Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are entirely our own, and we have not been compensated in any way for these opinions.
Returning to Europe for our 5th Viking Ocean Cruise, we selected Trade Routes of the Middle Ages. This cruise started in Bergen, Norway and ended in Barcelona, Spain. We had several countries and stops on our list that we wanted to visit, and this cruise was the best fit.
Whenever we travel abroad for a cruise, we always include a pre-extension. The main reasons for allotting some extra time include, acclimating from jet lag, having a buffer in case of unexpected travel delays, and providing additional time to see more of the departing city.
For this trip, we decided to do our own pre and post extensions instead of those offered by Viking.
TIP: We sometimes use Viking for pre and post extensions, and sometimes we do not. If you would like to read a more in-depth discussion on how we determine our best option for extensions, please see our article on Viking Extension Package versus Plan Your Own.
Though our ship departed from Bergen, we decided to first spend a couple of days in Oslo. We found a better selection of flights by choosing Oslo as our destination rather than Bergen. In addition, we were eager to take the scenic train from Oslo to Bergen.
For our post-extension, we transferred from the ship to a local hotel in Barcelona, and then we traveled on to Madrid by train a few days later.
In this article, we will cover each part of our itinerary, including the pre-extension, cruise and the post-extension, for a total of 23 days. Our philosophy is that since flights to Europe are so long and so expensive, we want to spend as much time a possible there before flying home.
Viking Cruises
Before we discuss the cruise itinerary, you may appreciate some general information about Viking. Founded in 1997, Viking Cruises has grown to be the world’s leading river and ocean cruise line. In 2022, Viking launched new expedition voyages, sailing to Antarctica, the Arctic and North America’s Great Lakes. Also in 2022, Viking expanded its destination-focused travel experiences with the launch of Mississippi River cruises. You can see all of their cruise options on their site here.
We have written a few previous articles that you may wish to peruse that will help you understand what to expect when sailing with Viking.
If you would like to understand the differences between sailing with Viking on an ocean cruise as opposed to a river cruise, then this article, Viking Cruises – River versus Ocean can help you understand those differences.
If you would like information regarding life on board one of a Viking’s Ocean ships, we cover those details at the beginning of our previous article, Iceland’s Natural Beauty – A Viking Ocean Cruise.
We also know that first time cruisers may have many more questions about what to expect during the cruise itself. You can find some additional information in another article, Viking Cruises Frequently Asked Questions.
Viking Trade Routes of the Middle Ages
Now that we have discussed some of the general information, let’s get started on our itinerary.
Our trip was from late August to mid-September 2024. Starting in Norway in late August, we experienced nice weather with no rain and high temperatures in the 60’s. As we made our way south during the cruise, we had pleasant temperatures at all or our stops, and very little rain. Even once we made it to Spain, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the high temperatures were still less than 80 degrees!
TIP: Weather is always unpredictable, so it’s best to bring along layers so that you can easily adjust to changes in the weather during the day. A light rain jacket is necessary, even during warmer months for those unexpected showers. We usually start with a light cover that we shed later in the day.
Oslo Pre-Extension
– Day 1 – Oslo Pre-Extension
Our long travel day began with a flight from Charlotte to London, and then on to Oslo. We were lucky that both flights were on time, and there were no issues. Arriving in Oslo around 4 PM on a Wednesday, we were on our own for transportation and accommodations, since we arranged the pre-extension on our own without Viking. We had been to Oslo on previous trips, so we were very comfortable in getting around on our own.
Transportation in most European cities is typically very accessible, and Oslo was no exception. We had purchased train tickets on the FlyToGet Airport Express, which travels from the Oslo airport to the main train station in Oslo in only 19 minutes. Signs led us to the train platform in the airport, and once we arrived in downtown Oslo, it was a very short walk to our hotel across the street from the train station.
Our hotel was the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Oslo, which was very convenient for walking to everything we planned to see while in the city.
