A taste of Barcelona with the Raimondis

In Barcelona's Gothic Quarter

I met Paul and Jane at the dock on Saturday morning for a day-long Barcelona experience. The weather was perfect, and we were off. As we drove into the city, passing by the giatn Columbus statue at the end of Las Ramblas and past the Llotja, where Picasso once studied, you begin to get a feeling for the city. Aside from the collection of magnificent buildings, Barcelona city is a piece of art on display. From  Roy Lichtenstein's "Barcelona Head" and Marichal's "La Gamba" to the people and the winding streets, the city works as a collective to offer inquisitive visitors an insight into the culture and the people.

Our morning visit took us through the old city center, winding the streets as we passed through two thousand years of history, stopping to take in the small shops and detailed facades of the buildings, the medieval arches of the sides streets and, naturally, the magnificent display of gothic architecture that is so characteristic of the city itself. A stop for a quick refreshment was called for with the springtime sun warming the streets before we continued into the heart of the city, viewing Las Ramblas, the Plaza del Rei, the Roman Temple and the Palau of the Generalitat.

Lunch was a thoroughly enjoyable event, as we stopped for tapas at a local restaurant and enjoyed some of the local treats like Spanish tortilla, Gambas al ajillo, xoricets in a wine sauce, and of couse the omnipresent olives and pa amb tomaquet. After lunch we headed over to Sagrada Familia. Bypassing the line and heading straight into the church, which defies the standard categorization of "just another church" so much that even the most hardened travelers cannot help but be moved.

We finished the day heading back down Passeig de Gracia to see Gaudi's other famous houses before saying goodbye at the cruise ship port. In all a lovely day and great people, a truly memorable experience!

For more information on planning your private guided tour in Spain, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.