Last day in Barcelona

There is so much left to see and do in Barcelona, it's hard to choose but we plan to cover a lot of ground. First things first; a delicious breakfast in a neighbourhood cafe and then we set out for the Passeig de Gracia and another Antoni Gaudi masterpiece, the Casa Batlló. As the brochure says "Casa Batlló...more than just a building, is a legend of art. The striking modernist facade conceals a whole world of artistic and architectural surprises." It is the centrepiece of the so-called "Block of Discord."

Everything about Casa Batlló is exquisite; the facades, the chimneys, the interior, windows, the fittings and furnishings, the elevator shaft, the attics.

 

There is an excellent audio guide that takes us through the building, to the courtyard and up onto the roof. 

 

Time for a coffee break - and confession - we sit on the sidewalk under umbrellas that say McDonalds. I always make fun of people who travel the world to exciting destinations and end up eating at McDonalds, but when I see their pastry display, I find it funny to find how they have adapted to the Spanish setting with great coffee and munchies. At the back of the store you can buy the usual Big Macs etc. Our standby, the McWashroom is a reliable option wherever you travel!

 

We walk and walk, through the La Ribera neighbourhood, through lively squares, past churches and shops. And then through the Barri Gotic which is the oldest part of Barcelona; a maze of narrow, winding streets and delightful small shops and restaurants. After a lunch stop, I do a bit of shopping and Peter finds a companion to keep him company. 

For our last supper we choose a popular tapas restaurant, Lolita, in L'Eixample, a nice walk from the hotel. Food is great, some of the best tapas we've had on the trip, and staff super friendly; a great ending to a great vacation.

In the morning we take the Aerobus to the airport. The stop is an easy walk from the hotel; i.e. as easy as it can be dragging luggage over uneven sidewalks and the streets of a busy urban centre.

So it's Adios to España. I think we can check it off as another excellent adventure.