"Vacation Re-Wind" - Days 1 and 2

Andorra and the Pyrenees Mountains

Andorra is a small country between France and Spain in the Pyrenees Mountains.

It's 181 sq miles, with about 171,000 people. Tourism accounts for about 80% of their economy - more than 9 million people visit every year. It's a tax haven for banks, and duty free for visitors.

We met on Sept 1st in Barcelona. We found each other, found our rental car and headed north. We made it to Andorra -and then spent day 2 at this small ski resort country/town.
We rode the lift up to the top, and here was the line for the lift. I can only imagine what it looks like during ski season. When it's 85 degrees - not one person in line.
We saw these HUGE horses along side the road - I had to see them! They were quite different than the horses you see in the US. He is standing in a ditch, as he was much bigger than I when he came up next to me.

In Italian - Zucca means Pumpkin

Ask me how I know this?

We asked our B&B owner in Venice to recommend a restaurant for us. He gave us a great "fish" place, and when we explained we'd prefer meat - he was excited to tell us how to get to LaZucca's. He even made reservations for us, so we would be able to "get in".

We mazed our way through Venice to a small local restaurant. We were surprised that Zucca means pumpkin and most the dishes were made with this ingredient.

It wasn't all bad, and we did get the what we asked for.

Something authentic.

Now we all know what Zucca means.

Homeword Bound

It's 10pm in Venice, and our private water taxi is due at 4am.

We will say Goodbye tomorrow morning for another few months.

The Grand Canal in Venice

We've made it to Venice.
While it was challenging to get through the water bus, and up the bridges with our lugguage - we've made it to center of town. The busiest part of the city...
Its hard to imagine a life like this - but we are off to spend some time and money.

More later.

Party in the Riveria

Another Castle in Spain, and now we are in Monte Carlo, Monoco. We gambled at the Grand Casino (and lost), and got a look at how the "beautiful people" live.

No pictures as the internet is slow... I guess the super rich don't care about high speed.

Andorra

Okay, How many of you knew there was a country hidden in the Pyrenees mountains between Spain and France?
Okay -- well I didn't! Reminded me of Whistler/Blackcomb. It's a sky resort that is empty in the summer.
Many more great pictures as we rode the lift to the top - but Internet limited.

It's back to Barcelona, and off on a cruise tomorrow.

Forteresse De Salses

Castle/Fortress of Salses

Puivert Castle

A much lesser known Castle in Southern France.

"The" Castle at Carcacassonne

This is the Famous Castle in France.
Built 1260, 52 towers, 2 rings of walls at almost 2 miles.