Casa Mila, Barcelona
Casa Mila is the last private residence designed by architect Antoni Gaudí and perhaps his most iconic.
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Now a museum, Monastery of Pedralbes displays art works collected by the monastery since its inception in the 14th century and also hosts temporary exhibitions.
It is a quiet spot, at least it was on the day we visited. You can stroll around the collonaded cloisters and spend a bit of time in the garden.
I’m not sure how many renovations and extensions have been carried out since the monastery was founded in 1327 by Queen Elisenda de Montcada as a home for the Poor Clare Sisters, an order of Franciscan nuns.
What you see here now is reportedly the largest Gothic colonaded cloister, the small cells where the nuns secluded themselves, a chapel with 14th Century frescoes (St Michael’s Chapel), the dormitory and kitchen – all draped around the quiet central garden where, if you are in the mood, you can pause and do your own reflections.
The frescoes in St Michael’s Chapel have recently been restored. You can watch a fascinating video and read an article about the restoration.
Casa Mila is the last private residence designed by architect Antoni Gaudí and perhaps his most iconic.
A great day along car-free streets with plenty of interesting things to see – Poble Espanyol
The old bull ring at Plaça d’Espanya in Barcelona is now a shopping mall with a great view up towards the National Art Museum.
Montague Island is a small island located off the coast of the state of New South Wales, Australia. Home to the historic Montague Island lighthouse, it’s a great place to visit if you want to unwind for a couple of days.
Email from Ben: “I plan to climb Cradle Mountain when we visit the area in a few weeks – better start training”. So I reduced my alcohol consumption to one glass of wine a night (well, most nights) and did a bit of walking (on the flat) at weekends, so when we started our trek on a fine February day I was completely unprepared for what lay ahead.
Wilpena Pound, also known by its indigenous Adnyamathanha name of Ikara, meaning “meeting place”, is a natural amphitheatre of mountains located 429 kilometres north of Adelaide, South