48 Hours in Barcelona

It was the trip of a lifetime.

My friend and I were experiencing a trying time in our lives ten years prior. One night, while we were outside drinking, crying, and talking, I promised her we would cruise the Greek Isles and shop the markets in Istanbul when she finished her schooling and I had left my career. Every time things got trying, we’d talk about our trip. It was our prize for surviving what life had thrown us.

We found a magic window of time to take a 3-week journey through the Mediterranean. She had completed her education, but her job wouldn’t start. Covid had wound down, and I now worked as a travel writer and photographer. So, it was a work trip for me.

I asked her if she wanted to begin our cruise in Venice or Barcelona. Since we were spending a lot of the trip in Italy, she opted for Spain. And she is almost 40% Spanish, so it was a great start to our epic adventure. My only regret was that we didn’t book more days in this magical city. We will return.

We had 48 hours in Barcelona before embarking on a Mediterranean cruise.

This adventure was filled with unexpected twists and turns. The whirlwind trip showcased the beauty of Barcelona, with the highlight being a moment pedicab tour and a city tour with a professional photographer.  

Our journey started at JFK airport, where my friend and I met for our much-anticipated trip.

Despite differing travel styles – hers for relaxation and the beach, mine for seeing every historic site and working as a budding travel writer – our excitement was palpable.

However, the first of our travel woes surfaced when Princess Cruises changed our flights without notice, leading us to a direct flight to Barcelona.  There was no issue with a direct flight, but we weren’t notified until after we were on the aircraft.

A mix-up like this taught me the importance of arriving early for international tours or cruises.  

Flight Experience: Business Class with a Seat Disaster:

We chose business class for comfort due to medical considerations.

Unfortunately, the journey was marred by a seat malfunction on American Airlines, leaving me sitting on the aircraft’s floor across the ocean. It was a less-than-comfortable experience, and American Airlines staff could have been more helpful. (Note: Even after repeated attempts, neither American Airlines nor Princess Cruises responded to the complaint or offered a refund or a complimentary one-way ticket.   The lack of adequate support on seat accommodations from the airline and Princess Cruises was a letdown).  

Settling into Barcelona: The Hilton Garden Inn

Barcelona, we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn. It was a modest choice but was only a step above a hostel. Next time, I would use one of the cruise options for my hotel. As expected, our rooms weren’t ready, and we didn’t want to be in the lobby. We checked our bags and headed out to search for breakfast. We found a simple café with outdoor seating and delicious food.

A couple of hours later, we headed to the hotel; the rooms were ready. We collapsed and napped. This broke my travel rule to make the most of every minute and to get my body on local time.  

Exploring the City:

Pedicab Adventure and More Refreshed, we ventured on a pedicab tour through the Latin Quarter. The driver got me to the best photo spot at each location. It was a great arrival day activity. He almost doubled the price he’d quoted us at the beach. As I tried to haggle, my friend poked me and said pay him, and let’s eat. We stopped in the quarter and found a small, delicious tapa restaurant. This experience was one of our trip’s highlights, showcasing Barcelona’s rich culinary culture.  The owner took us to a club for more late-night fun.

Navigating Personal Preferences in Travel: 

The trip was a learning curve in balancing travel preferences. While my friend yearned for relaxation, my passion for photography and ancient sites often led us on more intense exploratory paths. This style difference reached a head during our Mediterranean trip, where we had to rework our itinerary to ensure we both enjoyed the experience.  

We slowed down but still had an entire second day in Barcelona.

Our visit included iconic sites like Park Guell and La Sagrada Familia, complemented by strolls in the Gothic Quarter and delightful meals at local tapas bars.

The city’s vibrant atmosphere is perfect for both exploration and relaxation.  

A Balanced Itinerary Our two days in Barcelona were a mix of sightseeing, cultural immersion, and relaxation.

Every moment was a treasure, from cultural marvels to Catalan cuisine’s savory pleasures and Gaudi’s gifts to the world.

However, we also learned the importance of pacing ourselves, especially when dealing with jet lag and personal preferences.  

Final Thoughts and Reflections:

As we concluded our time in Barcelona and prepared for our cruise, I reflected on the importance of embracing every moment, regardless of travel hiccups.

Barcelona taught us to find beauty in the unexpected and to cherish the diversity of experiences it offers.   Our Barcelona journey, though brief, was rich in experiences and learning moments.

Of course, glitches were boarding the cruise ship, but we made it to our suite. We headed to the deck to grab a drink and sail away from the coast of Spain.

As we sailed off, our hearts were full of memories from this enchanting city, eager for the adventures ahead on our Mediterranean cruise.  We knew we would return again, the next time for a longer, calmer time.

Whether you’re navigating travel mishaps or soaking in the cultural richness of a new city, Barcelona is a testament to the joys and surprises.