Barcelona Bound

I wanted more Spain and I’m getting more Spain…four nights to be exact.

Sagrada Familia (HDR)

Credit

That’s right. The next stop on my Go with Oh tour is Barcelona, which also happens to be where the Go with Oh headquarters are located. Yep, I’m finally getting to meet all the great people that had the wisdom {haha} to choose me as their autumn guest blogger. After draining Prague of its Bavarian beer and wrecking havoc on the whole of Italy, Lola and I will arrive into Barcelona on Monday, November 19 and won’t depart until Friday, November 23. That’s five days of living it up in beautiful Barcelona.

The Guardian (HDR)Credit

Just like all of my other stops, activities in Barcelona will center around booze and food. Even the Gaudi tour involves some grape goodness. Thanks to Reserve123, Lola and I will be introduced to the father of Catalan Modernism, Antoni Gaudi. Well, not to the actual man, as he’s been dead for a while. No, we’ll get to see his work first-hand. If you’re not familiar with Gaudi, think Tim Burton and Baz Luhrmann meets architecture combined with a hit of acid. And after tripping on all those psychedelic buildings, we’re going to enjoy ourselves some fine wine at a traditional Catalan restaurant.

How’s that for a day?

HOSPITAL DE SANT PAUCredit

Besides cava, wine, and sangria, Barcelona is also apparently known for their gin and tonics. Who knew? Ignoring the screams from our livers, Lola and I are continuing on the booze train by taking a gin and tonic tour. Vodka is usually my paring with tonic, but I’m willing to give gin a shot. After all, if it’s good enough for Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan then it’s good enough for me.

Here’s another stellar video from this summer at Lola’s Liquor Bootcamp. Keep in mind that the word “stellar” is dripping with sarcasm.

Don’t think that our gluttony will be restricted to alcohol. No, Lola and I will also be scouring the city for the best tapas. We’re also setting off on a pilgrimage for paella. Jamรณn ibรฉrico is literally going to break my budget. I can compare travel money online all I want, but it’s not going to help. The process required to make this porky goodness is akin to constructing a Boeing Dreaminer, hence the hefty price tag. Is it worth it? HELL YES! Forget Kopi Luwak coffee, matsutake mushrooms, and white truffles, black Iberian ham is where it’s at.

Casa Mila, BarcelonaCredit

While I’m spending all my spare change on jamรณn ibรฉrico, Lola wants to don the red ruffled dress and try her hand at flamenco dancing. I’m pretty sure I’ll be the official photographer during that activity. Although, drunk on gin and tonics, cava, and ham, you’ll never know what I’ll do. Everyone will just have to stay tuned for that.

O_oCredit

Last but certainly not least, Lola and I are going to have a little soiree at our Go with Oh apartment. Keep in mind that this isn’t just any party. Nope! Lola and I are bringing a little bit of the good ol’ USA to Spain. You see, we’ll be spending Thanksgiving in Barcelona. As soon as we realized this, the wheels began to turn and our Catalan Thanksgiving was born.

With the help of some of the Go with Oh staff, we’re having a pot luck party. Traditional Spanish dishes will be combined with typical American Thanksgiving food. Isn’t that just the best?!? Lola and I have even invited some bloggers living in Spain to join us. I think it will be fabulous, especially considering the apartment in which we’re staying. It has the view of all views in Barcelona.

OH

That’s right, my giant deck has a view of Gaudi’s Sagrada Famรญlia Church. Oh yeah! Last year I spent Thanksgiving in Queenstown, New Zealand and this year will be in Barcelona, Spain. Talk about something to be thankful for.

Where the city meets the seaCredit

I imagine that my time in Barcelona will be damn special. There’s something about spending time with locals to make a place really come alive. I look forward to all that Spain has to offer and meeting the people that gave me the chance to take this European tour in the first place. It’s not possible for me to fully express to the folks at Go with Oh how grateful I am for this opportunity.

I guess I’ll just have to show them with hugs and a sweet potato casserole.

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34 Comments
  • Andrea
    October 19, 2012

    Booze and food is always good. Have fun!

    • Leah Travels
      October 20, 2012

      Andrea, you’re my kind of gal!

  • loz in transit (spain)
    October 19, 2012

    That’s awesome Leah. Enjoy your Fiesta with the GowithOh crew. Barcelona is one of the great cities of the world, you’ll be dragged kicking and screaming in no time. Enjoy the every moment.

    • Leah Travels
      October 24, 2012

      Ha! Thank you. Everyone I know that’s been to Barcelona absolutely adores it. I simply can’t wait. It will be a highlight, I’m sure.

  • Anita Mac
    October 20, 2012

    OH MY GOD – sounds like a brilliant time! Wish I was still in Spain for some of that kind of fun, but alas…my liver and credit card can only take so much (and the past 2 months have been brilliant! Love the apartment – will be a brilliant soiree I am sure!

    • Leah Travels
      October 21, 2012

      So you’re saying we are just missing you? Ahhhh…too bad. We would love to have you at our Thanksgiving party. I’m not sure how you survived Spain for two months. I’m just hoping to get through the five days.

