Great food and wine + walkable neighbourhood + Gaudi = (my) Barcelona

I arrived Friday around 10am and it was a long, long wait until I checked in at 12.30 (thank you though Up Suites BCN as check in isn't officially until 3pm).  I got no sleep on the plane from BA so it was around 2am for me.

The apartment is fantastic; large, clean, kitchen and washing machine and in my fav area Eixample. I don't have a lot planned here for this trip, so will just take each day as it comes. 

Today was fabulous.  Breakfast at The Coffee House, last minute decision to see Casa Batlló, then 4pm lunch/dinner. 

Tiny rooftop spot in the sun to plot the day’s adventures 

I think I may have loved Casa Batlló even more than I love Park Guell.  I want to spend hours and hours in the place, touching every magical surface - banisters, door handles, shutters, furniture, walls and arches, stained glass windows ...  The grace and curve of every surface is so perfect - tri-fold doors matching the curved ceiling, arched corridors - I simply can't describe it. Clearly I will need to return at some point and remember to do the early morning tour.  What a phenomenon Gaudi was. 

With no drawn plans
 Gaudi directed the renovation from exterior 

Fireplace

Windows to the street. Stained glass to filter the light. 

The light well from ground floor to top

The tiles grow darker as they ascend the light well and  windows grow smaller ensuring the same amount of light throughout the house

The staircase of light (designer Kengo Kuma) leading to the basement  

Staircase panels are made up of these small metal clips

Gold leaf throughout the wall decoration (see above door)

My neighbourhood is great - so many choices for dining out and a huge fresh food market for supplies should I dine in.

 

I am missing Sam's company for current food and excursion adventures, but apart from that, I am very content.  Current temps around 7 -18C so the winter clothes are still in use. xx