ROAD TRIP - To France we go, in an original way!

What’s a European trip without adding a portion experiencing a little road trip? I have had the pleasure of flying, taking taxis, taking a bus, trains and now, a car. I was happy to play passenger to Sandra driving as I cannot drive a stick shift and I really do not like driving in unknown places and she was a fabulous “pilot”. We went on a unique journey as during the drive we changed where we wanted to go probably three or four times which consisted of pulling off the freeway and looking at a map to determine the best route. Very spontaneous! I really do love riding in the car - my mom always calls me a puppy because whenever it is time to go somewhere, I am happily there waiting and will always tag along! I feel like is because I do not want to miss out on anything, but who knows! Anyways, I started in Barcelona and took a train to Lleida where I met Sandra with the car and then we just drove. Contemplating between going to San Sebastián or Toulouse (where I had to be in a couple days) we decided against both and went into the direction of Perpignan, France. The scenery was so beautiful I can hardly describe it. I went from a hustling and bustling city like Barcelona to hills, trees, mountains…just nature in general. It was a pretty amazing experience to be able to see so much of Spain in the short time I was there.

On our road trip, we obviously had to stop for lunch and this is where we found one of the most amazing cities that I had experienced in Spain - Vic. Thank you google as we made the stop because we saw a restaurant that looked perfect! There were many aspects to the city from restaurants, to shops, to bridges and bakeries, and, of course, churches. Being catholic, I have truly enjoyed seeing all the churches and such through each city I have visited and Vic’s church was exceptional. I was not expecting to see what I did or it have an impact on me like it did, but wow! The architecture, paintings, history…everything was absolutely breathtaking and definitely a special opportunity for me to go and experience. To think that I experienced truly by accident makes it even cooler!!!
After leaving Vic we decided that we were going enjoy the hotel which was on the coast - in Begur. By the time we arrived it was dark and so it was not easy to see our views but I could imagine it with the sounds of the waves and the large gusts of wind. I was anxious to see in the morning but did enjoy listening to that and using other senses to imagine it. That evening we stayed in the hotel for dinner and had a relaxing meal with cava…oh how I miss cava!

     

 

I almost forgot where I was in the morning and when I woke up to waves and wind I saw the most beautiful view. Now if only the sun was out, I probably would have been on the beach, but even on a cloudy day the views were spectacular. How could you not be in awe by this?!

 

To finish our road trip, we headed to France. Perpignan to be specific. How cool is it that, without issues, you just drive over the border. Hardly even realize, except for “Welcome to France” signs and a French flag, that we had left Spain. I cannot describe the feeling of actually feeling myself being in France. As most know, Paris is my dream city and I was not even that close to Paris yet and I had this absolutely amazing feeling that I was where I had always wanted to be. Perpignan was the final stop on our road trip and where a very different aspect of my trip began. Cannot wait to share all that as it truly has been a magical time in France.

xo