Our Weekend Trip to Tortosa

This weekend we went to Tortosa, a small town about 100 miles south of Barcelona. As much as we love public transportation around here, it was a luxury for us to take a road trip by car. We rented the compact Ford Ka.

We stayed at the Parador de Tortosa, also called the “Castillo de la Zuda”. Paradors are renovated government-run hotels that were formerly medieval castles. As the highest point in the city, it majestically stands between the Ebro River and the urban landscape. The cathedral sits alongside the peaceful river.

Unfortunately for us, it was a very windy weekend. Here I am by an old cannon waiting for a chair to fly in my face.

Our magical castle. 

Fernando tried to imagine what it was like guarding the fortress and bombing unwanted invaders.

The hallway of the castle kind of reminded me of the long hallway with the floating candlestick at the Haunted House at Disneyland. Here comes a ghost.

We drove down to the city to get a better view of the river that divides this quaint town.

From this small plaza below, the castle stands high atop in the background.

We visisted the old Jewish quarter, which came about after the Muslims conquered the city in 1148.

The "muralla" was construced in the 14th century to protect the city and the Jews.

The region of Catalunya has some of the most interesting markets in Spain. We decided to have a quick lunch here.

The infamous hanging ham.

My calamari sandwich with alioli and Fernando's porkloin sandwich with Manchego cheese and tomatoes.

A fish seller. 

A typical "tienda de ultramarinos": a mini store that sells milk, eggs, bread, and canned goods.

We took a side excursion to see where the River Ebro meets the Mediterranean Sea.You can fish for very small eel here.

We're planning to spend the weekend at another parador in two weeks - while I can still travel!