It was nice to tour Old San Juan. The old part of this city is truly made for walking. At only 1×2 miles you can easily cover most of the old town in 1/2 a day. This is the location to the oldest “western” history in the New World. Buildings date back to the 1520’s. The Cristobal Fort is a highlight with fantastic views overlooking the ocean especially when those big tropical billowing white clouds build up in the distance. Construction on this fort was begun by the Spanish in 1539 and it covers 27 acres; its not small! A series of tunnels built by the Spanish army are a highlight of a visit.
Did you know famed Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon is buried in San Juan Cathedral. His marble tomb is here – in a room next door is a beautiful painting of a modern refreshing painting Madonna and children (note the children’s skin color) – don’t see a painting like that in Europe very often!
Old town is very picturesque with colorful buildings and Spanish styled architecture. Don Q Rum is one of several Rum producers on the island. They have a tasting room in Old San Juan. Its fairly easy to leave a tasting here with a good “buzz” going – especially after sampling some of their 12 year old barrel aged 80% spirits! A top restaurant here is Toro Salao Tapas Restaurant. Outdoor and indoor seating – live guitar music at times. Wonderfully cooked small dishes – a restaurant with a true tribute to the Spanish heritage.
More of our Puerto Rico photos here.
Greetings. laimprentadefar.blogspot.com migrated to gundemaro.blogspot.com
It would be nice to see this with my own eyes. Nonetheless, thanks for taking me to a different place through your blog.
Will be happy to be one of your follower from hereon
She
Hi Dave, thanks for add me.
I was never in Puerto Rico, but I imagine how good it is 🙂
I see you travel a lot, thats nice. Where are you from?
Greetings from Vienna, Austria,
Cris
Hi Cris – I live in California and it was my first time to Puerto Rico although I’ve been to the Caribbean several times before. I will def be going back to explore additional islands. Vienna is very nice – I’ve been there before and enjoyed some outdoor music festivals in the summer time 🙂
Hi Dave
Tank you for follow me
It’s good to read about your trips
Kisses from Brasil
Thanks Van 🙂
Thank you for to follow me. I am follower your site. I will go to contribute with your site.
Kisses,bye.
Olá, passei para deixar o novo endereço do Martabelasartes o Martabelasartes.blogspot em breve será desligado. Já estou te seguindo com meu novo endereço. Passe para uma visita, você será sempre muito bem vindo. Um grande abraço. Marta Benica.
I have been here. I found it to be a very relaxing community.
I’ve been to Puerto Rico twice – my daughter lived there for 4 years while her husband was in medical school. I loved Old Town – so charming and so many interesting things to see. I’d go back in a second. I’d like to see Culebra next time.
Dave, I have been there. My first time was in 1975 and I got terribly sunburned since I was not used to such a hot sun (I grew up in FL so thought I was used to it). So instead of sunbathing during the day, we toured those rum factories. It was fun and I saw more than if I had been parked by the pool or beach all day.
Yanni is going to be performing “LIVE” December 16th & 17th 2011 at El Morro. A DVD will be taped on the dates listed and released in early 2012. http://www.Yanni.com/Tour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eThOki5Yns
Awesome information. I’ll be likely to return often.