Where to Stay

From boutique hotels to luxury properties, there is no shortage of places to stay. However, if you’re doing your three days or more, especially with a group or family, vacation rentals in Barcelona may be a better option. Go to the many markets across the city, get delicious cheeses, grapes, and wine, and unwind at the end of the day without feeling trapped in the confines of a tiny hotel room.

Day 1: Decompress at the Beach

When my friend Loredana asked me if I wanted to book a spa experience at Soho House upon arrival, I was like “yes, please.” The Soho House Barcelona, located close to the Barceloneta Beach is the perfect first stop after a long flight. Their wellness lunch and spa program is one not to miss. Head to their restaurant Cecconi’s for their delicious meal. The prix fixe lunch changes every day but expect items such as fresh swordfish carpaccio, their popular pizzetas, and savory risottos. End your meal with a refreshing affogato. After your lunch, head to their Cowshed Spa where you can lounge by the pool and indulge in a massage or a facial to get into the perfect getaway mood.

Three days in Barcelona is not complete with a trip to Barceloneta, the lively beach in Barcelona. This area has a particular significance to us as we got married at Ca la Nuri, a restaurant right on the beach (more about that later). Walk along the boardwalk and take in the vibes: beautifully fit people playing beach volleyball, tourists from every part of the world strolling along the boardwalk, and the juxtaposition of modern and classic architecture along the shore. If the weather allows, take a dip in the ocean or rent a paddleboard if the seas are calm enough.

Although the beach can get busy, there are several places that you can escape from the crowds and have a drink. Pez Vela, located at the W Hotel, has a lovely view of the beach, away from the crowds. If you are fortunate enough to know a member of the beach club, take advantage of the chill vibes. Order a glass of cava and study the beautiful yachts docked in the marina.

Beachside Dining

There are no shortages of beautiful places to dine, but I recommend Ca la Nuri. We discovered this cozy spot at the recommendation of a friend, and we ended up booking the whole restaurant for our wedding celebration four years ago. Although it’s located underneath the boardwalk on the beach, it’s like a little oasis in the middle of the madness. If you have an adventurous palate, order the squid ink Fideuà. This dish is a take on the paella, but it made with short noodles instead of rice.

Day 2: Wine Tasting and More

If it’s your first time in the city, you may want to venture off and see all the key tourist spots: La Boqueria, Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and Montjuïc are some of the main places that every visitor must see at least once. Yes, they are touristy, but for a reason! Keep your eyes open for the stunning architecture of Gaudi and colorful mosaics which line his interestingly shaped buildings is a defining element of the city.

If this is not your first time in Barcelona, I suggest you do something different: head to Penedes to explore the wine region where they make one of my favorite wines, Cava. Cava is sparkling white wine produced in the Catalonia region of Spain. Dining Traveler Tip: Make some space in your luggage to bring several bottles of cava home! I don’t check-in luggage often, but I make the exception for cava!

Getting to Penedes is relatively easy. In less than an hour, you can go by train, or you can rent a car to get there (as long as you can find a designated driver or you’re ok just having one glass!). If you want to see a large production winery, Freixenet is an excellent choice, and they offer regular tours. If you are like smaller producers and me are your thing, there are many to choose from. We spent a lovely afternoon at Jaume Giro I Giro. This multigenerational winery produces cava in the traditional method, most steps made by hand.

Dining at one of the best restaurants in the world

As soon as you know about your three days in Barcelona adventure, try to make reservations at Tickets, the three-star Michelin restaurant by Adrià brothers, culinary powerhouses of the region. Weeknights are easier to get in. No reservation? You can always try to walk-in. You may get lucky!

Day 3: Wander and Shop

During your last day in Barcelona, don’t give yourself a hard schedule, the beauty of this place is finding the hidden gems and taking in the energy of the city. One of the things I love discovering in any destinations are the markets. Barcelona has no shortage of them. Head to the newly remodeled Mercat Sant Antoni. Away from the main tourist roads, the neighborhood is filled with quaint cafes and bars. We personally love Bar Rosso at Hotel Market. Rest your feet and treat yourself to their specialty cocktail, the gin, and tonic.

When spending three days in Barcelona, you must also carve time to explore El Born. This beautiful neighborhood merges the old and new beautifully. Explore the many local-owned boutiques this old-world neighborhood has to offer. Head to Mercat Santa Caterina. A food lover’s playground, you will be entranced by the colorful vegetables, fresh fish, and cheeses. The market also has a restaurant that has a lively atmosphere. Recommend you order some tapas with a glass of cava, of course!

