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Sunday, April 9, 2017

France and Spain



Park Guell, Barcelona.

Recently Ryan and I were able to take an amazing week-long vacation to Spain and France. The trip wasn't something we planned on. We've tried to travel as much and as cheaply as possible but it can be difficult when flying out of a small airport in the Midwest so when we saw a crazy flight deal from Omaha to Barcelona on The Points Guy we jumped on it.


El Ciclo, Barcelona.


Barceloneta, Barcelona.

We flew into Spain and met our friends Katie and Tyler for the weekend. I was able to spend some time in Barcelona when I studied abroad in 2012 and so had Katie but neither Ryan or Tyler had been to Spain. It was fun to revisit some of the places with fresh eyes and to explore the winding streets with no plans or expectations. 

Our main goal was to relax, eat and drink in all the vibrancy of Barcelona. We started out by visiting La Sagrada Familia, grabbing our first tapas and Sangria and heading to Park Guell my favorite place dreamed up by Gaudi. 

Park Guell, Barcelona.


Bodega La Palma, Barcelona.

We continued our tapas adventure and visited the La Boqueria where they had everything from fresh fruit juices to recently caught seafood. In the evening we had my favorite meal at Bodega La Palma per the recommendation of our awesome host, Flor. Highly recommend her cheap and well located Airbnb in the Gothic Quarter.



Gothic Quarter, Barcelona.


Gothic Quarter, Barcelona.

Our second day we brunched at Milk and then followed the sunshine. We rented bikes from El Ciclo, a bike shop where the owner makes unique pieces of art from upcycled bike parts before heading to the beach.

I loved everything about this day. It was fun and relaxing and even though Katie and I haven't seen each other in a while it always feels like no time has passed when we do. There we all were giggling our way through the city and drinking cheap wine in the sand. It was awesome.




Barceloneta, Barcelona.

So began our next adventure to France. It's no secret I love the process of planning trips. For this trip, we mostly winged it. Looking at a map we found the cities closest to the water and accessible by train but away from the crowds.


Sete, France.

I adored the first town we went to, the seaside fisherman town of Sete. Canals ran through the peninsula and our Airbnb there had a private table overlooking the water on a quiet side of town.



Sete, France.


Sete, France.

 We spent the day at the local market, exploring and eating fresh .90 baguettes, croissants and drinking espresso. Sete is known for their freshly caught seafood so we had to have a big seafood dinner. Seriously, food vacation.


Sete, France.


Sete, France.


Our next stop was Aix en Provence where we would spend two nights. It was much more bustling than the laid back fisherman town of Sete. We loved getting lost in the narrow streets and visiting all the shops with local Provincial goods.


Aix-en-Provence, France.


Aix-en-Provence, France.


Aix-en-Provence, France.


Aix-en-Provence, France.

We planned to take a half day guided tour through the tourism office to Cassis about 45 min away (we didn't have a car) to visit the Calanques by boat and see the national park. When we arrived the tour guide was a no show and they cancelled our trip. We were super bummed but we still wanted to go so we decided to get there ourselves.



Cassis, France.

 After a two hour bus ride we went to a local market and stocked up on bread, cheese and meats for a beach picnic. We ended up taking a long boat tour into the Calanques (best translation is narrow coves) and had time for a private tasting and visit at a local winery. In the end we got to spend a full day instead of a half, saved money on our tour and had a memorable adventure of our own.


Calanques, Cassis.


Calanques, Cassis.


Domaine du Bagnol Winery, Cassis.



On our train ride back to Barcelona we were able to squeeze in a little time visiting the city of Montpellier during our stopover. We were definitely sad to leave our little paradise but our trip was better than we could have hoped for and I can't wait for the next.



Train views, France.









A map of our route:





Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Winter

Warren Buffett waits to greet voters outside Evans Tower as part of his Drive 2 Vote campaign on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at in Omaha. Voters in District 2 were picked up at designated locations and taken to the polls via trolley and by volunteer drivers. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD 

Lincoln Lajiness, 2, looks up to Josh Lajiness as they stand outside following the dedication ceremony of the Stoneyridge Annex to Petty Officer Caleb A. Nelson Memorial Post office on Veterans Day on Friday, November 11, 2016 at the American Legion Millard Post 374 in Millard. The event honored fallen Navy SEAL Caleb A. Nelson. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Aurora's Hunter Holliday (11), second from right, runs the ball during the Aurora vs. Scottsbluff football game on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016 at Aurora High School in Aurora, Neb. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Trevin Myers, 8, holds a balloon with a leaf tied to it before the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football game on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Fans walk outside the stadium before the Nebraska vs. Purdue football game on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


The Huskers take the field during the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football game on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


