Athena Pappas

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    • Adventures in Spain: Madrid Day 3

      Posted at 10:00 am by athenapappas, on March 3, 2020
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      Our final day in Madrid was a bit more low-key than our other days in Spain, but nevertheless, we packed in as much as we could before taking our overnight train to Portugal.

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      First stop, the Reina Sophia. Although not timed, we bought our tickets in advance to avoid queuing at the museum. Getting there right at opening time was crucial to beat the crowds. Even in early October, there were plenty of tourists and tons of local school groups. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take any pictures of the one of the museum’s greatest highlights, Picasso’s Guernica. Worth the price of admission, the artist’s eleven foot by twenty five foot painting depicts the horrors of war, specifically depicting in abstract form the bombing of the Spanish town of Guernica. It truly is a moving piece of art.

      The focus of the museum is 20th Century art, and its collection includes paintings by Dali, Miro, Picasso, and more. There is plenty to explore in the halls of the museum.

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      From the second floor of the museum, you can see the leaves starting to change color.

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      After a morning touring the Reina Sophia, we spend the afternoon leisurely strolling the city.

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      Some of our stopped included the Fountain of Neptune. A bit more off the beaten bath, we walked through the Lavapies neighborhood, one of Madrid’s most culturally diverse neighborhoods. We stopped in local favorite Bar Chinaski for a quick drink. This beer bar had brews from NYC, all over Europe, and of course local! From there, we stopped by the Mercado de San Fernando. Although not nearly as fancy as the other food markets we had stopped in, the had some really interesting food and drink stalls.

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      That being said…we totally took one last stop at the Mercardo de San Miguel for some tapas!

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      Did you know there is a real Egyptian temple in Madrid? A gift from the Egyptian government, the Temple of Debod sits over the city and it is a prime spot to watch the sunset.

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      Here’s the famous Tito Pepe sign during the day and at night.

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      Walking from the temple, we caught the sun’s last rays disappearing behind the Almudena Cathedral.  Sadly, our Spanish adventure was coming to an end. We booked at 9PM overnight sleeper train from Madrid to Lisbon, Portugal.

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      Pretty tight quarters in the train car! Thanks to the blog The Man in Seat Sixty-One, we were prepared to book the right train car. I wouldn’t have wanted to sit in a seat overnight. We went to sleep in Spain…to wake up in Lisbon, Portugal! Stay tuned for up coming blogs on our Portugal leg of our journey.

      Posted in Adventures, Travel | 1 Comment | Tagged Europe, Madrid, Spain, Travel
    • Adventures in Spain: Toledo

      Posted at 10:00 am by athenapappas, on January 14, 2020

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      Just a short train ride away from Madrid is the charming fortified city of Toledo. This city’s history dates back to the Roman empire and is often associated with two of its most famous residents, El Greco and Cervantes. When planning your trip to Toledo, I would recommend booking train tickets ahead of time. In addition to being a popular tourist destination, this is also a commuter train route in and out of Madrid.

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      One of the hallmarks of Toledo are the varied architectural influences that can be seen throughout the city. The different gates of the city represent the different cultures that have called Toledo home from Visigoths to the Moorish empire.

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      When entering the walled old city, one of the largest sites is the Alcazar, the former main military fortification of the city. While we did not stop to tour the military museum housed within, it is worth stopping for the views.

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      Our next stop (and mid morning snack break) was one of my favorite places in Toledo…the Museo del Queso Manchego!!

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      This was one of my absolute favorite places we visited. In the back of the small shop are displays outlining the history and production of the region’s specialty cheese, Manchego. After viewing the museum, it was time for the tasting! For a small fee of about 12 euro, we were able to sample three different aged cheeses along with pate and a glass of local wine. The very sweet and knowledgeable employee walked us through the tasting notes and productions of each cheese. Delicious and informative! The small shop also sold a wide array of local wines, beer, and foodstuffs. I grabbed a few bottles of the local craft beer to take home as a souvenir.

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      Despite the light rain, we continued our our walk through the old city of Toledo. The area is so compact that it is easy to explore in a day.

