During my youth, I went to one of the most beautiful and exciting city in the world – Barcelona, Spain. It was on my Central St.Martins’ University Trip. And my word! It was a blast! I had one of the best time ever! I love and breath the Art World. I love traveling and seeing different cultures and traditions, food fusion, and fashion. It fills me with joy and re-energies me with new ideas.

Sometimes, I wish I could just organise a reunion and look for a Spanish villas for rent with all my friends and just stay there for the whole weekend and just – be young again. Unfortunately, it is easier said than done. As we all know times moves on, everyone has their own responsibilities and so on, a reunion is so much harder in reality.

 

But hang on a second, I also have my own family now, and I’d love to introduce this wonderful city to my family and my kids to experience and see as well. Here, I’ve made a list of five reasons why I should take my family and kids to see this wonderful city of Barcelona.

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5 REASONS WHY I SHOULD TAKE MY FAMILY & KIDS TO SEE BARCELONA, SPAIN.

 

1. The Language:

Hola! That’s just about all of the Spanish words I can know. My O.H. on the other hand, has the basic and is rather good at it. Ethan has grasped a little bit of Spanish whilst he was Pre-school and is ever so sweet when he comes home and sings to me some Spanish songs. But as he had moved on to Primary School, he has left his Spanish tongue behind, and I think a visit to Spain would be the way forward to reignite his Spanish side. Hola! 

 

2. Spanish Cuisine:

Emmm, I could smell their delicious food flowing back into my memory already! The Seafood Paella, the Tapas, the Tortilla Espanola, Spanish Chorizo, Pimientos de Padron, Bocadillo de calamares (fried squid), Churros con Chocolate, and many many more. I could go on and on! But one thing I haven’t tried before that I really want to try is ‘leche frita’ – Fried milk.

 

3. The Scenery: 

 

• Beaches – When I went there with my Uni – it was late Autumn, so it was rainy and cold most of the time, but I can imagine Port Olímpic being a go to beach hot spot in the Summer. They say you can stroll, eat and take dip in the sun. Sound this sound like paradise to me!

 

• City Tour Bus – It may sounds silly, but I think being on the City tour bus will give you much perspective of what Barcelona is like on the whole. The kids will love this ride and will bring such excitement to their next adventure destinations. You can sit on top and see the wonderful Spanish architecture. Plus, you can get on and off as much as you like for one price.

 

4. The Arts & Architecture: 

 

• Park Güell by Antoni Gaudí is a must! This unique architecture is so organic and will be such a wonderous place for my kids to expand their imaginations without limits.

 

• Sagrada Familia is the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church in the world, designed by Antoni Gaudí also. I heard someone said: “If you haven’t visit Sagrada Familia then you ain’t seen nothing yet!”

 

• Picasso Museum – Here’s another weird and wonderful things in the art world. His first major works, included in the museum, were completed at ages 15 and 16! Maybe this will get them more interested in art?

 

• The Barcelona Pavilion – A piece of Modern Architecture designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich as the German Pavilion for the Barcelona International Exhibition. I love love love Mies’ work and so this part is actually purely for me, but you never know, perhaps my E&E and your kiddos would love it too.

 

 

5. Culture & Traditions:

 

• Las Ramblas: Here you’ll find the boulevard leading to the city beach full with wonderful local street performers, human statues, flower sellers, animal stalls, painters, and artists alike. Do be vigilant though, pickpockets abound. Many of my Uni friends’ pockets were picked here. That would have been awful if it were us. It is not dangerous, you just need to be smart.

 

• La Boquería is one of the oldest market of the city. You will see and smell the amazing variety of fish, meat, cheese, vegetables and fruits. All beautifully and naturally displayed, and they don’t cost the earth.

 

 

• La Festa de Sant Medir – or is commonly known as Barcelona’s Sweetest Festival. This festival started in 1828 when a baker named Josep Vidal i Ganés became ill and vowed to make an annual pilgrimage to Sant Medir chapel if God were to cure him. He got better, and every year after that he would beat a drum and throw beans to announce his pilgrimage. On March 3 every year at the Gràcia neighbourhood, where traditionally sixty tonnes of boiled sweets are thrown, by more than 26 horse riders, called ‘colles’, to children lining along in the Gran de Grácia and C/ de San Salvador street, is now replaced by a Sweet Festival. Well, how about that a Festival and Free sweeties at the same time! You can’t go wrong with that!

 

• L’ou com balla or ‘The Dancing Egg’ Festival. The tradition was accept by the Barcelona Cathedral in 1637. When it is sixty days after Easter Sunday, on Corpus Christi, locals celebrate the tradition of L’ou com balla. On this day, church fountains all over Barcelona are decorated with flowers, and an egg is set at the top the water stream, where it does its little dance. The egg represents rebirth or Holy Communion (depending on who you ask). Now, this I have to see. Imagine my kids watching that!

 

 

• La Mercè Festival – Every year close to the end of September, Barcelona holds its largest street party. You are likely to see circles of people dancing the sardana, Catalunya’s national dance, and one which resembles no other Spanish dance. Its origins are thought to lie in the graceful dances of ancient Greece. I don’t think the night festival is for the little ons, but the Castellers – Human Towers (at Plaça de Sant Jaume) and the Gigantes (Giants Parade) (at Plaça St Jaume) are seem like the most children-friendly places to go to. I haven’t been there before, but already I’m intrigued.

 

 

Now, I must say with this long of an itinerary list, it will definitely take more than just a weekend to see and experience everything!

 

Have you been to Barcelona before? If you have do let us know what was your favourite place to visit in the comment below. We’d love to know.

 

 

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*This is a sponsored post by Luxury Retreats. All opinions and photos are of my own.

 

This post is linked up with: #BloggerClubUK, #TotsTravel, #ablogginggoodtime, #kcacols

 

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