Barely A Live from Escape May16-26 2024 Trieste (Venice) to Barcelona/10-Day Mediterranean: Italy Croatia Greece France Spain

[cruiseny4life]

It's interesting certain elixirs have a skull sticker. I'm thinking I'd pass on that certain type of....uhhh....upper. 

[schmoopie17]

Regarding the "Natural *****". You may want to make sure you wash your hands after handling those things before handling other things. Just saying...

 

Edited May 30 by schmoopie17

[Sugar Magnolia]

If you all noticed I posted oysters as well. 
 

[Sugar Magnolia]

As for lunch at La Boqueria I settled for octopus that was cooked in front of me. 
 

 

 

 

And then mango sorbet for dessert which I also count as fruit to ward off scurvy. 

 

 

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

After spending an unforgettable morning at Palau de la Música Catalana, I headed again to La Boqueria for more food and fun. 
 

Don’t these look more edible than the ones offered by NCL?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YAY! You found an abundance of cookies.

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

As for lunch at La Boqueria I settled for octopus that was cooked in front of me. 
 

 

 

 

And then mango sorbet for dessert which I also count as fruit to ward off scurvy. 

 

 

Since you are eating mango deserts as a health measure, be aware that Breyers makes a Mango ice cream. And it is yummy.

[Sugar Magnolia]

For my last dinner in Barcelona, I went back to my tapas restaurant Ciutat Condal for the third time. I will miss sitting at the bar and chatting with the waitstaff in Splanglish mixed in with newly learned poorly pronounced Catalan. They promised to be there when I return in a few months and I promised I would be fluent in Catalan. 
 

I ordered Iberian presa with chimichurri sauce and piquillo pepper montadito. Do you see any chimichurri sauce here? Neither did I. 

 

 

So I asked the waiter in my best Splangish “donde esta la chimichurri?” He took one look at the poor looking montadito, returned it to the chef and exchanged words with him. 
 

The montadito looked much better second time around. Shout out to Señora Heller my high school Spanish teacher before I switched to Latin because I was told a dead language would be helpful to me.

 

 

Squid Andalusian style and patatas bravas

 

My tasty dinner was €18.10. It’s going to be a rude awakening when I am back home. 

 

 

 

Here are some pics of the restaurant. By 8:00pm every table is taken. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

2 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

Since you are eating mango deserts as a health measure, be aware that Breyers makes a Mango ice cream. And it is yummy.

I have tried Breyers mango ice cream and did not like it. I like Haagen Dazs creamy mango ice cream. 

 

[CazV]

1 hour ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

For my last dinner in Barcelona, I went back to my tapas restaurant Ciutat Condal for the third time.

 

I just looked this place up in Google Maps and it's very near my hotel, so thank you for the recommendation. I arrive on Saturday. 

 

Safe travels home. I thoroughly enjoyed coming along on your trip with you. 😊

[Sugar Magnolia]

12 minutes ago, CazV said:

I just looked this place up in Google Maps and it's very near my hotel, so thank you for the recommendation. I arrive on Saturday. 

 

Safe travels home. I thoroughly enjoyed coming along on your trip with you. 😊

Have a a wonderful time! Safe travels. 

 

[ILgirl]

Wow!  I am doing the Escape TA in November and spending 4 nights in Barcelona pre cruise.  Thanks for all of the time and effort put into your review.  My excitement level has peaked!  Hope you can join us on the TA!

[Sugar Magnolia]

16 minutes ago, ILgirl said:

Wow!  I am doing the Escape TA in November and spending 4 nights in Barcelona pre cruise.  Thanks for all of the time and effort put into your review.  My excitement level has peaked!  Hope you can join us on the TA!

I am excited for you! 

It is still too soon for me to commit to the Escape TA but it is in the mix. 
 

[tsahall01]

19 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

For my last dinner in Barcelona, I went back to my tapas restaurant Ciutat Condal for the third time. I will miss sitting at the bar and chatting with the waitstaff in Splanglish mixed in with newly learned poorly pronounced Catalan. They promised to be there when I return in a few months and I promised I would be fluent in Catalan. 
 

I ordered Iberian presa with chimichurri sauce and piquillo pepper montadito. Do you see any chimichurri sauce here? Neither did I. 

 

 

So I asked the waiter in my best Splangish “donde esta la chimichurri?” He took one look at the poor looking montadito, returned it to the chef and exchanged words with him. 
 

The montadito looked much better second time around. Shout out to Señora Heller my high school Spanish teacher before I switched to Latin because I was told a dead language would be helpful to me.

 

 

Squid Andalusian style and patatas bravas

 

My tasty dinner was €18.10. It’s going to be a rude awakening when I am back home. 

 

 

 

Here are some pics of the restaurant. By 8:00pm every table is taken. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm also doing the Escape TA in November--I only have 2 days in Barcelona (been there 4 times already), but I have added this restaurant to my list of must do things this time around!  That and Palau de la Musica Catalana.  I've done all the Dali, Gaudi, and Picasso before, so this will be a new one for me!  thank you!

