We started the day with a lovely breakfast and interesting meal companions. Then the struggles began. Two days ago we received a call from Hertz that our leased car is no longer part of their fleet (they sold it to someone else) and we needed to change it out. It seemed rather strange but we agreed to do it at their office at Valencia airport. The promised call with more details never came. We tried unsuccessfully last evening and this morning to call for more specific details but the calls went unanswered. We decided to go to the airport anyway. Long story short with some challenges and long delays, we found our way to the car rental place at the airport, traded cars and escaped.
Upon the advice of a Spanish emigrant we breakfasted with, we headed to Tarragona rather than Barcelona. It is a small city about 100 kilometers and a short train ride to Barcelona. It is a nice city founded by the Romans which was designated World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000 because of the many Roman ruins. We plan to spend Sunday exploring Tarragona and then Monday & Tuesday we will do day trips into Barcelona and avoid trying to drive and park there.
Upon our arrival in Tarragona we headed for the center of the city and a parking garage and then walked to Tourist Information. We found a hotel close to the parking garage with special rates for hotel guests. It doesn’t have the charm of last night’s but it is comfortable, close to where we want to be and the receptionist was extremely helpful and friendly. (He spent 7 years working in Seattle!)
We did a little exploring after checking in. It has the usual Cathedrals, wonderful plazas and narrow streets as well as some wide main streets. The Roman influence is quite obvious. Wayne also found a place that serves a great Belgian beer (best beer he’s had since arriving in Spain). More tomorrow. Time now for some planning and then sleep.
Ciao,
Wayne & Peggy