I spent this summer in Europe while our children spent time in California with their mother and grandparents. I stationed myself in Valencia, a beautiful city on the Mediterranean Sea, and Spain’s third-largest city.
During my exploration of Valencia, I biked almost 200 miles. The city is mostly flat, and Valencia has a great bike share/rental program. You can pick up and drop off a bike almost anywhere in the city via an app. There are bike paths everywhere!
I had the perfect apartment in one of the coolest neighborhoods.
The food in the markets was mostly organic and tasty! I never went hungry…
I kept finding new street art everywhere I looked.
With a touch of graffiti.
The architecture was amazing and I could fill a book with the pictures I took…
The many markets were art unto themselves.
I was most fascinated by the Palace of the Arts in the park that encircles the city center.
The museum next door wasn’t shabby either…
This park was my happy place. Years ago, the river around the city overflowed and flooded the city. Afterward, the city diverted the river so that it could never again flood the city. There were plans to make the former river into a freeway, but the residents wanted a park instead – good choice! The Turia park now surrounds the downtown and is the largest urban park in the world. I would come here to relax, eat meat and cheese on a blanket, and enjoy the time in the sun and shade.
Life seems so busy sometimes, but this book gave me an opportunity to reflect on things that are important, and take a step back.
I made a quick trip over to the Balearic island of Ibiza. Considered the dance music capital of Europe, it also hosts beautiful beaches and great weather. I was able to explore the island by bus and chill out at the famous Café Del Mar.
I just had to head up to Barcelona and see one of my favorite church structures in the world, La Sagrada Familia, designed by Antoni Gaudí. It has been under construction for over 100 years!
The inside is breathtaking a well!
The light through the stained glass bathes in the interior.
Spain was a welcome respite before returning to work and the busyness of life in America.