours in many European cities.

Love your snapshots !!! You are bringing back wonderful foodie memories for me from my Madrid trip long ago!!! The best tapas bars around we went from place to place to sample it all . There was a chocolates olive bar shop around there as well. Delish find wonder if it's still there? Also, if Debbie likes shopping I always venture to local big department store El Cortes Ingles it's in Madid as well as Barcelona for fabulous designer handbags (LV too). Thanks for sharing your adventures look forward to meeting you on the ship we get on in Barcelona. Booked tours for first 3 port days as wanted to go off the beaten path but hoping DiY rest of cruise looking to maybe join others too. Nice to find this feed. 

[LACruiser88]

1 hour ago, globetrekker88 said:

Debbie likes shopping I always venture to local big department store El Cortes Ingles it's in Madid as well as Barcelona for fabulous designer handbags (LV too).

So far, we have been in four El Cortes Ingles stores.  They are huge!  That is where I bought the Turron and my black hat.  I have kept Debbie off the level with the high-end bags! 🤣

 

See you onboard!  🛳

Edited November 8, 2023 by LACruiser88

[LACruiser88]

Today we made a day trip to the former capital of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain & Portugal), Toledo.  The city sits atop a steep-sided mountain surrounded by the Tagus River.  It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  The city was built in 500 BC by the Romans.

 

We spent quite awhile inside their extremely impressive Cathedral.  Having been inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican numerous times, it takes quite a bit to impress us.  We were impressed!

 

There are at least a dozen Cardinals entombed inside the Cathedral.  No one has an exact number.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cathedral's spire between the foreground buildings.

 

 

The front of the Cathedral.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The famous ‘Monstrance’, the Custodia de Enrique de Arfe; an extraordinary priceless work of art dating from 1515, made of gold, silver, pearls and other precious gems and weighing in at over 160 kilos!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The double organs, on both sides of the photo, and where the choir would sit during mass.  The horseshoe shaped choir seating dates back to the 1500's.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 8, 2023 by LACruiser88

[Pepes Pal]

8 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

Today we made a day trip to the former capital of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain & Portugal), Toledo.  The city sits atop a steep-sided mountain surrounded by the Tagus River.  It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  The city was built in 500 BC by the Romans.

 

We spent quite awhile inside their extremely impressive Cathedral.  Having been inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican numerous times, it takes quite a bit to impress us.  We were impressed!

 

There are at least a dozen Cardinals entombed inside the Cathedral.  No one has an exact number.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cathedral's spire between the foreground buildings.

 

 

The front of the Cathedral.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The famous ‘Monstrance’, the Custodia de Enrique de Arfe; an extraordinary priceless work of art dating from 1515, made of gold, silver, pearls and other precious gems and weighing in at over 160 kilos!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The double organs, on both sides of the photo, and where the choir would sit during mass.  The horseshoe shaped choir seating dates back to the 1500's.

 

 

 

 

 

Spectacular cathedrals! Nothing here to compare with old Europe!  Of course the National Cathedral in D. C. is breathtaking & others in other Diocese's I've never visited I'm sure are worthy of mention. However we are a younger country & many cathedrals & basilicas are more modern. For instance the newer cathedrals in the Los Angeles & Orange County are special but very modern. The Cathedral in Orange County was acquired from the famous Crystal Cathedal of TV fame, Rev. Schuller.   
 

I didn't mean to crash your "Live". I am so enjoying reading along & imagining I'm with you & Debbie.  Keep it up. We're with you!!

😉💒

 

Judy 

 

[LACruiser88]

Hi!  Hope you are enjoying your time in Madrid. I purchased the tickets for Marilyn and me from the website you quoted. For liverno to Florence. It’s Marilyn’s first so she needed the classic ticket for tour guide information. We will see you at the shuttle or liverno bus stop. Thanks again. Flying out of florida tomorrow. Staying in Barcelona 2 nights. Same hotel Gaudi where we stayed last year. See you for cocktail hour on board. 

 

@Marshyone  Great, we will see you two onboard!  Safe travels!

