Barcelona, Girona & Figueres Spain

Travel Day One - 14 April 2024 - Leaving Nashville 🛬

I left Nashville and landed at Dulles in the afternoon. After landing, I accidentally headed the wrong way down the concourse toward the D gates. Realizing my mistake, I turned around, found a water bottle refill station, filled up, and made my way to the C gate. I waited there until boarding began. Soon after, we were on our way to Barcelona.

Day One - 15 April - Barcelona - Arrival

Landed in Barcelona in the morning, through passport control without any trouble, and onto the Aerobus headed for Plaça de Espanya. Checked into the Ofelias Hotel early, and since my room was almost ready, waited for it.

Once settled in, I planned out the day and headed to the Plaça de Espanya Metro Station. The T-Usual Metro Card made more sense than the Hola Barcelona card, since the latter is only valid for 72 hours and I would be returning to Barcelona the following week.

First stop was Plaça de Catalunya, then I wandered through the Gothic Quarter. I explored El Pont de Bisbe, Plaça de Sant Jaume, the Monument als Castellers, the Jewish Quarter, the Cathedral of Barcelona, and the Palau de la Música Catalana. "The World Comes to Life With Each Kiss" was too crowded for comfort, but the rest of the quarter was a delight.

Later, I took the Metro to Sant Pau Art Nouveau, a striking example of modernist architecture by Lluís Domènech i Montaner. After exploring the former hospital, I headed back to the hotel.

Dinner plans were thwarted when the restaurant I had in mind had closed or moved. Instead, I found a café called Sandwichez nearby, where I had a tasty sandwich and a frozen lemon smoothie. A welcome meal after a long day. Back in the room, some snacks and then sleep.

Day Two - 16 April - Barcelona - Sagrada Familia

Breakfast at the hotel, then to the Sagrada Familia for my pre-booked timed entry. The basilica is just as breathtaking inside as it is outside, with only a tower or two still unfinished. After exploring, I stopped by the gift shop, then walked to the nearby Sagrada Bistro for lunch. A creamy mushroom dish with salad. Decent.

After lunch, I returned to the Sagrada Familia area and strolled through the parks in front of and behind the basilica to take more photos. Next on the itinerary was Casa Milà-La Pedrera. The architecture and rooftop terrace were incredible, and I also browsed the gift shop. A small, albeit overpriced, two-scoop ice cream at the café attached to Casa Milà rounded off the afternoon.

Final stop was Casa Batlló. I explored the rooms and rooftop terrace and took in the unique designs and intricate details, then visited the gift shop before catching the metro back to the hotel.

Day Three - 17 April - Barcelona - Park Güell

Breakfast at the hotel, then out to Park Güell via the metro. The park was originally intended to be a residential neighborhood by Gaudi. The open spaces and the Hypostyle Room, with its ceiling and column work, were particularly good.

After Park Güell, I strolled down to the Lesseps metro station and sat on a park bench to plan lunch. I went to Bodega Quimet for some delicious tapas and a tortilla dessert.

Later, feeling nostalgic, I went back to Casa Batlló to pick up a magnet I had spotted but not bought the day before. With that sorted, I headed to the Picasso Museum. I was early for my scheduled visit, so I explored the surrounding neighborhood first. The museum itself was excellent, with an impressive array of Picasso's work, including his ceramics.

The day finished with a visit to the Joan Miró Foundation art gallery on Montjuïc, then back to the hotel. For dinner, a Margherita pizza at a nearby pizzeria, a short walk rather than a metro journey.

Day Four - 18 April - Girona

I checked out of the Ofelias Hotel, navigated the underground to catch the L3 metro to the Sants Train Station, and after a moment to get my bearings, headed to the Renfe AVE train area. Through security and to the platform, and on to Girona.

Out of the station, I consulted Google Maps and walked toward the hotel. Along the way, I paused on the Pont de Sant Feliu to take some photos over the Onyar River. I reached the Hotel Museu Llegendes de Girona, where the receptionist kindly let me leave my luggage. While I was checking in, she was helping another group with dining and sightseeing recommendations, marking things on maps for all of us.

I went to Plaça de la Independencia, wandered down Passeig José Canalejas, and crossed the Pont de les Peixateries Velles, a bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel in 1876. Taking up the receptionist's suggestion, I had lunch at Sideria Txots: Patatas con Cheddar y virutas de jamón Ibérico and La Fresca salad with lettuce, green asparagus, tomatoes, carrots, beetroot, radishes, and onions, followed by a cheesecake topped with candy floss.