After settling into our hotel and a very long day of travel, we decided on dinner at the Top Terrace Restaurant, located on the top of our hotel. This spot was not only convenient, but provided amazing views of the city.
We planned a lot of activities on Day 2, so after dinner we just relaxed and got a good night’s sleep.
– Day 2 – Oslo Pre-Extension
After a great breakfast at the hotel, we got an early start on a beautiful day.
We walked by Christian Frederiks Plass, where the sculpture group “The Sun and the Earth” is located, and then past the Opera House. We then continued along the waterfront as we made our way to the National Museum. This is a beautiful and very large museum where, if you have the time, you can spend hours admiring all of the displays and paintings. My personal favorite was a painting named The Scream by Edvard Munch.
We had a light snack for lunch in the museum before making our way to Karl Johans gate. This street stretches from the Royal Palace to the train station. It is a beautiful walk with small parks, places to eat and other attractions.
There is so much more to see in Oslo, but since we had been to Oslo before, we are only including those places we visited on this trip. For more information on the Viking Extension in Oslo, see our post on the Viking Homelands cruise, where we visit Oslo on their post-extension.
That night, we had a nice dinner at Olivia Østbanehallen, located adjacent to the train station, which is one our favorite restaurants for a reliable meal in Oslo. Be sure to get a reservation though, because the restaurant can get very busy.
– Day 3 – Bergen Pre-Extension
After another filling breakfast at the hotel, we walked to the nearby train station for our scenic train from Oslo to Bergen. The most popular time for the train leaves at 8:25AM and arrives in Bergen at 3:00PM. The Oslo train station is very easy to navigate, but be sure you buy your tickets early, as this popular route fills up fast. While there are stops along the way, they are very short stops. As the train departs the Oslo area, the climb to the mountains begins, and depending on the time of year, you may have a chance to see lots of snow. Even if traveling in the summer, there are still plenty of opportunities to see the glaciers in the distance.
Upon arrival in Bergen, it is easy catch a taxi to your hotel, but since it was a beautiful day, we walked the .7 miles to our hotel, the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel. If you have lots of bags, then you will want to catch a taxi or an Uber, but we pack light and have roller bags, so we enjoyed the walk. The hotel is very nice and the best feature is the location. Not only is it on the waterfront, but only a short walk, less than 10 minutes, to the awaiting Viking ship.
After check-in we walked along the colorful waterfront, including the very interesting Fishmarket. We stopped for a lovely dinner at AS Bryggestuen – Bryggeloftet, which is also on the waterfront.
Viking Trade Routes of the Middle Ages Cruise
– Day 4 – Bergen Embarkation
After breakfast at the hotel, we went for a brief walk along the waterfront. Upon returning to the hotel, we packed up, checked out and had a short walk to the ship.
Check-in at the ship was quick and easy, and our PV2-category stateroom was ready around lunch time.
Since we had been to Bergen before, and the ship was staying overnight for excursions the next morning, we decided to relax a bit and spend some time in the ship’s spa. For those who may not know, the spa is free, unless you have some sort of service. As we have learned from the past, embarkation day is a slow day at the spa, and that means you will have the spa area to yourself.
We capped off the day with cocktails in the Explorer’s Lounge and dinner at the World Café.
TIP: There is a Port Talk each afternoon (around 4:30 PM) in the theatre, and on your TV in the stateroom, where the next day’s activities are previewed. It is well worth the time to ensure that you are prepared for the next day.
– Day 5 – Bergen
After breakfast in the World Café, we were welcomed by a beautiful, cloudless sky of blue as we started our 8:30AM included excursion. This excursion, Bergen on Foot, is a 2-hour walking tour through the old town of Bergen, one of the most picturesque towns in Norway. We set off on foot from the ship to our first stop at the Bergenhus Fortress, one of Norway’s best-preserved fortifications. Next, we arrived at Bryygen to admire its picturesque wooden buildings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Formerly the capital of Norway, Norwegian kings once resided here. Bergen owed its wealth and prominence to the fish export trade, which has been at the heart of the town since the Middle Ages. The walk continued to the old financial district, pausing to see the old telegraph office, the historic post office and to admire the quaint residences.
