Barcelona
I had never been to Spain and don’t speak a word of Spanish. But the allure of Barcelona won us over and in a short three days we rebooked and rearranged our travel.
I could write paragraphs of our very great dilemma about going to Paris after the tragic events there of that Friday evening in November. It was a very, very difficult decision to make but in the end we decided to change our plans.
And, practically speaking, this also meant we needed to rethink our travel wardrobes. We had been prepared for Paris and cooler weather.…. coats, boots, sweaters etc. But Barcelona? It would be in the 60’s every day with no rain, and the possibility of a beach day! That was a switch for us!
Let’s start with the hotel.
Lucky for me that so many of my friends here had been to Barcelona, love it, and had many recommendations for me. Best of all was the hotel:
Hotel Villa Emilia
These pictures don’t begin to do justice to this hotel. It was truly lovely. Small, in a residential area, with personal attention and very tastefully done.
From the hotel we had easy access to the Metro, parks, museums and the beach.
This was one of our favorite areas: the Placa Reial. Designed in the 19th Century it was a convent for many years. The enormous square is now home to hotels and restaurants.
European streets and architecture at their best.
We saw many building with this decorative frieze work on the walls.
Yours truly…in a lovely park in the Barceloneta area.
We managed to get advance tickets to
La Sagrada Familia
We spent several hours here, both in the main Cathedral and in the museum below. I’m only sorry we were not able to go into the Towers…but no tickets were available. Do go to the website to learn about this Gaudi masterpiece and its on-going construction. We were not prepared to be so overwhelmed!
Panorama of one side of the cathedral. The stained glass was just beautiful.
Looking up, inside the cathedral. Amazing….
We had tickets to the
Museu Nacional dArt de Catalunya
Set up on a hill with views overlooking the entire city, the museum is a must if you go! Both outside and inside are wonderful. We were able to see a special exhibit:
Undamaged. Still Lifes From The Spanish Golden Age
Just beautiful.
The view from the front of the museum in panorama.
Museum images, inside and out.
As for the food…it was amazing. Every meal we had was (almost) better than the last. The tapas idea suited us ideally! Lots of small bites, easy to share, and each meal full of new tastes.
We were very, very lucky to get a table (without a reservation…) at
Bodega 1900
. This is the less formal “sister” restaurant of Tickets. Both of these were featured in the Barcelona episode of
“I’ll Have What Phil’s Having” on PBS.
Do you know it? For any travel buff or foodie, it is a must! Anyway, we happened upon Bodega 1900 and just happened to snag one of the two outdoor tables. What a fun experience: we let the waitress order for us (they encourage this) and ended up with a glass of their secret recipe vermouth and then about seven or eight tapas courses. Fabulous.
And last, it was my birthday and my daughter surprised me with lunch and a present in between museum visits:
One last image for you…and one of our favorite views.
If you really want to see more images, click on my Flickr account for the album.
As an aside here, I want to tell you about the never ending suitcase controversy: carry-on vs. checked luggage. I am, almost without fail, a checked baggage person. But this time I decided to try carry-on. My clothes etc. all fit into my standard 22″x 14″ bag just fine. This is the standard size required by all airlines. But there was NO way I could possibly lift that suitcase up to the bin. How do any of you do this? I mean, it’s about 30 lbs, right? I lift weights three times a week at the gym, and I still wasn’t able to get that bag up there! My daughter and I did it together; but how do you handle this? Don’t you find it a problem?
So, I have tried the carry-on route and it did not work for me. And no, on the return trip I checked the bag!
Would love to hear your comments about this never-ending dilemma…
And, if you want more specific recommendations for Barcelona and other places we tried, just send me an email.
Libby–So great to hear about your fabulous trip. I am exclusively carry-on in the US for up to 8 days travel. I’ve never had to ask someone to help get my bag in the bin, but sometimes a young man will jump up and do it for me. If I needed help, I wouldn’t hesitate to ask a friendly-looking stranger. For international, I always check a medium bag (plus have an under-the-seat carry-on) because this gives me the flexibility to bring things home. Last trip it was vintage mixing bowls and antique copper pots!
Marian St.Clair recently posted…In a Vase Last Wednesday
Marian: Thanks for the “advice” re my suitcase! Yes, for international I usually take a medium bag for check, and then a small rolling bag I used to use for work and trade shows. That goes up top, and then I take out a much smaller zipper bag for under the seat. So many things to take: the Bose headphones take up a lot of space, socks, ipad, necessary toiletries etc. Well, you do live and learn: each trip teaches new ways to travel, right?
Sorry if you already received this reply: some glitch happened!
Libby Wilkie recently posted…FRIDAY FLOWERS: A POST FROM THE GARDENERS AT SISSINGHURST
I’m so glad it all worked out!!! When things started to unravel in Paris just before your trip, you popped into my mind every day or so. I was so worried that you had cancelled all together. But then when there were no new posts, I knew you had to have gone somewhere. How lucky you chose Barcelona!! My British cousin was posted there for a couple of years and she loves it. It’s on my bucket list!
Heather @ New House New Home recently posted…My Favourite Things Gift Guide
You are so sweet to say that, Heather! Thank you. Yes, it was quite a time but it all worked out so beautifully…and maybe even for the better. You just never know, do you?
Libby Wilkie recently posted…FRIDAY FLOWERS: A POST FROM THE GARDENERS AT SISSINGHURST
First off I thought that was a photo of your daughter!YOU LOOK SO YOUNG STANDING there in your leggings!I know I would adore it…….NOr have I been to SPAIN it is on my BUCKET list!If I get the chance I will definitely contact YOU…………
Welcome home……..as for that baggage.I still can do it but NOT for long.
Checking in is easier……….you just have to wait a little longer to start the FUN!
LA CONTESSA recently posted…THE COUNT AND I
You’re trip sounds great – so glad it all worked out! La Sagrada Familia is one of my bucket list destinations! I usually check my bag, but when I do carry on, I’ve been lucky to have some nice tall guy help me out.
Linda Merrill recently posted…Happy Thanksgiving!
LInda: Yes, keep it on your bucket list and really try to get there. What a wonderful city and it all worked out perfectly. I came home with a bad cold, but then that happens in those planes, right? Next time, I will be checking my bag…it just leaves room for a larger carry on for all those goodies that you buy over there!
Libby Wilkie recently posted…FRIDAY FLOWERS: A POST FROM THE GARDENERS AT SISSINGHURST
Libby your trip and pictures look wonderful! I was thinking of you all week (with a little envy I might add). Cheers for Barcelona!
Libby, sounds like a wonderful trip after all. La Sagrada Familia must have been great. Lovely to have time with your daughter. Happy Birthday!
Susie recently posted…In A Vase On Monday—A Simple Refashion
One of my dreams is to visit Barcelona next year!
I really hope that we are going to be okay with money :D
Alice: Yes, indeed, it was the right decision for us and oh did we have a lovely time. Now I need to get Peter back there in the spring. It’s such a walkable city; climate is just right; flights were no problem. There’s nothing like travel, right?
Libby Wilkie recently posted…FRIDAY FLOWERS: A POST FROM THE GARDENERS AT SISSINGHURST
Hi Libby,
So nice to see your Barcelona photos. I love Catalonia. Our entire family’s luggage was lost on our trip to Barcelona. For five days! Ever since then, I always carry on. I use a small business carry on if going for a few day trip. I pack very light, wear things several times and roll my clothes. can easily lift that up to the overhead. For my regular carryon for longer trips, I position myself near strong men as we are lining up at the gate and ask for their help once we are in the plane and I see an empty bin. They often will also get it when we land. I asked a male flight attendant to help me one time and he refused!