Scattered Note About Athens

Reasons To Travel To Greece

Greece usually reminds us of the Roman gods, mythology creatures, great castles and the beautiful empresses. There are a countless reasons to travel to Greece, but the main reason can be to enjoy its rich cultural history. Greece is known for its’ artistic, social, scientific, and political contributions. Officially known as “Hellenic Republic” Greece has a known reputation of being strong and fiercely independent. Its’ evident in its motto “Eleftheria-I-Thanatos” meaning “Freedom or Death”; and also in its national anthem “Ymnos eis tin Eleutherian” meaning “Hymn to Liberty”.



Greece is among the world’s most popular tourist destinations. It ranks in world’s top 20 most visited countries. According to Greek Ministry of Tourism, the country received about 18 Million visitors in 2013, which is quite a large number for such a small country with a population of about 12 Million. Tourists are usually drawn to the nation’s beaches and beautiful sunny summer weather, historical sites and its’ natural beauty.

Greece is among of the earliest known advanced European cultures. Ancient Greece, under leadership of Alexander the Great, they defeated Persians and the victory resulted to what is known as the Hellenistic era.





When you travel to Greece you will get to enjoy the country’s major contributions to the world first hand, these contributions include: democracy, artistry, western philosophy, science, politics, western literature, historiography, mathematics and western drama. It’s also known as the creator of Olympic Games. There are several Nobel Prize winners who’ve come from Greece, some of them include; Odysseus Elytis & George Seferis.

Reasons To Travel To Greece:

-Santorini

It is located alongside the steep cliffs, it has a great combination of both topographical marvels and cultural history. It is usually crowded with visitors most times. You can visit this breathtaking beautiful locale in May or June to slightly avoid the rush.There’s a prehistoric art museum, golden beautiful beaches and excavation sites located at Akrotiri. The blue and white houses can be seen at Fira which is the island’s capital, and you’ll find tasty food & beautiful locales in the area.



-Athens

It’s the capital of Greece. It’s normally the 1st place visitors go to experience its’ fast paced city life and also to visit some of the nation’s most famous historical attractions. The Parthenon and Acropolis stand resplendent looking over the city, and you’ll also get to enjoy a taste of the ancient Greek world at the Agora marketplace where the legendary Socrates once held court. You can also visit the Temple of Hephaestrus and Zeus. Take your time to enjoy the colorful changing of guards outside Greek Parliament and also enjoy the ever lively nightlife. Some of the best clubs and bars are in the central areas like Plaka and Psiri.



-Meteora

This is a natural work of art. With the awe inspiring sculpture which looks like it was carved out of mother nature’s very own hand, this is an absolute must see site for anyone visiting Greece. The rock art formations comprise of sand stone deposits, sediments which were deposited & layered on top of each other over the years by streams and rivers flowing through that area.



-Rhodes

The medieval town of Rhodes (also called, Rodos) was originally created by Knights of Saint John. The Colossus of Rhodes, 1 of the 7 Wonders of Ancient World, is found here. The ruins of the Temple of the god Athena can be found in Lindos. The medieval wall that was built around the town for defense purposes still awes tourists today. When in Rhodes you’ll get to see the Ottoman bazaars & Byzantine monuments.



-Thessaloniki

This is another major reason to travel to Greece. This city combines ancient archaeological sites with a bustling modern city. It has an ancient forum which dates back to the Third century & several Ottoman and Byzantine monuments. You will get to admire the Byzantine walls which still remain to date and also get to visit churches which date back to the Fifth century.



-Crete

It’s the largest Greece island. It is a place steeped in history and is a common tourist destination. It’s the Fifth largest island in & around the Mediterranean. It has great mountain ranges, picturesque valleys with olive groves and vineyards, forest regions and countless golden sandy beaches. Crete has among the most delicious foods in Greece. You can try out its cheese, freshly caught seafood or the slow cooked lamb dishes.



Other reasons to travel to Greece include:

-The splendid site of Delphi, where mighty emperors sought prophecies from the prominent oracle back in ancient Greek.
-The temple of Apollo which is located at Bassae.
-The archaeological site of Olympia, it’s the birth place of today’s Olympic Games and the place where the Olympic flame is sent from.
-The Eastern Orthodox monasteries found in Meteora which look stunning, they are built on high natural sandstone rock pillars.
-The town of Mystras which is often mistaken for “Ancient Sparta”.
-Another major reason to travel to Greece is the island of Delos. It is not far from the tourists’ popular holiday destination, Mykonos. According to popular myths, this is the place were Artemis and Apollo were born.