At the conclusion of the tour, we decided to hike to the top of Mt. Fløien. Starting at the funicular station, there are a number of paved paths to the top. The hike is just under 2 miles and takes about 1 hour to reach the top. While it is entirely uphill, a slow and steady pace will allow plenty of time to take advantage of the breathtaking views as you climb. If you are not up to hiking, the funicular is a quick and easy way to reach the top. Buy your tickets early, as the line at the ticket window gets very long. Viking also offers an optional tour to the top via the funicular.
Once at the top of Mt. Fløien, there are magnificent views and some short hiking trails, including one to nearby Skomakerdiket Lake. We also stopped at the top for a light snack for lunch before hiking back to the ship.
We were back onboard the ship by early afternoon, so decided to have Afternoon Tea in the Wintergarden. Afternoon Tea is served on most days at 4:00PM. It is very enjoyable, so be sure to enjoy it at least once during your trip. But be forewarned though, you might not be too hungry for dinner.
Our ship departed at 5:00PM as we enjoyed cocktails in the Explorer’s Lounge and then had dinner at the World Café.
– Day 6 – Sea Day
We sailed throughout the day headed for our next stop, A
msterdam, The Netherlands. Sea days are always welcome since you can be as active as you would like. We spent the day relaxing in the morning, then walking on the deck track and visiting Mamsen’s for a delicious treat. As we sailed the North Sea, we spotted a few oil platforms in the distance. It was the first time we had spotted any at sea.
We finished the day with a light meal at the World Café, and then listened to piano music in the Living Room.
– Day 7 – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
We arrived in Amsterdam at 8:00AM and started our day after breakfast. Since Amsterdam was another city we had been to several times, we did not stop at some of the usual tourist attractions. If you have never been to Amsterdam, we highly recommend taking a tour, or at least just walking around the canal rings for lovely views.
We decided on the 1.5-hour included Amsterdam Canal Cruise, since viewing the buildings from the water gives a unique perspective. While the cruise is not very long, it does give you a good taste of what it is like to live around the canals.
We purchased timed entry tickets for the Van Gogh Museum for after lunch. Tickets can be purchased here. The walk from the ship to the museum took almost an hour, but the walk takes you by all of the beautiful canal rings, so there is plenty of opportunity for photos.
The Van Gogh Museum was very nice and contains many of his masterpieces. If you have not been, we highly recommend it. After our visit, we walked by the Rijksmuseum and had plenty of time to stop at Dam Square on our walk back to the ship before departure at 6:00PM.
We finished the day with dinner at The Restaurant, which is Viking’s main restaurant, and we believe the best venue on the ship for dinner.
– Day 8 – Bruges (Zeebrugge), Belgium
After breakfast, we boarded the Viking bus at 8:50AM for the short ride (about 25 minutes) to Bruges, for the 4-hour included excursion, A Half Day in Bruges on Your Own. The bus dropped us off, and we had a short walk past a picturesque lake to Walplien, which is small square with shops and a market. Our guide gave us some instructions and where to meet back, and we were on our own to explore the area.
We made our way through some old streets and canals to the Church of Our Lady, a Roman Catholic church, dating mainly from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. Its 379-foot tower remains the tallest structure in the city and the third tallest brickwork tower in the world. The inside of the church was just as amazing.
Our next stop was the famous Brug Square, whose history can be traced back to the Early Middle Ages, a period in history when ancient Roman roads were still the important thoroughfares of Europe. Just a short walk from there is the Belfry of Bruges, located in the Market Square.
From there we wondered the narrow streets, making our way back to the tour meeting point and then back to the ship.
We were back onboard and decided to grab lunch and a beer at the pool bar. There were very few people around the pool, and we just relaxed and enjoyed lunch.
