{"id":1076,"date":"2025-07-09T07:41:15","date_gmt":"2025-07-09T07:41:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eishonline.co.za\/travel\/?p=1076"},"modified":"2025-07-09T07:41:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T07:41:15","slug":"croissants-cathedrals-catalan-culture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/eishonline.co.za\/travel\/2025\/07\/09\/croissants-cathedrals-catalan-culture\/","title":{"rendered":"Croissants, Cathedrals & Catalan Culture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After a quick coffee and croissant on-the-go we made our way down to Sagrada Familia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the moment it first comes into view is a special one. To be honest trying to put into words the beauty and majesty of this building is not going to do it any justice so I am not going to try. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We were guided around the church by a passionate Carmen who was able to not only guide us through the physical elements of the church but give us insight as to what this building means to those that call Barcelona their home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though we had booked the first tour of the day (always the way to go) by the time we were able to pull ourselves away, peckishness had set in. So we made our way to Mercat de la Boqueria. As crazy busy as it was, and as touristy it has apparently become, it was a worthwhile experience and we were able to taste various local delicacies as we navigated the many aisles of the market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a short walk down Las Ramblas and another museum visit we made our way back to our hotel for our now regularly scheduled siesta before making our way down to Placa de la Merce where we met our guide from Eating Europe Food Tours, Sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sky took us on an amazing walk through the Gothic Quarter, El borne and Barcelonetta Districts all the while stopping and tasting the local cuisine. Is there a better way to spend 3 hours getting to understand history and culture of a city? Highly recommended, and Sky’s blend of knowledge and genuine enthusiasm made it special. We were especially proud of our mastery of drinking out of a traditional Catalan porr\u00f3n. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As much as we would have loved to continue the evening, a full day and equally full bellies, meant that after a short walk around the harbour we made our back to our hotel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another day we will remember for a long time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Arriving at Sagrada Familia <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The view towards the altar <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sensory overload. More interior views <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Light is an integral part part of the design<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Our guide, Carmen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The reconstructed school for the original construction worker’s children<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Sampling food at Mercat de la Boqueria <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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We did not embarrass ourselves and kept our clothes dry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mastering drinking for a porron<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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About to dig into a traditional bombeta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Come around for a braai sometime and we’ll explain…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Our awesome guide, Sky<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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On our way home after another great day <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After a quick coffee and croissant on-the-go we made our way down to Sagrada Familia.  Much like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the moment it first comes into view is a special one. To be honest trying to put into words the beauty and majesty of this building is not going to do it any […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1080,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,91,6],"tags":[101,102,97],"class_list":["post-1076","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-royandnikki","category-spain","category-travelogues","tag-barcelona","tag-eating-europe","tag-spain"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t