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      In a city of churches and cathedrals, one of the most impressive is the Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo. In addition to ornate woodworking, there are many paintings from the masters such as El Greco, Caravaggio, Van Dyck and Goya. The wealth of this region is evident in the spectacular decorative elements. 

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      Our next stop was the Convento De Santo Domingo El Antiguo, the convent in which El Greco is buried. A warning to visitors, there are no pictures allowed. The nuns on duty are very strict about the rules. 

      After all these El Greco sites, it was time for a quick bite. We ducked into Taberna Embrujo for a patatas bravas and tapa break. The service was fast and efficient, we refueled to continue our tour.

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      The streets of Toledo offered a myriad of interesting architectural features.

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      Nearly ancient, elaborate doorknockers adorn many of the buildings. It is well worth it to slowly amble through the twisty streets, taking in all of the details.

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      The Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes is another highlight of the city. This two storied cloistered monastery is beautifully ornate. The Gothic arches and beautiful landscaping provide a picturesque scene. 

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      Toledo isn’t just stunning architecture, churches, and El Greco, they have some fun bars and restaurants including Korokke. What made Korokke unique was that they had an entire display case of different croquettes from savory to sweet. All you had to do was pick out the ones you wanted, and they were fried on the spot for you. What’s better than a fresh fried croquette? They had several local wines and brews available. I tried a delicious white white. I also had to try the eponymous Cantharellus Korokke, a mushroom Saison. I can’t say that I tasted any hits of mushroom, but it was an earthy Belgian style beer.

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      Late afternoon was a approaching as was our train back to Madrid. Just to be safe, we had booked our train tickets ahead of time.

      The central square, Zocdover square, is home to the Cervantes statue and plenty of souvenir shops.

      Even the train station is beautiful! If you are in Madrid for more than two or three days, I highly recommend taking the day trip to Toledo. I don’t think a guided tour would be necessary, we found taking the train and doing a self-guided tour to be pretty accessible.

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      Back in Madrid before taking a much deserved siesta, we stopped to get a box of secret nun cookies. Seriously, secret nun cookies. Monastery of Corpus Christi is known for their cloistered nuns who sell their baked goods through a very unusual process. To the side of the monastery is a small door with a buzzer marked “Horario: Venta de Dulces.” But be warned, they only keep very specific hours. You buzz the door and follow the signage to a small window with a lazy Susan. On the dark other side of the lazy Susan is one of the nuns. You have to order from her in Spanish, placing the cash on the lazy Susan. A few quick turns, and you have your cookies!

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      For our final night in Madrid, we decided to do some bar hopping to experience the evening tapa scene first hand. We basically worked our way down Calle de Cava Baja, one of Madrid’s most famous streets for tapas. By stopping in different bars to grab a drink and sample some bites, we were able to try a variety of dishes. We, of course, had to try the classic vermouth. Patatas bravas with sausage was another highlight. The bar was crowded, we had to shout our order over a huge crowd, but it was well worth it. We ended the evening with paella. Calle de Cava Baja is well worth a visit, take the time to slowly make your way from bar to bar.

      Posted in Adventures, Travel | 2 Comments | Tagged Cheese Museum, Spain, Toledo, Travel
    • Adventures in Spain: Madrid Day 2

      Posted at 11:31 am by athenapappas, on December 17, 2019

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      Our second day in Madrid began with a tour of the Prado Museum, the national museum of Spain. This sprawling museum holds masterpieces from Rembrandt to Caravaggio to Matisse. We hired a private tour guide (shout out to to Drica for being an awesome guide!) using the website With Locals. I highly recommend going this route. Not only was Drica incredibly knowledgeable about the paintings we were seeing, but she was able to guide us through the museum quickly and efficiently (she was even able to get us to the front of the security line). Although our tour was focused on the highlights of the museum, one could have a more customized tour.

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      After the museum, we headed to El Retiro Park, essentially the Central Park of Madrid. With over 125 hectares of green space, this park is truly an urban oasis.

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      The large (albeit artificial) lake in the center of the park is a popular spot for boating and photographs.

