Porto, Portugal

Porto Douro River View

Porto Douro River View

Porto, Portugal was built along the Douro River in northern Portugal.  This view is of the oldest section, Riberia, which is largely dedicated to the port wine and tourist industry.  The bright yellow billboard near the center of this photograph is the Sandeman trademark of one of these wines.
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Sardine Festival; Opening Day (almost)

Lisbon Moon Set

Lisbon Moon Set and a section of the 25th of April Bridge, view from our rental balcony.

We do not do an extensive amount of research regarding the places we visit.  Lisbon, or Lisboa, was on our list of places to visit, so off we went, arriving June 13.  As luck would have it, this was the second day of the biggest annual celebration in Lisbon, the Feast of St. Anthony, the patron saint of Lisbon, AKA The Sardine Festival.  Our cab driver was very excited about the evening events and all the balconies were brightly decorated.
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Madrid, Spain

Madrid Av del Ensanche de Vallecas 51

Madrid Avenida del Ensanche de Vallecas 51

Bullfighting would be more likely associated with Madrid, Spain than its architecture.  However, the draw for me was some uniquely designed buildings and staircases.  The bullfights had ended about a month before my arrival.
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Valencia, Spain Home of Santiago Calatrava

Valencia Oranges at the Train Station

Valencia Oranges at the Valencia Nord Train Station

Valencia, Spain is home of the Valencia orange, many olive groves and birthplace of famed futuristic architect and engineer, Santiago Calatrava.  One of his larger installations is in Valencia, named the City of Arts and Sciences.
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Gaudi Town, Casa Milà & Casa Batlló

La Pedrera Little Buddy in Casa Milà

La Pedrera Warrior and Little Buddy in Casa Milà

It is difficult to comprehend living in Casa Milà, the famous Antoni Gaudí designed apartment building as several families do to this today.  There may not be a straight line nor 90 degree angle in the entire seven story complex.  Gaudi is where we get the term gaudy, but I do not think that term fits this great innovative architect.
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London, England (Last Stop)

Chard BuildingQueen Guards
Having returned the rental car in Cambridge, England we took a train to London and taxi to our VRBO rental.  Initial impression and safety appearance of our street seemed somewhat borderline.  However, the unit was comfortable and stylish and we soon learned there were many restaurants and much activity nearby. We had Indian food for the fifteenth time in Europe.  It is now quite apparent there are not huge variation in Indian food and we certainly have our favorites, but lamb vindaloo and chicken tikka masala is quite consistent across the US and Europe.

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