Oh my Gaudí

After the bike tour, we all spent a day in Barcelona touring gaudy Gaudí sites, including Parc Güell, Casa Batlló, and Sagrada Família. We didn't want to be a Spain in the butt but, after a week in the countryside, the crowds in the city overwhelmed us and we retreated to our safe space — gelaterias.

Snailed it

Our bike tour looped us through apple orchards, small villages, and coastal paths. The self-guided trip allowed us time for bird watching (wild parakeets, flamingos, and hoopoes) and the bike trail signs recommended a snail's pace. The restaurants also recommended snails and offered us the choice of "land or sea" snails which we bypassed.

In ruins

One morning we rode to the Ruins of Empúries, an archaeological site on the sea with the remains of Greek and Roman port towns (c. 500 BC). Mosaic floor tiles, sculptures, and artifacts are still being unearthed, including what the museum dubbed a "theatrical tragic mask" mosaic that looked alarmingly familiar…

Meals on wheels

We learned quickly that biking (and everything else) is secondary to eating in Spain. We adapted wheelie well. The wick-edly fun melting butter in the shape of candles sparked joy.