Barcelona Beckons: From travel hiccups to bucket-list wonders

Visitors stroll beneath the sculpted stone viaducts of Park Güell in Barcelona, where Antoni Gaudí blended architecture and nature into a one-of-a-kind landscape.

Karon Sinning

Paris Independent Travel Columnist

On April 9, 2026, we left Malta to head home, with a couple of stops on the way.  We were flying Vueling (pronounced Welling) to Barcelona and received an email to bid on an upgrade to our seats.  Roy was happy we did. Leg room is not a priority for me, but it certainly did enhance his travel experience. My trek to the bathroom at the rear of the plane (we were in row 2) showed men with their legs literally pressed up against the seat in front of them or extended into the aisle. 

We had our travel agent in Malta, Simil Matthew from Enrico Travel, arrange airport pickup and 3 tours for us for our travels in Barcelona. 

The airport pickup did have a small hiccup as we were stuck on the plane for about 30 minutes and then our luggage was almost the last to come off. 

The transport group did stay in touch with us, but finding the “tourist office” where we were to meet the driver, when you have no idea where you are and definitely don’t have anything beyond Sesame Street Spanish (I can still count to 10) can be very challenging. Roy did a once around while I guarded the luggage and he only found a spot for tour groups. I decided it was time to ask. A helpful lady in a glass cubicle pointed us in the right direction and we connected with the driver shortly after that. 

Teresa Simon from Direct Travel in downtown Paris provided great service in booking flights to Malta for our friend Marie Williamson and our daughter Kendra. She also helped us with a recommendation for accommodation in Barcelona: the HCC Taber Hotel.  

This is definitely one of the best hotels we’ve stayed at. As we were staying for 5 nights, we upgraded on booking to the superior room. This is actually 2 rooms; one with a king size bed, nightstands and TV; the second room with 2 tub chairs, a coffee table, closet and a small TV. This is considered huge for a European hotel!  Breakfast is served from 7-11 a.m. daily for an additional fee, but well worth it.

The hotel location is excellent just around the corner from La Rambla.  La Rambla is known for great walks, restaurants, shopping and a great produce market—Mercator de la Boqueria.  It is also known, during peak season, for pickpockets. While we took precautions, this was never a problem for us. 

The first of our Barcelona tours was definitely on my bucket list—Sagrada Familia Basilica. A creation of Antoni Gaudi, the church has been under construction for about 200 years. While I was under the impression that it had been completed, that is not the case. Our guide said she believed the completion is set for 2038. 

But first, we had a morning tour of Park Guell. I really had no idea what this was and literally thought we would be looking at gardens!  Nope, but not totally no.

The park was originally built as part of a failed housing development by Count Eustebi Guell. The location, a rocky hill called Muntanya Pelada (Bare Mountain), contained a large house known as Larrard House. Bordering the upscale La Salut neighborhood, Güell sought to market the area for its clean air and views. 

The park spans 42 acres and at inception included sixty triangular plots for luxury homes. Güell moved into Larrard House in 1906 to promote the project, but only two homes were ever built—neither by Gaudí.  However Gaudí was the architect of the park portion of the development, and did live in one of the houses in the park for 14 years. It is now owned by the Sagrada Família and is a museum. 

Our guide said that a couple of the reasons the lots didn’t sell was because they were too far from the then city and they also restricted the size of the house you could build on the lot.  The size and grandeur of one’s home was important to the wealthy residents in the early 1900s.  Also, before the invention of cars, being up a hill was not considered a good location. 

The gardens and landscaping throughout the park are beautiful and with Gaudi’s love of nature, it’s not surprising.  He was also into recycling before his time and used items like broken pots, cups and saucers in the decoration of his creations. 

Gaudi's love of nature, religion and his engineering skills are everywhere within the park. Viaducts for moving people throughout the park are truly stunning. Beautiful ceramic benches surrounding the square are designed in ergonomic fashion well before that was ever a thing.  

The design of the bench includes a slight tilt to the back and has openings for rain water to run off, spouting out of the mouths of lion gargoyles. The main area of the square was intentionally built of dirt and gravel. This allows the rain to drain through to supporting columns under the square and into a massive reservoir beneath. Gaudi thought this through!  After the park, we went for a short walk to pick up the transport to the church. 

Seeing the Sagrada Família for the first time is somewhat overwhelming. It is hard to put into words how immense and beautiful this building is.  It truly seems “other worldly”. From all directions it commands the skyline. Sculptures cover the exterior of the entrances, telling the story of the birth, betrayal, crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus. Then you go inside.

Our guide had us look at the floor—not up, until we got to basically the centre of the church.  Then look up and see the spectacular structure all at once. It really is unbelievably magnificent. Her comment to me was, “I love your face!”  I can only imagine my stunned expression. 

The design of the stained glass windows filter light from every side. On a sunny day, the afternoon light creates a beautiful rainbow effect covering the ceiling on the west side. Almost like it was painted in vibrant colours. 

I admit while not overly religious, I have a thing for churches!  This one is slowly edging out Canterbury Cathedral.

Stay tuned next week for part 2 of this adventure. 

About the columnist: Karon Sinning is a proud Paris resident who has a passion for travel and storytelling. Along with her partner Roy and friends, she enjoys exploring countries around the world and experiencing new cultures, food and everyday life beyond the tourist trail. Through her travel column, Karon shares those journeys with Paris Independent readers, offering practical insights, personal reflections and a sense of connection to the people and places she visits.