Euro Trip (2022) Part Four: Barcelona - Madrid - Vigo - Porto

Following our time in Siena, the three of us (Sesha, Tiama and I) took the train back to Florence where we said our goodbyes, for a while anyways, as Tiama was to meet us again in Portugal in a few weeks. From Florence we had a direct train to Turin in the north of Italy.

Barcelona

We only had one day and night in Turin due to our train connection into Lyon, so we didn't get the chance to form a strong impression of Turin other than that it seems like a fine place. We definitely had a bit of culture shock coming directly from southern Italy and Tuscany; the air in Turin was colder, the life less chaotic but the people just as friendly as everywhere else in Italy. We spent a few hours in the middle of the day sipping on delicious coffee and snacking while watching life pass by. Nowhere to be, nothing to do but enjoy living life in Italy.

The Druggery

Art exhibit

Madrid

Roman amphitheatre with church and radio tower in the background

Church up close

A very French looking building

"Drawn" building with famous French personalities

Paul Bocuse, the father of French gastronomy

Lunch by the river

On our way to more food!

Chanterelle and leek Dish

All the cheese

Dinner at a Bouchon (how it started)

Dinner at a Bouchon (how it progressed)

Dinner at a Bouchon (how it ended)

Botanical Gardens

Random giraffes

Montpellier

We chose to visit Montpellier for a couple of reasons, we've both heard of it before and it was an easy stop on the way to Barcelona. We both ended up enjoying our time exploring the city and even though it doesn't top our list of places to visit again I would definitely recommend a visit to anyone interested. Some of our highlights there included art gallery walks, the walkable city center and a young university vibe. The city also boasts the oldest medical school in Europe and during a walking tour we got to witness a graduation ceremony which involved capes (think Harry Potter) and singing of silly songs, all inside of a centuries old castle!

A Roman aqueduct running through town

Arc de triomphe (does every French city have one?)

Typical three hour lunch

A familiar #renaissancememes figure

Michelin AND shitadvisor recommended!

Plant or alien creature?!

Makes me laugh every time I see it

Next stop, Barcelonaaaa