Ay, yi, yi… I feel it is time to move on, but I want to share a few more shots and thoughts from Barcelona, including some more ideas on how you can bring the taste of Spain to your home.
The beaches were crowded and lively {a little nudity is common}.
That tram {mid photo}? beware! We were told it would take 30 minutes, 2 hours later we were actually flying over the marina and the city on our way to the market.
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| City coastline, Barcelona |
If we had a few more minutes in this marvelous city, I surely would have taken our crew to the chocolate museum, for a tour click on Museu de la Xocolata {and if you go in your travels, will you please let me know if it was worthwhile??}. Reportedly, the entry token is quite delicious.
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| Museu de la Xocolata, the chocolate museum in Barcelona. |
I was swooning over the all of the equipment for paella at this shop. In the US, you can find these items at the Spanish Table, on line, or at their stores in Seattle, Berkley, Santa Fe or Palo Alto.
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| Paella burners, Barcelona |
I prefer the enameled pans over the stainless steel, They don’t need to be seasoned and are SO much easier to clean. I have a 12″ for weeknight paella, and an 18 – 20″ for party paella {Paella Splendide}.
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| Enamel paella pans, Barcelona |
I was initially drawn to the stainless, but I wasn’t very patient about the seasoning process and quickly grew tired of the rust stains on my white marble counters.
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| Steel paella pans, Barcelona |
If Gaudi were to create a clothing line and retail store, it would be Disegual. This retail line has been offering “atypical designs” in Spain since 1984, and today they have shops all over the world. We found the best road trip dresses and many more sporty pieces there! I can’t find words to adequately describe the mix of design, colors, textures and fabrics used to create the clothing within this shop, so I am going to rely on this image to convey the message.
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| Disegual, Barcelona |
Oh, how I loved the village feel of this big city.
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| outdoor cafe, Barcelona |
Here’s a little more blue and white pottery eye candy, these plates were on display at La Manual Alpargatera, the espadrille shop {I love it when people display cracked and chipped dishes}.
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| Pottery, La Manual Alpargatera, Barcelona |
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| Blue and white pottery, Barcelona |
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| Blue and white pottery, Barcelona |
I strongly believe that every restaurant should provide a venue for ladies handbags. Don’t you love this “fish” on which one could hang bags and wraps {sorry the photo is sort of dark, but hopefully you can see the “fish bones” pointing up as hangers}??
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| Fish handbag rack, Barcelona |
Albarino was our white wine of choice on this tour. Of all we tasted in Spain {and we felt it was our duty to taste quite a bit, just to come up with a recommendation for our Splendid readers], this was our favorite.
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| Our favorite Albarino. |
My travel buddy has found a wine from Terras Gaudia {I wonder if they are related to Antonio?} in the US {check with your local shop}.
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This is another great option, Santiago Ruiz {also from the Rias Baixas region}. It’s available at the Spanish Table and many other wine stores. To read a previous post on this delightful beverage, click on Albarino.
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| Santiago Ruiz Albarino, all time favorite |
I have a feeling Antonio Gaudi certainly influenced the the design of the street posts along the main street in the center of town.
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| Decorative lamp posts, Barcelona |
Strong, yet ornate with touches of nature.
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| Bats on lamp posts, Barcelona |
Each street lamp hung over a cool little seat for pedestrians,
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| Mosaic benches, Barcelona |
with plenty of decorative iron work to consider.
Our farewell serenade.
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| Gypsy band, Barcelona |
Okay, have you heard enough about Barcelona? Do you want to hear about the “pinch” bars {tapas} or should we move on to the Costa Brava??
Beautiful. I love Barcelona. I want to hear about both the tapas and Costa Brava 🙂
Gorgeous! I can't get enough Barcelona. You photos are so inspiring, I wish we were flying out tomorrow… Looking forward to Gaudi, paella and a glass of Albarino!
Sounds like such a great trip! Hope you had so much fun!
xo E + J