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      The elegant Crystal Palace is not just a great spot to swan watch, it is also a museum exhibit hall. Unfortunately, they were in the process of setting up a new installation, so we were not able to go in. Another point of interest in the park is the Fallen Angel Statue.

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      After all that walking, it was very much time for a lunch/tapas break. Near the park and our hotel was the lovely Tinto Y Tapas. I got a very rich and delicious cheesy open faced sandwich.

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      Later that afternoon was our scheduled ticket for entry into the Royal Palace of Madrid. With slightly over three thousand rooms, the palace is quite the spectacle. Many afternoons they have a free entry that you can line up for, but you can also buy skip the line timed tickets, too.

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      Inside the palace are grand staterooms, beautiful furniture, statues, ceiling frescos and more. You can also pay extra to tour the armory and kitchen, but we skipped those. There was plenty to see even with just the normal visit.

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      After a quick afternoon siesta, we ventured back out on the town. We found a rooftop bar near the Gran Via area to grab a drink and watch the sunset before our dinner reservations. Many of the hotels have rooftop bars with stunning views. Some even have pools that are open in the warmer months. Even in early October, the temperatures were starting to drop at night.

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      For dinner, we made reservations at El Senador. We did eat on the earlier side (at 8PM!) so a reservation wasn’t really necessary, but it was easy enough to make one online. We went here with one goal in mind…to try Cochinillo, aka Spanish suckling pig. Although this dish originates in Segovia, Madrid as the capital city has a thriving food scene that is very much representative of the nation as a whole. If you can’t make it to Segovia, don’t be afraid to try it in Madrid.

      Like most of our meals in Spain, we started out with croquetes. But the star of the meal was the meat. The skin was crispy and the pork very tender and juicy. It was my first time trying suckling pig, and where better to do so? The meal ended with a free chocolatey liquor shot, a great ending to a day exploring the highlights of Madrid.

      Posted in Adventures, Travel | 1 Comment | Tagged Madrid, Spain, Travel
    • Adventures in Spain: Madrid Day 1

      Posted at 10:00 am by athenapappas, on November 25, 2019
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      By taking advantage of Spain’s high speed rail system, we were able to travel from Barcelona to Madrid in about two and a  half hours. We left the city as peaceful protests were turning into fiery clashes with the police that were closing down the airport and train stations. After checking in at the beautiful Radisson Blu Hotel, we set off to explore the city. The first stop? San Gines, the city’s oldest Chocolateria! In Spain, hot chocolate isn’t a powder poured over hot milk like we’re used to. It is an incredibly rich, thick chocolate sauce that is served with fresh churros for dipping. At San Gines, the line was out the door, but moved quickly. Inside was a chaotic scene. You order from the counter, then scramble to find a seat. Waiters carry trays stacked high with cups of chocolate and churros for the masses of patiently waiting people. It was well worth the wait!

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      There were plenty more foodie sites to discover in Madrid. Around the corner from San Gines is the San Miguel Market. Built in 1916, the market was completely revamped about ten years ago to feature gourmet food stalls and tapas. From fresh seafood to jamon, there are plenty of treats here for everyone…even vermouth on tap!

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      Thoroughly fueled with tapas, we headed to the Plaza Mayor for our three-hour Sandeman’s Free Tour of Madrid. We were lucky to have a great guide who was very knowledgeable about the city’s history.

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      From the Plaza, we headed through the city streets. Even in October, the tourist hotspots were busy.

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      Our first stop was the oldest restaurant in the world. Botin has been serving suckling pig since 1725 and is even mentioned in a Hemingway novel.

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      Our guide explained the different styles of architecture that can be seen throughout the city in between tales of Madrid and Spanish history. img_9759

      From our hilltop vantage point, we were able to get some great pictures of the Catedral de la Almudena.

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      Because the cathedral took so long to complete, there is an unusual mix of architecture styles.

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      Although the mix of neoclassical, neo-gothic, and neo-Romanesque make for a strange mix, they sort of harmonize together.

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      Across from the cathedral is the Royal Palace of Madrid. We would be touring it another day, but getting an overview of the history of the Spanish royal family on our tour really helped give it context. Our tour wrapped up outside the Royal Opera House.

