I was grateful that my friends came to visit us this year in Europe. We had a lot to catch up on since it has been years since I last saw them. Somehow it eased my loneliness due to being homesick. Apart from the Netherlands, Spain was on their travel itinerary as well, so we made a quick 4-day weekend trip to Barcelona.
My friends and I also joined a Gothic Quarter walking tour. For those interested in history, the Gothic Quarter is a must-try activity. This medieval neighborhood is home to the Cathedral of Barcelona, the Palau de la Generalitat, and the Plaça del Rei, all of which offer a glimpse into the city’s rich history. Our tour guide was very eager to share with us the history as her great-grandpa relieved it himself. We sure hit our steps goal while admiring the old city and listening to the stories behind each old historic building.
We also joined the Gaudi walking tour where we were able to see buildings designed by Gaudi, which has become a focal point of architectural art in Barcelona. We were able to see buildings that Gaudi designed such as Casa Batlao and La Pedrera – Casa Mila. Gaudi’s work is known for its unique and whimsical style, blending elements of nature, religion, and modernist design. A lot of it is evident in all the buildings he had designed. I was really amazed by Gaudi’s work. We only saw three of his buildings, yet I really wished we had seen the other art as well.
Aside from cultural walking tours, we also indulged in the food scene in Barcelona. Barcelona is a great destination for foodies. The city is known for its affordable and delicious seafood, tapas, and paella. We sure ate a lot of paellas and tapas the entire trip. We also did a bit of retail therapy in Zara and Mango as these brands originated in Spain. I saved EUR10 for each item I bought, in comparison if I bought them in the Netherlands.
