Barcelona, Day 1

We disembarked about 8:30, and the process went smoothly, despite long lines for passport checks. Our driver was waiting for us when we emerged with our luggage, and we were heading to the hotel by 9:00. We dropped our bags there and went out to explore a bit. There are very high end stores (like Chanel) that, needless to say, we didn’t enter. Our hotel is over a huge bookstore, where I hope to spend more time, and almost across the street from the Casa Batlló, designed by Antoni Gaudi the famous architect. It’s the whimsical one shown below. 

We stopped for coffee and snacks, and later for lunch when rain chased us into a sidewalk cafe. 

We had sangria and an Aperol spritz, then a very good salad and pizza. 

Our guide, Nestor, picked us up at the hotel for a walking tour. He was excellent, tailoring the tour to our walking speed and abilities. He took us through a fancy department store that was formerly the home of an elite Barcelona family, and this fireplace was quite something.

I’m now writing on Friday, because I was too exhausted after the afternoon and evening to put words together!  We took a taxi to La Sagrada Familia, the huge church designed by Gaudi. Construction began in 1882, and the work is ongoing. Supposedly it will be finished in 2026, but we (and our guide) are skeptical. 

The facade is incredible, with carvings in stone of scenes from Jesus’ life on the east side.  The interior was really breathtaking, with soaring ceilings and wonderful stained glass, glowing with the afternoon light.

The western side has totally different carvings, in the Cubism style of the stations of the cross, or the Passion, as our guide called it. 

From there, we took a taxi to Park Güell, another Gaudi project, but one that didn’t succeed as planned.  Originally, it was to be an exclusive gated community for Barcelona’s wealthiest families, but only a few of the 62 plots were sold.  It was considered too far from the center city, and the Passeig De Gracia (where our hotel is) was where the rich had lived for many years.  Instead, the city bought most of the land and developed a public park.  I didn’t take a lot of photos, but the views were amazing.  

The photo above show the intricate structure for collecting rain water from the entire property (also designed by Gaudi). Each column routes water into a huge cistern below. 

Behind us in the photo above you can see the caretaker’s house where Gaudi lived until the last few years of his life.  It’s very whimsical, designed like the witch’s cottage in Hansel and Gretel. 

Our guide was still going strong, but we were really tired, so he took us back to the hotel. By that point, I had over 10,000 steps and Charlie over 12,000. Our hotel is lovely, with just 40 rooms, Hotel Sixty-Two. Here are photos of our room and terrace. 

Here are some views from our terrace this morning. Note all the motorcycles in the last one.  They are everywhere!

We had dinner at a sidewalk cafe close to the hotel.  The food has been excellent! I had a fried egg over roasted potatoes and sausage, and Charlie had a steak with potato croquettes. 

This morning we both ordered omelets, which came with pan de tomate, all delicious. There is only a coffee machine, which takes over a minute for a cup, so we may drink less than usual!

Today we have a tapas tour starting at noon. Wish us strength and stamina for all the walking involved!