by Terry Petkau, tour leader
One of the highlights of our final days on this tour was the scenic drive through the mountainous countryside which took us to the Abbey of Montserrat. From the coach we boarded a special train which was capable of safely climbing the steep and winding route to the top of the mountain to visit this secluded and operational religious site. With some time to not only visit the beautiful cathedral, we ventured around the grounds to absorb in the breathtaking views of the valley below.
During the city tour of Barcelona Audrey and Lucille stopped for a photo at the doors to the church of Santa Lucia (Saint Lucy)
A must stop for anyone visiting Barcelona is the Basílica de la Sagrada Família. Designed by Catalan visionary and architect Antoni Gaudi, this massive place of worship has been under construction for over 130 years and is on schedule to be completed by 2026 which is the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death. Even though many of the external towers are yet to be constructed, the exterior is awe-inspiring with impressive detail of many biblical stories presented through artist limestone carvings. The interior is a blend of modern architecture and impressive engineering, but inspiring are the colourful stained glass windows offering an ever changing ambiance as the sunlight advances through the day.
All good things must come to an end. We gathered for a final dinner enjoying local tapas at the Mas Q Menos (More or Less) restaurant. It was a time to reflect on the many things we had seen and learned, the wonderful people we had met and especially the opportunity to travel together with true friends!
