Monday, July 27, 2015

Barcelona Bound

I dream of travel, and Europe holds a special place in my imagination. 


To celebrate the achievement of my Ph.D., this year I decided to plan a very special trip with my two best friends and travel buddies, my sister Jess and my husband Renecke. 


We'd like to invite you to come along with us on a tour of Barcelona. 



The Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudí, designed this awe-inspiring Roman Catholic Church, La Sagrada Família. 


When we visited, the day was hot but the sky was filled with white billowing clouds. The sunbeams pierced the cloud cover to backlight the massive stone spires topped with bushels of berries.



Construction began in 1882 and is scheduled to be completed in 2026. This construction worker is one of the many who have helped Gaudí to realize his wildly creative vision over the last century and a half.   


Barcelona has a striking combination of architectural styles. Art Nouveau buildings stand next to Gothic churches and the walls of old Roman forts.  




In the Barrio Gotic we stumbled upon a labyrinth of alleyways that might have looked the way they did in the Middle Ages. 


We ate and drank our way through the city, stopping at inviting restaurants every few blocks for flavorful tapas and cold sangria.


Las Ramblas was bustling with shops selling brightly colored flowers, tourist trinkets, jewelry, gelato, open-faced sandwiches, and fresh squeezed juice.  



The Columbus Monument was a welcome sign that we were close to the beach. 




The three days we spent in Barcelona were the perfect kick-off to our summer travel adventure. 


We look forward to sharing our time with you in Nice, France next week!

~ Nel ~

30 comments:

Tessa~ Here there be musing said...

Thank you, Nel!!!!!

Amazing, beautiful....

Lovely that you are taking us along, with you.

Tessa

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Thanks for taking me along on this fabulous journey. I bet it was so much fun. It's on our dream list. The food, the scenery, the architecture is amazing.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

There is nothing like exploring Europe; I've been in France (LOVE) and in Italy, but my next European destination will be England and hopefully Spain and a quick stop in The Netherlands to hopefully meet a dear, dear blogging SISTER.

LOVELY photos, Nel! Anita

Unknown said...

I'm loving everything about this post! What a fabulous trip you sisters are enjoying! Barcelona is fantastic. My husband and I have been there twice, including just last summer. The art, the architecture, the tapas and sangria-the Bari Gotic-truly a sensory experience for the soul. Your photos are wonderful-looks like you are having the best time.
Sheri, thanks for letting me know this beautiful post was up. It's like a walk down memory lane!
xx, Heather

bj said...

What an amazing trip this must have been...your photos are so good....
and something here that I love....blue toenails and sand. :)
xoxo

Dewena said...

My word, what a cathedral! Still under construction, all these years past?

I looked with great interest at your pictures as one of those silly tests on FB told me that the city I should be living in was Barcelona!

Thanks for the pictures of my dream city,
Dewena

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Oh, what fun, Nell! Love seeing the Catholic church and that it is still under construction! Wow! Beautiful scenes and food. A day on that beach seems so wonderful. Enjoy your journey and thank you for taking us along! xo Karen

Tulla and Catie said...

Barcelona is the next on my bucket list! My daughters also have been there and were so fascinated. I like the idea that you both sisters travel along together - have much fun on your way!!! and I am looking forward to your next stay in Nice! (There I have been already but it's ages away :).
Take care,
Barbara

Celestina Marie said...

What an amazing trip and your photos are incredible Nel. What a special way to kick off summer and celebrate.
Thanks for sharing.

Hi Sheri, hope you had a nice weekend.
Thanks for stopping by and your sweet comment.
Hugs to you girls. cm

Susie said...

Nel, Enjoy your youth and beauty...You are such a pretty girl. I loved the church so awesome. I know you have fun with your sister. Sisters are special friends. Blessings to all of you. xoxo,Susie

Linda said...

Beautiful views, good food and amazing architecture! :)

Susie Swanson said...

Thank you Nel for sharing with us.. I've always wanted to visit and it's so nice looking at it in pictures.. hugs, xo

flowersandhome said...

Thank you for taking us on your trip to Barcelona! I've never been there but would love to go sometime. Been on my wishlist for ages now.
Marian

Debi WeeFaerie said...

Congrats on your degree! What a perfect way to celebrate and thank you for taking us along for the ride. You have a lovely blog and I look forward to more of your posts :)

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

What a great post, Nel!
This is probably as close as I will get to traveling there, so thank you very much... The photos are just breathtaking! I love the architecture.. ENJOY!
blessings,
Penny

Carla from The River said...

Hi Nel,
FUN, FUN thank you for taking us along.
Carla

Lowcarb team member said...

Hello Nel, thank you for sharing your wonderful visit with us.

Your photo's have been fun to look at, what great architecture.

Take Care

All the best Jan

TARYTERRE said...

What a wonderful trip. Thanks for letting me be an armchair traveler on your journey. That is some project being how construction began in 1882 and will not be complet until 2026.

Riitta Sinikka said...

♥oo super! Wonderful trip, and post!♥ Happy day my dear friend!♥

Blogoratti said...

What wonderful photos of a great city. Greetings!

Nancy's Notes said...

What a fabulous trip, thank you for taking me along! Your photographs are just so stunning, I feel like I'm right there too! Just awesome!
Hope you have a great day!
Nancy

Rue said...

I've never heard of a building under construction that long. How interesting!

It's just gorgeous there :)

Unknown said...

Barcelona is amazing! <3 ... So hot and people are so nice there. I am deeply in love in Spain! GO girls! :) good luck!

Red Rose Alley said...

Nel, my favorite picture on here is the one of you in the alley. You look so curious wondering what's around the corner. :~)

~mom

Ivy and Elephants said...

Gorgeous photos! Enjoy your time, you deserve it. See you in Nice!
Hugs,
Patti

hidden art of homemaking said...

Nel,
Such beautiful photos and I loved experiencing Barcelona through them...
Love, Mona

nuria said...

Gorgeous pictures of BCN. I love this city!!!
I leave You some more from when i went there :)
http://www.travelera.es/2015/04/barcelona-beutiful-destination-for-city.html?m=1

miss b said...

I thoroughly enjoyed your tour thank you! It's a good few years since I was last in Barcelona and we have been recently talking about returning. Your lovely photos make we want to organise a long weekend there! A city with so much to offer.

Bety said...

Nel, thank you for sharing with us the wonderful trip and stay in Barcelona! The feeling that one has standing to such magnificent, awesome buildings is indescribable ... it feels like a traveler through time and these small and narrow streets ....
Waiting ... Betty

Harija said...

Lovely post and I love your content!! Definitely a follow ;)
Just wonderful and thank you so much for your support
MyLyfeMyStory