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      After all of that walking, a siesta was much needed. That evening, we explored central Madrid. I really wanted to check out the craft beer scene, so we stopped in Fogg Bar Birras & Cheese. Each brew came with a free tapa, but we couldn’t pass up a local cheese platter.

      For dinner, we headed to Revoltosa, which was nearby. This airy gastropub was a great way to end the evening. We shared some grilled veggies, a nice change of pace after all the ham, and grilled squid with black risotto rice. Overall, a great start to the Madrid leg of our journey!

      Posted in Adventures, Travel | 1 Comment | Tagged Adventure, Madrid, Spain, Travel
    • Adventures in Spain: Barcelona Day 2

      Posted at 10:00 am by athenapappas, on November 14, 2019

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      What better way to start our second day in Barcelona than at the world famous Boqueria Market Place? I highly suggest that you go early when the market is first opening. All of the stalls won’t be open, but you will beat the mass of tourists that flood in later in the day. I did months of research in preparation for our trip (if you are interested in my Google maps, just email me. I have tons of great recs), but one blog that was particularly useful was Barcelona Hacks. Back to the food! They had seafood a plenty. Fresh, in decadent display.

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      The seafood is just the tip of the foodie iceberg at the market. There are fresh fruits and vegetables (the smoothies/fruit juices are a steal and come in every flavor imaginable) and ham sliced razor thin. I absolutely started the day out with a cone of meat and cheese. It was delicious! The rich ham and creamy cheese was a great way to start the day.

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      Next up, oysters! These giant bivalves are shucked fresh for throngs of tourists. Yes, they were really that huge. The brininess of the fresh oysters was savory and succulent.

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      Having entered the market through the back, we walked out the front to snap a picture. From there, we started on the Barcelona Self Guided Walking Tour that I found on the blog Practical Wanderlust. Since we had already seen La Boqueria, we took the tour backwards. We started out at the Plaza Cataluna, the central hub of the city. Here there are fountains and works of monumental art, including the above pictured, Monumento Francesc Masia. This monument was designed in honor of the first president of Catalonia, Francesc Macià. The unfinished staircase design is meant to evoke the feeling that the history of Catalonia is still being written.

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      From the plaza, our tour of the city took us down Las Ramblas, the main street of Barcelona. We ducked onto a side street to see the Plau de la Musica, a music hall designed by a contemporary of Gaudi. The ornate details were spectacular.

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      While we didn’t take a tour or see a concert, we were still able to step inside to take a look around at the modernist decadence.

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      After soaking in a few sites, it was time for a drink break! We stopped at the recommended Espai Mescladis. This outdoor cafe is actually a non-profit to help immigrants to the city. A beer for a good cause!

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      Throughout the city are works of art, from street art to commissioned installations. On the perimeter of Ciutadella Park is the Homenatge a Picasso. I was particularly drawn to the weird aesthetics of this piece. The mixture of furniture cut through with spikes is meant to pay tribute to the artist and his proclamation that “a painting is not intended to decorate a drawing room but is instead a weapon of attack and defence against the enemy.”

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      Continuing with our tour, we walked into the neighborhood of El Born. The winding, narrow medieval streets lead to one beautiful building after another (not to mention cozy cafes, delicious dining destinations, and abundant bars). If you are interested in any recommendations for the city, I have created a comprehensive Google Maps

      The Basilica de Santa Maria Del Mar is a stunning example of a Gothic basilica. Built in the 1300s, it is well worth a visit.

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      Another nearby noteworthy point of interest is the Barcelona Cathedral. Towering above the Gothic Quarter, the Cathedral was also constructed in the 1300s. Unlike Sagrada Familia, this cathedral is fully built!

      Near the cathedral, demonstrations were starting to take place, an omen of the unrest to come in the following weeks. A supreme court ruling had sentenced Catalan separatists leaders. It was strange to see the mix of tourists and locals as these events were unfolding across the city.

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      Near the cathedral is one of the most photographed spots in the Gothic Quarter: the Bishop’s Bridge. Surprisingly, this is one of the newest structures in the area, constructed in 1929! I can confirm, it makes a very romantic picture.