[Sugar Magnolia]

After my final dinner in Barcelona, I walked around to soak in as much of the city's aura as I could. I heard music and naturally gravitated toward it and found myself in the middle of a political gathering, which is common in Catalonia.

 

The red and yellow Senyera is the flag of the autonomous region of Catalonia. The Estelada, with the additional blue and white star, is the flag flown by Catalan independence supporters.

 

 

 

 

Gathering under the watchful eyes of the policía.

 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

1 hour ago, tsahall01 said:

I'm also doing the Escape TA in November--I only have 2 days in Barcelona (been there 4 times already), but I have added this restaurant to my list of must do things this time around!  That and Palau de la Musica Catalana.  I've done all the Dali, Gaudi, and Picasso before, so this will be a new one for me!  thank you!

 

I am so pleased to hear this. I can't wait to return. Am suffering from withdrawal right now.

 

 

[mapleleaves]

If you want a different and interesting experience in Barcelona, I highly recommend watching a practice session of Castellers, a human pyramid.   ( video on youtube)

I found a session that was occurring at noon on our sail date, so we took a cab to the edge of town and watched for an hour.  It was incredible to see, especially to watch the little kids scramble up the adults' bodies to get to the top, then slither down. Then we went back to the hotel, collected our luggage and took a cab to the pier. Bonus .....at 2pm there was no line.

[Sugar Magnolia]

4 minutes ago, mapleleaves said:

If you want a different and interesting experience in Barcelona, I highly recommend watching a practice session of Castellers, a human pyramid.   ( video on youtube)

I found a session that was occurring at noon on our sail date, so we took a cab to the edge of town and watched for an hour.  It was incredible to see, especially to watch the little kids scramble up the adults' bodies to get to the top, then slither down. Then we went back to the hotel, collected our luggage and took a cab to the pier. Bonus .....at 2pm there was no line.

Yes! This is such a beautiful symbol of the Catalans. 
 

[Sugar Magnolia]

In Barcelona I stayed at the H10 Catalunya Plaza because I am familiar with the name brand and wanted the convenience of the location. It is a boutique hotel with the usual quirks and charm associated with a European historical building.

 

 

My room was on the 4th floor but the birdcage elevators only go as high up as the 3rd floor. From there you have to carry your luggage up 19 stairs. Fortunately, staff members are prepared to help you with your luggage if necessary. I could have dragged my luggage up and down those 19 steps, but no one would be happy with the noise.

 

 

 

My compact room was fine for a solo traveler but some might find it too cramped. I was barely able to store my luggage on one side of the bed, The other side by the window had even less space. I took out the clothing cubes and other essentials that I needed for four days and left the rest in the luggage.

 

 

 

Everything else about the room was perfectly functional. I never turn on the television when I am traveling so I can't comment on that. There was a coffee machine, hot water kettle, safe and minibar in the room. The air conditioning and water pressure were excellent. The hotel provided one free bottle of water daily, which is placed right by the coffee machine next to the bed. There is a 24-hour Super Store (really a minimart) across from the hotel where I bought water and snacks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a scale in the bathroom. How rude.

 

 

When I returned to my room after dinner on the first night, these gifts were waiting for me. My room was serviced every day.

 

 

Though I did not have breakfast at the hotel, I was quoted €23 for breakfast which I thought was steep, especially now that I know I can eat tapas for dinner for €20 or less. I am curious to know what is offered for breakfast so I might try it once next time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cruiseny4life]

When we were in Barcelona, we stayed at the Iberostar about 100 yards from the H10. You were a closer walk to the KFC. 🐔 Anyway, they also offered a breakfast for about 25 Euros each. We were offered a buffet, very similar to the Haven's breakfast buffet, but better! And a hot dish. We chose a Spanish-style Eggs Benedict each morning as it was scrumptious. We were really happy with the 25 Euros....though I do agree it is a wee bit on the pricey side! 

 

The interior of your hotel looks really great! Love the old and new. It was all "modern" over at the Iberostar.

[mking8288]

H10 ... nice photos, did they give you their complimentary voucher for cocktail/beverage ??  Went up to the roof bar in the evening on our last stay at the Casanova - pool was still open, too chilly in November.  

 

We always decline the convenient hotel buffet breakfast, step outside & around the corner ... easily eat a light one for around 5 Euro each ... the usual eggs, breakfast meal, fruits & freshly baked assorted items, coffee & juice, etc.  

 

Flying back today/this evening to NY ??   Safe travel 😆 😊 😁   

[Sugar Magnolia]

7 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

did they give you their complimentary voucher for cocktail/beverage ?? 

 

No complimentary voucher for me 🙁. Also, no rooftop bar at my H10 but hotels for me is strictly for sleeping and I don't mind no frills as long as the property is clean.

 

9 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Flying back today/this evening to NY ??

