We flew Ryanair for a 4-day weekend trip to Barcelona the day after Thanksgiving with some friends. Barcelona is unlike any other European city we've visited. It had a much different vibe to it. As this city was home to people like Pablo Picasso and Antoni Gaudi, the setting provided constant reminders of their modern style. It was also a really clean city with the most handicap-accessible subway system we've used in Europe. It was really nice not having to carry the heavy double-stroller up and down stairs to get into the subway at most of the stations as we had to do in London and elsewhere.
On our first evening, after arriving late in the afternoon in Barcelona, we visited Parc Güell. From the top, we had a great view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea.
(L) A visit to Spain would not be complete without having chocolate churros, a traditional Spanish dessert. The cup above was filled with melted dark chocolate. The churros had the texture of a doughnut. It looked better than it tasted. We agreed that it was chocolate overload! Of course, Jack and Lucas couldn't get enough of it.
(R) On the right, fresh-squeezed smoothies that we got at the open market. Since it was closing time and they were practically giving them away, we bought 10! They tasted amazing!
(L) Arc de Triomf near Parc de la Ciutadella; (R) Jack and Lucas looking bored and tired of the stroller
(L) Jack really liked the Woolly Mammoth statue at Parc de la Ciutadella; (R) A beautiful fountain at Parc de la Ciutadella
(L) Some mime actors on Las Ramblas; they were all over the strip. (R) Monument to Christopher Columbus near Las Ramblas
Above: Some really cheesy dancing in front of a church. This is a local dance called the Sardana. At least the kids liked it.
Above, the beach at Barcelona. This is the first major European city we've been to that has nice beaches. Too bad the weather was too cold for swimming. (Although the mid-50 degree weather was much better than snowy Germany!)
(L) The track and field Olympic stadium used during the 1992 Summer Games; (R) Cable car ride to the top of Montjuic. We had a fantastic view of the city and the sea from the cable car and at the top.
A view from the top of Montjuic. On the right, a nice view of Barcelona's most famous tourist destination, the modern Gothic cathedral Sagrada Familia, which was designed by Antoni Gaudi, the world-reknowned architect. In early November 2010, Sagrada Familia was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI as a basilica, so its now in use. Construction commenced in 1882 and the basilica still has not been completed, although it appears to be getting close. The ongoing construction is funded in part by tourist entrance fees. The pictures below don't do the cathedral justice; it was really amazing. I wish our camera took better indoor pictures. It may be time to upgrade soon to one with more megapixels! Below are more pictures from both inside and outside of Sagrada Familia. We were able to take an elevator up to the top of one of the towers.
Above: Gaudi-inspired architecture in the city
Above, a view of the snow-covered Alps, probably in France, on the way home.