For dinner that night we had reservations at Manfredi’s, one of the two specialty restaurants onboard.
– Day 9 – Paris (Le Havre), France
The shipped docked in LeHavre, which is about a 2.5-hour bus ride to Paris.. While many people left early for the long day in Paris, we decided to skip Paris since we had just spent time there recently. We opted for the optional excursion, Explore the Medieval Town of Honfleur. Honfleur is just a short ride away and is a very charming small town. Unfortunately, this was our only real rain day, so the visit was not quite as nice as it could have been.
We walked through the small town and its charming streets and stopped at the Église Sainte Catherine (Church of St Catherine) and the nearby Bell Tower. If the weather was better, we would have stayed longer to explore more of the town. We did however, manage to pick up some macarons at a local bakery. So, all was not lost!
Arriving back at the ship we relaxed and had dinner at The Restaurant.
– Day 10 – Portsmouth, England
Since we had never been to London, we decided on the all-day optional excursion, Panoramic London. We knew it would be a long bus ride to and from London, and that our actual time there would be minimal. However, we thought a ‘taste’ of London would be good, because we are planning a longer visit sometime next year. If we had to decide again, we would have probably not done it, since it is a long bus ride and we only spent a short time in London.
But with that said, we boarded the bus after breakfast and started our 2.5-hour bus ride at 8:30AM. Once we arrived in London, we started the first part of the tour which was a panoramic tour around London to see the main sites. We drove by Trafalgar Square and the National Art Gallery, past Whitehall and Downing Street, then along the mall to Buckingham Palace. We stopped at Parliament Square to see the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.
We then disembarked the bus at Covent Gardens, where we had time to walk around on our own for a few hours. We enjoyed a fun walk through all the shops, where they had the ’Happy Little Clouds’ displayed throughout the main area. We exited the main building in front of St Paul’s Church (not to be confused with St. Paul’s Cathedral.) From there we walked to Charing Cross, Trafalgar Square, near Big Ben and then back along the waterfront as we made our way back to the meeting point.
Across from Trafalgar Square, we stopped for lunch at The Admiralty. This was a fun pub where we had delicious fish and chips, along with a beer.
The traffic leaving London was very slow, but we finally made it back to our ship after a very long day. Since we were tired, we opted for the World Café for dinner.
After dinner, we saw the famous Spinnaker Tower and a beautiful sunset as we sailed out of Portsmouth.
– Day 11 – Falmouth, England
The port of Falmouth is the deepest in Western Europe. We sailed into the port of Falmouth just as the sun was rising. The sunlight on the colorful town made for a beautiful sight!
Since the prior day had been a relaxing sea day, we decided to schedule a full day of activity while in Falmouth. We started in the morning with the included excursion, Historic Truro by Foot. The drive was only about 30 minutes and the countryside of the county of Cornwall was picturesque. One can easily see why Cornwall is such a popular tourist resort among Britons.
Once we arrived in Truro, we had a brief orientation walk with our guide to get acquainted with Truro’s main attractions. At the end of our walk, we had free time to further explore this quaint locale on our own.
Our walk started with Truro’s Farmer’s Market. We visited on a Saturday, so the market was very busy with all sorts of food and products. This was a very pleasant area to sit and enjoy the sights.
One of the main sites in Truro is the Truro Cathedral. The Diocese of Truro was established in 1876 and its first bishop, Bishop Edward White Benson, was consecrated at St Paul’s Cathedral in 1877. The construction of the cathedral actually took thirty years. Foundation stones were laid on 20th May 1880 by the Duke of Cornwall, later King Edward VII, and work started immediately. The central tower was finished by 1905 and the building was completed with the opening of the two western towers in 1910.
Next, we walked to the Truro Crown Court and took a nice stroll through the adjacent Victoria Gardens. From the gardens, we made our way back to the Farmer’s Market as we strolled through many of the narrow streets. One place of interest was the Coinage Hall. The Duke of Cornwall instructed his staff to build a house for his coinage, otherwise known as taxes paid to the Duchy, when ingots of tin were assayed in 1351.
