Day 1 in Natchez - Southern Road To Freedom

Joyful Friends are on the road again.  Dinner at Magnolia Hall .  After dinner a very upbeat, lively Gospel program- Southern Road To Freedom.   

Natchez Spring Pilgrimage - Azaleas, Architecture & America's History

We are off to Natchez, Mississippi tomorrow for the Spring Pilgrimage!  A little bit about Natchez:

Established by French colonists in 1716, Natchez is one of the oldest and most important European settlements in the lower Mississippi River Valley; it later served as the capital of the American Mississippi Territory and then of the state of Mississippi. It predates Jackson, which replaced Natchez as the capital in 1822, by more than a century. The strategic location of Natchez, on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, ensured that it would become a pivotal center of trade, commerce, and the interchange of ethnic Native American, European, and African cultures in the region, for the first two centuries of its existence.

In U.S. history, it is recognized particularly for its role in the development of the Old Southwest during the first half of the nineteenth century. It was the southern terminus of the historic Natchez Trace, with the northern terminus being Nashville, Tennessee. This was used by many pilots of flatboats and keel boats, to return overland to their homes in the Ohio River Valley after unloading their cargo in Natchez or New Orleans. (It was not until the implementation of steam power that travel northward on the Mississippi River could be accomplished by boat.) The Natchez Trace also played an important role during the War of 1812. Today the modern Natchez Trace Parkway, which commemorates this route, still has its southern terminus in Natchez.

In the middle of the nineteenth century, the city attracted wealthy Southern planters as residents, who built mansions to fit their ambitions; their plantations were vast tracts of land in the surrounding lowlands of Mississippi and Louisiana, where they grew large crops of cotton and sugar cane using slave labor. Natchez became the principal port from which these crops were exported, both upriver to Northern cities and downriver to New Orleans, where much of the cargo was exported to Europe. Many of the mansions built by planters before 1860 survive and form a major part of the city's architecture and identity. Agriculture remained the primary economic base for the region until well into the twentieth century.

Stay tuned!

Madrid

Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be around 6.5 million- making it the third largest in the European Union after London and Paris. 

The city is located on the Manzanares River in the centre of both the country and the Community of Madrid (which comprises the city of Madrid, its conurbation and extended suburbs and villages); this community is bordered by the autonomous communities of Castile and León and Castile-La Mancha. As the capital city of Spain, seat of government, and residence of the Spanish monarch, Madrid is also the political, economic and cultural center of Spain.

While Madrid possesses a modern infrastructure, it has preserved the look and feel of many of its historic neighborhoods and streets. 

Our day began with a visit to the beautiful Bull Fighting Stadium.  Then a walk through Old Town past the Royal Palace.  We enjoyed lunch in San Miguel Mercado where we tasted many local specialities.  Afternoon was spent at the Prado Museum.

Toledo, Spain

Today we took a day trip to the city of Toledo, Spain.  It is a treasure trove of architectural, artistic and artisanal attractions-a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Toledo is known as the "Imperial City" for having been the main venue of the court of Charles I, and as the "City of the Three Cultures", having been influenced by a historical co-existence of Christians, Muslims and Jews. In 1085, the city fell to Alfonso VI of Castile as the first major city in the Christian Reconquista. Toledo has a history in the production of bladed weapons, which are now popular souvenirs of the city.

Salamanca, Spain

We were sad to say adeus to the MS AMAVIDA this morning.  A stop in Salamanca-a UNESCO world heritage site.  A walking tour in this lovely city and lunch with a Flamenco show.  A late afternoon arrival in Madrid.

     The city hall of Salamanca near the terrace of the Café Novelty founded in 1905.

    Looks like Paella

Castelo Rodrigo

Portuguese barbecue lunch while cruising down the river.  Afternoon excursion to Castelo Rodrigo a charming town that dates back to 1100 AD.

Vila Real, Pinhao, and the Captain's Cocktail Party

This morning we visited the Mateus Palace and Gardens just outside the city of Vila Real.  In the afternoon we walked to the train station in Pinhao where we are docked to see the beautiful blue tiles. 

Portugal is the premier producer of cork in the world obtained from cork oak trees.

Captain's Cocktail Party