Lately, I've got Barcelona on my mind.
I first visited this enchanting city four and a half years ago when I was traveling through Spain and France with my mom. While my desire to return has been persistent throughout the years, it has noticeably intensified these past few months.
If I make it back to Barcelona sometime this year - which hopefully I will - there are quite a few things that I'd do differently. Here's what I'd love to see and experience next time I'm in the Catalonian capital:
My Barcelona (Round II) Bucket List:
- Go when it's warm enough to lay out on the beach
- Feast upon fresh goodies at La Boqueria
- Finally experience the nightlife
- Seek out the best views in Barcelona
- Spend more time at Parc Güell
- Visit Montjuïc
- Re-do Barcelona as a foodie
What stands out to me the most is my desire to re-do my Barcelona culinary experience and actually get to know Catalan gastronomy. I missed out on so many mouthwatering traditional dishes because a) I didn't know what I was looking for, and b) I was lazy. I'm ashamed to admit that I went to the Hard Rock Café twice for dinner when I was there... foodie blasphemy, I know.
That's why I wish I had read Eat Guides: Barcelona four and a half years ago. This handy guidebook created by The Spain Scoop gives you the low-down on all the best restaurants in the city, where to find them, and what to order.
Of the eight million people that visit Barcelona each year, I highly doubt all of them are experiencing the sublime gastronomy that Catalonia has to offer. I know I sure didn't. That's why co-authors Regina Winkle-Bryan and Adrián Benítez Martos poured their hearts into creating this extensive guide. Their thorough and honest recommendations are meant to prevent visitors like me from having to suffer through less-than-mediocre meals in Barcelona.
This week I'm giving away two free copies of this comprehensive guidebook, which would normally cost $4.99 each. Save yourself from any sub-par eating experiences in Barcelona and enter below to win a free copy!
Good luck!
Beautiful photos! I'm in the same boat, I definitely didn't experience Barcelona as well as I could have last time I was there - I wasn't much of a foodie then either. These guides look perfect!
ReplyDeleteGenevieve - www.thewanderbug.com
Barcelona is SO amazing!! I wish I had more time to explore there when I went a few months ago. I never really knew the differences between Catalonian food and traditional Spanish food. What are the main traditions or what is it known for?
ReplyDelete...Hey--if you read Jessica from Barcelona Blonde's stuff, you'll definitely find some inspiration!!...
ReplyDeleteYeah! I love her blog.
ReplyDeleteThis would be helpful since I would have no clue where to start!
ReplyDeleteI'm not personally familiar with any of the traditional Catalan dishes, but this article gives a pretty good overview: http://devourbarcelonafoodtours.com/traditional-foods-in-barcelona/
ReplyDeleteI want to try them all!
Thanks Genevieve! More reason to go back again someday!! :)
ReplyDeleteExactly!! It's such a huge city with so many options to choose from... and it's way too easy to go wrong. I need to have it all spelled out for me in one place!
ReplyDeleteAs you know, I've had some great foodie experiences in Barcelona recently, but I'm always on the lookout for more :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to experience Barcelona next Spring!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, Barcelona was not my favorite place in Spain when I visited. In fact, I didn't like it much at all. That was 10 years ago on a school trip though. I'm hoping to get back there this year as it's not really too far from Logroño. I definitely have a Round II Barcelona Bucket List, so I appreciated seeing yours! Also, I laughed really hard at your foodie blasphemy of eating at the Hard Rock twice. I've made that mistake before, but would NEVER make it again.
ReplyDeleteSo cool - Barcelona is one of the first places my boyfriend and I want to go explore. I've been to Spain before, in the north, but my favourite destination there was always to go to Barcelona! Love your photos!
ReplyDeleteBarcelona was hands down our favorite destination for food while traveling Europe. they do the Spanish food so well, but they're so diverse, we actually had amazing Mexican food (the ONLY place in Europe we'd found was good) AND they're progressive and up with current times...which, ya know, Europe and all ;)
ReplyDeleteI think you're going to love it! It's such a unique place within Spain!
ReplyDeleteTrue... but you have great foodie experiences everywhere! You're an inspiration to us all ;)
ReplyDeleteHopefully you get the opportunity to give it a second chance soon! Especially since it's relatively close to Rioja. I really liked it there, but it's definitely not a place I could ever see myself living. (Hala Madrid!) And I'm glad I'm not the only once who's committed the Hard Rock mistake. In my defense, at the time I was really, really homesick and desperate for anything that reminded me of America! Gracias a Dios times have changed :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you can go sometime soon! It's a really unique place - and unlike any other city I've visited in Spain. It's got an intoxicating charm!
ReplyDeleteOkay, that makes me want to go back to Barcelona even more! Best foodie destination in Europe?!?!? Buying my tickets now. (I wish.) Madrid surprisingly has some good Mexican options, but it took me about 6 months to find them all. Better than nothing!
ReplyDeleteTwo feet, one stomach haha ;)
ReplyDeleteHAHA!!! YESSSS that's brilliant.
ReplyDeleteYAYAYYA Bareclona and food! What's not to love!!!!! Hope I can win so I can eat my way through a Spanish city once more :)
ReplyDeleteOh you and your Spain posts! Maybe I should move there and teach next year ;). I would love to visit Barcelona. I'll keep a note of your bucket list for when I hopefully do get to go!
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing better than Spain + eating, that's for sure :)
ReplyDeleteI think that is a MARVELOUS idea! I can't lie, it's a pretty fun gig. Although Spanish kids are craaaaazy!!!!!
ReplyDelete“Is what I ate for dinner tonight going to influence my dreams?
ReplyDelete