Barcelona

It took a little bit longer to come back than I'd thought it would.. but the Collection has taken over my life in the last few weeks, leaving little room for anything else. I hope everyone had a good start into the New Year, and wishing you a happy, peaceful and joyous 2017!

At the end of the holiday season we went on our first family trip with a dog, which made it an adventure for all of us. The challenge was to find places to stay and things to do that could be equally enjoyed by DH and me, our teenage DS and the little Milo! Barcelona seemed an obvious destination since it was easy to reach and the weather forecast promised blue skies.

Our trip was planned pretty much last minute, and I felt so lucky that we could still book into the chic and pet-friendly Claris boutique hotel a block away from the Passeig de Garcia. The Claris's owner also owns the Egyptian Museum across the road, to which hotel guests have free access. His son did the hotel's interior design and created a beautiful atmosphere by mixing modern furniture and fixtures with antique sculptures, paintings, furniture and decorative objects from his father's private art collection.

The Passeig de Garcia's plane trees were still clinging onto their autumn leaves, but  Gaudi's Casa Battló was decked festively with fun and quirky clusters of snowballs hanging from its windows and balconies.

Milo's first 'sight-smelling' trip!

The Reserva Iberica ham bar would have clearly been Milo's Barcelona favorite, but he had to wait outside. It is one of the best places to buy the famous Spanish Ibérico ham, and you can also enjoy it right there and then... they have a few tables and bar stools where you can sample the different kinds, along with a glass of chilled Cava. 

The finest of the finest Ibérico ham, the Bellota (acorn in Spanish). The Bellota producing Ibérico pigs spend their days roaming happily in family groups under the oak trees and rooting for herbs, grass and of course bellotas, their favorite food. 

Barcelona is a tremendously lively city with so many vibrant quarters that it's easy to forget that you're right on the Mediterranean sea. The beaches and ports are lined with cafés and restaurants, and on the weekends people meet friends on the beach, go for walks on the shore, play beach volleyball or get together with their families for a picnic. It was indeed the perfect place for the four of us to spend a day! 

The weather continued mild and warm, and it could just as well have been an early spring or summers day. We started off at the Port Olympique, where a row of restaurants along the beach path invite you to have lunch on their pretty terraces overlooking the sea. We settled down at the Agua, where simple fresh seafood and mediterranean cuisine was brought out in charming and relaxed surroundings.

Hola, little lunch guest!

The Port Olympique's bronze whale. Walk west from there, and you come to the Agua and many other restaurants and cafés. You can continue your walk after lunch towards the One Ocean Port, and find plenty of entertainment and things to do along the way.

Milo's Spanish amigo



Sunset with palm trees.. who could resist taking a pic!

Once you get to One Ocean Port, you are very near to Las Fritas, one of DS's favorite places in Barcelona.  He's  tried and tested it on many occasions, and it has his definite seal of approval. I have to agree, the hand-made Las Fritas chips are amongst the best I've ever had.

 Winter in Spain

Even though the Passeig de Gracia has beautiful shops, I did the best shopping on the way home. After half an hour on the road back to France, you go past the La Roca Village. This time we stopped.. the night before I googled the brands on offer.. all of us found something of interest in this chic outlet village! I came home with some beautiful Max Mara sweaters, which will keep me cosy and warm throughout the rest of the winter.

Back home, winter had finally arrived...

Will there be summer ever again?

Claris Hotel: 150 Pau Claris, 08009 Barcelona. Tel: +34 934 876 262

www.hotelclaris.com

Egyptian Museum:  Calle Valencia 284, 08007 Barcelona. Tel: +34 934 880 188 www.museuegipci.com


Jamon Reserva Ibérica, Rambla de Catalunya, 61, 08007 Barcelona
Online shop: www.reservaiberica.com


Agua Beach Restaurant: Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 30, 08003 Barcelona. Tel: 
34 932 25 12 72

www.grupotragaluz.com/agua

Las Fritas: Passeig de Joan de Borbó 12, 08003 Barcelona. Tel:
+34 931 79 11 04

La Roca Village: s/n, 08430 Santa Agnès de Malanyanes, Barcelona
www.larocavillage.com



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Postcard from Barcelona - final part

Today, ending the Barcelona travelogue with a stroll through the El Born (or short Born) district. It's part of 'the old city' (many buildings date back to medieval times), and it's full of lovely restaurants and boutiques, interesting architecture, a fabulous food market, beautiful churches and the Picasso museum.