[Woohoocruise2]

Rafael,

It has been fun to see your posts and tag along! Truly enjoying the photos, commentary and personal insights of your travels! Thank you for sharing with this community! 

We look forward to meeting you and all members in the Mediterranean Passage Roll Call.  We'll be joining in the Nov 23rd leg for our first Transatlantic crossing after 3 days in Rome (first time in Rome too!)

Safe travels and best wishes,

Laura & Jim Spencer

Wilmington, NC

[LACruiser88]

32 minutes ago, Woohoocruise2 said:

Rafael,

It has been fun to see your posts and tag along! Truly enjoying the photos, commentary and personal insights of your travels! Thank you for sharing with this community! 

We look forward to meeting you and all members in the Mediterranean Passage Roll Call.  We'll be joining in the Nov 23rd leg for our first Transatlantic crossing after 3 days in Rome (first time in Rome too!)

Safe travels and best wishes,

Laura & Jim Spencer

Wilmington, NC

Thank you for the kind words!  Have a great time in Rome and we will look forward to meeting you!  The cruise will be fantastic!  🛳

[loge23]

Really nice pix! Not sure, but was that Cathedral the one with the open air portal above the apse? Easy to mix up churches while in Europe! We recall that being one of the most impressive cathedrals we were ever in.

The third shot of Toledo shows the spillway - last year while we were there the local fire department were doing rescue drills there - it was fascinating to watch - they would set off a guy into the swirl and line up on the shore each taking turns to swim through the current to rescue the guy. 

Thanks for the travelogue! Have fun!

[Micahs Grandad]

On 11/1/2023 at 7:44 PM, LACruiser88 said:

That is a big difference between Oceana and Princess!  On Princess you will not hear from anybody in the Medical Dept during your quarantine  (I sure didn't).  I guess you get what you pay for!

Sheila got covid a year ago on Sky TA. Came down with it first day of crossing. After self testing called medical dept guy came up and tested both of us, Sheila positive me negative. Offered some stuff to help with symptoms and offered me the choice of whether to quarantine with Sheila. Silly me said yes.

They had two sections for covid patients. Had a balcony before and had one for quarantine.

After that they came back once for Sheila to take her pressure and every few days to test me.

Room service young lady was great, we got pretty much whatever we wanted and she sent other stuff that she thought we might like.

Last morning they escorted us off the ship to a waiting taxi never did go thru customs.

[LACruiser88]

Today we had a very busy and long day!  We visited Ávila and Segovia.

 

Ávila lies on the right bank of the Adaja river. Located more than 1,130 m above sea level, the city is the highest provincial capital in Spain.  It is distinctively known by its medieval walls and the birthplace of Saint Teresa. It has complete and prominent medieval town walls.

 

Outside the walls of Ávila

 

Entrance to Ávila

 

Ávila Cathedral

 

 

 

Saint Teresa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City of Ávila

 

 

Our next stop was Segovia, known for its elevated aqueduct built by the Romans. The stones are stacked without the use of any mortar.  Queen Isabella I was proclaimed queen of Castile in the Cathedral of Segovia in 1474.

 

 

 

 

Cathedral of Segovia

 

The Palace, it was the influence for the Disneyland Castle

 

The Moat, now dry

 

Throne Room

 

 

 

 

 

All this walking made me thirsty!

 

 

[Kmkub]

3 hours ago, Woohoocruise2 said:

Rafael,

It has been fun to see your posts and tag along! Truly enjoying the photos, commentary and personal insights of your travels! Thank you for sharing with this community! 

We look forward to meeting you and all members in the Mediterranean Passage Roll Call.  We'll be joining in the Nov 23rd leg for our first Transatlantic crossing after 3 days in Rome (first time in Rome too!)

Safe travels and best wishes,

Laura & Jim Spencer

Wilmington, NC

We are doing the same! Our first time ever crossing the pond. Going to Rome for three days and joining the cruise on the 23rd. We will be eating at Crown Grill for Thanksgiving this year. Woot!