A million impressions part 2
I wrote this brief report as an explanatory note to my two photo albums on the Millions of Impressions tour, without unnecessary emotions. All emotions must be conveyed by photographs.
"Million impressions" part 1 and 2
I realized my three-year dream of traveling to the islands of Corsica and Sardinia this year in May on the Million Impressions tour.
Before taking the ferry to sail to the islands, in 11 days we visited wonderful places in Europe: the cozy Polish Jelenia Gó ra and the old German Dresden, the rocky Bastei Park, which is called "Saxon Switzerland" and part of the Romantic Road of Castles Wü rzburg, with the most beautiful episcopal residence.
We went on a first date to Paris, and then visited the whims of the French kings: the Loire Valley castles of Chambord and Blois. We took an evening walk around the luxurious southern city of Bordeaux.
Leaving France, we visited the capital of the Basque Country, Vitoria-Gasteiz, for half a day, and made sure that it rightfully bears the title of the greenest city in Spain. Further, our path in the city of Leon crossed with the pilgrims' road, which leads to the relics of St. James.
But we go further and stop in the northern capital of Portugal, the city of Porto. There was also a boat trip on the Duoro River and a port wine tasting in one of the port wine cellars. But it is not for nothing that the Portuguese themselves say that Porto is working, and Lisbon is having fun.
And we are going to Lisbon to have fun too.
But there are still two wonderful tourist towns on our way: Nazare with the most beautiful golden sandy beach and Obidos with the local branded liqueur "Ginzha". We also managed to sunbathe on the beach and taste Zhinzha.
Lisbon met with bright sun and blue sea. Two excursions gave a complete picture of this city on seven hills. From the observation platforms we saw all the beauty of the Portuguese capital.
But the surroundings of Lisbon turned out to be even more beautiful and fantastic. Royal Sintra with romantic palaces, the Lisbon Riviera with magnificent resorts and for a snack the most western point of Europe, Cape Roca. At Cape Roca, I received a certificate that I was on it : ).
Then we again move to Spain, and for half a day we stop by the city of Madrid in the heart of Spain. Here we had a great sightseeing tour and a few hours of free time for shopping. But then in Spain, on the second day, we still visit the two capitals of the Spanish provinces: Zaragoza and Barcelona. In each of them we saw the most important sights.
And now it's time late in the evening on the 11th day to board the ferry to sail from Barcelona to the island of Sardinia. The ferry is large and comfortable, the cabin "suite" with a window on the upper ninth deck. The night on the ferry passed quietly, without pitching. And in the morning we arrive in Sardinia at Porto Torres. This is the first part of the journey.
Second part of the journey
Sightseeing tour of Sassari and we move to the coral city of Alghero. After a tour of the city, we sail on a boat to the sea gates of the city - the grotto of Neptune. This is a cave of beautiful galleries with natural stalactites and stalagmites. Fantastic Miracle created by nature!
Then a short journey and we settled on the most beautiful coast of Sardinia. The hotel is located in the bay of Golfo Aranci on the very shore. The windows overlook the sea.
And begins a fairy tale with the name of the Emerald Coast.
On the second day we leave for the whole day to the resorts of the Emerald Coast: Porto Rotondo, Porto Cervo, and Bahia Sardinia. These names still caress my ears and evoke a storm of enthusiastic memories!! ! The Costa Smeralda is my most vivid memory. In the evening there is still time for the beach near the hotel and for a walk around the city.
But we have not yet seen everything, and ahead of us again is France and the birthplace of Napoleon, the island of Corsica. In the morning again transfer to the port and again the ferry. But this is a ferry from local lines, and it is quite small. Everyone here already felt the pitching. But, fortunately, I endured the pitching easily.
In Corsica, we arrive in the most colorful and unique fortified city of Bonifacio. We climbed to high observation platforms, and from there we saw such beauty of the rocks and the sea that there are not enough words to describe it.
After an excursion to Bonifacio, then our path lies in the capital of Corsica, Ajaccio.
Ajaccio is the birthplace of Napoleon and all the sights in the city are dedicated to this hero. Again sightseeing tour and free time for shopping.
Then transfer to the city of Bastia to check into a hotel. Moving along the steep Corsican serpentines through the passes. The views are very beautiful, but not for the faint of heart : ).
In Bastia, half a day of free time was devoted to self-examination of the old town and port. From here we again sail by ferry at 14 o'clock to Italy in Livorno. The ferry is big and cozy again. But the transition is short, about four hours, so we do not settle in cabins. The whole transition I was on the upper deck and admired the sea.
From Livorno transfer to the hotel in the Padua area. In the morning we check out and drive to the most famous resort of the Venetian Riviera, Lido di Esolo. But my goal is not the beaches of the resort, but an excursion to the islands of Murano-Burano.
Again the ship and now the first island of Murano glassblowers. A short excursion to the glass blowing factory, free time for souvenirs, and then we sail to the island of Burano. This island made a wonderful impression with its colorful houses.
We return back to the resort and still have time for the beach and shopping. But the weather deteriorated sharply, it began to rain and we ask that we be brought to the nearest supermarket to buy souvenirs. Our request was fulfilled, and the whole group fulfilled their plan for souvenirs from Italy.
After that, transfer to Austria for the night.
In the morning we have the last sightseeing city on this tour, the capital of Carinthia - Klagenfurt. A clean and beautiful city, like all Austrian cities. And it also has two highlights: the Minimundus Park of Miniature Structures, and Lake Wö rthersee.
After the sightseeing tour, part of the group, including me, go to the Minimundus park. The rest go to the lake on their own.
The park contains the most famous buildings from around the world. I enjoyed spending two hours there.
And again the bus, and moving to Poland for the night. The next day we returned to our homeland. 18 days of the tour flew by so quickly, and just looking at my photos, I am once again convinced of how much we saw during this time, and what beautiful and unique places we visited.
