I am not a "bik
er" in any sense of the word - not a motorbiker nor a cyclist - but I thought the title was catchy!
The latest edition of "Viajes", the Spanish version of National Geographic magazine, has just landed on my desk.
Entitled BARCELONA it also promises major articles about the Loire Valley, Finland, Crete and Jamaica.
[Amazon]
Inside I learned that there were also shorter photo essays about California, the Auvergne, Girona, Gran Canaria, Toledo, Cadiz and Mallorca.
There were also the results of the Premios de los Lectores (Readers' Awards) for the best destinations in the world, but I shall leave these for another day and another article.
My Dozen
1. Barcelona
I know Barcelona quite well from several previous visits, although I haven't visited for some 30 years.
Rita has never been and is keen to go, so the capital of Cataluña is on my 'bucket list'.
[Barcelo.com]
2. Loire Valley
I have visited this region of castles and vineyards in France a couple of times, once on a school trip when I was a languages teacher.
The area is unique and stunningly beautiful with amazing castles built in different styles, some of which are open to the public.
[European Waterways]
3. Finland
The only Scandinavian country I have not been to. Nor is it on my "bucket list". Looks good though, so perhaps I should add it to the list!
Helsinki, Finland [KLM CN]
4. Crete
I've been there twice, once BC (before children) and once AD (afterwards).
The first time Jeryl and I flew to Heraklion and "bummed around" the Eastern half of the largest island in the Mediterranean. We discovered Greek salad, retsina and nudism, not necessarily in that order.
[Blue Green Atlas]
The second time, with kids in tow, we did the Western half. Very enjoyable but in a different way. The walk through the Samaria Gorge was a highlight and the beer I downed at the end of it was the best I've ever tasted, apart from the second one! ..... And the one I had last night!
5. Jamaica
Never been, although I have indulged in some of the culture, eg Reggae, Bob Marley and rum and coke.
[Muzikalia]
6. California
We went there as a family in 1998 as part of a holiday including New Orleans and Seattle, with California in between.
In California we did Di
sneyland, Malibu, San Simeon, Stanford University, San Francisco, Big Sur and Yreka. We were hosted by my cousin who had emigrated to the States as a young girl.
We travelled the coast of Big Sur - spectacular - on our way north to Seattle.
Big Sur [Authentik USA]
7. Gran Canaria
The main island of the Eastern three Canary Islands, we went here a couple of times in the past for family holidays.
We found the volcanic landscape interesting and the tourist facilities very good for young families like we were at the time.
[Urlaubsguru]
8. Toledo
I had visited Toledo many years ago, but second wife Rita had never been. We spent a couple of nights in this stunning walled city on our way back from buying a car in Madrid in 2021.
I love Toledo for its mix of influences, among them Arabic and Christian; for its restaurants; for its small family-owned shops and for its relaxed ambience.
[The Singular Space]
9. Cadiz
My favourite of the eight Andalusian provincial capitals. I've probably clocked up about eight visits, with three different female companions: first wife Jeryl; interim girlfriend Maude; and current missus Rita.
Cadiz has everything I like. It's small, the old part is fascinating, the beaches are splendid, and attractions like the Cathedral, the Camara Oscura and the Market make it special.
[ABC de Sevilla]
The bars and restaurants are varied and good and there are several real ale outlets (perfect for a former member of CAMRA).
Cadiz gave us Covid in January 2021, but, hey, we survived.
10. Girona
Way back in the mists of time, first wife Jeryl and I spent a romantic few days in this catalan provincial capital.
The town is small and charming.
We stayed in the Casco Antiguo, enjoyed the quiet calm and indulged in the bars with their delicious tapas - all relatively new to us at that time.
[Wikipedia]
11. Mallorca
I've been to Mallorca a few times over the years. Beach holidays with the kids, a residential course in sales techniques with LifePlus and a memorable trip with Rita in April 2010. This coincided with the eruption of the Icelandic Eyjafjallajökull volcano whose resulting ash cloud closed European airspace for eight days.
We benefited from that as our planned flight home was cancelled giving us an extra day's break.
[Cabau Hotels]
12. The Auvergne
The Auvergne, slap-bang in the middle of le midi, the south of France, is an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Jeryl and I drove through it many years ago, but we don't really know the area.
I should add it to my 'bucket list'. Wife number 2, Rita, would surely love it.
[SNCF Connect]
Note: NG photos are heavily copyrighted and not available online, so I have used photos from other sources.
© The Spanish Fly (Paul Whitelock) MMXXVI
Link:
How to buy a car in Spain - Secret Serrania de Ronda
Photos:
ABC de Sevilla, Amazon, Authentik USA, Barcelo.com, Blue Green Atlas, Cabau Hotels, European Waterways, KLM CN, Muzikalia, SNCF Connect, The Singular Space, Urlaubsguru, Wikipedia
Thanks:
National Geographic, Paul Whitelock, RTVE, Secret Serrania de Ronda, Sky, "Viajes", Wikipedia
Tags:
ABC de Sevilla, Amazon, Authentik USA, Auvergne, Barcelo.com, Big Sur, Blue Green Atlas, Cabau Hotels, Cadiz, California, Crete, European Waterways, Finland, Girona, Gran Canaria, Jamaica, Jeryl, KLM CN, Loire Valley, Los Angeles, Malibu, Mallorca, Muzikalia, National Geographic, New Orleans, Paul Whitelock, RTVE, Rita, San Francisco, San Simeon, Seattle, Secret Serrania de Ronda, SNCF Connect, The Singular Space, Toledo, Urlaubsguru, "Viajes", Wikipedia, Yreka