Barcelona, Spain – a city bursting with vibrant culture, breathtaking architecture, a culinary scene that tantalizes the taste buds, and in our minds perfect place for a long holiday weekend. Though it meant missing the King’s Coronation in England, we were eager to bask in the Spanish sunshine and explore all Barcelona had to offer. We found a great couple our age to watch Brindle while we travelled and they had already starting sending photos and planning hikes, so we knew she was left in great hands.

From Manchester, this was just a quick 2.5 hour flight for us and an early booking meant no traffic on the motorway and short lines in the usually busy/slow Manchester airport. So our travels went smoothly – so smoothly in fact that we didn’t realize we had forgotten my BRP card (biometric residence permit – which as US citizens we need to travel and reenter the UK) until we were through security and minutes before we were to board our flight. We knew of course there would be no issues with us leaving the UK and entering Spain, just when it came time to reenter the UK. For vacation’s sake we decided to set our worries aside and wait to deal with this until our journey home.

Spoiler Alert – all went well and we are back in the UK with no issues, a sigh of relief. Electronic passport scanning in Manchester meant we did not need to show our passports to the agents and in turn our BRPs could remain tucked away (…or in a purse in a car parked in an airport…) for a bit longer. We will make sure we remember our cards for our next trip just in case we aren’t as lucky in the future.

We arrived in Spain mid morning and took a taxi from the Barcelona airport to our hotel. We weren’t able to check in yet, but were allowed access to their gym area to change and were able store our luggage so we could start exploring the city. We headed out in search of a late breakfast/brunch and found ourselves in a restaurant near a public square. Our outdoor table allowed us to start soaking up the sun and served as a great people watching perch. We took in views of the locals as they wandered about and school children’s instrumental tunes as they put on a concert in the square. Fueled by cappuccinos, Estrellas, and smoked salmon bagels we were ready to start our self guided walking tour.

With a list of 14 main sights we were ready to take in the views and get our steps in. The day was filled with architectural wonders such as the Cathedral, wandering through the vibrant La Rambla street, exploring Barcelona’s famous market, and of course sampling a few snacks here and there. As we ventured deeper into the city center, we were greeted by a bustling atmosphere. Both locals and tourists enjoying the weekend – shopping, dining, and enjoying each other’s company. Though I have to say, I had the best company of all. ☺️

To end our great first day in Spain, we relaxed by the pool for a bit before we decided on a tapas seafood dinner. Sushi, lamb, chicken, desserts, and a refreshing concoction called a Mori fashioned (similar to a tasty Wisconsin old fashioned, but with a Spanish twist) were among the highlights of this flavorful experience. It was an excellent way to fuel our bodies after a day of exploration.

Our next morning started out with a delicious breakfast at the hotel – they had quite the buffet spread that incorporated a lot of local Spanish cuisine and other breakfast classics. We decided in get a run in before relaxing on the beach and enjoyed the view of the coast as we ran along the water.

Fast forward to what Jacob and I can both agree was the highlight of our trip – A Paella Cooking Class.

We joined 17 fellow enthusiasts in this pre-booked culinary adventure and were very excited to see what it had in store for us. The class was a mix of fun and education as we learned the intricacies of crafting the perfect paella. Spanish music, wonderful aromas, and laughter filled the room as our glasses were filled with Cava (and generously refilled again and again…never allowing for an empty glass). Guided by an expert chef, we created nine different paellas and sat down together at a long dinner table to enjoy our creations, sharing stories and savoring the flavors.

A bit of background on Cava – it is the Spanish Bubbly. Pronounced kaa-vuh, it is deeply rooted in Catalonia’s culture and is Spain’s answer to champagne, produced using the traditional method of fermentation. Champana was the original name, but the name Cava, meaning cave or cellar in Catalan, was adopted to avoid confusion with the French Champagne.

The sights and flavors of Barcelona left a lasting impression – we enjoyed time with eachother in a beautiful city and would love to come back to Spain to continue exploring. Barcelona, until we meet again!

Thanks for reading!

– Amber