Passeig de Gracia is another great shopping stop. One of the main shopping streets, you can find a combination of local-owned shops to popular stores like Zara and H&M. On my last trip, I picked up some gorgeous dresses at Oysho, which does not have a presence in the USA. Their colorful, bold prints and flattering cuts made this store a quick favorite. I’ve received many compliments on the dresses I purchased on my last trip from Oysho.

Indulgences: Dining at El Nacional

Rest your feet with a trip to El Nacional, a relatively new gastronomic concept in Passeig de Gracia. There are several unique restaurants in this uniquely designed space. Whether you are craving tapas or fresh seafood, there is something for your palate.

Three Days in Barcelona: The Verdict

Let’s be clear: you need more than three days in Barcelona to truly experience the city. Even though many locals and visitors alike complain about a significant number of visitors, there are still many quiet spots to get a feel the true pulse of the city. I’ve visited Barcelona at every stage of my life: single, engaged, married, and now married with a toddler. On every trip, I’ve experienced something new and exciting.

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Location

El Nacional Barcelona is located in the prestigious street “Paseo de Gracia”. The building itself was constructed in 1889 to host a show room. After the Spanish Civil War, it served as a parking area before it was repurposed as a dining space. The restoration was led by top interior designer Lázaro Rosa Violán who was inspired by the 1930’s and 40’s. He preserved the assets of the building, to include the authentic skylights which allow the entrance of natural light. With more than 3,000 square feet, it can accommodate up to 770 guests. It is open everyday from 12.00 pm until 2.00 am. Given its history, El Nacional Barcelona place is now considered a modern architectural jewel of the city of Barcelona.

The Food

This innovative concept of El Nacional Barcelona offers the guest many different ways to dine. Their menu focuses on Spanish ingredients from the many diverse culinary regions of Spain. When we entered the building, it gave me the vibes of being at a trendy market. As I learned about the menu and indulged, I realized it is so much more.

El Nacional has 4 restaurants: La Braseria, La Llotja, La Taperia y La Paradeta. Additionally, the space has 5 bars where you can have beers, wine, cocktails, champagne, Oysters and even Russian caviar. All products are Spanish with the exception of the Champagne and Oysters from France and the caviar from Russia.

We chose to do a “Gourmet Stop” at La Paradeta

We got a very nice table and  ordered several plates from the menu. Marco Rocha, the manager of La Paradeta, was very kind to explain us the differences between “Cocas Artesanas” and “Cocas finas”. These are homemade pastries with different toppings.

All the dishes were delicious. I say try them all! Here are some of my favorites:

• • Desalted cod salad with Xató sauce, this is a typical Catalan dish. It is made with almonds, hazelnuts, breadcrumbs, vinegar, garlic, olive oil, salt, and the nyora pepper
  • Coca fina with veal carpaccio, parmesan and rocket
  • Noodles with “La Paradeta” Iberian sauce
  • 2 chocolate crepes
  • White cheesecake

El Nacional Barcelona: The Verdict

The staff was very friendly and professional. During our dining experience, we observed many people enjoying their experience at El Nacional Barcelona. The space is loved by tourists and locals alike. From what we observed, it is the place to be in Barcelona! Dining Traveler Tip: Reservations will be recommended as it is always busy even between lunch and dinner hours.

El Nacional Barcelona, Passeig de Gràcia, 24 bis 08007, Website 

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Barça! If Barcelona hasn’t made it onto your travel checklist for 2017, don’t fret there’s still time to add it to the top of your list. This city has a culinary dedication to fresh ingredients, vibrant spices and sauces, and a respect for the entire experience that is sitting down to a table (or in some cases standing up) with those you love. I have always been an “appetizer person” aka I prefer to order a few small dishes over a traditional meal. So when I went to Quimet and Quimet, I was taken with all the delicious variety.

The Scene

I invite you to enter the lively world of Quimet and Quimet. This local neighborhood spot is tucked away on a quiet side street in El Pole-Sec, and at 11:30 AM it is already overflowing with patrons. Walls lined with wine bottles of all varieties greeted us along with Beatles tunes. A shiny silver counter filled with an assortment of vibrant ingredients drew us in. In addition to the silver counter that lines the establishment, there are adorable bar tables made from recycled kegs, perfect for crowding around with friends. The real excitement comes from the two smiling faces behind the counter, who are multitasking like nobody’s business- taking orders, pouring wine, whipping up bite sized delights … all while chitchatting with regulars sitting at the bar.