We returned to the ship for lunch and then headed out for our optional excursion, Falmouth on Foot. This excursion included a walking tour of the Pendennis Headland. The Headland is a peninsula that has fantastic views of the surrounding area, including Gyllyngvase Beach. The views near Pendennis Castle are spectacular, though it is a bit of a walk uphill to the overlook. From there, we walked toward the beach and Gyllyngdune Garden. Our guide pointed out a small gate that is seldom open, but was open the day we visited. The open gate allowed us to access a bottom section of the garden that was very unique. Known as the shell grotto, not only were there many decorations made from seashells, but also many tropical plants growing in this cave-like environment.
TIP: The Falmouth on Foot excursion was marked demanding because of the climb to the Headlands Overlook. It seemed that many participants failed to read that information and were very surprised at the demanding walk. About half the group stopped and made their way back down. Be sure to read the details of each excursion before deciding on your selections.
– Day 12 – Sea Day
After having had a busy day in Falmouth, it was nice to have a sea day just to relax and recharge.
We have sailed on several Viking Ocean Cruises, but have never sailed through any rough seas. We had heard many stories about the rough waters frequently encountered in the Bay of Biscay. However, we were very lucky that the water was very calm during our crossing. In fact, our cruise director even remarked that it was the smoothest sailing across the Bay that he had ever had.
In the afternoon, we decided to order room service and enjoyed a lovely cheese plate of fresh cheeses, breads, crackers, dried fruits and nuts. We paired it with a nice bottle of white wine and enjoyed the view from our room. You will notice in the picture that we were sitting in our room looking out through the sliding glass door, as it was a bit chilly on the balcony.
– Day 13 – Porto, Portugal
We arrived in Porto on a fogging morning, but otherwise, a very nice day. We started the morning with the included excursion, Porto by Foot. This was a 3.5-hour excursion that started at 8:30AM. The actual port is north of the city of Porto, but only a 20-minute drive along a very picturesque coast. The first pictures during the excursion still show the lingering fog, but it quickly made way for a beautiful sunny day.
After a short drive around the city, we started a walking tour. The Portuguese Centre of Photography is an interesting building. Originally the Cadeia da Relação prison, it was opened as a museum in 1997.
We next stopped at the Torre dos Clérigos Church, (“Church of the Clergymen”). The church was built for the Brotherhood of the Clérigos (Clergy). Construction of the church began in 1732 and was finished in 1750, while the bell tower was completed in 1763.
Nearby is the Igreja do Carmo Church. It was built in the second half of the eighteenth century, between 1756 and 1768, by the Third Order of Carmo.
We also walked by the University of Porto before having some free time to explore the area. We stopped at a small café for a coffee and the pastry specialty, Pastéis de Nata (Portuguese Custard Tarts).
We boarded the bus for the brief drive to the river front, where we were able to walk along the river and sample treats and visit small shops.
We were back on the ship around 1:00PM for lunch and relaxed the remainder of the day.
TIP: On a sad note, my wallet was stolen while visiting Porto. We believe it happened after the purchase in the café. We try to be extra careful, but believe it occurred while we were distracted with purchasing the coffees and pastry. Luckily, I only carry the minimum when on excursions, so the loss was two credit cards, my driver’s license and a small number of Euros. My wife and I carry different credit cards just for this scenario, so we had other cards available. Our guide did help us file a police report (she was extremely helpful) and at the end of the day, it was just an inconvenience. But always be aware of your surroundings and only carry what you need. By the way, we are in no way discouraging anyone from visiting Porto! These sorts of events can occur absolutely anywhere. We just wanted to make the point that you can never be too careful!!
– Day 14 – Sea Day
A couple of sea 
days thrown in on a long cruise is a nice time to relax and enjoy the ship. We walked 4 miles on the Deck 2 track before having a casual lunch on the Aquavit Terrace.