Barcelona Flamenco

 

Flamenco is the passionate style of traditional music, song and dance of the Gypsies (flamencos) of Andalusia. Flamenco takes three forms: Cante, (song), Baile, (dance), and Guitarra, (guitar). Flamenco dance features swirling skirts, rhythmic patterns, sophisticated footwork and magnificent hand gestures, with the singing at the heart of the tradition. Flamenco songs explore themes of love, politics and humour, and the often tragic lyrics reflect the sufferings of the gypsy people.

Flamenco music is classified into “palos”, based on rhythm, chord, stanza and origin. The most serious style is “cante jondo”; more frivolous “cante chico” are light and humorous; while “cante intermedio” is anything else. The Duende (demon) in Flamenco symbolises emotional empathy and deep communication between musicians, dancers and audience. Improvisation key, with each artist individually interpreting the rhythm and communicating the beat to the other players. An informal spontaneous gathering (juerga) includes dancing, singing and palmas (hand clapping). Organic and dynamic, this style of Flamenco adapts to the local talent, instruments, and mood.

"Tablaos flamencos" developed in the sixties, replacing more cabaret style "café cantante". Many tablaos have their own companies of musicians and artists. Feel the passion of the flamenco at Barcelona's legendary Torres Cordobes, where some of the greatest names in flamenco have performed. While being entertained by the fabulous live flamenco show, enjoy a traditional Spanish meal of paella, pastries and fruit with sangria, wine and beer.

Communication between the artists and audience is also an important part of the performance.

Top 5 Places to Grab a Drink in Barcelona

From hilltop Montjuic to the beaches of Barceloneta, you’ll never go thirsty in this Spanish city of tapas and champagne bars. Your favourite bar might be just around the corner from your hotel, or tucked away in a Gothic Quarter laneway. We found our Top 5 watering holes as we made our way around the Catalan capital, but we have the feeling this is just the beginning of a much longer list…

1. El Xampanyet

Seats (or should that be stools) were at a premium when we squeezed our way into El Xampanyet, one of Barcelona’s most legendary champagne bars. It’s in the Gothic Quarter, a few doors down from the Picasso Museum (just look for the queues). Although it’s extremely popular with visitors, the family-run bar still feels authentic, with its tiled walls, tapas counter and walls lined with bottles. In fact it’s been run by the same family since 1921.

The specialty here is the house cava, served in old-style breast-shaped coupes rather than flutes. The staff are helpful (and patient), and you can get by with very little Spanish – just point as you stand and eat and drink at the bar (or grab one of those stools if you see one come free).

To accompany your champagne, a steady stream of tapas dishes appears from the kitchen. Will it be red pepper and ham toasts, fresh asparagus spears, artichoke hearts, sardines, anchovies or croquettes?

2. Barceloneta Beach Bar

No holiday to Barcelona is complete without a stroll beside the long stretch of Barceloneta seaside. One of the world’s longest urban beaches, it’s quite a scene, with sun worshipers, kite boarders, volleyball competitions and wandering beer vendors.

And no Barceloneta seaside stroll is complete without a drink at one of the many waterfront beach bars (‘chiringuitos’) and cafes. There are bars right on the sand, with outdoor tables and umbrellas. Above the beach, tablecloth-covered tables spill onto the promenade, with waiter service if you’d like a meal.

We made ourselves at home at an outdoor restaurant table under the palm trees and ordered a plate of patatas bravas, fried potatoes with a creamy red pepper sauce. And as the sun was shining, a bottle of rosé was the ideal accompaniment as we watched the passing parade.

3. La Ramblas classic

Of course, when in Barcelona you’ve got to have a drink in a Modernista classic, and they don’t come much more classic than El Quatre Gats, just off La Ramblas.

From the terracotta brick and stone of its 1897 facade with its grilled doors and metal sculpture lanterns, to the geometric and floral tiles, wooden beamed ceiling and circular candelabras, it’s no wonder 4 Gats is a major stop on Barcelona’s Modernista trail.

Table seating for a meal is in the main restaurant, and at tables for two along the mezzanine gallery looking down from above. The restaurant fare gets mixed reviews, so we decided to have a drink in the front bar where you can still get a taste of 4 Gats’ atmosphere. We ordered a couple of beers and some cava to wash down small platters of tortilla omelette and chorizo.

4. Cheese Shop and Wine Bar

We were walking through the Gothic Quarter when we came across something very unique: a gorgeous cheese shop run by a fabulously wonderful Scottish woman called Katherine.