The Food

Initially I was a bit overwhelmed by all of the menu options, but with a little assistance from the friendly gentleman behind the counter I was able to nail down the following assortment of Montaditos (small sandwiches):

Prawns, Red Pepper, Cream, Caviar

Brie, Roasted Tomato, Anchovy, Olive Spread

Salmon, Yogurt, Truffled Honey

Goat Cheese, Sundried Tomato, Caramelized Onions

The foundation for each Montadito is a round crunchy biscuit, the perfect vessel for transporting all the toppings to your mouth, silverware free. I’m a huge fan of bagels and lox, so I had to start off with the Salmon Montadito.  The saltiness from the smoked salmon paired with the sweetness of the truffled honey is a match made in heaven. My other top pick from Quimet and Quimet was the Brie and Anchovy Montadito. It arrived topped with roasted tomato, an olive spread, and a drizzle of Spanish olive oil. If the idea of anchovies makes you a little nervous, don’t shy away; these ones are mild and not overly salty.

The Verdict

Quimet and Quimet has pairings down to a science. Whether you’re craving something acidic, or something rich, you’re going to leave happy thanks to their smart combinations. What sets these bites apart from others is the time that they put into preparing the ingredients individually. Hats off to you Quimet and Quimet, you have found a way to leave a lasting impression in under 3 bites, and I will definitely be back for more!  

Quimet and Quimet, Carrer del Poeta, Cabanyes, 25, 08004, Barcelona, Spain, Website 

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Getting there:  there are several ways to get to Toledo.  It takes around an hour by car.  I’m a big fan of exploring Spain by car. There are so many charming little towns and smaller cities you can explore without being tied to a train schedule.  If you are traveling by train, there are also many leaving from Madrid central station all day. A direct train ride is close to 35 minutes.

What to see:  If you love history, Toledo is the place for you.  Centuries ago, Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived in peace in this magical city.  That is why is known as the “city of three cultures”.  Although the elements of this era are carefully preserved in mosques, synagogues, and churches, also pay attention to details of that era within the many walls of the city.

As we approached the city, I was taken by the view of the San Martin Bridge.  It almost felt like stepping into another era as we entered the city.  Although Toledo is the perfect day trip from Madrid, I could’ve easily stayed there several days exploring the little corners of the city and people watching at one of the many patios of Plaza de Zocodover.    A common denominator in Spain is the abundance of culture  You can find it everywhere. Whether it is theater or a church, I’m always learning something new on my trips.  Art and religion come together at the famous Catedral de Toledo.  If you are a fan of gothic art, you will be taken by the architecture of the building and the collections of artists such as Goya, El Greco, Lucas Jordán and Van Dyck.  Tickets to the museum are 11 Euros. More information on the Catedral de Toledo page.

Eat:  I must admit that I did not eat at a restaurant in Toledo as we ate at Yolanda’s parents. However, we did take a coffee break in many of the cafes nestled in the small streets of the city.  One of the specialties of the Toledo is marzipan, a sweet paste made of almond.  Although you can find pieces of marzipan to be sold as candy, it’s a little too sweet for my taste. However, I did indulge in a delicious slice of cake with a thin sliver of marzipan. It was perfect.

As the sun set over the bridge in Toledo, we knew it was time to head to dinner.  That little day trip from Madrid is still one of my favorite memories of Spain.  Hopefully the next time I get to stay a little longer.

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Garden at Cava Giro i Giro

Wine Tasting at Jaume Giro i Giro

Ramon Giro i Giro

Cellar Giro i Giro

Entrance of the Cellar

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At Bar Rosso at Hotel Market Photo by Italo Morales

The Cellar of Jaume Giro i Giro Photo by Carlis Sanchez

Drink:  Given 95% of our guests came from outside Spain, we wanted an affordable and well situated hotel. We found that in Hotel Market, lovely boutique hotel nestled in a residential street of Eixample neighborhood. One of the features we enjoyed the most was the hotel bar, Bar Rosso. The bar is a popular spot for locals with its carefully crafted gin and tonics, beautifully upholstered furniture, and dark red interior. There, we had a lovely cocktail party with our guests, shipping on their signature mojitos and gin and tonics.

