Oh Barcelona!

 A City to Explore

By far Barcelona quickly became one of my favorite cities to explore. There are a plethora of things to do, see and try. I'll mention just a few to get your interest piqued!

Barcelona, the capital of Spain's Catalonia region, thrives on its long withstanding history. It thrives in art, architecture, food and cava. A coastal city in Spain on the Mediterranean Sea, the city has beaches,  bars, and hidden coves. There really is something for everyone here from historical to modern, land to sea, morning to night. 

The city is easy to access by foot, bike, car and public transportation. The people are kind and helpful, patient and informed, also thankfully able to speak multiple languages. They make suggestions, offer directions and take time for you to enjoy your experience to the fullest. 

For the fitness enthusiast you can take a run through town, parks or an indoor gym overlooking the city. Breathtaking views are around every corner. If you prefer to walk, or you're sightseeing, you can get around quite easily by foot. Placa de Catalunya is the city center with tons of shopping, bars and restaurants to enjoy. Take time to shop, eat and enjoy the sights.  The Gothic Quarter is the next must see. Cobble stone streets that narrow into private neighborhoods with clothes lines stretched across the thin pathways is something to appreciate. This area is filled with things to enjoy and do. Plan a day here so you're not missing out on the old essence of the city itself. Note: prepare yourself for shopping, people and pigeons!

From Picasso to Erotica, the museums are plenty. Be yourself, take your time, walk your own path here. Appreciation and fun are the key points. We all like different things, and Barcelona offers it all!

Basilica de la Sagrada Familia. A temple. A church. A masterpiece. This Gaudi designed heritage site is a must see. Designed by Antoni Gaudi (buried in the churches crypt), this magnificent building was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI and proclaimed a minor basilica. It is a wonder. You truly need to explore the entire property to appreciate the building.  I honestly took a million photos here, and none will ever capture the magic of this unique building. 

Paella. We've heard the term, seen photos, but to truly enjoy it, this is the place. Rice and seafood based with special seasoning to enhance the flavors, you need to order this more than once. Most people don't like that some of the "units" are left on the seafood, and you have to remove them yourself, but the flavors and dish really are worth the extra attention.  

Cava is a sparkling white wine that drinks similar to champagne. It is from the northeast state of Catalonia and created by Josep Raventos in 1872. There are tons of wineries to visit and lots of bottles to enjoy. Easy to drink, cold and sparkling, have at least 2 to enjoy the experience. 

                                                                            

Although this trip I did not get to enjoy the beach, we did lots of sightseeing across the city before embarked on a Celebrity cruise ship to Greece, Malta and Italy. Stay tuned for those upcoming blogs! This was a trip of a lifetime and one I would happily do all over again. See you soon for more of my adventures!