So before I share with you my Mediterranean Cruise experience, I have to tell you first about the pre-cruise tour in Barcelona. We maximized our stay in Barcelona (where we will board the Royal Carribean Cruise Line) and went on a three-day city tour. I called this “Spainhits” because this is the hashtag that I used when I posted my captured moments in Barcelona. This is the first episode because I am sure that I will be coming back and visit other parts of Spain.
We stayed at Expo Hotel Barcelona.
Highlights of the three-day Barcelona city tour:
DAY 1 in Barcelona – “A Feel of Barcelona”
- Cathedral of Barcelona
Cathedral of Barcelona 
Inside the Cathedral 
Panoramic Shot inside The Cathedral 2. Las Ramblas/ Ramblas de Canaletes
Entrance to Las Ramblas Marketplace The stalls/products there…
Ham galore haha 
Fruits Galore 
Trying a Popsicle icecream – Strawberry and Coconut Flavor
Chocolates Galore 
Candies Galore 3. Plaza Reial – where you eat outside / Al Fresco
DAY 2 in Barcelona – “The Majestic Mountain and Sea”
4. Mount Montserrat – It was truly a spectacular view of the mountains, there’s even a hiking trail for Mount Montserrat.
5. Basilica De Montserrat – found on Mount Montserrat
We even attended a mass held in Latin ( I’m not sure haha)
And watched the “Boy’s Choir” perform
After we ate at the restaurant found in Mount Montserrat
6. La Vila Olimpica Del Poblenou – Where you can see the coastline of Barcelona
7. Plaza de Catalunya
Before we went back to the hotel , we ended the night watching some fountain show at the Plaza Catalunya where the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya is also found at the center.
DAY 3 in Barcelona – “All about Gaudi”
8. Park Guell
9. SAGRADA FAMILIA CHURCH – What I would call a true masterpiece of a great artist. This is probably one of the best churches in terms of architecture and the history that was incorporated to its design. Antoni Gaudi the architect of Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and other buildings. Gaudi is a genius! He is beyond brilliant with his vision. They are still trying to finish this church, the architecture is so grand that it’s not yet finished. They ran out of funds to finish it so for awhile they stopped but now they’re constructing it again and it is expected to be fully finished by 2027 I think.
The facade of Sagrada Familia actually tells a story – the story of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.
When you zoom in you see the intricate details of the church’s facade. It’s really amazing how much work was put into creating and building this church.
If you think the outside was awesome, wait until you see the inside!
The four major posts also stands for something – the four apostles I think. (haha I kinda forgot)
The back part of the church tells another story – the crucifixion and the death of Jesus Christ.
We even attended a mass downstairs in the church’s crypt, which also had great architecture.
The story that this church is trying to tell through its architecture and design comes full circle with the “Resurrection of Jesus Christ” which is the part that they are still completing.
OTHER Tour Highlights :
Shopping at MANGO (MNG) was so cheap since it originated in Spain.
The lovely weather – it was not too cold, just the right weather for exploring the city. It was around 23 degrees which is like having an air conditioner everywhere. So even if you walk a lot, you don’t get sweaty.
I really enjoyed our Barcelona trip, my favorite from all the places we went to is the Sagrada Familia church. I will definitely come back here, especially when the construction of Sagrada Familia is finally done! haha 😉
VIVA BARCELONA!
Ttyl,
Isis
Your Traveler and Financial Advisor. 🙂