We left early Boxing Day and had three days to accomplish what we wanted before 7 of our friends arrived (to party). We did not waste any time at all. This is one of E's favourite places in the world so our itinerary was jam packed.
Barcelona...the home of Gaudi, amazing architecture, colour, mosaics, sunshine, fantastic art, Catalonian tapas and sangria (even if it is in a tetra pack) never ever dissapoints.
We loved exploring Gaudi's master pieces - the whimsical and under the sea Casa Battlo (which reminded E of one of her polly pockets as a child), Casa Milla, La Sagrada Familia and our favourite, Parc Guell.
One of the highlights of our sightseeing was the Palau de la Musica Catalana. This is Barcelona's treasured music hall.
We enjoyed strolling through the tiny streets of the Barri Gotic, shopping for fruit in La Boquiera markets, chilling by the marina in the sun, frollicking in Parc Le Cuitadella and enjoying an afternoon drink and Madeleons in El Born (a cute bar in Le Born district).
Like all holidays we take, a large part is centred around food and where we eat. E had researched a few places she couldnt resist. We tried tapas with a modern edge at Tapac 24 (including a cheese toastie with truffles) and drank incredible wine and tasty tapas (including caviar) made in front of our eyes at Qiumet Quimet. Photos of both below.
Once our friends arrived, we changed the pace and chilled out taking it easy and drinking lots of sangria (including a night in with a dozen tetra packs).
We then travelled to the tiny prosperous country of Andorra where we skiied for 2 days (3 nights) in Pas De La Casa. The local tongue is both Catalan and French and it was incredibly confusing knowing which to speak. Sometimes we even spoke both in the one sentence.
Andorra is the land of cheap alcohol and is in fact a duty free nation. There were duty free shops everywhere with row after row of incredibly cheap alcohol (vodka for 2 euros anyone!!!). It is also the land of some of the worst service we have ever experienced.
It snowed heavily while we were there which meant amazing skiing conditions. Since we were only there 2 days, E spent more time perfecting her technique on the easy runs. No trip to the snow is complete without a snow fight or a snowman and that is exactly what we did.
We had a rather epic New Years Eve. We recall there somehow being 55 shots on our drinks bill. E doesnt think she has been that drunk ever. In fact, we only just saw the New Year in. Needless to say, both our resolutions for the year are no more shots (it seemed to be a running theme during 2011).
We now both think it is safe to say that Barcelona is firmly one of the best places we've been too.
Enjoy the photos (E couldnt help herself, she went crazy with all the mosaics and colours).
E&S
xoxo
