Showing posts with label Spain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spain. Show all posts

4/27/2017

Way of St. James - Le Chemin de St. Jacques de Compostelle


The Scallop Shell and the Camino de Santiago
As we traveled through Spain and Portugal, the historical bronze scalloped shell was always prevalent in signaling the way to the Way of St. James Pilgrimage route. If we looked closely, we would find the emblem embedded in sidewalks, buildings and fountains leading the way to Santiago de Compostela.

Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina
In Bordeaux, France, we discovered the same historical markers throughout the city, guiding pilgrims on their journey to reach Le Chemin de St. Jacques de Compostelle - in northwestern Spain.

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12/30/2016

Happy New Year: Celebrating Beautiful Memories of 2016

Happy New Year! Thanks to our readers who joined J. Christina on our travel adventures.  We zigzagged through picturesque hamlets, strolled beautiful cobblestone streets, sipped regional wines, and climbed to the tippy-top of medieval ramparts, through Spain, Portugal, France, and many other dreamy destinations.

We enjoyed sharing our outstanding year of travels with you: on foot, river cruise ship, motorcoach, and private transport to places that will linger in our memories forever.  We had the great privilege to wake up each day to vistas that some only glimpse on a postcard.  Happily, we invite you to reminisce through our images and reflect along with us. 

 Smiling with your eyes is a wonderful thing!

Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina
Terrace -  Paris, France

We are looking forward to our 2017 travels, hopscotching through The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and France, once again. While looking beyond to travels in China and India.  Wishing you health, happiness, and safe travels always. 

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12/24/2016

Celebrating A Wonderful Year of Travel And More: Happy Holidays

Wishing our readers and followers the happiest of holidays and a very Merry Christmas! Thank you for traveling vicariously with us through so many beautiful cities, towns and quaint villages in Europe.  As we prepare for the holiday season and a joyous New Year, J. Christina would like to share some of our beautiful images and warm memories. Smiling with your eyes is a wonderful thing!
J. Christina at Scribbles and Smiles wishing you the happiest of holidays
Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina



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6/15/2016

Welcome to our travels in Spain, Portugal & Bordeaux, France - June 2016


With great pleasure, J. Christina would like to share the jewels of Spain, Portugal and the Douro River valley wine region with our readers.  We enjoyed an outstanding month of travel: on foot, river ship, motorcoach and private transport to places that will linger in our memories forever.  We had the great privilege to wake up each day to vistas that some only glimpse on a postcard.  Therefore, we invite you to travel vicariously through our images and travel journals at Scribbles and Smiles.

Follow J. Christina on the second half of every traveler’s dream by exploring southwest France - one ancient village at-a-time. Join us as we cruise on the Garonne River and wind through picturesque hamlets, stroll beautiful cobblestone streets, sip regional wines, and climb to the tippy-top of medieval ramparts. Follow J. Christina through Spain, Portugal and France in this series 2016
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6/07/2016

Douro River Valley Wine Region: Pinhão, Portugal


Pinhão is the best kept secret in Portugal – postcard perfect views, mountains that reach 3000’ high and fall right right-back down into the riverbed, terraced vineyards, layered stone-walls holding the silver rocky soil in place, with lush green grapevines trailing atop; along with romantic and rustic country houses dotted on the hillsides.   A place not to be missed.

Docked at Pinhão, Portugal
Queen Isabel

motorcoach transport for visiting wine estates & vineyards
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6/06/2016

Cathedral of Toledo Spain : Toledo, Spain


The Cathedral of Toledo which was completed in 1493, after almost 200 years of construction and it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.  The main door, the Gate of Forgiveness, is closed-the last time it was opened was 1982 for the visit of Pope John Paul II.  In the Treasure Chapel, is a magnificent sculpture containing 5600 pieces of silver and gold.  Legend says that the Virgin Mary visited in January, of the year 459 and touched a stone column - that now sits in the cathedral.  Tourist can touch a piece of this stone that is inside a sacred vessel.

how we feel at the end of a long travel day



Toledo Cathedral - in Toledo, Spain, is ranked among the greatest Gothic structures in Europe. Inside, the cathedral contains important masterpieces including a spectacular baroque high altar and two paintings by El Greco.


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6/05/2016

Cathedral of Salamanca: Salamanca, Spain




The New Cathedral of Salamanca, Spain – Constructed between 16th & 18th centuries in two styles: Gothic and Baroque. Stroll through Salamanca's Old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 - and you will be dazzled by the beauty of the ancient architecture - even the Baroque styling of the Plaza Mayor in the heart of the city.  Many study abroad students attend the University of Salamanac for Spanish emersion classes here.  Follow J. Christina through Spain, Portugal and France in this series 2016.

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Synagogue of St. Mary of White: Toledo, Spain


Toledo was founded by the Romans in the 2nd century B.C.  The Jews arrived in the 1st century A.D., followed by the Moors in the 9th century.  Today the Old City has a population of 15,000 and the entire city’s population is 85,000.
Our first stop is in the Synagogue of St. Mary the White or Sinagogade Santa Maria la Blanca.  It is the oldest synagogue in Spain and is built in the Moorish style.  Later it was converted to a Christian church.  Many Jews left for Portugal or America in 1492, as a result of the Spanish Inquisition.
 

Toledo is a beautiful and educational city with a rich history of Islamic, Christian and Jewish influences from the middle ages. This synagogue built in 1180 - is believed to be the oldest surviving synagogue in Europe. Saint Mary of the White is located in the Jewish Quarter and built in the Almohad architecture style during a period of Christian rule.  Follow J. Christina through Spain, Portugal and France in this series 2016.

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6/04/2016

Flamenco Dancing: Madrid, Spain

This evening, we were transported by motorcoach to the Corral de la Moreria for a dinner with Flamenco show. Advertised as the oldest and most famous Flamenco performance worldwide.

Flamenco performance & dinner at Corral De La Moreria
 
Flamenco dancing and music is an art form from Gypsy, Moorish, and Andalusia roots since the 19th century. Flamenco is made up of four elements, Cante-Voice, Baile-Dance, Toque-Guitar, and the Jaleo, which roughly translated means “hell raising” and involves the handclapping, foot stomping, and shouts of encouragement.





 


 
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5/31/2016

Visiting Madrid, Spain - 2016


We have arrived in the Spanish-speaking city of Madrid, Spain. This is our first stop in our month long journey in Spain, Portugal and France.  Continue to travel with us vicariously and enjoy smiling with your eyes.  J. Christina will continue to blog and post images for your enjoyment during this series of travels 2016.


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9/01/2015

Alhambra - Granada Province Spain


Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina

2011-In the late Middle Ages, the Moors sought to create their own version of paradise on Earth at a place they called the Alhambra in what is now Granada, Spain- travel with us to Spain
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7/11/2011

Cordoba, Sevilla, Granada, Valencia, and Barcelona - A United Nations Group


Traveling from Madrid to Cordoba, Sevilla, Granada, Valencia and Barcelona by motorcoach.  Today we met our tour group of 30; it was like the United Nations….travelers from New Zealand, Argentina, Italy, Syria, Lebanon, Australia, and we are the only couple from the USA. 


Scribbles and Smiles by J Christina
Cathedral of Cordoba
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