New Friendships Over Cava

As many of our guests have been to Barcelona before, we wanted for them to have a unique experience. Given the tips of local friends, we planned a tour of the Cava cellar of Jaume Giro i Giro in Sant Sarduni d’Anoia in the Penedes region. We had a private tour of the winery by the owner, Ramon Giro. He passionately went into detail about their artisan method of cava making and gave us a tour of the grounds. We had planned to go to other cellars bur ended up spending the afternoon drinking cava at the beautiful garden of the winery.

Dish from Little Italy BCN Photo by Little Italy BCN Website

Eat: One of the main reasons we chose Barcelona is the food. From tapas at a bar to haute cuisine, Barcelona has an amazing culinary culture. One of my favorite places to eat is El Born. We met up with friends and had tapas at Mercat Santa Caterina.  I love the open location and the diverse menu from traditional tapas to Asian noodles. One of our most memorable dinners was at Little Italy BCN.  Funny enough, I found it via Instagram and love how cozy and welcoming this restaurant is. We dined on a Thursday night, when they play live jazz during dinner hours. Although we had a large party, we had a lovely time on the lower dining area with great live music in the background. We sampled tuna tartare and risotto, which was to die for. One of my friends kept on raving about the yummy mojitos.

Our Destination Wedding in Barcelona Photo by Italo Morales

Be Married:  In my previous post about Ca la Nuri, I raved about the the delicious meal we had at the restaurant. One of the highlights of that special day was taking pictures with Italo Morales, a friend and amazing photographer. We walked around the inland neighborhood leading to Barceloneta to take pictures. Not only did we take lovely pictures, but we felt so much love from the people of Barcelona. We received well wishes from the twenty-somethings having their Cañitas at the bar to a couple celebrating their 45 years of marriage. We made it to Ca la Nuri close to sunset where we were met by the sound of the Spanish guitar and our friends and family sitting at the terrace to witness our exchange of vows. Have you considered a destination wedding in Barcelona?

Getting Marriage Advice From the Experts Photo by Italo Morales

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At the Terrace at Ca la Nuri Photo by Italo Morales

Restaurant with a view: Ca la Nuri Photo by Italo Morales

Starting with Calamari

Dessert Being Served Photo by Italo Morales

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Two weeks ago, I shared my vows with my husband for a second time.  This time we did it in front of our European family and friends in Barcelona. Given the rising cost of airfare, I decided to make a few stops to cities that are very close to my heart on my way to the big party: Madrid and Brussels. We only spent 24 hours in Madrid but had a lovely walk around the city that reminded me why this is one of my favorite European cities. My dear friend Carlis from SpicyCandyDC was my travel buddy for this trip and we loved every minute of our adventure.

After a late arrival from Brussels, we got some much needed sleep and started our day quite late. It was warm and sunny in Madrid as we began our tour at the Gourmet Experience at El Corte Ingles. Let’s start with the view: if you only have 24 hours in Madrid, this has to go on your must see list. Have a tinto de verano and tapas like we did and observe all the iconic landmarks of the city.

After stuffing our faces on montaditos, we decided to walk it off and see El Palacio Real (Royal Palace). We cut through the Plaza Mayor, which is always a pleasure to indulge in its magnitude with the tourists, local students, and questionable performance artists. Afterwards, we walked by the famous Mercado San Miguel.  From there, we found the Palace via Plaza de Oriente, where you can have a lovely cocktail and indulge in people watching of tourists and locals alike.

We continued to walk by the tiny streets and alleys of Madrid with my dear friend Santiago, who has lived in Madrid for three years. We admired hidden churches, secluded plazas, and little details which make this city so great to visit. We found ourselves taking a break at Posada del Leon de Oro, a small hotel with a lovely bar with ample windows to the street and an interesting glass floor. There, we sipped on more tintos de veranos and reminisced about old times and good times in Brussels, the city where Santiago and I met.

Plaza del Oriente

As the sun started to set, we continued our walk to make the most of our time in Madrid. We walked by Parque del Retiro, which I love for running (did many training runs there during my prior visits) and took in the beauty of Madrid City Hall. We ended our aggressive walking tour with a little shopping in the fashionable Salamanca neighborhood where I bought a fabulous cocktail dress at Trucco for my wedding after party. This was my fourth time in the city and although it was 24 Hours in Madrid, it was a lovely experience. Many people focus on Barcelona for travel in Spain, but Madrid also has something very special. I love the history, architecture, and old soul of Madrid. A must go, even if for 24 hours….

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