Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a beautiful city, full of architectural details that take your breath away. Nothing has been overlooked, from doorknobs to light posts. We could walk down the same street a hundred times and see something new each time. It is for the most part amazing... but sometimes interestingly odd. Antoni Gaudi is the famous architect behind most these popular sites in Barcelona. His work reminds us of something from a fairy tale. We've been doing a lot of walking, taking everything in and trying to work off all the tapas we're eating!

Riding the escalator at Parc de Montjuic. Notice the bullring in the background. Bullfighting was banned in Barcelona in 2010, so we will be skipping that experience this trip.

The Arc del Triomf, built as the grand entrance for the Universal Exposition of 1888.


La Cascada at Parc de la Ciutadella. The park was once a fortress for Madrid's soldiers during their occupation of Barcelona. Felipe V demolished around 2,000 houses to build the fortress and barracks for his soldiers. In 1868, the walls of the fortress were torn down and replaced by the garden/park. Below, A is trying to get a kiss from his big brother.


The boys rowing in the beautiful lake at Parc de la Ciutadella.


One of Gaudi's more beautiful works.


M braving the chilly Mediterranean, while A is still trying to decide if it's worth it. When M finally came out, he was numb from the cold.