Off to Spain we went! Our destination: Barcelona.

We stayed in Ayre Hotel Gran Via it is a good hotel with a wonderful breakfast. It was not very close to everything, but the subway took care of our transport needs. It was close to the Museo Nacional de Arte Cataluña, which has great art (a lot of it Spanish painters). In front of the museum they have these great fountains Font Màgica de Montjuïc (we went and it was not turned on at the time, so please try to visit when they are on, it is truly a magical experience http://w110.bcn.cat/portal/site/FontMagica/&lang=en_GB?lang=en_GB). This hotel was very quiet, clean, and it was comfortable to sleep.

On our first day we left our hotel and went to visit the La Sagrada Familia which has a beautiful facade, but it is still under construction and fairly empty inside. It is worth to take photos from the outside. It is a letdown to pay to see an unfinished church.

After, we took a nice walk down to Chanel to see if it is open (this was Saturday). I should have known better, in such a catholic country Chanel would be closed. Spain has the best VAT return, about 14%-15%. Also, I really hoped they would have the Boy I was wishing for. Sundays, Chanel is closed in every city in Europe so please keep that in mind.

It was about lunch time and we went to a great Chinese restaurant Chen Ji, the food was great, but it was far from luxurious or upper crust. The portions are very hardy (large) and I would recommend to share.

We walked down to Arc de Triomf and into the Ciutadella Park and we “found” (it has been there, we just happened to stumble upon it) this breathtaking fountain, Cascada Monumental, we took pictures from the every angle we could. From there we entered the Gothic Quarter, and explored it as much as we could (better to go at another time, not Easter). We walking down to the Mirador de Colom (it is a great location to take photos).

The next day we made our way to the cable cars to get a more aerial view of Barcelona. We went up and the journey is nice to take some great photos. We spent most of the day there “in nature.” After we came down we went to a small antique market. They had some very interesting things for sale, some old, some very old, and some new.

Monday we only had a half day and our first stop was Chanel (of course). We got there a little past 10am (the store opens at 10am) and there already was a long line. We waited until our turn and when we went in it was very busy (the day before the very big increase in Europe). I asked for a Boy and the only 2 they had were made of tweed. Then I asked for a wallet on a chain, they only had 2 and neither in the color I wanted (I wanted the classic caviar in black with gold hardware, but that was a dream). Then I asked about the mini, they only had patent (I really do not like patent in torques and a pink). I looked around the store and I saw a bag that really sang to me, it was the seasonal Urban Day Flap (in the US the bag was/is $4200 plus tax, I got it at $2350 USD after conversion and VAT refund). It is made of calf skin (much more durable then lambskin), it has this beautiful beige color and a Boy chain. For me it was love at first sight. As I was trying it on, another customer really wanted it and asked for it, her SA asked my SA if she could at least see the bag. I allowed it even though it was coming home with me (my husband’s gift for me for the year). As we were delayed, some SA brought out the square mini’s and I asked my SA to show me one as well (they already had the increased price on them, but since the old price stood I got it for 1820 Euro (about $1600 after refund, currently in the US its $2900 plus tax, at the time it was $2700 plus tax). It was the black square lambskin chevron mini with gold hardware. At the time when we were paying I saw the same one in red and contemplated getting that one as well (my husband gave me a look of ‘don’t even try’). I walked away a very happy women with my loot.

We even made it to the Museo Nacional de Arte Cataluña that was right next to our hotel that day. It is really a great museum and we enjoyed the visit. Coming from a trip to Italy you can really see the difference in the artistic styles.

We wanted to take the train in Spain to Madrid (like the great experience we had in Italy) but it was twice as expensive as taking a plane, so to the airport we went.

I feel like I missed out on a few things (probably more then a few) on this trip to Barcelona. I would have visited Park Güell, which has inspired Salvador Dali. Casa Batlló is in the same style and “insanity” that Park Güell displays, and definitely worth the visit (I went there on my first visit to Barcelona).

I would suggest Mercado de La Boqueria (they have fresh everything, from meat to fish to sweets).

An honarablre mention is a great place to get some sweets; Chök, the chocolate kitchen. It has some of the most delicious sweets I ate in Spain.

Adiós till my next post!

Italy and Spain: Chapter 1 Venice

Italy and Spain: Chapter 2 Florence

Italy and Spain: Chapter 3 Rome

Italy and Spain: Chapter 5 Madrid

Italy and Spain: Chapter 6 Granada