People stand for the National Anthem during the Nebraska vs. Ohio State volleyball match at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Minnesota's Drew Wolitarsky (82), left, goes up for the ball next to Nebraska's Aaron Williams (24), right, during the Nebraska vs. Minnesota football game on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Neligh-Oakdale quarterback Grant White pictured on Monday, August 1, 2016 at the Neligh Mills in Neligh, Neb. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


The Omaha Condors drill team performs during the Christmas in the Village on Saturday, December 2, 2016 at 24th and Lake in Omaha. The celebration featured carriage rides, hot cocoa and treats and a book giveaway. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Snow covers the ground off of Hwy 275 near Co. Rd. 12 and B on Friday, November 18, 2016 near Scribner, NE. A winter weather advisory was issued across parts of the state. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Snow of off Hwy 275 between Pilger and Norfolk on Friday, November 18, 2016. A winter weather advisory was issued across parts of the state. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


UNO huddles up before the UNO vs. Colorado College hockey game on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at Baxter Arena in Omaha. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Parker Ganey, lower center, sits on the ground with other pages during the Aksarben Coronation & Scholarship Ball on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Baxter Arena in Omaha. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Director of Programs at Girls Inc. and powerlifter Emily Mwaja pictured on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at Girls Inc. in Omaha. Mwaja is an award winning powerlifter who can lift over 300 pounds. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Models from the whole show walk during Omaha Fashion Week on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at the Omaha Design Center in Omaha. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Matt Gibbons, left, cleans the church on Monday, October 25, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Omaha. Gibbons cleans the church and has been a fixture of the church community for years. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Matt Gibbons vacuums the church on Monday, October 25, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Omaha. Gibbons cleans the church and has been a fixture of the church community for years. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Charlotte "Charlie" Dixson, 13, left is embraced by Maggie Swartz, right, during her adoption hearing on National Adoption Day during the on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at the City-County Building in Omaha. Several children were adopted and invited to participate in activities. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Doug McQuinn, left, Tiffany Light-Welchen, center, and Susan McGillick, right, wait backstage during the Aksarben Coronation & Scholarship Ball on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Baxter Arena in Omaha. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Alissa Prior, left, and Kealinn Peterson, right, march in response to Donald Trump's election as the nation's next president on Friday, November 11, 2016 in downtown Omaha. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Protestors march in response to Donald Trump's election as the nation's next president on Friday, November 11, 2016 at through the Old Market in downtown Omaha. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Greg Queal cleans the barn on Thursday, October 27, at the Riding Center in Ponca, Omaha. The center offers lessons, boarding and equine assisted therapy. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Gretna's Creighton Taylor (23), left, slides into home as Skutt Catholic's Ellie Beeson (2), right, throws the ball during the Gretna vs. Skutt Catholic softball game on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at Gretna High School in Gretna. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Elkhorn South senior softball pitcher and Nebraska recruit Olivia Ferrell pictured on Tuesday, August 09, 2016 at Elkhorn South in Elkhorn. Ferrell is also an accomplished ice hockey goalie but chose to pursue softball. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Creighton Prep's John Slagle lays on the ground at the NSAA State Cross Country Championships on Friday, October 21, 2016 at Kearney Country Club in Kearney. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Class D girls race in the at the NSAA State Cross Country Championships on Friday, October 21, 2016 at Kearney Country Club in Kearney. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Fans stand for the National Anthem during the Gretna vs. Skutt Catholic softball game on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at Gretna High School in Gretna. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Aydon Moffatt, 6, prepares for a dance on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 at Fort Omaha Intertribal Powwow at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha. The event featured dancing, art and food vendors. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Kaylee Arakaki, left, and Natasha Ogata, right, try on LipSense at the Pretty in Patina booth during Omaha Fashion Week on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at the Omaha Design Center in Omaha. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Warren Buffett waits in line to vote at Lifegate Church on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at in Omaha. As part of his Drive 2 Vote campaign, voters in District 2 were picked up at designated locations and taken to the polls via trolley and by volunteer drivers. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Burke's Bernard Odjidja (45), left, Mason Williams (50) center,  right, Nick Henrich (42) and Justin Clark-Wagner (78), right, react to their loss during the Burke vs. Lincoln East football game on Friday, November 4, 2016 at Burke High School in Omaha. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Heath Mello speaks as he kicks off his campaign for Omaha Mayor on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at the Livestock Exchange Building in Omaha. Mello will be challenging incumbent Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert in the next election. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD


Landon Spicka, 12, right, stays warm as people display photos of Wahoo players during the Aquinas Catholic vs. Wahoo football game on Friday, October 14, 2016 at Memorial Field in David City, Neb. SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD