Path of the Pilgrims. Part 7
Day 11
Finally, all worries about the delay in payment for the tour were left behind and we had to move to the Mediterranean coast in the town of Lloret de Mar. Departure from the hotel was planned at 12-00 and my wife and I decided to visit the nearby shopping centers, and my son went to Barcelona early in the morning, which almost ended badly, because. our hotel was located in the suburbs of Barcelona, close to the Cornelia El Prat stadium of Barcelona's second football club, Espanyol. And you can get to Barcelona from the Cornella Reina station, which is actually an electric train with long intervals of movement and there is a real chance of not being in time for the appointed hour. There are several shopping centers near the hotel, here is El Corte and a huge shopping center next to the stadium, where we bought quite a lot of things.
As a result, the son was almost late for departure, they barely begged the Spanish driver to make an extra circle around the square so that he could make it. We were already on the bus without a guide.
In Lloret we were met by a local guide, who accommodated our group. I liked the Costa Bravo and Lloret de Mar more than the Costa Dorado, the town is very cozy and is located in a picturesque bay. Lots of good shops.
In the evening we swam for the first time, the water was warm enough.
Day 12
Free day. We decided to visit the famous monastery of Montserrat, next to the mountain of the same name, with an excursion. The mountain looks very unusual and its view is simply mesmerizing. There is an amazing atmosphere of some kind of bliss.
Unfortunately, the time of the tour was limited and we were not able to go higher on the funicular. I advise everyone to come to the mountain as early as possible, otherwise there is just a string of buses, there are a lot of people. Or after 15-00.
Everyone is standing in line for the Black Madonna - the statue of the Mother of God with the baby in her arms, the statue got its name for the dark color that the tree from which it was carved eventually acquired. The cathedral opened at 12-00, but the line to the Madonna was another hour. The Cathedral itself (the Basilica of the Virgin Mary of Montserrat) was founded in the 16th century, but then it was repeatedly rebuilt and the modern building is the end of the 19th century. The best Spanish architects of that time took part in the construction of the cathedral, who determined by lot who designed what. Gaudi got the cross of the altar, which seems to be floating in the air.
There is a children's music school at the monastery (since the 13th century! ), At 13-00, a 50-member boys' choir sings a hymn to the Virgin Mary. At this time, there are a lot of people in the cathedral. The queue to the Madonna passes in a special corridor, the cathedral and singing can be seen and heard through the windows.
When you reach the Madonna, you can ask for something most cherished.
Then people go to the corridor in the rock, where you can put a candle and draw holy water from the source.
We decided to spend the afternoon in Barcelona, and leave for Lloret in the evening, together with a group that went to Barcelona for a sightseeing tour.
On this day, it was City Day in Barcelona, on the one hand, it is interesting to watch numerous processions and performances, on the other hand, all shops, including grocery stores, were closed, and there was no way to get into the Sagrada Familia either. Just walked in the crowd of townspeople and tourists. The procession was attended by groups of people from different areas who carried huge dolls and did something like a show. Then the whole procession gathered in the square, where the best dolls were chosen.
Day 13
Free day. my son went on an excursion to Figueres, to the Dali Museum, and we were recently there and decided to relax in Lloret, walked, swam, sunbathed, went shopping. There is a wonderful shop "Wine World" with a huge selection of wines from all regions of Spain and excellent sherry on tap.
A picturesque hiking trail runs along the sea along the mountains
Day 14
Departure day. We left after lunch, managed to take a walk and stock up on wine, cheese and jamon.
On the other side of the bay there is a monument to a sailor waiting for a sailor.
This is the end of our two-week trip. If anyone decides to repeat, then I advise you to choose the time in the summer, because. I would also like to swim on the beaches of the North of Spain. with the company "DSBV" one must be extremely careful, because. I read a lot of reviews in which people got into the same unpleasant situation as our group.
