The colors of Monaco--red and whiteWhat did it want to see in Monaco......anything Princess Grace. There were various excursions available at this port; however, my main goal was Princess Grace. Call it a childhood thing....a Hollywood thing....whatever...she was my goal.
The Grand Casino in Monte CarloI have never had a penchant for gambling....truth be told, I am not very lucky. I can count on one hand the times in my life that I have won anything....so Monte Carlo was not even on my radar.
Port de Monaco
Monte Carlo side of the port with the Alps behindAfter breakfast, I took my camera out on the Promenade Deck (remember Love Boat...lol) and was literally bowled over at the beauty of the picture before me. Monaco to the right and Monte Carlo to my left and the Alps behind, slowly descending into the sea. Whew!
Taken from the ship's deck--Palais Princier and the old wallMultimillion dollar (euro) private boats....primarily Saudi....anchored in the harbor......the ancient wall of Monticoville and the Palace on the hill.
The plan was a short excursion day....up to Monaco-Ville with the primary destinations--the Chapel where Princess Grace married Prince Rainier and their burial place plus the Royal Palace.
We also saw the Royal Gardens (Jardin Exotique). Unfortunately, the tour briskly moved forward and I was only able to snap a few photos :-(
Monaco's Cathedral--Monaco-Ville
And now the Chapel. In a word.....BREATHTAKING. The alter and area where Grace Kelly became Princess Grace and behind and to the left, her final resting place beside her husband Prince Ranier. In fact, many of the royal Grimaldi family are buried behind the alter....an arc behind.
Palais Princier 
Place du Palais opposite the Palais PrincierOur next stop was the Royal Palace. NO PHOTOS ALLOWED INSIDE!!! The Palace was VERY GRAND....yes," palace-like".
Now there's a camera I would love to own..lolBy the time I emerged from the Palace, it was time for the "changing of the guard". I was late and way too short (in stature)....I didn't see or snap any much of it...lol....however, I did hear the band and the gunfire.
We were told that Princess Caroline callsthe yellow apartment with green shutters home
On the walk returning to our tour bus, we did pass the house where Princess Caroline resides when she returns home.....also, numerous shops, museums cafes and lovely flats.
Lunch time stop
The bus drove us down from Monaco-Ville and we decided to jump off in the business area called La Condamine. The walk back to the ship from this point looked to be relatively short.The time wandering the streets of La Condamine was probably the most rewarding time in this small municipality. There are numerous quaint shops and small cafe's and restaurants. Lunch was in one....delectible French cuisine was served.
Unique metal sculptures along the Quai Antoine
Our floating hotelMy take away......Monaco=Money. It is everywhere....the private boats, the homes, the prices in the shops. Limitless money. Fun to visit, but I wouldn't or couldn't live there.
© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser
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In the scheme of things, I probably would never have opted for a trip to Barcelona, Spain. There seemed to be numerous vacation destinations that I would have placed much higher on the list.
This October, I had the great fortune to cruise the Mediterranean. The port of departure was Barcelona. The more I googled and learned about this Spanish/Catalan city, my excitement to experience Barcelona grew by leaps and bounds.
La Rambla at night
Side of the Bruno Quadras Building a former umbrella factory
The Joker
Beautiful flower stalls all along La RamblaI was not disappointed. We spent two full days wandering up and down La Rambla enjoying the crowds of people, the street performers and the artists. We sought out as many Antoni Gaudi buildings as time would allow and tried to lose ourselves in the Barri Gotic section.
Street in the Barri Gotic
For a photographer who loves architecture, this city did not disappoint. It was a slow walk on La Rambla and in the Barri Gotic as I had to snap a building, an unusual focal point or a piece of antiquity.
Signs and advertisements are also fair game for "Miss Snap Happy".
The corner of Burger King and Micky DNo knowledge of the native language while in Barcelona.....no problem. Many of the restaurants, pubs and tapas spots offer menus in numerous foreign languages. Food issues....no problem. It was all delectable. For those faint at heart and stomach, they even have good old American fast food.
Mercat de La Boqueria
Presentation...presentation...presentationThe market on La Rambla was an exciting experience. Colorful produce, artfully displayed, beckoned any and all visitors to sample and ultimately purchase. A vivid memory was the melon display.....packaged to take and eat while milling about the market or as a snack on La Rambla.
Tapas
WHAT!!!!????Following our cruise, we spent a final day back in Barcelona. We ventured north on La Ramblas to a tapas restaurant and more Gaudi architecture.
Grill work featured on Gaudi's Palau Guell
My favorite Gaudi....Casa Batilo
Dragon roof on Casa Batilo
Crucifixion of ChristCenterpiece above the door of Gaudi's Sagrada FamiliaI have to chuckle when I was first introduced to the works of Antonio Gaudi by watching a PBS documentary. His work seemed so strange that I was not even sure that I wanted to take the time to seek it out while in town. So much for first impressions......once seen, I became obsessed with anything Gaudi. We walked and walked looking for every piece of Gaudi architecture we could find. My one sorrow is that we did not have time to see his park--Parc Guell. My mantra when traveling is to always have some reason to go back.....I guess that would be to see the park.
Barcelona never sleeps. There is always a constant stream of folks strolling around...almost 27/7....enjoying the sights, museums, history, food and beverages. The perfect way to utilize a city.
I highly recommend visiting this fascinating city…staying as close to La Rambla as your finances will permit….put on your walking shoes…and go have fun.
P.S. If you need a travel book.....I highly recommend DK Eyewitness Travel Top 10 Barcelona. A nice pocket size guide complete with maps of the city, the subway system and guides to everything you would want to see and do.
© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser
Princess Grace is buried in the Cathedral in Monacoville, Monaco beside her husband Prince Rainier. In 1956 Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier in the same Cathedral. © 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser
© 2010, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser
On the walk returning to our tour bus, we did pass the house where Princess Caroline resides when she returns home.....also, numerous shops, museums cafes and lovely flats.
