Spainhits Episode 1: Viva Barcelona!
4 min read
So before I share with you my Mediterranean Cruise experience, I have to tell you first about the pre-cruise tour in Barcelona. We maximized our stay in Barcelona (where we will board the Royal Carribean Cruise Line) and went on a three-day city tour. I called this "Spainhits" because this is the hashtag that I used when I posted my captured moments in Barcelona. This is the first episode because I am sure that I will be coming back and visit other parts of Spain.
We stayed at Expo Hotel Barcelona.
Expo Hotel Barcelona
Highlights of the three-day Barcelona city tour:
DAY 1 in Barcelona - "A Feel of Barcelona"
- Cathedral of Barcelona  Cathedral of Barcelona  Inside the Cathedral  Panoramic Shot inside The Cathedral 2\. Las Ramblas/ Ramblas de Canaletes  Entrance to Las Ramblas Marketplace The stalls/products there...  Ham galore haha  Fruits Galore  Trying a Popsicle icecream - Strawberry and Coconut Flavor  Chocolates Galore  Candies Galore 3\. Plaza Reial - where you eat outside / Al Fresco 
Panoramic shot of the Plaza
DAY 2 in Barcelona - "The Majestic Mountain and Sea"
4. Mount Montserrat - It was truly a spectacular view of the mountains, there's even a hiking trail for Mount Montserrat.
Panoramic View of Mount Montserrat
Another Panoramic Shot of Mount Montserrat
Me and the Mountains behind
Me with my Manager Marilen
5. Basilica De Montserrat - found on Mount Montserrat
Church Entrance
Inside the Church
We even attended a mass held in Latin ( I'm not sure haha)
where the mass was held
And watched the "Boy's Choir" perform
Boy's Choir singing
After we ate at the restaurant found in Mount Montserrat
view outside the restaurant
Cannelloni Pasta
Dessert
6. La Vila Olimpica Del Poblenou - Where you can see the coastline of Barcelona
Panoramic shot of the bay
Selfie with the pineapple looking trees lining the place
Groufie with some local cuties
Casino Barcelona behind me Haha
Selfie with my Manager :)
El Cangrejo Loco - Restaurant
Appetizer: Salad
Main Course: Chicken and Rice
Dessert - Creme Brulee (NOT Good!)
By the beach beside at Olimpic
7. Plaza de Catalunya
Before we went back to the hotel , we ended the night watching some fountain show at the Plaza Catalunya where the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya is also found at the center.
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
DAY 3 in Barcelona - "All about Gaudi"
8. Park Guell
Upon Entering Park Guell
Entering Park Guell
Beautiful Architecture of Park Guell's Entrance with my Manager Marilen
The famous ceramic "Lizard" figure/trademark of Gaudi
9. SAGRADA FAMILIA CHURCH - What I would call a true masterpiece of a great artist. This is probably one of the best churches in terms of architecture and the history that was incorporated to its design. Antoni Gaudi the architect of Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and other buildings. Gaudi is a genius! He is beyond brilliant with his vision. They are still trying to finish this church, the architecture is so grand that it's not yet finished. They ran out of funds to finish it so for awhile they stopped but now they're constructing it again and it is expected to be fully finished by 2027 I think.
One of the few photos of Antoni Gaudi
Timeline of how the Church was built
Front View of Sagrada Familia Church
Taken from the park across (to get the whole view of the church)
The facade of Sagrada Familia actually tells a story - the story of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Close up of the facade
When you zoom in you see the intricate details of the church's facade. It's really amazing how much work was put into creating and building this church.
Birth of Jesus Christ
If you think the outside was awesome, wait until you see the inside!
Inside Sagrada Familia
The four major posts also stands for something - the four apostles I think. (haha I kinda forgot)
Ceiling shot
Beautiful panels of stained glass windows
Panoramic shot inside
Back door of the church
The back part of the church tells another story - the crucifixion and the death of Jesus Christ.
Back Part of Sagrada Familia
We even attended a mass downstairs in the church's crypt, which also had great architecture.
Hearing Mass in Spanish
The story that this church is trying to tell through its architecture and design comes full circle with the "Resurrection of Jesus Christ" which is the part that they are still completing.
Love my shot of the sky and the church's tower
OTHER Tour Highlights :
Shopping at MANGO (MNG) was so cheap since it originated in Spain.
The lovely weather - it was not too cold, just the right weather for exploring the city. It was around 23 degrees which is like having an air conditioner everywhere. So even if you walk a lot, you don't get sweaty.
I really enjoyed our Barcelona trip, my favorite from all the places we went to is the Sagrada Familia church. I will definitely come back here, especially when the construction of Sagrada Familia is finally done! haha ;)
VIVA BARCELONA!
Ttyl,
Isis
Your Traveler and Financial Advisor. :)
Isis