 

I flew back yesterday...1.5 hour delay on United due to late arrival of equipment. Apparently there were storms in the NY/NJ area on Wednesday, so the redeye from Newark was delayed by two hours. At least that was what we were told.

 

Also, man sitting next to me on the 7.5 hour flight was coughing the entire time. I have been healthy since boarding the Prima on 4/27. If I somehow caught the bug now...🤷‍♀️.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

22 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

When we were in Barcelona, we stayed at the Iberostar about 100 yards from the H10. You were a closer walk to the KFC. 🐔 Anyway, they also offered a breakfast for about 25 Euros each. We were offered a buffet, very similar to the Haven's breakfast buffet, but better! And a hot dish. We chose a Spanish-style Eggs Benedict each morning as it was scrumptious. We were really happy with the 25 Euros....though I do agree it is a wee bit on the pricey side! 

 

The interior of your hotel looks really great! Love the old and new. It was all "modern" over at the Iberostar.

 

I saw the Iberostar and thought it looked nice. My H10 is closer to the KFC and the sole reason I chose it over the Iberostar.

 

I will definitely try the breakfast at least once next time. I am sure it will be a cut above Hampton Inn's breakfast.

 

[mking8288]

6 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

No complimentary voucher for me 🙁. Also, no rooftop bar at my H10 but hotels for me is strictly for sleeping and I don't mind no frills as long as the property is clean.

... 1.5 hour delay on United due to late arrival of equipment ... have been healthy since boarding the Prima on 4/27. If I somehow caught the bug now...🤷‍♀️.

Welcome "home" and gradual jetlag recovery, took us a few days to get back into our regular sleeping routine, waking up at 4 to 5 AM, LOL.  Your H10 has a roof terrace/bar (didn't see anything about a pool) - looked like the H10 chains are no longer offering a free glass welcoming "bubble" as the front desk give the coupon on check-in, still got the chocolate / sweets - I'm sure you are already a member of the H10 Club, entitled to extra discounts where offered.  Comp'd daily bottle of mineral water & free WiFi (that's for all guests, I think)   That room is "small" but as nice as, bigger than NCL's studio cabin ... right ??  Bathrobe & slippers, too.  

 

Flying these days is a pain ... as much as I still dislike UA, likely going to book them for our next trip out west with a 2+ hour layover, just in case of ATC and weather or other unexpected delays - maybe will use up some miles instead.  

 

Did you mask up in the main cabin, we did ... our CC friends flew out of LHR back to JFK and they heard coughing all around them with a large # of rude, noisy & inconsiderate "comrades"  in the main cabin - except they couldn't play MJ or card games in the air.   Give your body a rest and load up some extra Vitamin C's.  

 

Well done on the Barely-a-live trip report ... still unfinished, and to be continued, LOL  

[Sugar Magnolia]

I just noticed that the pics from my previous post seem to be missing so I am reposting the entire entry and hopefully with the pics this time.

 

Catalunya Plaza or Plaça de Catalunya is at the heart of Barcelona. The major thoroughfares such as La Rambla and Passeig de Gràcia run through the Plaza. It is a transport hub where you can catch the Aerobus to the airport as well as the Hop On Hop Off buses. You can easily catch a taxi at the taxi ranks around the Plaza. Numerous metro lines and city buses either terminate or stop at Catalunya Plaza. From there you can easily access any part of the city.

 

In front of my H10 hotel slightly to the right is a taxi rank. The HOHO buses are also nearby. Unfortunately, those red bicycles you see are only available to residents.

 

 

 

 

Also in front my hotel slightly to the left is the Metro station.

 

 

 

On the other side of the Plaza is El Corte Inglés, Spain's famous department store which first opened in Madrid. I did not have a chance to visit this time as shopping was not high on my list, but will take a gander on my next visit. There is a rooftop restaurant which provides a nice view of the Plaza.

 

 

Right in front of El Corte Inglés is the Aerobus to the airport. You can buy tickets online, on the app or at the ticket machines at the bus stop. One way fare is €7.25. One bus goes to Terminal 1 and one bus goes to Terminal 2. Bus ride is approximately 35 minutes without traffic with a few other pickup stops in the city along the way.

 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

2 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Welcome "home" and gradual jetlag recovery, took us a few days to get back into our regular sleeping routine, waking up at 4 to 5 AM, LOL.

 

Thank you...seem to be doing well so far. I had to attend a birthday dinner tonight and was concerned about potential jet lag but somehow I survived.

 

2 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Your H10 has a roof terrace/bar (didn't see anything about a pool

 

The H10 Catalunya Plaza has an outdoor terrace on the second floor but no pool.

 

2 hours ago, mking8288 said:

 That room is "small" but as nice as, bigger than NCL's studio cabin ... right ?? 

 

My room was not as small as the studio cabins on the NCL ships, but most people have not experienced the solo cabins and I think they might feel cramped if staying for more than a few days in the micro mini rooms at H10 Cataluna Plaza.