In the afternoon, we also went to the Wintergarden for Afternoon Tea.
All in all, it was a very relaxing day!
– Day 15 – Granada (Málaga), Spain
After the restful sea day, we were ready for a very full day in Granada. We met the bus at 8:00AM for the 1.75-hour ride to Granada for our optional 9-hour excursion, Alhambra Palace & Gardens.
The scenery in the Andalusian countryside is stunning, so have your camera ready and enjoy the ride.
Alhambra is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world. The complex was begun in 1238 and had several periods of changes over the centuries. The most significant included the 14th century updates during the reigns of Yusuf I and Muhammad V. After the conclusion of the Christian Reconquista in 1492, the site became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella (where Christopher Columbus received royal endorsement for his expedition), and the palaces were partially altered. Several more updates followed, and now it is one of Spain’s major tourist attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After our visit to Alhambra, a short drive away was the Restaurante Ruta del Veleta. This was a charming restaurant that served a delicious lunch.
Upon returning to the ship, we had dinner at the restaurant that included a fantastic lobster dinner.
– Day 16 – Murcia (Cartagena), Spain
We woke to another cloudless day in Cartagena and ready for another incredible day.
While Cartagena looked like a beautiful city to explore, we opted for the optional excursion to Murcia, Murcia & Cathedral of Santa Maria, a 5-hour excursion that departed at 8:30AM.
It took only about 45 minutes to reach Murcia and the foothills of Sierra de Carrascoy.
Our first stop was Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Fuensanta (Sanctuary of the Virgin of Fuensanta). Construction of the church began in 1694 and the sanctuary is home to the image of the Virgin of Fuensanta, patron saint of the city of Murcia and its orchard. The views of Murcia in the valley below are beautiful.
From the church we drove town to the city of Murcia and started our walking tour. Our first stop was the Episcopal Palace of Murcia, which is the official seat of the Diocese of Cartagena.
Nearby was the Cathedral of Murcia, built over an old Arab mosque between 1394 and 1465. Unfortunately, the main façade of the church was under renovation, so only the tower was visible for viewing.
Our next stop was the Royal Casino of Murcia. Most people think of a casino as a gambling house, but as are many casinos in Spain, this is a private members’ club with areas that are open to the public. Some of the iconic rooms include the library, and the Ball Room, with its incredible chandeliers and ceiling painting. The painting on the ceiling of the Ball Room is of the four midwives in the clouds – representing music, sculpture, painting and architecture.
We concluded our tour with a walk through some of the charming streets in Murcia and visiting the Church of Santo Domingo. The church features two facades and an adjoining Chapel of the Rosary. It was part of an ancient monastic complex of the Dominican Order and dates back to the 18th century.
We had dinner at The Restaurant and were delighted to see one of our favorite menu items, scallops and for dessert, Grand Marnier souffle.
– Day 17 – Barcelona, Spain
The ship arrived in Barcelona at 1:00PM. It was interesting that we had sailed the North Sea and the Bay of Biscay, both known for rough seas, but both were exceptionally calm. However, the sail from Cartagena to Barcelona turned out to be the roughest of the trip. It was in no way a bad trip, but you did have to be careful keeping you balance when walking through the corridors. It just goes to show that you never know what conditions you may encounter on your cruise!
We joined the included tour, Iconic Barcelona, at 2:30PM. Those passengers that were leaving to fly home after the cruise, only had the afternoon to see Barcelona, but we planned on staying for a few extra days. More on that later.
The Iconic Barcelona excursion is a good way to see the main attractions in Barcelona. This excursion made stops at the Cathedral of Barcelona, Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar and Basílica de la Sagrada Família. There were also many other sites viewed from the bus. A single afternoon does not offer a lot of time to see Barcelona. However, it did provide us with a good orientation of the city, that was useful on our extended stay in Barcelona.
We had our last dinner onboard at The Restaurant. We thought The Restaurant had some of the best dinners onboard, even when compared to the two specialty restaurants.
