Category: Unesco-world-heritage-sites

One City, Nine Treasures You Simply Cannot Miss - In Pictures

9/17/2018

BARCELONA’S MUST-SEE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

Barcelona’s seaside beauty, sprawling beaches, world-class shopping, eclectic architecture, incredible tapas and Tempranillo and all-around zest for living one’s best life is no secret. The city famously presides over global travelers’ lists of “must see” destinations, inevitably enticing them with days filled with as much energy and discovery as the pulsating nightlife. Barcelona’s treasures are many and diverse, and have drawn attention beyond that of culture-seeking travelers. In fact, nine important sites in the city have earned the esteemed acclaim of UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Since the city is fairly easy to navigate, whether on foot or by the abundant tourist and public transportation options, one can certainly plan to see all or most of these treasures during a visit to Barcelona. And with more than a dozen luxury cruises calling there in 2018 and 2019 – many with overnight stays – I'm happy to give you plenty of choices and opportunities to check these remarkable sites off your bucket lists.

Fun Fact: Of the nine Barcelona UNESCO World Heritage Sites, seven are works by the city’s most famous son, architect Antoni Gaudí. They are listed collectively on UNESCO’s register as one enduring treasure, but are separate sites, boasting individual character and the signature style of the master, found throughout the city.

Sagrada Familia – Possibly Gaudí’s most famous work and a true centerpiece of any Barcelona experience, this remarkable church is still not considered complete, projected to be finished in 2026, approximately 100 years after Gaudí’s death. Sagrada Familia is an incredibly intricate work of Gaudí’s signature rounded Gothic style with modernist touches, and that’s just the exterior. Inside the main sanctuary, massive mosaics of stained glass windows create a kaleidoscope of light throughout.

Casa Vicens – By contrast, perhaps Gaudí’s least well-known work in Barcelona is Casa Vicens. It was also one of his first commissions in the city, designed as a private residence for Manel Vicens I Montaner. Like all Gaudí designs, this one is inspired by nature, with lush gardens and waterfalls and fountains on the outside, and botanical themes on the interiors. The home is significant for its groundbreaking design, nothing of which had been seen in Catalonia before Gaudí hit the scene in the late 1800’s

Casa Milà – Also known as La Pedrera is another early work by Gaudí. It is prominently built on the corner Passeig de Gràcia, near to another of Gaudí’s great works, Casa Batlló; and can be identified as one of the master’s buildings from a mile away. No interior wall is built completely straight, making this particular building an inspiring beauty that is unique, even for the boundless creativity of the architect. Casa Milà is considered one of the finest representations of Gaudí’s legacy in Barcelona.

Casa Batlló – The nearby Casa Batlló is another abstract rainbow of design, adorned in oblong, oval-shaped windows framed with vibrantly colored tiles and painted façade. It takes on an almost creepy display, with curved roof and outer structure resembling a skeleton, and the shapes of the tiles resembling the scales of a reptile. This ominous vibe is overtaken by the building’s striking beauty, and its individuality in cityscape that boasts some of the most unique places in the world.

Parque Güell – The view from Park Güell nearly rivals the view of Parque Güell, with its perch high above the city, inland, looking out at the Mediterranean. Mosaics cloak walls of endless mazes of walking paths, unusually shaped rooftops and the famous multicolored salamander, known as “El Drac” (the dragon). The park fully embodies Gaudí’s unquenchable love of nature, providing numerous quiet enclaves to explore surrounded by ivy and draping trees.

The Crypt of Colonia Güell – Technically located just outside of Barcelona, about 15 miles southwest in Santa Coloma de Cervelló, the Güell Crypt is a spectacular sight to behold. The colony was originally imagined to be an industrialized community that would support all facets of life for the workers of Eusebi Güell, but Gaudí created something more. His signature non-linear columns and walls, tile mosaics and breathtaking colorful stained glass are not to be missed.

Palau Güell – Or Güell Palace, another early work by Gaudí, this private residence is extraordinary in its ordinariness, considering its creator. Featuring straighter lines than he typically used, Palau Güell makes a statement of its own as one of the premier buildings of the Art Nouveau movement, made of marble, stone and hand-carved wood and iron. It is located on Carrer Nou de la Rambla in the heart of the Raval neighborhood, a lesser-known but truly worthwhile landmark of the city.

Palau de La Musica Catalana – The first on our list not designed by Antoni Gaudí, this concert hall by Lluis Domenech I Montaner is considered one of the most majestic concert halls in Europe. Its ornate and lovely exterior sits in contrast to the more uniform buildings around it, drawing visitors inside for a closer look at its massive glass roof and elegant stage. A perfect representation of Catalan Art Nouveau, this is the only concert hall built in this style to be featured on UNESCO’s registry.

Hospital de Sant Pau – Another Montaner masterpiece, this hospital was fully functioning until 2009 – one of Europe’s oldest healthcare institutions – when it became a stately icon of Barcelona and its Art Nouveau history open to the public. The grand gardens, colorful mosaics, water features and sunlit courtyard certainly helped many patients through the healing process over the years, while a modern exhibition showcases other highlights of the building, as well as the operational procedures of the hospital itself.

Exploration of many Barcelona UNESCO World Heritage Sites is included with luxury cruises and land tours. There is also the option to create your own discoveries of these treasures with private adventures. Crystal Private Adventures, for example provides guest an incredible experience! Contact tour and cruise expert Chris Rakes to explore options and start planning! ChrisRakes@totalexperiencetravel.com

DISCOVERIES YOU’LL MAKE WHEN YOU SAIL SOUTH AMERICA

6/11/2018

DID YOU KNOW?

