Part two of my Spanish vacation began on a long train journey from Barcelona to Valencia. There are quite a few options to get to one place from the other but the slow Renfe train proved to be the longest and the most beautiful. The entire journey wound its way down the scenic Spanish coastline.

Upon arrive I wasted no time in getting out to tour the city. I actually took a historic walking tour that ventured its way through historic downtown Valencia. Anywhere I go, I find the statues and fountains to be one of my favorite things to photograph.

Most buildings in Spain, though architecturally stunning, seem quite unassuming in nature.  They’ve been there forever and they have thousands of years of stories to tell. The building on the left below houses the Holy Grail. Now I’m not a religious person myself, but it’s certainly a great story and an interesting part of a culture’s history. Unfortunately, no photography allowed inside. So I’ll leave that part of the adventure to you.

Spain is home to many fantastically interesting people. The house below, with the greenery on top, is the house of Santiago Calatrava, an internationally recognized and award-winning architect. It’s said that no building in Spain is considered architecturally sound unless Calatrava had a hand in its design.

The intricacies of Valencia are everywhere. They say the glory is in the details and if that’s the case Valencia, with even its amazingly carved doors, is one of the most glorious cities I’ve had the pleasure of seeing for myself.

Never let it be said that Spaniards are without a sense of humor

The Torres de Quart is a remainder of the old city walls. They were conceived as fortified towers of the town and were part of the medieval wall that surrounded the old part of the town of Valencia and served as the gates of Napoleon’s point of entry into the city. The towers used to bear the scars of his cannon balls until the recent restoration.

The beautiful colors of Valenica, bold and iconic, are in plain sight everywhere you look.

If you find yourself in Valencia, don’t miss out on stopping for Horchata.   Coming in from Texas (close to Mexico) I thought that I knew exactly what Horchata was and as it turns out, Mexican Horchata and Spanish Horchata are two completely different things. Spanish Horchata is made from a sweet tiny little nut called a Tiger nut. It’s delicious and a sweet way to beat the Valencia summer heat. Below, the Horchataria de Santa Catalina is by far the best Horchataria in Valencia.

At every turn Valencia produces splendor and architectural beauty mixed with history and nature creating nothing like you’ve ever experienced before.

Even in unexpected places, like the picturesque post office pictured below.

And of course, no Valencia tour is complete without the Famous Valencia Oranges (though I must warn you, these are purely decorational and taste nothing like oranges, which of course I wouldn’t know because it’s illegal to eat them

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I arrived in Barcelona on a beautiful (but hot and humid!) August afternoon.

I checked into my first hostel (“The Living Room”) which…well it left a little something to be desired, but hey it was definitely cheap and it had been a very long day. If the hostel is the living room then my room was the closet with no windows and doors that had too much stuff in it but you never quite get around to cleaning it out.  Besides being quite hot (there’s virtually no air conditioning in Spain, anywhere) it wasn’t bad for the first night. Out of everywhere we stayed, this place had more of a homey feel to it (probably because it was) which seemed to make everyone staying there much more outgoing and friendly.

The views from the hostel were beautiful. Through antique floor to ceiling windows I looked out over the amazing architecture of Barcelona.

One of my favorite things is, unlike in America where hotels are often relegated to “business areas”, each hostel seems to be in and part of a neighborhood…teaming with local life and flavor. I spent a good portion of my trip sitting on balconies watching a world different from my own as it went by.

So it was time to get out and explore Barcelona.  I recommend if you’re ever there to spend a day leisurely strolling up and back down la rambla, a street in Barcelona where all the action seems to be. If you can time your walk so that you’re walking in one direction before sunset and walking back the other direction after sunset you’ll see two very different streets (just make sure no matter what time, you hold tightly to your purse or wallet, pick pockets and con artists abound!)  Walking up and down La Rambla it’s easy to appriciate the history, beauty and culture, it’s present in each intricately carved statue, each flowing fountain, each street performer.

Well it’s definitely been a long day of walking at this point and now it’s time for a stop at the Pub. This “obama cafe” is definitely the oddest place I’ve seen to grab a beer so why not:?

So after a lovely drink and an odd pub, I’m definitely gonna grab the Metro down to the beach for a dip in the Mediterranean Sea.

Ahhh yeah, spending the end of a long day hanging out at the beach. Nothing wrong with that at all.

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A local brewery in Austin, Texas called (512) brewery celebrated it’s first year anniversary and you know if there’s free beer I’m there!

And according to the line, so was everyone else!

People amused themselves in many ways waiting in line, like with hula hoops….

And eating best wurst (really go ahead, eat the onions)

I amused myself by taking pictures of the beautiful surrounding nature..

Well finally made it inside to check out how the good stuff is made!

Looks like the line to get in was too long and I missed the band playing. It’s okay though, that cat drum is freaking me out enough by itself.

Yum, fill me up! I’ll take one of each

So congrats (512) on a delicious beer and reaching your first year anniversary

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