"Barcelona" by Paige Erlich

Paige Erlich, who majors in Intergrated Marketing Communications talks us through her weekend trip away to Barcelona. 

We arrived Friday morning and headed straight to our hotel, where we dropped our bags and left to wander and find a place to eat lunch. After lunch (spanish omelete sandwich!) and a quick nap since we didn’t sleep much, Jen and I went to explore. We found the Arc De Triumf (not to get confused with the French one) and Parc de la Ciutadella, a beautiful park that also is home to the Catalunya Parliament. Later for dinner we ironically ate at a Mexican restaurant that was actually really good!

Saturday was our big touristy day. We did everything I had on my list that was compiled from various people and books. After breakfast at the hotel we headed to Parc Guell which has lots of architecture and design by Gaudi. It was INCREDIBLE. Everything was gorgeous, colorful, and unique, AND it was an amazing view. Next, we went to Montjuic, literally “mountain of jews”, where the 1992 Olympics were held and other things. It is a large park on top of a mountain with yet another gorgeous view of Barcelona (this time from the other side of the city!). Afterwards, we headed to Las Ramblas and the Boqueira Market to get lunch and walk around. There was a little hole in the wall sandwich shop that we found that is very famous apparently and had amazing sandwiches. We walked by the marina and through the Gothic Quarter which was all beautiful. Not to mention the weather was perfect! Later, we walked through an big shopping area called Plaza Catalunya and Passeig de Gracia before eating at a nice tapas restaurant for dinner.

The next day, we met with a friend of my father who lives in Barcelona. We visited his home and family and talked to him about living in Barcelona. It was really nice to get a local’s perspective and see a residential area! Then, we headed to La Sagrada Familia to get a tour of this breathtaking church designed by Gaudi. It is amazing on the outside, and inside too! After looking around the main area, we took an elevator to the very top of the towers, where we saw gorgeous views of Barcelona and then descended all the way down the long, narrow spiral stairway. After, we got some tapas for lunch and churros with chocolate dipping sauce and eventually made it to the airport to go home!