– Day 18 – Barcelona, Spain Disembarkation
Disembarkation day is always a little sad, especially if you are heading to the airport to fly home. But for us, our vacation continued!
Luckily, we were not rising in the middle of the night to head to the airport, as some did. Instead, we headed down to breakfast around 7:30AM. Viking asks everyone to be out of their stateroom by 8:00AM and disembarked from the ship by 9:00AM. We left the ship about 8:30AM to catch a taxi to our hotel.
We selected the Hotel Colon based on recommendations from friends. This hotel is exceptional, and is located across the square from the Barcelona Cathedral. The room was very nice and a terrific breakfast buffet was included in the daily rate.
Since we arrived at the hotel at just after 9:00AM, our room was not ready. The folks at the check-in desk recommended that we check back around 1:00PM. They kindly tagged and held our luggage while we went exploring.
We spent the afternoon walking a big circle to get acquainted with the area. We exited the hotel near the Barcelona Cathedral and walked to the La Rambla area. This street is one of the most popular in the city. Even though it is quite touristy, it is interesting and worth the time to see all the shops, restaurants and other interesting sights along the way. One of the places to stop along La Rambla is the Merkat (Market). As the name implies, it is a huge market offering all sorts of edibles, souvenirs, and other goods. It is a very popular place with both tourists and locals.
Continuing past La Rambla, we reached Casa Batlló. This is one of Antoni Gaudí’s creations and is well worth the visit.
We then walked to the most iconic place in Barcelona, Basílica de la Sagrada Família. We stopped here briefly on the Viking excursion, but wanted to spend more time walking around the outside. It truly is amazing. We would be back a third time when we toured the inside of the church later in our stay.
We made our way back to the hotel, stopping at the Arc de Triomf on the way. In 1888, Barcelona organized the Universal Exposition. The Arc de Triomf, located in the Parc de la Ciutadella, was erected as a gateway to the exposition grounds.
Returning to our hotel at about 1:00PM, our room was ready and we were able to get settled. After unpacking, we realized how hungry we were and started searching for a place to eat. We walked back to La Rambla to Plaça Reial, a beautiful square with many restaurants and shops. We had dinner outside on the square. Linda had Grilled Scallops and I had Shrimp Paella, both of which were excellent.
Later in the evening, we took advantage of the rooftop bar at our hotel, the Terrace of the Hotel Colón. From our perch, we had a wonderful view of the Cathedral. We closed out the night with a cheese selection and glass of Cava.
TIP: Like many large cities in Europe, you need to watch for scammers and pick-pockets. Barcelona is no different. Be especially on guard around the Barcelona Cathedral area, where you will see people dressed as clowns. They will approach you and try to have their picture taken with you, our will even take your picture. They will then want to get paid and can become aggressive if you do not pay them. It is best to ignore them and walk away.
Barcelona/Madrid Post-Extension
– Day 19 – Barcelona, Spain
After a very long day the day before, we relaxed in the morning before heading out for a tour. We booked Barcelona Tapas and Wine Experience via Viator. We have found that booking a food or wine tour is an excellent way to try the local foods while also exploring some of the less touristy places.
We met our guide near the Merkat (Market) in La Rambla. We walked through the Gothic area and ended in El Born, not only stopping at 4 restaurants to sample food and wine, but also taking in many sites along the way.
If you are interested in the types of food offered as part of the tour, here is a list of food at each stop. Stop 1: Iberian cured meat selection, including famous jamón (pork), and cheeses served with “pan con tomate” and red wine. Stop 2: Tortilla de patatas served with homemade cider. Stop 3: The Jamon of the “tuna” and mushrooms served with homemade vermouth. Stop 4: Homemade “croquetas”, patatas bravas, black paella with prawns, Spanish “Cannelloni” Canelones, all served with cava.
By the end of the tour, we had had plenty to eat. So, there is no danger that you will leave this tour hungry.
We finished the day back on the Terrace of the hotel, where we enjoyed a light snack and some delicious sangria.
