Spain ~ Te Amo!

We decided to drive to Spain from Germany. Our neighbors, the lovely Townsend Family (John, Tara, Brenly, Madison and Brooke) were going to travel with us and stay at the cabin Gabe found  for us on Homeaway.com - Property Link. The cabin sleeps 9 so it was perfect. Google maps said it would take over 15 hours...with kids and a dog in tow we opted to cut the trip in half by staying at a hotel in Montpellier, France. Tara and I also planned to take a bunch of food with us so we could limit our meals out. Eating in Europe can be very expensive. As an example: a can of coke is €2.95 ($3.50) and that does not include refills or ice. The guys made sure we packed charcoal so they could use the grill...perfect!
I calculated tolls and gas prices ahead of time from Oberstaufenbach, Germany to Valencia, Spain : 970.7 mi (about 15 hours 7 minutes ) Approx Fuel Cost = €247 using a website: Route Planner.  I can't seem to find the website for the tolls but it was €117.50 each way. We got on the road on Saturday and drove to Montpellier. The drive was pretty easy. No traffic! I think that's because of the Easter holiday. We arrived at the Holiday Inn Express. We thought the price and location was perfect. They spoke English and they allowed pets. The people who worked there were very friendly but I have to say that the rooms were tiny! We requested a "Family Suite" and it was like a shoebox. The poor Townsends must have been crammed. The beds were hard but it was just one night so it was fine.

After we checked in we took the train into Montpellier center to check out the city. It's a beautiful European city and you notice right away that young crowd that gravitates to the center square. BTW, it's true what they say...French women are beautiful. I don't think I've ever seen that many beautiful women in one place. The train was packed full of them! The train was so packed that we had to hold on to all the children tightly. Dylan asked me, "Why is everyone's butt in my face?" Sorry kid...you need to grow a few more inches :-( It was a great experience, anyway. We ate crepes, let the kids run around and got to enjoy a neat city.

Gabe and I at the train stop

Tara and I in the center square park

The next morning we were on the road again. We had about 6 hours left until we reached our cabin. The drive is unbelievable...what a spectacular view. However, it is really windy. Gabe had to hold on tight as we drove to keep us in our lane.

When we finally arrived to our destination to meet the owner of the property we followed him and his daughter (who spoke some English) 3km to the cabin. We pulled in and honestly, it was even better than we expected. It was a gorgeous property surrounded by orange trees. Vincente, the owner, was so proud to show it off. He had built it himself and you could see the pride in his face. His daughter and I went back and forth with my little bit of Spanish and her English. She was surprised that we were Americans and not British. She had been to New York and said she loved America.

We were all hungry and wanted to try one of the famous local dishes, Paella!  This place was recommended to us and did not disappoint. I also got to practice more of my very rusty Spanish.

Seafood is Dylan's favorite!

A short walk from the restaurant was a little beach. We took the kids over to play in the sand.
Of course, they jumped in...

Tara and I...don't we look so happy :D

The next day we drove to Valencia (just outside of the city limits). We visited the "Ciudad de Las Atres y Las Ciencias" The city of Arts and Sciences. The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia is a unique complex devoted to scientific and cultural dissemination which is made up of five main elements: the Hemisfèric (IMAX cinema and digital projections), the Umbracle (a landscaped vantage point and car park), the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum (an innovative centre of interactive science), the Oceanográfico (the largest aquarium in Europe with over 500 marine species) and the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía (which takes care of the operatic programme). The Ágora gives the complex a multifunctional space.

At the dolphin show

We spent the next day at the cabin (Dylan and Gabe weren't feeling great) while The Townsend's went to Gandia Beach. It was a nice quiet day of lying around, enjoying the cabin and pool. I didn't get in it...too cold for me but the boys each took a turn jumping in.

This was Gabe's favorite part of the day.
Sitting outside, overlooking the orange groves with his cup of coffee...

We spent the following day at Gandia Beach.
Even though the sun was hiding behind the clouds, we made the best of it.
We had a sandcastle building contest, flew kites and played soccer and football in the sand.

Every night after the little kids were in bed...the big kids sat outside and enjoyed many bottles of Spanish wine and Sangria. Gabe even bought a couple Cuban Cigars to celebrate :-)

Driving into Valencia is not the best way to get into the center square. We took a local train, costing only around €8 round trip for the family. Quite the bargain!

Here are Gabe and Tara getting excited about our train arriving

There is a tourist information building right outside the train station in the center square

This may be my favorite photo of the trip??

The Valencia Cathedral is said to posses the Holy Chalice...(click for website). Tradition tells us that it is the same cup that was used by the Lord in the last Supper for the Eucharist, then was taken to Rome by Saint Peter and was kept by the following Popes up to Saint Sixtus II.We went inside and took the tour. The picture I took of the Chalice doesn't do it justice so I'm not posting it here.

Valencia Cathedral

Somebody painted this pigeon

The backside of the Cathedral

Ryan is holding his new buddy "Bullseye"

That was our last day in Spain. We drove out the next morning...making the same trip and same stops back to Germany. Spain holds a special place in my heart. We will never forget our time there. It was amazing and best of all we got to share the experience with great friends!