WorldTravelReynolds

Oh my goodness, what an absolutely beautiful and crowded city Barcelona is. I believe we had 6 cruise ships here today. Weather was perfect!

As exhausted as we were, we decided to take advantage of the hop on-hop off bus to get us around. We still walked another 3 miles but wasn’t as bad. Traffic was so horrendous that walking in some areas was much faster. Although we didn’t hit all the points on my list due to time, we did enjoy our day. And, we will be back for two full days during our exciting world cruise starting in December!

Our first stop was to see the Sagrada Familia Basilica. We only decided to see the outside as we are doing a full tour during the world cruise. it is a beautiful basilica that unfortunately is under construction. It was designed by Antoni Gaudí and is considered to be one of the most important works of Catalan modernism. The Sagrada Familia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one that I can’t wait to explore more of next year. I hope the construction doesn’t put a damper on our tour that day.

It appeared to be a short walk to our next attraction so we decided it would be faster than the bus. As we walked along the beautiful Spanish architecture we found so many outside restaurants so we decided to atop for a drink and pastries. Unfortunate we probably picked the only eatery without pasties but it was enjoyable nonetheless. People watching is my favorite activity. While enjoying our short break we listed to a street performer play his bongo? Not sure what it was but easy on the ears.

Walking to our next destination I had to stop and pick out my door magnet for our cabin door. Saw some interesting boxer shorts for Chuck but he wouldn’t bite. 😂. Then we see our the next stop up ahead, The Recinto Modernista de Sant Pau, a former hospital complex that was designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner. It is considered to be one of the most important examples of Catalan modernism. The Recinto Modernista de Sant Pau is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Back on the bus and instead of jumping off at our next stop we decided to take photos from the bus. It was going so slow and with the massive crowds, I had plenty of time to take photos and I was in the front seat! However I wish we would have stopped here for awhile. The Plaça de Catalunya is the largest square in Barcelona. It is located in the heart of the city and is a major transportation hub. It is surrounded by impressive buildings, including the Hotel Arts, the Catalunya Tower, and the El Corte Inglés department store. Shopping anyone?

The square is also home to a number of fountains, sculptures, and monuments that I plan to definitely see on our trip next year.

Around the bend or another 30 minute ride, the lovely Arc de Triomf is an arch that was built for the 1888 Universal Exposition. It is a popular spot for concerts and other events. It reminds me a lot of the structure in Paris by the same name.

We drove by the Torre Agbar. It is a 144-meter-tall skyscraper located in the Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes. It was designed by Jean Nouvel and was completed in 2005. The building is known for it’s glass facade, which is said to resemble a wave. I couldn’t see that, maybe because it was old and rusty? It was impressive though.

We cut our list short since we were running out of time but what a great day!

Here are some facts about Barcelona, Spain that I found.

• Barcelona was the site of the 1992 Summer Olympics.
• Barcelona is home to the FC Barcelona football club, one of the most successful clubs in the world.
• Barcelona is a popular tourist destination, known for its architecture, art, and nightlife.

• The city’s name comes from the Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca.
• Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is one of the best-preserved medieval quarters in Europe.
• Park Güell, another of Gaudí’s masterpieces, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The city’s nightlife is legendary, with something to offer everyone from partygoers to jazz lovers.

Another city in Europe to fall in love with. Tomorrow we are in Provence (Toulon) France. We actually purchased an excursion so hope to learn lots!

May God bless you always!

Chuck and Lea Ann