After lunch, I explored the Girona Cathedral, with its impressive architecture, stained glass, and statuary. After checking into the hotel, I went out and found the entrance to the Basilica de Sant Feliu. Another excellent piece of religious architecture. Then a meander through Girona's streets and a scoop of strawberry and vanilla ice cream from a local gelateria before heading back for the evening.

Day Five - 19 April - Girona

I woke up early and had a good breakfast: pain au chocolat, a croissant, a donut, and a slice of tortilla de patatas. After that, a brief rest before heading to the Museu d'Història dels Jueus on Carrer de la Força, which was excellent.

From there, on to the Banys Àrabs to see the ancient Roman bath house. I walked along the Passeig de la Reina Joana and inadvertently walked past the entrance to Girona's historic city wall. I doubled back, found it, and walked from the Torre Girona to the Jardins de la Francesa.

Later, I wandered through the streets and crossed the Eiffel Bridge to Rocambolesc Bikineria for an Ibérica ham and mozzarella sandwich. Then a delicious ice cream with strawberry and caramel toppings at the Rocambolesc Gelateria.

The day ended with a leisurely walk down Passeig José Canalejas, through Plaça de la Independencia, and across the Pont d'en Gomez, then back to the hotel to relax.

Day Six - 20 April - Figueres - The Salvador Dalí Museum and Theater

I woke up a bit later than intended, having forgotten to set my alarm, but still managed to start the day only an hour behind schedule. Quick breakfast, then a walk to the Girona train station for the AVE to Figueres. The journey took just 14 minutes.

The train station was slightly outside the town center but within walking distance. I walked straight to the Dalí Museum. The museum was fascinating but crowded with tour groups in the morning. For solo visitors, booking a later time is probably the better call to avoid the groups. After exploring, I stopped at the gift shop for some fridge magnets and rested in the courtyard outside. With time before lunch, I wandered around town and found the Ramblas, where I sat for a while and sorted through photos.

Around noon, I went to the restaurant I'd been looking forward to trying. After lunch, back to the Ramblas to relax before catching the train back to Girona. Once back, I went straight to the Bakery Casamoner for two Xuixos: one torró-flavored and one with chocolate. Back to the hotel to enjoy them.

Day Seven - 21 April - Girona - Rambles around the city and the City Wall

I didn't set an alarm but still woke up early. After getting ready and having breakfast, I headed out for a walk through the streets, carefully navigating around the cyclists.

I walked to the Pont de Pedra and on to Carrer de la Força, where a souvenir shop called Recorda-te’n Souvenirs had a fridge magnet I couldn't leave behind. I revisited the Torre de Girona and walked along the ancient city walls to the General Peralta Tower before exiting. I wasn't feeling great, so I skipped lunch and went back to the hotel to rest with the Do Not Disturb sign on the door.

After some rest, I felt well enough to go to Casamoner for two chocolate and two Torró Xuixos, just as good as the day before. Then back to the hotel for the evening.

Day Eight - 22 April - Back to Barcelona

Up early, usual breakfast, then back to the room to double-check packing. I checked out and strolled along the walkway under the raised rail tracks, repurposed into a bike and walking path, to the train station.

The train pulled into Barcelona Sants on time. I made my way to the hotel and, to my pleasant surprise, the room was ready for an early check-in. Once settled, I went across the street to Out of India and had a delicious Shahi paneer dish.

Later, I walked down Carrer de Tarragona to time my morning commute to Plaça Espanya, where I planned to catch the Aerobus for the return journey the next day. With that sorted, back to the hotel to relax and recharge.

Day Nine - 23 April - Travel Day 🛫

Up early. Bags repacked, checked out, and over to the Aerobus stop at Plaça Espanya. The bus to the airport took about thirty minutes. Then through security: managing all the bags and hoping my pants wouldn't betray me as my belt came off. Put back together on the other side, found a seat, and rested a bit before moving closer to the gate. The bus out to the plane, boarding, and off to Dulles.

At IAD, the new Global Entry kiosks with facial recognition sped things up without needing a passport scan. After confirming nothing to declare, on to TSA Pre-Check, which at IAD is on the main level in front of the check-in counters, which is a good setup.

The Capital One Lounge was at capacity, so I skipped it and took the AeroTrain to the gates. A long walk, but the water refill stations helped. The flight to Nashville was smooth despite some turbulence, and the sparse booking meant I had an entire row to myself. After landing, the lengthy walk to the Ride Share area, then a Lyft home.

Using points from my Capital One Venture X card managed to offset some travel-related expenses, which brought the overall cost down considerably.