R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 44

A Day in Limberg an der Lahn, Germany — Going Medieval on Foot

Limburg an der Lahn, Germany

We’re now down with the Vision of the Seas, and we’re moving on. This trip, which began in May 2022, lasted until early July, which gives you an idea of how much we did. We started aboard Vision of the Seas for a transatlantic crossing, then stayed aboard Vision for a Mediterranean follow-on to some seldom-seen ports in Spain and France. In late May we disembarked and flew off to Germany, where we visited out eldest daughter. Here, our daughter took us on a little...

Fun Food Friday – End-of-Cruise Valencia Paella for Lunch and a Bit of Humor

Back in Valencia, Spain

We had one full day left on our visit aboard Vision of the Seas, and we were once again in Valencia, Spain. We’d stopped off here nine days earlier, during our transatlantic voyage. This stop was in conjunction with our follow-on Mediterranean cruise. And as we’d been here before (follow this link for the beginning of that series: Transatlantic 2022 — Valencia; Our Next Port of Call), Ursula and I opted this time to just set out on foot, look briefly around, and enjoy ...

Mediterranean Cruise 2022 — Roman Theatre and Mirador Parque Torres

Time to start heading up the hill, but before we get to the vistas there’s one more Roman-connected structure along the way. Whereas the Roman Theater is just west of the hill we are climbing, there is an old bullfighting ring to the east of that same hill. Right about now you’re probably thinking, “The Romans had bullfighting?” No. They did not. But the Spanish sure do. And in those cities that have yet to outlaw this spectacle, bullfights are held in Plazas de Toros (Plazas of Bulls). Cart...

Mediterranean Cruise 2022 — Plaza Héroes de Cavite and Roman Theatre

This week will end my presentation of our May 2022 cruises aboard Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas, which if you’ll recall started with a transatlantic crossing, and finished up with a back-to-back follow-on that took us to some seldom seen ports in Spain and France. And this week well will finish up with a Fun Food Friday during our second visit to Valencia, where on this visit Ursula and I walked into town for a traditional Valencian paella for lunch. Heading into next week I’ll show y...

Fun Photo Friday — Mediterranean 2022; Murcia and Cartagena Favorites 4

The Sailor Walks Home

And here is today’s Fun Photo Friday of Murcia and Cartagena favorites:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Mediterranean Cruise 2022 — Walking Cartagena

Cartagena, Spain

Still in Cartagena, Spain for today’s article, and now on foot headed south toward the waterfront. The pedestrian walkway to see above is Calle Mayor, which is the main retail area for the city. At the north entrance to Calle Mayor, still in Plaza de San Sebastián, is Monumento al Procesionista (Monument to the Processionist):

Monumento al Procesionista

Continuing south you’ll find street views such as:

Calle Mayor Calle Mayor

At the south terminus of Calle Mayor ...

Mediterranean Cruise 2022 — Walking Murcia and Back to Cartagena

Teatro Romea on the Plaza Julían Romea in Murcia, Spain

Our next Murcia destination on foot was Plaza Julían Romea, where we walked by the Teatro Romea. Queen Isabella II inaugurated this old theater in 1862. After two devastating fires, the theater was inaugurated a third time in 1901, and Queen Sofia reopened it in 1988 following a rehabilitation. So, this place has had more reopenings than an Atlantic City casino!

Teatro Romea

In the Plaza Julían Romea, across from the southeast corne...

Fun Photo Friday — Mediterranean 2022; Murcia and Cartagena Favorites 3

Lighting the Way

And here’s the third Fun Photo Friday installment of Murcia and Cartagena favorites:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Mediterranean Cruise 2022 — Murcia, Spain;

Calle Trapería; facing north from Plaza Hernández Amores

It’s time to leave Murcia Cathedral behind us and move on from Plaza Hernández Amores:

Plaza Hernández Amores

Our next stop is something you may have finding if you’re not with a tour. We’re going to step inside this place on Calle Trapería, about two minutes’ walk north from the cathedral:

Real Casino de Murcia

Real Casino de Murcia dates to 1847, and it’s a private club catering to the bourgeois class of Murcia. Inside this ...

Mediterranean Cruise 2022 — Murcia Cathedral; Exploring the Inside

Stylized model of Murcia Cathedral; Plaza Hernández Amores

Outside Murcia Cathedral, just north of the church’s tower in Plaza Hernández Amores, is a stylized model of the cathedral. But that’s the only outdoor shot you’re going to see in today’s article. We’re moving inside for details contained within the church:

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)