Europe Winter 2012

Paris-Barcelona Winter 2012 

The winter of 2012 took us to Paris, and onto Barcelona. Spend several days in Paris with my father, treated us to the best eateries one can imagine. The first day to the Hotel Bristol for lunch. Dinner was at Chez Antoine overlooking the Seine River, the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop thru the big bay windows. Next day, we dined at Carla, the best White Truffle Gnocchi one could bargain for. The Shangrila Paris, next to the Trocadero, brunch at the Ritz.


We made our way down to the open food market, fresh produce, delicacies. Got a 5 minute lesson from a expert cheese merchant on the making of cheese; part of the French culture. A stroll on the Champs Elysee's. Paris is a charming city that grows on you, wanting to return soon.


Barcelona, a great little city to visit. So much to do, so much to see. Gaudi museum, food market, museums of every sort. Small enough to get where you want by foot. Countless young people in the street, shmoozing, smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee, just plain hanging out. Sad that 50% of the young generation are unemployed, but appeared as if all is normal part of the course. The beach, boardwalk, cafes, clubs, all well located and skillfully planned. The city archictecture very European, while it lends itself to a much more relaxed and laid back atmosphere- definitely not the stiff formal European flavor so many of us have come to expect.

Barcelona, Spain Winter 2012