Castles and Wine tasting
6-30-2019
DAY 12
For once, we decided to have a more relaxed day. Our only set plan for the day was to visit the castle that was less than a five minute walk from our room, and it did not open until 10:00 - meaning my brother and sister got to sleep in (I unfortunately couldn't sleep past 7:00, even though I was tired). My parents went for a walk to find some bread for breakfast, but nothing was open (since it was Sunday). Eventually, a small market opened at 9:30 and they were able to get baguettes and croissants. For breakfast, we munched on delicious eggs, ham, and cheese on croissants before heading over to the castle.
The site of the Chateau and ramparts represent 2,500 years of history. It has been inhabited since ancient times and was protected against the Roman Empire by a Gallo-Roman wall which you can still see signs of even though there have been many improvements and changes since then. Carcassonne used to defend the border between France and Aragon so it was of strategic importance as a fortified city. The monument was put on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 1997. There is even a board game called Carcassonne.
The apartment was quite close to the castle, so we were able to walk there in about 10 minutes. The fortified city is entered via a draw bridge which used to go over a moat. Once inside the outer wall, it
is a working village with lots of shops and places to eat. So, it was pretty cool to be able be in an ancient castle that was still vibrant and bustling like it was back in ancient and medieval times.
When we paid for our entrance tickets for the inner wall of the castle, they also gave us audio tour boxes that you take to different numbered locations all around the castle. We learned lots about the history of the region, the different stages of architecture, the artwork and sculpture, the ways of defending the castle, and more. It was really informative and interesting.
After the tour, we were pretty hot, so James, my dad, and I went back to the apartment while Maya and my mom explored the village inside of the castle walls. They first went around to some stores in search of a new table cloth, and then they went to a beautiful cathedral.
When they returned, we continued with some chill time. Then Maya wanted to do more (she couldn't believe we only had 1 thing planned for the day). So, Maya and my mom looked at wine tasting options and found a place that was close by and would be open. James and I wanted to continue to chill (it was so hot), so Maya and my parents went to Rose & Paul's Winery, which has been in the same family for 5 generations.
They learned about the vineyard and the process that they used for making wine. When my mom commented to the owner that it sounded like a lot of work, he said that it does not feel like work when it is a passion.
After they returned, we walked back to the castle for dinner. It was cool to eat dinner in a castle. Then we walked around the outside walls of the castle as the sunset was setting. The castle walls became a golden glow with the final rays of the sun. At night, the castle is lit up with lights making it look like something from a postcard.
Once back to the apartment, we packed up our stuff and got ready for an early morning departure to check out Gorges du Llech (our final canyon) and then make our way to Sant Feliu de Guixols to see Paul, Petra, Carla, and Anna.
DAY 12
For once, we decided to have a more relaxed day. Our only set plan for the day was to visit the castle that was less than a five minute walk from our room, and it did not open until 10:00 - meaning my brother and sister got to sleep in (I unfortunately couldn't sleep past 7:00, even though I was tired). My parents went for a walk to find some bread for breakfast, but nothing was open (since it was Sunday). Eventually, a small market opened at 9:30 and they were able to get baguettes and croissants. For breakfast, we munched on delicious eggs, ham, and cheese on croissants before heading over to the castle.
The site of the Chateau and ramparts represent 2,500 years of history. It has been inhabited since ancient times and was protected against the Roman Empire by a Gallo-Roman wall which you can still see signs of even though there have been many improvements and changes since then. Carcassonne used to defend the border between France and Aragon so it was of strategic importance as a fortified city. The monument was put on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 1997. There is even a board game called Carcassonne.
The apartment was quite close to the castle, so we were able to walk there in about 10 minutes. The fortified city is entered via a draw bridge which used to go over a moat. Once inside the outer wall, it
is a working village with lots of shops and places to eat. So, it was pretty cool to be able be in an ancient castle that was still vibrant and bustling like it was back in ancient and medieval times.
When we paid for our entrance tickets for the inner wall of the castle, they also gave us audio tour boxes that you take to different numbered locations all around the castle. We learned lots about the history of the region, the different stages of architecture, the artwork and sculpture, the ways of defending the castle, and more. It was really informative and interesting.
Below is a Roman milestone. These stone markers were placed every Roman mile, and is where our modern day use of "milestone" comes from.
After the tour, we were pretty hot, so James, my dad, and I went back to the apartment while Maya and my mom explored the village inside of the castle walls. They first went around to some stores in search of a new table cloth, and then they went to a beautiful cathedral.
When they returned, we continued with some chill time. Then Maya wanted to do more (she couldn't believe we only had 1 thing planned for the day). So, Maya and my mom looked at wine tasting options and found a place that was close by and would be open. James and I wanted to continue to chill (it was so hot), so Maya and my parents went to Rose & Paul's Winery, which has been in the same family for 5 generations.
Once back to the apartment, we packed up our stuff and got ready for an early morning departure to check out Gorges du Llech (our final canyon) and then make our way to Sant Feliu de Guixols to see Paul, Petra, Carla, and Anna.
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