In mid-October, I met Garnette in Copenhagen and proceeded to have 12 amazing days traveling with my sis. We chose to spend time in two cities that were equally wonderful but very different: Copenhagen and Barcelona. There was a short pit-stop in Berlin, but aside from seeing a very nice neighborhood market, it was short and not worth writing about.
Copenhagen was all about bikes. It was amazing to see the wide bike lanes constantly streaming with bikers. Well, not exactly bikers. Just regular people of all ages, sizes and life styles. That's what struck me most. That biking is nothing special there. It is for everyone and a regular old thing. Most bikes were of a similar make and many rattled. Most had baskets and they got you where you needed to go. Copenhagen is flat too which made biking it such an easy pleasure.
G and I rented bikes each of the days we were there. It was a bit nerve-wracking at first getting used to the speed and quantity of bikers on every side of you, but it was also so invigorating.
Garnette had great information from her friend's brother who lives in Copenhagen with his family. We visited all the neighborhoods, restaurants and bars he recommended. The food, drink and atmosphere were laid-back and yummy.
We took the train over the 10-mile Øresund Bridge to Malmo, Sweden, and spent the morning wandering around its quaint center.
G in front of bike rental shop
G in front...biking around Copenhagen
So many bikes they must be managed...shouldn't every city have that problem
Tivoli all done-up for Halloween
Waiting for train from Copenhagen to Malmo
Malmo Central Train Station
Malmo photos
Barcelona
We went from cool/cold but sunny Copenhagen to warm/hot Barcelona. Our hotel rooms in Copenhagen, although clean and functional, were typical teeny European. In comparison, our Barcelona hotel was large and luxurious.
We spent much of our time on foot and made use of the metro to get to neighborhoods outside the center. We started every morning with a trip to the bakery and a cafe for a cafe con leche. Barcelona was full of small, arty shops with cool fashion and jewelry. Aside from shopping, we visited the Gaudi church and apartment building, and the Picasso museum. All were amazing. We washed our clothes at a local laundromat and I got my haircut at a small salon across the street.
Our time in Barcelona was warm and relaxed. I feel so fortunate to have spent time in two awesome cities with someone I know and like so well.
Chasing down a jewelry market
Walking to the end of Ramblas
Cool little bike stuff shop
Our favorite bakery in Born neighborhood
Taking the metro
Window shopping in northern Barcelona
Pretty little square in our hotel's neighborhood (Born)
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