– Day 20 – Barcelona, Spain
Today was our last full day in Barcelona and we had another busy day planned.
After breakfast we walked around Plaça Nova, which is the plaza just outside our hotel, the Hotel Colon. This area includes the Barcelona Cathedral and the Roman Gates. With clear skies and the morning light, we had a different perspective of some of the sites we had visited previously.
We booked a tour via Viator again, this one was the Fast Track Sagrada Familia Guided Tour. We met our guide just outside the church and she explained many of the outside features before entering the church. The inside is extraordinary. The design and architecture of the church, along with the way the sunlight highlights the features, is breathtaking. Our guide pointed out many of the architectural designs and the goals that Gaudi was trying to achieve. We highly recommend taking a guided tour so you get a full understanding of everything that you will see both inside and outside the church.
We then walked about 30 minutes (mostly uphill) to the Park Güell. We had timed entry based on the advanced tickets we had purchased online. Park Güell is a multi-level park that highlights gardens and Gaudi architecture. While the park itself is nice enough, our expectations of the park may have been too high, as we were a little let down by our visit. There is some Gaudi architecture, but much less than we expected and mainly near the entrance of the park. Our favorite part of the park were the beautiful views overlooking Barcelona. So, be sure to visit on a clear day.
TIP: Be aware there is no food or water sold in the park. You can take your own drink container and filling stations are available within the park.
On our walk back from Park Güell, we found a pretty square and a small restaurant called Casa Vall. With no food served within Park Güell, we were very hungry. We enjoyed patatas bravas and churros with chocolate. Both were very good.
For dinner, we headed back to Plaça Reial. We started dinner with Iberian Ham and bread, then had a delicious pizza and sangria.
– Day 21 – Madrid, Spain
After checking out of the hotel, we headed to the train station, Barcelona Sants, for the high-speed train to Madrid. We purchased tickets in advance for the IRYO train. The train was very nice and we hit speeds of 180 mph on our 2.5-hour trip to Madrid. The train station in Madrid is the Puerta de Atocha. We walked the short distance, less than 10 minutes, to our hotel. We selected the AC Hotel Carlton Madrid for its great location and reviews.
After checking in, we decided to walk toward the Prado Museum and explore the El Retiro Park. This is a large and beautiful park located near the Prado Museum. There are many restaurants in this area and lots of areas to explore.
After leaving the park, we started looking for a restaurant. On the opposite side of the Museum, we found the Brisket Restaurante. The restaurant was very busy and is only open from 10:00AM to 4:00PM on most days. This restaurant was not a tourist restaurant. Most of the patrons were clearly locals. The staff could not have more friendly and welcoming, and our server offered some helpful recommendations. I finally settled on the brisket and my wife had a fillet. Both were excellent and this was probably the best meal of our entire vacation.
– Day 22 – Madrid, Spain
Our
last day in Madrid, and of our vacation, started with another Viator booked tour, the Prado Museum Small Group Tour. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and was able to answer any question we had. Having a knowledgeable guide makes the experience so much more meaningful and memorable. Unfortunately, no photos were allowed within the museum, so I only have photos of the outside.
After the tour of the Prado, we walked to the Plaza Mayor. This is a very popular square with many restaurants and shops. We decided this was a good spot for lunch and, of course, some more sangria!
We then continued to the Royal Palace of Madrid and the Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena. The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish royal family in Madrid, although it is now used only for state ceremonies. The palace has 1,450,000 square feet of floor space and contains 3,418 rooms. It is the largest royal palace in Europe.
We had drinks and snacks when we returned to our hotel and readied ourselves for our flight back the next morning.
We really enjoyed this trip and we think you will too! We recommend adding extensions to both ends of the cruise as a great way to extend your vacation.
We hope you found our review of the Viking Trade Routes of the Middle Ages Cruise helpful and informative. And we hope you join us in the future as we explore some of our other travel destinations.
Safe travels!