Below is the 'Palau de la Música', a stunning Art Nouveau building with intricate and brightly colored mosaics, sculptures, iron work and stained glass, which houses orchestral concerts, classical guitar recitals and flamenco shows, and you can book tickets here

Palau de la Música - column details

The 'Mercat del Born' is Europe's largest covered square. It was used as a market from 1873 until 1971. In 2002 it was decided that the large cast iron structure should house Barcelona's 'Biblioteca provincial'. During excavation a medieval city buried underneath was discovered, and the library was moved to another location. It turned out that the buried city was in ruins... demolished by King Philip V. who defeated Catalonia in 1714's Great War of Succession, and put an end to Catalonia's independence, making it part of Spain. The restored market re-opened as a cultural center in 2013, marking the anniversary of nearly 300 years of oppression by the Spanish crown.

The El Xampanyet Tapas Bar. Absolutely wonderful, and because many people think so too, it can get very crowded. Arrive either very early or very late (i.e. outside lunch hours) to get a tiny little table, otherwise just stand by the bar or at one of the bistro tables (if you are lucky!).

Don't miss out on the Picasso Museum, which shows his early work in the most beautiful and tranquil surroundings; five interlinked palaces/town houses, which date back to the 13th-15th centuries. In the Palau del Baró (No. 17) an opulent neoclassical reception room dazzles on the main floor, decorated with crystal chandeliers, marble and a mix of baroque and classical elements.

A Flamenco dancer's office in one of the neighbouring courtyards (at No 20)

The Santa Caterina food market dates back to 1845 and was totally renovated in 2005. The result is an ultra modern structure with a swooping roof, covered with brightly colored tiles from Seville. Inside, traditional food stalls offer fresh food of every kind imaginable, and it is a perfect place to buy some of the famous Jabuga ham to take back home.

Located in the main building, the 'Cuines Santa Caterina' is a perfect place for lunch. The produce comes fresh from the market next door, and the space is light and airy, filled with plants and decorated with a fragrant wall of herbs.

The lovely 'Ohla Hotel', with its friendly staff and calm and beautiful rooms is located in a fabulous position...the Gothic and El Born districts are literally on your doorstep, and it is just a five-minute walk to the Passeig de Garcia (2mn to Massimo Dutti..)

The Ohla's roof terrace with it's pool, bar and lounge areas, and above all, it's fabulous view over Barcelona (on the right you can see the towers of 'Barcelona Cathedral' in the heart of the Gothic quarters)

Who would have thought it... the young man walking next to me is DS!

This was taken on our last trip to Barcelona, in February 2009:

Barcelona's famous son, Christopher Columbus, pointing towards America

Adiós, Barcelona! Until the next time...

Palau de la Música Catalana, 4-6, 08003 Barcelona

Mercat del Born, Carrer del Comerç, 2, 08003 Barcelona

Tapas Bar El Xampanyet: Carrer de Montcada, 22, 08003 Barcelona, +34 933 19 70 03

Palau Dalmases Flamenco: Montcada, 20 08003 Barcelona

Picasso Museum, Carrer Montcada, 15-23, 08003 Barcelona

Santa Caterina Market: Francesc Cambó 16, 08003 Barcelona. For opening hours click here

Cuines Santa Caterina: Francesc Cambó 16, 08003 Barcelona, Tel: +34 932 689 918

Ohla Hotel: Via Laietana, 49, 08003 Barcelona, Tel: +34 933 41 50 50

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