Barcelona and Sitges

Trip to see the TDF Grand Depart from Barcelona 

Thursday 2nd July

EasyJet flight from Gatwick, parked in the mid-stay car park.

Flight was 9:35 but delayed but 30 minutes.

Bus to the train station, then train to Sitges, followed by a 20 minute walk to the Port Hotel Sitges.

Weather was 30c.

Hotel just okay but switched rooms until we settled for the 3rd choice.

It was now 3pm and we went straight out for lunch, lovely lunch by the marina.

Had a nap for an hour then walked into Sitges, very very GAY and so many male couples. But Sitges is a beautiful place.

Had an okay meal and then back to hotel.

Found a bakery a short walk from the hotel where we had pastries, fresh orange and coffee for breakfast.

Walk to the train station to get on the train to Barcelona, train stopped at castellona (sp.) as there had been some sort of medical issue, had to cross to the other platform to get another train.

Once in Barcelona we walked to the Ramblas, with a quick stop at Primark which turned into a mammoth 45 minutes as there were long queues. From here we walked to Sagrada Familia with a snack stop on route, could already see the build up to the tour start on Saturday. Sagrada Familia was impressive, especially the colours of the stain glass windows!

From here we walked to the Arc de Triomphe (really, yes really!) where the TDF park was, lots of stalls and good fun.

Back on the train to Sitges, hat shopping then back to the hotel.

Lovely Paella dinner rounded off a good day.

Very warm!

Breakfast at the bakery, busy this morning.

Went for a swim in the sea, Gilly came in as well, nice once you were in! We were at the closest beach which happened to be the nudist beach, 95% were clothed but unfortunately there were a few unpleasant sights! Why are the majority of naturists over 70?

Showered and changed and wandered into Sitges stopping for coffee on the way, bit of a mooch, then a pit stop for a snack.

Caught the train around 1:30pm to head into Barcelona, bit of a walk to where we were planning to watch, but caught the caravan which was handing out souvenirs. We then moved to a different location where we got talking to a Norwegian family who had an apartment in Barcelona.

Just after 5pm the TT started, we were only a few miles from the start so it wasn’t long before they started coming through. We were on a corner and the teams were getting so close to us by the barriers!

We stayed here for awhile but it was very hot and very busy so headed off slowly, stopping for an ice cream by the course.

Got back to the hotel at 8pm and out for dinner, the vibe at the port was incredible tonight and it was packed, most restaurants were fully booked and we were lucky to be fitted in, as long as we were out by 10pm, okay meal nothing special but so nice to be by the sea.

We were up for going to the concert at the port, turns out it doesn’t finish at 11:30pm but this is when it starts!

Headed back, stopped for a night cap but aborted as the bar was also fully booked!

Early ish night after all!

Usual breakfast, apart from we stocked up the fridge with strawberries and yoghurt, had this first then went to the cafe.

Then we went for another swim in the sea, which again was lovely, still lots of wobbly bits on show!

Checked out and walked into town, stopping for coffee on route, watched the caravan go past, shopped, had a snack and took position on our watching post to see the tour come past, this was pretty good, break away of 3 and the bunch about 1.5 minutes behind.

Walk back to the hotel and picked up our stuff to catch the train to the airport. This was a real slog as it was super hot.

Train was packed and we had to wait awhile to get the connecting train. Had loads of emails saying about delays at security, got there nice and early.

Flight delayed so we’ll see how this progresses, actually only delayed by approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

Weather was very warm and sunny, at times too hot! The port was a great place to stay, very nice vibe with lot of nice restaurants and bars along the waters edge. Hotel was okay, great location but 3* not 4*.

Sitges was interesting to walk around and brought back fond memories from 10 years ago, still very very g.a.y!

Incredibly refreshing to go for a dip in the mornings albeit in the naturist beach, which was on our doorstep, although 95% of people weren’t covered up.

TDF was good although always seems to be battling a bit with the timings, but an incredible atmosphere and great to see.

Lots and lots of walking!