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      Rounding out the afternoon, we made a stop at the Restaurant Els 4 Gats (aka 4 Cats), which was a favorite of Picasso’s back in the day. He even designed the cover of their menu! We ended up stopping for a snack since there wasn’t a wait, but to be honest, it has become a bit of a tourist trap. Worth walking by to see, but not worth waiting for a table.

      Before siesta time, we had one last place to visit…shopping for espadrilles! For these, we went to La Manual Alpargatera, where these classic Spanish shoes have been made since 1940. I bought a red pair of the typical design, which are both comfortable and stylish.

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      That evening, we had tickets for Casa Batllo’s Magic Nights. That’s right, we were not finished with major Gaudi sights! Once a private home, the building is now open to visitors. During the warmer months, the museum offers Magic Nights in which there is a rooftop concert following your tour through the house. I can’t recommend this enough!

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      The tour of the house is through audio and augmented reality guide. You are handed a cell phone that shows you what the rooms of the house would have looked like fully furnished. One really interesting facet was the mushroom shaped room around a furnace for keeping cozy.

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      The large windows create an open space throughout the home. Even without the guide, it is easy to imagine how opulent this was once.

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      On a night with a full moon, the rooftop was indeed magical. The fairy lights twinkled above us as everyone sipped cocktails. The performance on the night we went was Luna Llena, a traditional Spanish guitar group accompanied by Flamenco dancers. The classical music under the night sky with the taps of the dancer, the evening very much lived up to its promise of a magic night.

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      If you were thinking it was time for more food, you would be right! Right by Casa Batllo is Chef Charles Abellan’s Tapas, 24. This basement spot, set up similar to a counter-style diner, serves up funky twists on classic Spanish tapas.

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      We sampled a variety of dishes, and all were super tasty. We had the Bravas, potatoes with spicy sauce and aioli. The pan con tomate was also a must-try, it is a classic Spanish tapa. The fried ink squid sandwich was decadent, we probably could have ordered more! Although Paella isn’t native to Catalan, they have their own version…a giant pan pasta dish served with sausage. This was truly an outstanding meal. There was plenty to try in small yet sharable portions.

      Next up, we head to Madrid! If you missed day 1 in Barcelona, you can read all about it here. If you check out my Instagram (@athenacp), I have some videos and pictures posted in my stories (and highlights) that didn’t make the blog.

      Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments
    • Adventures in Spain: Barcelona Day 1

      Posted at 3:09 pm by athenapappas, on November 6, 2019
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      For twelve days this October, I traveled throughout Spain and Portugal. Despite months of careful research and planning, things started off a challenge before we even left New York. As we were about to leave for Newark Airport to catch our Norwegian flight to Barcelona, we received a text from Norwegian that our flight was canceled. And that was it. After being on hold with the airline for about twenty minutes, we learned that we could either be rebooked on the same flight the next night or just refund the cost of the tickets. We could have rebooked but our Saturday night hotel was already paid for, and we had a jam-packed Sunday filled with pre-booked tickets. I wasn’t ready to sacrifice a day of vacation. So at 7:30PM we turned to the internet to see if there was any way to get to Barcelona, leaving ASAP. We found one! We left shortly after booking our new flight to Barcelona…by way of Moscow. To kick start our vacation, we flew all the way to Russia, then back down to Spain. We arrived that Saturday night, exhausted, but eager to start exploring Barcelona.

      Our first full day in Barcelona I had dubbed “Gaudi Day.” Antoni Gaudi was one of Spain’s most influential architects. His whimsical Catalan Modernist (aka Modernisme) style and influence can be seen throughout the city.

      First, we started at Park Guell, which was designed to be a park and private housing development. While it never really got off the ground as a private residence, it can now be enjoyed by the public. I selected this as our first stop of the day as it was the farthest from where we were staying. I highly recommend buying the timed ticket entry to avoid the long lines that form at the entrance (even during the shoulder season!). The timed tickets also provide access to the Bus Guell, which takes you from the subway up to the park entrance. Pictured above is the Nature Square, with its colorful tiles and sweeping views of the city.