In the antique surroundings of a former butter-making factory, Formatgeria la Seu is a great place to sample and buy cheeses to take home. You can order a cheese ‘palette’ of three cheeses and a glass of wine, enjoyed standing up, or visit on Friday and Saturday afternoons to sit down with a cheese platter with olives, quince paste and a bottle of Spanish wine in the tiny tasting room at the rear of the shop.

The handcrafted artisan cow’s, goat’s and sheep’s milk cheeses are sourced from independent rural producers across Spain. They ranged from creamy to hard, subtle to ripe, and the only one we’d even heard of was the famous manchego. We also tasted the unusual formatgelat, combining cow’s, goat’s or blue cheese with artisan ice cream. Strange but lovely with dried fruit and honey.

Katherine also runs a tiny wine bar, a door or so down the alley. Just a couple of stools in a stone-walled cellar, it oozes conviviality and great ambiance.

5. El Born

El Born is a particularly atmospheric part of Barcelona, just outside the Gothic Quarter and heading towards Barceloneta. The sailor’s cathedral, Santa Maria del Mar, is here, just near the França railway station, and the backstreets are lined with fortress-like tall medieval stone buildings pierced with tiny windows.

There are also some lovely tree-filled squares, leafy avenue and the main thoroughfare, Passeig de Born. El Born is a magnet for tapas bars, tucked away in the area’s tiny alleys. One of the most famous is Cal Pep, specialising in seafood. A recent addition to El Born’s tapas scene is the bar at the refurbished Santa Caterina fresh food market – order wine by the glass and share platters of cheese and ham croquettes at the long communal tables.

If the thought of ordering tapas without having an in-depth knowledge of Spanish or Catalan is just too scary, drop into one of the Taller de Tapas restaurants – the menu and layout are traveller-friendly and not the least bit intimidating. There are branches in El Born, the Ramblas, Eixample and the Gothic Quarter.

Where to Eat Paella in Barcelona

Paella can definitely be hit or miss in Barcelona: with so many tourists eager to try it, most versions you’ll find at regular restaurants will, in all likelihood, be subpar. But if you head to the right place, such as those mentioned below — or even learn how to make your own paella masterpiece — then you’re in for a real treat.

Paella profile

But first, a little about the beloved rice dish, which most famously originates from the Mediterranean coastal community of Valencia (just south of Barcelona and its region of Catalonia). This is where the famous short-grain rice is grown; a rice that is especially absorbent, and therefore soaks up all of those delicious flavors. Paella can come in all sorts of versions, from meat (called Valencian paella), to seafood, vegetarian and mixed. Sometimes you’ll even see it tinged with a dark color, as it has been flavored by squid ink (this tastes so much better than you could ever imagine!). Then, you will also likely come across another dish similar to paella, called fideua, which is essentially paella, minus the rice, and plus thin, macaroni-like noodles.

Best restaurants for paella

Now that you’ve worked up a proper appetite, head to one (or several!) of Barcelona’s most-acclaimed paella-making restaurants. Set your sights (and appetite) on 7 Portes, a Barcelona icon dating back to 1836. There, you can enjoy live piano music in a traditional setting while scarfing down some of the best paella the city has to offer. Meanwhile, eat your paella al fresco at another favorite, Can Majó, located in Barceloneta, the city’s beachside district. Other paella hotspots abound, too, from nautically inspired Restaurante Barceloneta, to the waterside terrace of El Tunel del Port.

Whip up your own batch

Or get more up close and personal with your paella by learning how to make it yourself! During a Barcelona paella cooking class, you’ll not only have the opportunity to scope out the ingredients at the bustling Boqueria Market along with your personal guide, but afterward you’ll have the chance to concoct your own pan of rice-y goodness, which you will eventually dine on during a multi-course and wine-accompanied meal. Indeed, the best paella in Barcelona doesn’t have to be ordered at a restaurant, but could easily be enjoyed wherever you’re cooking skills are being put into action.

Trip It ~ Great Motivation

How many have you been so far?

Around Barcelona ~ The Best Place To Visit

First, The Gothic Quarter area which is very near to my hotel (surrounding).

A day in Barcelona? How to see all ? Which part to visit?

On my list

Park Guel

Some reminder are welcome!

Barcelona Beaches

Seeing is better than just reading and imagining. So I compiled some video from youtube that best fulfill my needs.

Nova Mira Bella Beach

Barcelona Beach Tour

Take the yellow Metro Line 4

Beach closer to City Center and easily accessible. Yellow Metro Line 4 Stop Ciutadella Vila Olimpica. Barcelona sun is HOT HOT HOT so dont forget sunscreen and come later in the day (around 3-4 etc)

How to get to Marbella and Nova Mar Bella Beach? Metro Yellow Line 4

Just enjoy the sun and feasts your eyes