Updates in Sports Medicine

Barcelona, Spain -

Barcelona is a one of the world's great cities. Stroll down her tree-lined boulevards, the magnificent Passeig de Gràcia or the more touristed Las Ramblas. On the Passeig, shop a serious fashion district while marveling at examples of Mordenisme architecture, seemingly sculpted from the stuff of dreams (Gaudi's masterpiece of a family home, Casa Batlló is well worth a visit). If a trip on the Passeig hasn't convinced you of Gaudi's genius, a visit to La Sagrada Familia Cathedral will do the trick; this fantastic, soaring marvel will live on in your memory long after you've returned.

Not far from the Passeig and just north of Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter (the Barri Gotic) provides an abundance of shopping opportunities for all tastes, and a bit of European history to boot - check out the tranquil Cathedral of Barcelona. To see a bit of local life a visit to a food market is a quick, fun detour: try Santa Caterina near the Cathedral or Mercado de La Boqueria, right off of Las Ramblas.

Barcelona's food is also a highlight: stop into a tapas bar and try a variety of delicacies. "Standard" restaurants of every style are available, too. And, there's music, too! Visit an underground jazz club or the magnificent Palau de la Música Catalana; or stop by the Palau Dalmases for a stunning, flamenco performance (it's near the Picasso museum). Did we mention art? One of the largest collections of Picasso's art is found at the Museau Picasso, and a great collection of contemporary, figurative (i.e not abstract) painting and sculpture is housed at the European Museum of Modern Art just around the corner.

It's probably clear by now that you really can't get it all done in a day (even if all means "just the must-sees"). So, stay for a day or three in the Gothic Quarter or near Plaça de Catalunya and really get a feel for what makes Barcelona such a wonderful place. Partly it's the result of the "accidents" of its history and present: as the regional capital of Spain's prosperous Catalunya region, Barcelona has a "flavor" that is a bit of a mix between Spanish and French (it's located quite close to the French border). Yes, you can practice your Spanish here - it attracts Spaniards from throughout the country - but you'll also see and hear Catalan with it's own charm. You won't regret your time here.

Valencia, Spain - Incredibly, Valencia is a hidden gem of a big city in Spain. Although, it doesn't get the same attention that Barcelona and Madrid get, it competes quite well with those two well known destinations. Food, Shopping, Art and Architecture can be found in abundance; take some time and wander through the winding maze of medieval streets and stubble on your newest favorite shop/bar/restaurant. Too bad cruises don't depart from here; you could certainly spend a few days visiting Valencia's must-sees. One highlight is the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències) designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. This beautiful complex consists of a cinema, garden, theater, planetarium, science museum and more!

Ibiza, Spain - Ibiza, the third largest of the Balearics, began to grow from a quiet, little-known island into a playground for the rich and an enclave for artists in the 1950s and 1960s. The island's brilliant, whitewashed houses reflect not only the summer sun, but 300 years of Moorish rule, earning it the nickname of 'Isla Blanca' or White Island. The town of Ibiza, also known as Eivissa, is a delightful combination of Medieval and 19th-century architecture. Visit the picturesque upper town (Dalt Vila), far removed from the sometimes hectic pace of the rest of the island. The ancient cathedral, enclosed by 16th-century walls which are a national monument in their own right, provides a stunning view of the Mediterranean below.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

Portofino, Italy - Portofino, picturesquely situated in a narrow cove at the southeastern tip of a promontory might be the most beautiful place you'll ever see. A tiny port on Italy's northern coast, enchanting Portofino has long been popular with artists, actors and important people thanks to its beautiful setting. Abundantly blessed with agreeable climate and luxuriant vegetation, this "Pearl of the Mediterranean" should have a place on everyone's "bucket list." Fortunately for we in the know, it still remains unspoiled. 

Sevastopol, Ukraine - Sevastopol is both young and ancient. Sevastopol as it is was founded on the 14th of June 1783, but Chersonese, an ancient city, the magnificent ruins of which are located in the territory of modern Sevastopol, is much older. It was founded in the 5th century B.C. Some scholars have thought that Homer's description of the Laestrygonians' harbour in the "Odyssey" was based on Balaklava, also a part of modern Sevastopol. The historians suppose that there was a settlement on this site 30 centuries ago.

La Spezia, Italy - La Spezia is a gateway to some of Italy's greatest treasures.

A quite pleasant small city itself, is located on a natural harbor and boasts a beautiful park parallel to its waterfront, substantial shopping, plenty of opportunities for good food, an archaeolgical museum in its historic hilltop fort and a nice contemporary art museum.

A short distance La Spezia and you are on the Cinque Terre ("The Five Cities") coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of Italy's great natural jewels. These five small villages dotting the coast are free of car traffic and are reached only by a railway, hiking trails, or a pedestrian ferry. Small, winding paths connect many of the villages, and a light amount of hiking will afford you some spectacular views of cliffs, coastline, and stone terraces.

A little further afield is Pisa, one of the great renaissance cities whose ships dominated trade for decades. It is best known today, of course for it's famous "leaning Tower," from the top of which Galileo Galilei demonstrated that gravity's strength was independant of the weight of a falling object. It stands there still, if somewhat crookedly, after 650 years.

Sill further but worth the trip, is Florence where you can view the timeless treasures from the very height of renaissance achievements: the lofty Duomo, Giotto's gorgeous bell tower, Michelangelo's original David, the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio over the Arno.

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy - Extraordinary architecture, millennia of turbulent history, magnificent basilicas concealing unimaginable riches, and ornate fountains splashing at the heart of sun-drenched piazzas are just some of the many reasons to visit Rome. Art greets you on every corner, from elaborate statues to delicate frescoes. Stroll the ancient center and history comes to life as you explore the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Roman Forum. Enjoy Italian café culture in Trastevere, where you can wander the narrow streets and soak up a sense of la dolce vita, or throw a coin into the baroque Trevi Fountain to guarantee your return to this vibrant, intoxicating city.