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      From there, we walked through one of the park’s viaducts, which were designed to transport people and carriages. This one is known as the portico of the washerwoman because of the noticeably different column. 

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      As you walk through the park, the next remarkable monument is the Hypostyle room which leads to the stunning Dragon Stairway. A theme that can be seen throughout Gaudi’s works is a reverence for nature. The structures strive to mimic the undulations found in nature.

       

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      The whimsical details of the pathways are both playful and beautiful. Be sure to plan at least two hours for exploring.

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      If you want that coveted selfie in front of basically anything, you are going to have to wait. There was also a line for entrance into the Porter’s House as it had a one in, one out policy. But, well worth the wait! It was interesting to see our first real interior.

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      Even leaving the park, you can see little Gaudi details.

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      As we wound our way down towards our next stop, we encountered La Casa Comalat, designed by one of Gaudi’s successors.

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      Our second stop on Gaudi Day was La Pedrera, also known as Casa Mila. Again, buying your tickets online ahead of time is crucial to beat the lines. This tour of the private residence also includes an audio guide. Designed as an apartment complex for the Mila family, this towering building is unique in its shape and design.

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      The tour begins in the open internal entry way. The colors and shapes are meant to evoke the feeling of the ocean. Although built along the fashionable Passeig de Gràcia, this building as not without controversy. It was a bit too modern for its time! The owners of the building lived on the second floor, so they had their own private stairwell. Additionally, the iron gate entry was large enough to provide access for a carriage or car to pull into the below ground parking garage. This was a first for a residential building!

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      From the entryway, you take the elevator straight to the roof-terrace. Here, the stairwells, ventilation towers, and chimneys undulate and mimic the natural geography. The audio tour expertly explains the purposeful design.

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      From the roof, you wind your way into the attic. This space was originally the insulating chair chamber and laundry room. The arches are designed so that no buttresses would be needed. The expanding and contracting of the arches is like the heartbeat of the structure. Today, there is an exhibit on Gaudi’s works in the space.

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      The inside of Casa Mila, provides a glimpse into the evocative time-period in which the apartment was constructed. Bright, lush fabrics provide a texture to the already unique architecture.

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      From Casa Mila, we head for our first lunch stop! At Enrique Tomas’

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      Gaudi’s still unfinished Sagrada Familia Basilica is the crown jewel of Barcelona. Construction began in 1882, and although Gaudi was unable to see its completion, architects believe we will see it in our lifetime. There are two facades to the basilica- the Passion Facade and the Nativity Facade.

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      Again, like the other Gaudi attractions in the city, buying a ticket ahead of time is crucial. There are security lines and mobs of people and school groups. We went mid-afternoon, so it was pretty packed outside. Once we got inside, the crowds dispersed. The large stained glass windows capture the warm light of the sunrise on one side and the cool tones of the setting sun on the other. The towering structure and light come together to create a spiritual experience.

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      If you are visiting, I also recommend getting the extra ticket for the top of a tower. We did the Passion Facade tower. Although there are timed entries, you do still have to wait for the elevator up. It is well worth the wait to see the views, as narrow as they might be. While the ride up is easy, it is a very narrow, winding staircase that takes you back down.

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      The Nativity Facade, as the name implies, tells the Nativity story in ornate, detailed sculptures. Even in telling a Biblical story, elements of nature are present throughout.

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      The Passion Facade is remarkably different from the Nativity. Starker, geometric shapes tell the story of the last days of Christ. It isn’t hard to see why this is Barcelona’s most popular tourist destination. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to explore both inside and out.

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      From there, we headed towards the El Born neighborhood. Did you know that Barcelona has its own Arc de Trimof? This arch was designed as the entryway for the World’s Fair and now leads to the Ciutadella Park.

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      By this time, it was late afternoon and very much time for a tapas break! We stopped into Bormuth, a local neighborhood favorite in El Born. We sampled classic Spanish tapas: Patatas Bravas, apple-smoked sausage, and croquetes. Vermouth is also all the rage in Spain, so we all had a glass. Although it was all delicious, I think the sausage was my favorite.

