- IMG_2573
an exhibit of wine-related fine art - IMG_2574
okay, and popular art - IMG_2575
purportedly the world's largest corkscrew collection - IMG_2576
more stunningly red grapewines - IMG_2578
again - IMG_2579
We were very excited to see this bull silhouette, which was featured on the cover of our guidebook, until we drove a little more and realized they're all over the damn place. - IMG_2580
view from our hotel balcony in Logroño - IMG_2581
Almost without exception, our hotels had wonderful teensy balconies - IMG_2582
Bryan enjoys our "obligatory" glass of wine in the hotel lobby. When in La Rioja... - IMG_2583
cathedral in the dark - Leslie, Max, gin and tonic
We were proud to take Max to his first gin bar, where we drank delicious cocktails and prepared for our outstanding dinner across the street at Lolita (formerly Inopia, a site on the Spain On the Road Again tour and our favorite food venue from our 2007 visit). - Lunch
We also identified the perfect lunch: mixed seafood a la plancha at a counter in the Boqueria. Excellent food and entertainment. - Max and his bottle-cap
The whole world is fascinating to Max, but one of his favorite activities was placing a bottle cap on top of a bottle. He's willing to share this pleasure. - Mountains
We drove from the coast into the mountains. The Basque countryside looks like what I imagine Ireland to be: bright green and covered in sheep. - Pintxos
On the 6th day of our trip, we trained up to San Sebastian for their famed food and fun. Here, Leslie surveys a bar of pintxos, ready for grabbing. - Pulpo and germ transfer
Bryan helped Jeff eat his beloved pulpo gallego while his hands were full of a certain 1-year-old. This may also be the moment when cold germs were transferred from one family to another. - Roman ruins
One of our favorite sights was a history museum in Barcelona, complete with various layers of excavated ruins. This was a Roman wine shop; the circular container held aging wine. - Room with a view
Our fancy hotel had a killer view over the rooftops of the city. This shot also features the ragged clouds that characterized our Barcelona weather. - Sagrada Familia exterior
Sophie, Leslie and Max spent Wednesday wandering around the spectacular and unfinished Sagrada Familia cathedral. - Sagrada Familia exterior
Gaudi (the architect) cited a forest canopy as one of his inspirations for the interior. - Vineyards
The countryside was ridiculously picturesque. This shot was taken from the parking lot of an over-the-top museum about wine-growing/making/loving, looking toward the town of Briones. - Wine shopping
Our second day of driving took us from Basque Country into La Rioja, where you are basically required to shop for wine. Bryan picks out three bottles at a little shop in Haro: one Crianza, one Reserva, and one Gran Reserva.