A new Dawn around Europe Then the UK.

[drron]

Veal loin and veal sweetbreads.



The sweetbreads were really good.
Then sweets.



Should have tried the Anchovies as they are finished off at the table.


The chef meets you as you leave. A really nice guy.



The only discordant note was the behaviour of a Spanish couple who were last to arrive and were disappointed with their table and actually asked that the table of 4 at the window table be moved for them
And a large Spanish family of 8 who were very loud.

But an enjoyable meal. Glad I went but wouldn't go back.

 

[drron]

A few last views

 

[Port Power]

I loved the cars! Thanks for including them. Some amazing history there.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Must say we were disappointed with the art we saw at the Guggenheim. Some more.
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But I did have a MONA moment.
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Yes, the best part is the puppy, building and the cafe/restaurant and sometimes the special exhibit. Art is rubbish there. The town art gallery up the street is much much better for Art.

 

[drron]

So in the evening we went up to the roof bar for a drink and snacks. Great views.





We ordered the Asparagus that was the same as in the Cafe and the salmon which was totally different.



I had a local beer.


But you do not go to the roof top bar in the evenings to drink and eat. We went for the sunset.

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

In the morning I had the Potato omelette. Pretty good.


Now with my phone destroyed we had no working way of plotting our course back to Barcelona toll free. That was necessary as the car didn't come equipped with a toll device and the toll booths would not accept my credit cards. So the night before I wrote down all the turns. Unfortunately as with the drive to Bilbao it tried to put in a couple of toll booths. I was now adept at getting out of the toll traps now.

Also a little worry through the town of Vitoria-Gasteiz. We were to follow N394 but through the town the numbers disappeared. Mrsdrron thought we were lost but when we used her phone to see where we were I was still on the right road and about 300 metres from the A1 we were to take for some distance.

Past Pamplona it was on and off A21 which is being built in sections.Pass a huge lake but couldn't stop until near the end.



Another section being built.


We then went down A132 to Huesca. turned out to be a very scenic road with some impressive rocks.

 

[drron]

That took us to Huesca where we got onto A2 which became B10 when it got to Barcelona and we only had to turn off about 1Km from our hotel -The Art Hotel a Ritz Carlton.
Some scenery on the way.



We had booked the hotel through the Virtuoso agent and received a triple upgrade to a king suite. Could only get a checkout to 1300 as all week the hotel had been at 100% occupancy. So the room.

 

[drron]

The views weren't bad.








And a bottle of Prosecco and cheeses and salami.


The only problem I had was returning the rental. Google maps last turn was into a one way street the wrong way. Found out later that one way signs in Barcelona regularly are ignored. Could not find any other way to their city depot so went to the airport and a taxi back.

 

[drron]

Went down to their everyday restaurant which itself had a view of the marina and the street.



Had some cheese and rice balls,marinated eggplant and sardines with all the fixings.





A bottle of Sav Blanc and covered by our Virtuoso F&B credit.

 

[karen blancfield]

The views weren't bad.
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And a bottle of Prosecco and cheeses and salami.
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The only problem I had was returning the rental. Google maps last turn was into a one way street the wrong way. Found out later that one way signs in Barcelona regularly are ignored. Could not find any other way to their city depot so went to the airport and a taxi back.

We often choose that option in a place like Barcelona, easier than in city centre many times, and if you’re heating off, for example south of Barcelona, it was easier to do that from the airport. I always release a deep breath when a hire car is returned safely!

 

[drron]

We woke up in time for sunrise.

 

[drron]

The breakfast buffet was amazing.

 

[drron]

 

[drron]

The last of breakfast which did include Cava.



And the flower arrangements.

 

[RooFlyer]

Just catching up ...

Must say we were disappointed with the art we saw at the Guggenheim.

Its utter pretentious carp. I recall looking around and giving up. The rest of Bilbao is much more interesting.

Google maps last turn was into a one way street the wrong way. Found out later that one way signs in Barcelona regularly are ignored. Could not find any other way to their city depot so went to the airport and a taxi back.

Similar experience. No option but to go against 1 way for a block (as others were doing!!). I got a traffic fine in the mail - eventually - but was happily able to ignore it, as it was in Spanish and I didn't know what it was ...

 

[drron]

Finally we make the cruise.
After breakfast at the hotel we had arranged for our RAT test to be done at the hotel. We had booked a time between 0800-0830 for the test. The nurse was in the room at 0801. Very professional. Mrsdrron wanted to have a printed copy so she was taken downstairs and got that done. I think presenting the nurse with our bottle of Cava helped. Fortunately both negative.

Checked out at 1300 and a taxi to the ship. Before you get into the terminal you need to present your ticket,vaccination certificate and evidence of your negative test. Then inside the terminal and you queue up to do a health certificate for symptoms and any close contacts. I presume everyone answered no to all questions.
Then you lined up again for an Immigration check with all documents checked again plus temperature taken. From there to another queue for Silversea to check everything once more and a key card issued after your photo taken. Passports handed over. Then through the Duty Free to the ship.


Finally on board and lunch available as a buffet in La Terazza. Didn't partake of too much.


Finally to our cabin a superior Verandah suite.







And the views.

 

[drron]

We then had all afternnoon in our suite apart from the mandatory muster drill. Certainly a lot less compared to past years with no necessity to wear your life jacket and instead of lining up at your designated life boat you just walked past it with a crew member pointing out the life boat number.
We did get a new accessory which will make a bag for our notebooks.


Then watched the passing parade of Ferries and planes.





And finally to the pool deck to meet some of the entertainers. First the trio and then the Singers of Silversea. All quite talented.



The singers include 3 brits,a Latvian,another from Brazil and 2 Opera singers - An Italian woman and a Ukrainian fellow who is very talented and as well as opera does a show with Ukrainian folk songs.

 

[Pushka]

The last of breakfast which did include Cava.
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And the flower arrangements.
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I was about to ask about the Cava!

 

[drron]

The first night we ate in the main restaurant Atlantide which has one inportant thing in it;s favour. In the words of Anthony Bourdain -No Reservations.
So the menu.






So I had the scallops and Mrsdrron the beef and caviar tartare.



For mains I had the rare prime rib and mrsdrron the mushroom risotto



The beef was up with the best I had ever had. Tender and full of flavour.