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      Our final museum for the day was the Picasso Museum. Before booking our trip to Barcelona, I did a lot of research about what sites to see (and not see). Although I had read mixed reviews of this museum, I think it was well worth visiting (if you have time). Located in the Gothic Quarter, the museum houses the art works of Picasso’s early artistic career. The audio tour guides you through his formative years. In addition to early paintings, you can see other craft works and his later study of Las Meninas.

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      After a quick siesta, it was time for more food! Since we were staying at the Hotel Colonial Barcelona we were really in the heart of it all. First, we stopped for a glass of local wine and a cheese plate at La Vinya del Senyor. Although we didn’t snag one of the coveted outdoor tables, this wine bar is located very close to the Church of Santa Maria Del Mar (also worth stopping into).

      For dinner, we ventured a few blocks to Casa Delfin, a mainstay of Catalan food for over 100 years. I can see why! The brasserie-like space was bustling, but we didn’t have to wait for a table (or have a reservation) to sit inside. We started our meal with squid sauteed in garlic and parsley…cooked to perfection! We also ordered the octopus, which was cooked with smoked paprika. Starting a trend for almost every meal of the trip, we got croquettes (ham in this case). Finally, we split a seafood paella for our main.  A very delicious, seafood forward start to our trip!

      Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment
    • Restaurant Review: Pizza Loves Emily

      Posted at 1:30 pm by athenapappas, on October 26, 2019

      For my birthday a few weeks ago, we headed to Clinton Hill for dinner Emily. Much like Emmy Squared, Emily focuses on delicious pizzas and one decadent burger. However, these pizzas are wood-fired Neopolitan pizzas. First up, we tried the Olympus Mons pizza, which was a cheese-less pizza. WIth Szechuan oil, garlic aachar, pickled jalapeno, and seasonal greens, this pizza was a spicy light start to the meal.

      After our appetizer pizza came my favorite part of the meal…the burger! Seriously, it was one of the best I’ve ever had. The Pat LaFrieda beef was juicy, covered with the special Emily sauce, caramelized onions, and cheddar cheese all on a pretzel bun. You have to go early, they sell out quickly!

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      The pizza menu has several sections: the reds, the pinks (vodka sauce), the greens (tomatillo sauce), and the whites. We tried one from almost every section. The Mons was a red, but our next was from the whites, the eponymous Emily pizza. A sweeter pizza, this rich pie is mozzarella, pistachio, truffle sottocenere, and honey.

      From the greens, we selected the Pico Supreme, which had mozzarella, onion, chicken tinga, and ranch. It’s hard to pick a favorite (aside from the burger), but I think I would have to say the rich sweetness of the Emily was my favorite.

      Regardless of if you prefer the pizza or the burger (burger, the answer is burger), Emily is a great spot for a special dinner.

      Posted in Adventures, New York, Restaurants, Review | 0 Comments | Tagged NYC, pizza, restaurant, Review
    • Adventures in New York: EEEEEATSCon 2019

      Posted at 9:00 am by athenapappas, on October 16, 2019
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      Saturday, October 5th, we trekked out to Forrest Hills Stadium for The Infatuation (one of my favorite food blogs)’s EEEEEATS Con. A two day festival of food, EEEEEATSCon brought together restaurants and vendors from NYC, across the US, and even London. Our first stop was local favorite Crown Shy booth for a short rib sandwich.

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      From there, we swung by Bite Into Maine, a Maine lobster food truck brought to NYC for the weekend. The lobster was fresh and juicy served with the rich-Maine style mayo. For mini-Mexican, we hit La Contenta, based in lower Manhattan. The taquitos were rolled and fried with potatoes and beef topped with salsa roja, shredded cabbage, and queso cotija. The pork carnitas tacos were topped with salsa verde, pickled onion, rostizada, and radishes. Both were just the right amount of spicy.

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      Food wasn’t the only feature of EEEEEATSCon, there were several bars including a Captian’s Morgan Rum tiki speakeasy. Through the telephone booth…was a bar featuring cocktails served in a souvenir coconut.

