Ibiza is one of the Balearic islands, an archipelago of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea. Although it is well known for the lively nightlife in Ibiza Town and Sant Antoni, where major European nightclubs have summer outposts, it is also home to quiet villages, yoga retreats and beaches for swimming, sun baking, dining and water sports.… Read the rest
Barcelona
We are excited about our day exploring Barcelona. Of course, there are plenty of sights to take in in this city, Spain’s second largest, with a population of 1.6m and a sprawling city centre of approximately 100 sq km. We know we cannot possibly fit it all in today, so we have planned our day around our visit to La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona’s famous unfinished basilica.… Read the rest
The Royal Palace of La Almudaina
The Royal Palace of La Almudaina sits comfortably elevated above the Parc, owning her sweeping views of the marina, although very much dominated by the imposing Cathedral. Perhaps this is why I mistook the entrance at first glance, slightly hidden, somewhat undistinguished and distracted for having to dodge those photographing themselves with the more striking of the two facades in the background.… Read the rest
Palma de Majorca
We start our day in Palma de Majorca at the Parc de la Mar, right in front of La Sau, the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma. This incredible Cathedral dominates the skyline of this entire stretch of the old town of this stunning port side city.… Read the rest
Going Ape
We are going ape in Gibraltar, that tiny tip of land that sits with the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the Strait of Gibraltar, opening out to the vast Atlantic Ocean on the other. The divide does not refer just to the waters.… Read the rest
Gibraltar
It is hard to believe that less than a month ago I was in Lebanon, at the far eastern end of the Mediterranean, and today, I stand on the Rock of Gibraltar, gazing out at the azure sea at the westernmost point of this vast world, considering what it would be like to think the world stops here.… Read the rest
Torre de Belém
This stunning tower, the Torre de Belém, stands on the banks of the Targus river in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. It is a landmark dating from the 16th Century. It is a ceremonial gateway to the city and officially a fortification that served as a point of embarkation and disembarkation for Portuguese explorers.… Read the rest
Lisbon
The hop on, hop off tourist bus operators practically mob us as we emerge into Lisbon from the cruise terminal along Av. Infante Don Henrique. However, we have our day more or less mapped out and we grab a taxi and head straight for the Tower of Belém.… Read the rest
Vigo
Today we are in Vigo, Spain, in the Provence of Galicia on the northwest coast. There has been a port here since the Middle Ages and there is a colorful if not rather violent history of attacks by Vikings, the English and the Turks, not to mention a period of French rule during the Napoleonic era.… Read the rest
Al Ain Zoo
A visit to the Al Ain Zoo seems like a good idea. We have been chilling out by the pool for the best part of the day, I even snuck in a massage at the spa. The zoo is advertised for Ramadan hours which means that it is open late for when things get going after iftar. … Read the rest