Travel with Julie

Amsterdam Trivia #5

Question #5: How many forms of transportation will you see in Amsterdam?

Answer:  Thirteen (by my count).  Airplane, train, taxi, car, boat, bicycle, bus, tram, subway, scooter, horse-drawn carriage, rickshaw, or foot.  These may be common forms of transportation in many cities, but rarely would one see all of them at one time as you do in Amsterdam!

Amsterdam Trivia #4

Question #4: Approximately how many bicycles are owned in Amsterdam?

Answer: 1 million. Amsterdam is the bicycle capital of the world. Bicycles out number people: 1 million bikes to 700,000 people.

Amsterdam Trivia #3

Question #3: Approximately how many Amsterdam families reside in houseboats?

Answer: 2,400. Living in a houseboat became vogue after WWII when there was a housing shortage and a surplus of old cargo ships. Nowadays, a houseboat is a stylish form of living tagged with an expensive price tag.

Amsterdam Trivia #2

Question #2: How many canals and bridges exist in Amsterdam?

Answer: 160 canals; more than 1,200 bridges.

Amsterdam Trivia #1

Question #1: What does this city's river have to do with it's name?

Answer: The name Amsterdam is a combination of the words Amstel (the name of the river) and dam (named after a dam that was built on the River Amstel in early times),

Spain's Largest Cathedral, Catedral de Sevilla

You can't miss it.  The cathedral dominates the old town center, sitting on the site of a mosque dating from the 12th century.  After the Christian reconquest of Seville, a Chapter member said "We will build a church so big that people who see it will consider us crazy."  And, it is that.  Big.  Beautiful.  And, filled with a few crazy surprises!

Not only is the cathedral the largest in Spain, it is the third largest in the world.  It's 80 chapels reportedly held 500 daily masses at one time.  One of the most famous sites inside the cathedral is the gold altar piece, Retablo Mayor.  It took 44 years to complete the 36 gilded relief panels that depict scenes from the Old Testament and the lives of saints.

Another spectacular find in the cathedral is the Tomb of Christopher Columbus.  It is believed that the bones of the famous explorer are in the raised casket.  DNA testing is currently underway to find out if they really are.  The suspense is killing me!

Outside is the famous La Giralda, the cathedral's bell tower.  Originally built at the end of the 12th century as the minaret of the mosque, it stands as one of three remaining minarets in the world (the others are in Marrakesh and Rabat, Morocco). During the building of the cathedral, the Giralda was preserved, although Christian symbols were added to the top.  Inside the tower, a 34-story ramp (wide enough for a person to ride a horse to the top) will take visitors to the top of the tower for spectacular views of Seville.

Fortunately, I passed by the cathedral daily in route to other sites, so I was able to get a look at it from all sides and angles.  I have to say, each time I passed, I discovered something new in its architecture and carvings.  I think it's safe to say, the Chapter did themselves proud! 

A Day Trip To Avila, Spain

Avila is another fairy-tale medieval town in Spain.  Located just 69 miles northwest of Madrid, it is a perfect day-trip by train.  Let me share a few facts I learned about Avila before telling you about the real surprise I found there.

The well-preserved fortification wall encircling the old town was built in the 12th century, while the modern part of the city has grown outside the wall.  The construction of the wall began in 1090, and I was told that it took 2,000 men nine years to complete. The wall (referred to as Las Murallas) is 1.57 miles in length and consists of 88 towers and nine entrance gates.  From Puerta de Santa Teresa, you can climb to the top of the wall and walk around the city for an impressive view of the town and surrounding area. Expect to pay a small fee (€3.50 when I visited) to enter.

Now, for my surprise discovery.  While strolling the town center and photographing its medieval architecture, I began to notice large (really HUGE) nests built atop chimneys and bell towers--the photo above really doesn't do it justice. One nest appeared to be 4 feet long and 2 feet tall.  They were astonishing!

I couldn't imagine what bird or creature that would need a nest this size (my mind took me back to the movie Jurassic Park!).  After a little research, I learned that it is the nest of the White Stork, a large wading bird that breeds throughout much of Europe.  Cool!

So, if you get the chance to visit Avila (and I highly recommend it!), consider taking a break from ancient walls and fabulous cathedrals and try to catch a glimpse of the baby-bringing stork!

Here are a few more photos to enjoy from Avila:

Eat Your Way Through Eataly

  

While surfing the internet for Italian restaurants in New York City, I stumbled upon a new marketplace featuring foods and wine from Italy.  So, I knew I had to check it out during last week's visit!

I had read that Eataly was the largest artisanal food and wine marketplace in the world, but nothing could have prepared me for the sensory overload I faced when I walked in!  The 50,000-square-foot retail center (yes, it makes Central Market look like a roadside vegetable stand!) located at 200 Fifth Avenue features Italian delicacies and wine, an educational center, and array of boutique eateries.  Features include cured meats and cheeses, fruits and vegetables, fresh meats, fresh fish, handmade pasta, desserts, baked goods and coffees.

The Eataly concept was started by Oscar Farinetti in Turin, Italy.  There are currently 6 locations in Italy, 3 in Japan, and now (thanks to Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich and Lidia Bastianich) we have an Eataly in New York.

It's a fancy grocery store offering the best of everything.  Want fresh hand-made mozzarella?  They've got it!  Need a butcher's assistance with a special cut of meat? They've got it!  Don't have time to cut up your vegetables for tonight's meal?  No worries, let the Vegetable Butcher handle it!  Gelato! Panini! A cooking school! A bookstore! A coffee bar! There's even a 300-seat, 6,000-square-foot rooftop partially-enclosed beer garden on the 15th floor.  The only thing missing is a ferris wheel!

The place was packed when I visited, almost to deafening decibel levels.  But, the enthusiasm among the foodies inside was exhilarating!  If I could only do one thing on my next visit to NYC, a stop in Eataly just might make the top of the list!