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      After the drink break, it was time for more food! At the Lolo’s Seafood Shack we sampled the Shrimp Queso Nachos and Crab Cake sliders. Another feature of the festival is weekend-exclusive collaborations. This year, Shake Shack partnered with Uncle Boon’s for an egg-topped, Thai flavored burger.

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      My favorite bite of the day was pizza from Mama’s Too, an Upper West Side Pizzaria (yes, we are already planning to go to their actual location). The square pepperoni slice was pure pizza perfection while the Cacio Pepe slice was creamy and savory. While half our group waited in line for Mama’s Too, the other half ran to Crif Dogs for the Everything Bagel Dog and a Rueben Dog. The Rueben Dog was created by an Infatuation reader, and it was very delicious. The first key to the day was splitting everything, the second was having part of the group wait in one line, while the other half of the group went to a different line.

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      The final stops of the day were Revenge BBQ (for a sausage hero) and Salt & Straw, a famous West coast based, ice cream parlor. It was tough to pick a final flavor of the day, but we finally settled on salted caramel. Although Salt & Straw was one of the longest waits of the day, it was well worth it for the chunky, flavor-packed ice cream.

      Overall, our day at EEEEEATSCon was a culinary adventure. I can’t wait until next year’s festival!

      Posted in Adventures, New York, Restaurants, Review | 0 Comments | Tagged EEEEEATS Con, Food Festival, NYC, Queens
    • Adventures in New York: Fall at the Bronx Zoo

      Posted at 10:00 am by athenapappas, on October 9, 2019

       

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      When the first fall breezes start to cool the New York air, it is a perfect time to make a visit to the Bronx Zoo. Our first stop was a ride on Wild Asia Monorail. This journey over the Bronx River into a recreation of the habitats of Asia features lions, hippopotamus,, and more.

       

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      Other regal creatures can be spotted on the monorail tour. The great thing about the ride is the live narration, so they can slow down and point out animals.

       

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      Giraffes and wild horses also can be seen along the wild Asia Monorail.

       

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      It’s crazy to think that this nature reserve is in the middle of New York City.

       

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      In Jungle World, you can see the majestic leopard stalking his cage. There are plenty of primates, too!

       

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      At the children’s zoo, you can get up close with alpacas and sheep looking to be fed a treat.

       

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      The bright, pink flamingos populate the zoo’s water features. The zoo isn’t all just new exhibits, some of the original zoo buildings stand majestically in the park.

       

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      The seasonal butterfly garden also lets you get up close to these beautiful insects.

      Although the summertime months are often too hot for a visit to the zoo, late September is the perfect time to go. Be sure to get the total experience so that you can see all the zoo has to offer.

      Posted in Adventures, New York | 1 Comment | Tagged Bronx Zoo, New York
    • Restaurant Review: Emmy Squared

      Posted at 10:20 am by athenapappas, on October 1, 2019
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      For former ADA Jared Mogil‘s birthday, we headed Emmy Squared, which is one restaurant of several awesome Pizza Loves Emily Restaurant group. Although pizza is their main focus, their burger (which seriously will sell out) always tops lists of best burgers in the city. Pro tip: spilt the burger and get pizza to share.

      Also known as Le Big Matt, the burger oozing with a double-stacked Pat Lafried grass-fed beef patties, American cheese, greens, pickles, and the proprietary Sammy sauce. If that wasn’t enough, it also comes with a side of waffle fries. This epic burger is cooked to perfection.

      On to the pizza! Serving up thick-cut Detroit style pizza, there is a topping combination for every palate. We decided to do something a little different from our usual style and went for the Hot Chicken: Nashville hot chicken, ‘Bama white sauce, and chopped pickle. It was a spicy, crispy pizza dream come true. Pickles on pizza might sound weird, but it really helped balance out the other flavors.

      I highly recommend Emmy Squared in Williamsburg but be sure to get a reservation. The later you go, the more likely the burger will be sold out.

      Posted in Adventures, New York, Restaurants, Review | 1 Comment | Tagged Brooklyn, restaurant, Review, Williamsburg
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