The number of years of history is in the thousands. Signature specialty cuisines amount to hundreds of blended spices and flavors. UNESCO has recognized 40 of its treasured sites. Complementary wine varietals grown are more than a dozen. Indigenous dance styles: many. South America by the numbers is impressively intriguing, with its quintessential rhythmic pace of life and awe-striking natural beauty. And those numbers don’t begin to scratch the surface of the unquantifiable warmth of the people, heat of the tango, or awesomeness of the towering mountains, waterfalls and monuments. Crystal’s South America cruises make the vibrancy of the destinations and the unforgettable experiences you’ll have immeasurably richer.
As you plan for this must-see region, we return to the numbers. Specifically, six things you should know before you explore the mesmerizing South American locales featured on Crystal Symphony sailings.

Feel the Rhythm, Savor the Flavors, and Get Outdoors

Even if you don’t dance, you dance here. Dance, rhythm and music could be considered official languages in South America. They are as integral to the storytelling of cultural history as school text books, and decidedly more colorful and enticing. Even travelers who prefer to take in the complex choreography from the edges of the dance floor rather than center stage will be hard pressed to keep their hips still once the lights go down. Argentina’s famous Tango, Brazil’s spicy Samba, Chile’s seductive Cueca, and Uruguay’s percussion-driven Candombe – all speak directly to the inner dancer of any traveler.
This is not a land of introverts.Particularly in the vibrant cultural centers and big cities, the South American way is decidedly vivacious. In many places, you’ll be greeted coming and going with a customary double cheek kiss, which immediately makes you best friends. Argentina and Brazil, especially, share a culture of boundless openness, demonstrated in different ways. Brazilians express themselves freely through animated dialogues, and of course, music best enjoyed at pulsating decibels. Argentines are famously welcoming people, who relish engaging visitors in conversation about where they’re from. This is due to the fact that tourism in Argentina is relatively newly thriving within the last couple decades, and locals are keen to show off their country.
It has UNESCO clout. Among the four countries visited on Crystal voyages in 2019 – Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, there are a whopping 40 World Heritage Sites. The vibrant Historic Quarter of Valparaíso and the Churches of Chiloé are must-sees in Chile, while the aforementioned Iguazú/ Iguaçu National Parks in Argentina and Brazil will take your breath away. Bonus clout: Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue was named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Life is meant to be lived outside.Like its people, South America’s adventurous spirit lies outside the constraint of walls. Each country bears its distinct treasures and preferred methods of exploration, but they all share the philosophy of getting out there. There being most anywhere in this lush land, since there are tropical forests, national parks, endless beaches, and panoramic mountains virtually everywhere. Among the most monumental include Iguazú Falls, comprising 275 individual waterfalls over 136,000 acres – so massive that it spans both Argentina and Brazil (both countries have designated national parks surrounding the falls); Brazil’s Pantanal wetland, one of the largest in the world; and the volcanic Andes mountain range that runs through Chile (and six other countries, making it the longest in the world).
No thirst goes unquenched.South American sunshine can mean parched palates, which is an opportunity for discovery all on its own. In their typical imaginative fashion and passion for the best things in life, South Americans have a beverage to suit any taste, and per usual, with their own distinct flair. Coffee is a big deal here, but it doesn’t rest on traditional laurels. Mate (máh-tay) tea originated in northern Argentina and is still an everyday mainstay there and in Uruguay. Pressed from Yerba leaves, its flavor is akin to a strong green tea, and is meant to be enjoyed in groups. This is a daily ritual for many locals and a great way to connect with everyday culture. Argentina is also where you’ll find the submarino, a decadent dessert in a glass. In Buenos Aires’ old style cafés, these are served as a glass of warm milk with an entire chocolate bar melting inside.Meanwhile, in Brazil, you can scarcely walk two city blocks without encountering a juice bar that could double as a tropical fruit farm. Again, going beyond the accepted norms of other countries, Brazilians are experts and creating fresh concoctions from fruits many visitors have never heard of – caju, camu-camu, and graviola. Fresh juice bars are a way of life in Brazil, and a flavorful alternative to just about anything. And then there’s the wine…
About that wine…Malbec from Argentina’s Mendoza region, the fruity tannins of Uruguay’s Tannat, and some of the oldest vineyards in the world in Chile, which produce world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and many other varietals. Brazil, on the other hand, touts a national cocktail, rather than cultivated vintage. The caipirinha is a sweet concoction of sugarcane hard liquor called cachaça, lime and more sugar. Like bottles of wine and many other things in South America, these drinks are meant to be shared and enjoyed with friends. Add these to your thirst-quenching plans while in South America.

Contact trusted travel partner and Crystal Cruise Expert, Chris Rakes to Make your plans Crystal Symphony’s intensive South America cruises in 2019, including the “Sizzling Samba & Tango” and “Tierra del Fuego Passage” voyages. Additionally, the “Rio Rendezvous” sails from New Orleans to Brazil by way of the West Indies, offering a spectacular gateway between the two destinations that share a festive way of life. Working with a personal travel planner saves you a lot of time and hassle and is the exact same price as doing it all yourself!

One City, Nine Treasures You Simply Cannot Miss - In Pictures

BARCELONA’S MUST-SEE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

DISCOVERIES YOU’LL MAKE WHEN YOU SAIL SOUTH AMERICA

DID YOU KNOW?

Feel the Rhythm, Savor the Flavors, and Get Outdoors

Chris Rakes

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