Barcelona

It was early in July, summer in this part of the world. We arrived at El Prat a little past 8pm and sun was just starting to set. I whispered silently to myself and said “ You made it to Spain. You’re finally in Europe. It is no secret that it’s been my lifelong dream to travel within Europe and as I let my eyes wander in slow motion; everything felt surreal and almost unbelievable. Yet, there I was, a small town girl finally living her dream.

Barcelona is a bustling city that would leave you enchanted with its beauty. A visit to this beautiful Spanish city will give you a dose of incredible rich history, art and grand architecture. It's your ultimate culture fix and gastronomical experience. A typical day will take you to museums and streets leading to a historical spot or one of most renowned restaurants in the world. A few minutes from the city area will give you quick access to long stretch of sand and beach. Go a bit further and you'll find yourself transported to one of the oldest churches in the world nestled in mountain range. There's so much to see in Barcelona and if you're lucky to spend a few weeks in the city, you just might(might) catch a glimpse of everything it has to offer. So as we embark to this EuroScape with only 3 days to spare in this ethereal city; we knew every minute counts and making the most out of this adventure was all have in mind.

So let me take you for a quick sneak peek of our Catalunya getaway. Let's start off with the grandest shall we?

La Sagrada de Familia :

The Sagrada Familia is an exceptional place of worship, as much for its beginnings and foundation as for its ambition.

Five generations have already witnessed the temple’s rise in Barcelona. Construction

continues today and could be finished in the first third of the 21st century.( 2026 or 2028)

With such intricate design, Gaudi knew he wouldn't live to see the temple to its completion hence he made a detailed plan to ensure architects can continue the project without him.



This is Gaudi's emblematic temple located at the heart of Barcelona. This is Barcelona's signature landmark and a tourist must-have in their itinerary

There are 3 grand façades that make up the church’s exterior, namely the Nativity façade, the Passion façade and the Glory façade (still to be completed). Majority of what you see here is the Nativity façade, depicting scenes of the birth of Christ and His early life.

Obviously with such an intricate design, a project like this takes years to be completed.

When you exit to the Passion façade, you’ll see this door full of engraved words in various languages taken from the Bible.

The Passion façade, compared to the Nativity façade is much simpler, with cleaner lines and details. It depicts Jesus’ suffering–“His pain, sacrifice and death, as staged along the twelve stations of the cross, expressed in highly dramatic and emotionally intense sculpture groups.”

I was literally blown away as we marveled at the majestic beauty of Sagrada de Familia. I had to pinch myself several times ( you would be seeing a lot of this line in my next EUentries ). It's a brilliant work of art. A UNESCO world heritage site. Standing in the middle of the temple, mesmerized and full of awe; my heart is beyond grateful to have been given the opportunity to bask in its beauty.

Tip:

During summer months (June-September) - It is imperative that you book your tickets online to skip the line. You will need to queue to get in so getting here early is worth it.

Ticket is priced at 15 Euro for Adults. You may buy your tickets here : http://www.sagradafamilia.org/en/tickets/

La Ramblas

Though it sometimes gets a reputation of being touristy, it is quintessential to take a stroll to this famous street. It runs along the edge of the old part of the city reaching the lively Placa de Catalunya down to the harbour.  Whether shopping or satisfying your gelato cravings , La Ramblas will definitely entice you for its exuberance. Be sure to drop by Boqueria for tapas.

Barri Gothic

Named for its labyrinth of medieval streets and squares. There’s just so much to see and if you want to experience a piece of Spain’s history, let this quarters take you down memory lane. It is Barcelona’s version of old town. The district actually has roots that extend back to the first century and Roman walls can still be found scattered about the neighbourhood.

Feast your eyes on old cathedrals with Gothic design and be in for a treat with some of the finest local artists serenading you with their Spanish guitars.

We walked a little further down Passeig de Gracia to marvel at the different creations of Gaudi.

Casa Amatlier

The building in modern style with beautiful ornamental façade was constructed as the house of Antoni Amatlier, a chocolate maker.

Admission : 15 Euro

Casa Batllo

This buildings façade will certainly catch your eye while walking around. It is covered with colourful tiles creating mosaics.

Admission : 22.50 Euro

Casa Mila

This building is a hundred years old and was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This was designed by Gaudi and has attracted many visitors for its unique design

Admission: 20.50 Euro

There’s something refreshing and liberating when you thread on unfamiliar grounds. Unfamiliarity could either faze you or tickle you curiosity igniting your inner wanderlust. Barcelona though unfamiliar sends a vibe that hits close to home. Could be the Spanish influence to my home country after being colonized for hundred of years. And gracias, si and Buenos dias do have a good roll off the tongue. With a city known for its architecture, immense culture, food and history; I sincerely wished we could have stayed longer.  Barcelona is a city that moves slowly and what better way to experience it but to savor each moment,  sleep late, take siesta, eat lots and move at a Spaniard’s pace.

 Xoxo,
Jhesy