  • Raul (@ilivetotravel)
    October 20, 2012

    Jamon iberixo…. mmm………………….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Sounds like total blast – enjoy it!!

    • Leah Travels
      October 21, 2012

      I love my ham, Raul. There’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

  • Kieu ~ GQ trippin
    October 20, 2012

    Awww.. clearly we should have planned to crash your pot luck party.. Sadly, we’ll be in Vienna for Thanksgiving. Would’ve loved to have it with you girls though.

    • Leah Travels
      October 21, 2012

      Poooooor thing…has to spend Thanksgiving in Vienna. Please note the dripping sarcasm in that statement.

  • Traveling Ted
    October 21, 2012

    That is so awesome you will be having a soiree with some bloggers from Spain. What a great time that will be.

    • Leah Travels
      October 21, 2012

      There’s always room for one more, Traveling Ted. You’re bringing the turkey.

  • The World Wanderer
    October 21, 2012

    I love Spain! Though, I have yet to go to Barcelona, so I am a bit jealous. Make sure you drink a gin and tonic for me, and have plenty of jamon for me too…and sangria.

    • Leah Travels
      October 21, 2012

      I’m pretty sure that I’ll have enough ham, gin/tonics, and sangria for the whole of the United States. I think you’ll be covered. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • lola dimarco
    October 21, 2012

    i’m bringing my family recipe for RUM CAKE. yes…my love of rum started a long time ago at Thanksgiving. AND this, i’m thankful for ๐Ÿ˜‰

    • Leah Travels
      October 21, 2012

      I imagine you had rum in your baby bottle, so I’m not surprised.

  • Allison GoWithOh
    October 22, 2012

    So happy to read your Barcelona post! Spanish cava, wine, cheese, ham- and not to mention us at Open House Group- are all anxiously awaiting your arrival! It will also be great to spend Thanksgiving with some fellow Americans ๐Ÿ™‚ Looking so forward to finally meeting you!

    Allison

    • Leah Travels
      October 22, 2012

      Yes, Allison, we’re going to have to coordinate some American dishes. Lola has already promised rum cake (of course she has), but being that it’s Spain, I’m not sure how readily available things such as sweet potatoes are. Shoot me an email and lets talk about it. OK?

  • thelazytravelers
    October 22, 2012

    there’s a shot bar in barcelona where every shot is 1euro. no joke. ( http://www.espitchupitos.com/barcelona/) i must see a video of this experience. xo, the wino

    • Leah Travels
      October 24, 2012

      I don’t take shots, Lazy, therefore I’ll be filming Lola. How’s that for a compromise?

  • Pola (@jettingaround)
    October 23, 2012

    Wait a second – gin & tonics?! I wish I’d known this before to tell Mr. JA when we were in Barca!

    It’s really cool about your potluck Thanksgiving. Have fun you two! It took me a few days to warm up to Barcelona, and Gaudi certainly helped.

    • Leah Travels
      October 24, 2012

      Apparently they’re the big deal, Pola. We’ll have plenty of footage and photos from the dinner. What a great way to show my thanks to the Go with Oh people!

  • @mrsoaroundworld
    October 23, 2012

    Ladies you have forgotten the shopping in Barcelona! It will be fab! I have given Lola a list of my favourite restaurants – pls do go!

    – Tapac24
    – Bravo at the W
    – Tragaluz
    – La Barceloneta
    – El Merendero de la Mari (for paella, arroz negro and fideua, order all 3)

    Tapac24 is where I was introduced to Hendricks 8 years ago. They call it Gin Tonic, drop the &!

    • Leah Travels
      October 24, 2012

      Shopping is a given, I believe. Thanks for giving me this list. I know we’ll hit up a few of them for sure.

  • Ayngelina
    October 23, 2012

    I would love to go to Barcelona, please post lots of photos.

    • Leah Travels
      October 24, 2012

      I’ll do you one better, Ayngelina. We’re gonna have videos.That’s right, live and in color, Lola and Leah. Brace yourself.

  • John
    October 23, 2012

    Barcelona sounds amazing! i love the architecture and can’t wait to hear about your adventures.

    • Leah Travels
      October 24, 2012

      And adventures they will be, John. Some might not be suitable for print.

  • fiona
    October 25, 2012

    Aww so excited for you- you’re going to love it! The food is something else, can’t wait to read all about the Thanksgiving party!

    • Leah Travels
      October 25, 2012

      Come to the party if you want, Fiona! We’d love to have you.

  • Jeff @ GoTravelzing
    October 26, 2012

    Thanksgiving dinner overlooking the Sagrada Familia. Does it get any better than that? You might have to bring your own sweet potatoes and marshmallows.

    • Leah Travels
      October 27, 2012

      It’s pretty bad ass, right? I’m beyond excited! There are some Americans that are coming and they know where to find some of the typical stuff. I really think I’ll need to bring pecans though.

  • ghana flights
    November 8, 2012

    Stunning image of Barcelona , A great place with wonderful tourist attractions and most beautiful structures in the world.

    • Leah Travels
      November 13, 2012

      I can’t wait to see it with my own eyes!

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