Two Passports

Never go on trips with anyone you do not love

Off the Equinox by half past eight and into Barcelona: Casa Batlló, pintxos counted up by the toothpick, and a lucky walk-in on the English tour at the Palau de la Música.

By

chrisandjenmoss

—

The Catalonian Finale in Barcelona

We awoke Monday morning and gathered our things before disembarking the ship in Barcelona. We had arranged a private transfer so we’re able to relax and avoid a fraction of the mass exodus. We walked the gangway one last time around half past eight where our driver was waiting and whisked us to the Le Méridien near Catalonian Square.

Ceramic letters spelling BARCELONA on a shelf of books and pots in the hotel lobby
Chris and Jen in the Le Meridien lobby

After checking in we enjoyed a coffee in the lobby while planning our day. First stop was Casa Batlló, a previous private dwelling designed by architect Antoni Gaudí. Anyone who has visited Barcelona knows at least one of the works of Gaudí, the Sagrada Familia, a large Roman Catholic Church. Gaudí’s work is interesting to say the least and we encourage you to investigate the man and his work. The home is unlike anything we have ever seen and many of the design themes were familiar from previous visits to the church.

The facade of Casa Batllo from the street, crowds gathered below
The mosaic-tiled chimney stacks on the roof of Casa Batllo against a blue sky
Inside Casa Batllo, the blue-tiled light well and a curved wooden bench

Next up on the itinerary, lunch, pintxos style! Pintxos bars include small finger foods that you are free to select yourself and enjoy back at your table. Each always contains a wooden skewer or toothpick that you set aside that the waiter or waitress counts at the end of the meal to determine your bill. Most pintxos cost the same, normally 1 to 2 euro. It is a fun and easy way to grab a quick and fairly inexpensive lunch, made more fun by sangria.

The counter of a pintxos bar, plates of skewered snacks set out along it
A plate of pintxos with their wooden skewers, a glass of red wine beside it
A glass of sangria on a table beside the counted skewers

Following lunch we stumbled across the Palau de la Música Catalana. An amazing concert hall and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We were fortunate to arrive just 15 minutes prior to the day’s English speaking tour. The Palau is known for its beautiful light and acoustics. We encourage you to explore the rich and fascinating history.

The Palau de la Musica Catalana seen from the street corner
Inside the Palau de la Musica, the stained-glass skylight above the hall and organ
The mosaic-clad columns of the Palau de la Musica

Upon exiting the Palau, we returned to our hotel to relax and rest up for dinner. Dinner was at Tapas 24, a restaurant we have experienced before and love to come back to. It has become more of a tourist destination recently, but the food was still excellent.

A vaulted room at night, a brightly lit window at the far end
Two sardine toasts on a long white plate at dinner

Stuffed and having satisfied our tapas cravings, it was time to stroll back to our room and turn in for one last vacation slumber. Tomorrow it is time to return home and begin planning the next adventure, but for now, we have Mimi and Francois awaiting us.

Leave a comment