We have seen this display a number of times and always thought it was a repair shop owned by a man with an artistic bent. Yesterday we were nearby and decided to visit and take photographs of the artwork. As we neared the building we realized that this was no repair shop, it was a restaurant. So we snapped photos and shared a pizza. Hmmm, good. ... read more

I decided to take photos of the same scene in both color and black and white. Let me know how you like seeing them this way.... read more

Such a contrast There are so many ancient sites to see in Valencia and throughout Spain that many travelers miss or ignore one of the most beautiful complexes to be seen anywhere. The City of Arts and Sciences (Valencian: Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, Spanish: Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias) is a marvel of modern architecture. We were not sure we would be able to visit this complex of buildings. It was not close to the historic district where our hotel was located. One of the desk clerks told us which bus to catch. We decided to be brave and head out in a bus we knew nothing about for a destination which was 'somewhere' in this enormous city. After all, if it did not go where we wanted to go or ... read more

The outside of the Casa Batllo is as fantastic as the inside of the house. Curves instead of straight lines. Fabulous mosaics instead of brick, blocks or shingles. Colors everywhere mixed and matched dancing and almost singing. This house looks like something you might imagine in a dream. We read a note saying that "Materials from the region that were easily affordable were used throughout the house showing you can have something magical without importing foreign materials and without 'breaking the bank". But it is perfectly obvious you must have a genius designing the use of the materials and artists of the highest skill to turn these designs into reality. There is a perfect combination in this house of materials, designer and artists capable of making a dream come true. How wonderful it would be if ... read more

Long walk The hotel desk clerk was circling interesting places to visit on a Valencia city map. He drew a circle and said, "The Sagrada Familia is very interesting. You will have to take city transportation. It is too far to walk." He was wrong. We walked, not only to the Sagrada Familia but also to a number of other spots during the day. By evening we guessed that we had walked seven or eight miles ... perhaps more. We were tired, but happy at what we had seen and we had no problems going to sleep. Still under construction Though construction on the Sagrada Familia began in 1882 it is still under construction. The projected completion date is 2026. A person could spend most of their adult work life employed on this one project. Antoni ... read more