We disembarked our cruise ship in Barcelona, Spain and spent the day there earlier than flying dwelling the next morning. Right here’s how we bought 20,000 steps! Try my Explora II cruise put up right here.
Barcelona, Spain
It’s all the time unhappy getting off a cruise ship! It looks like your own home for the times you’re at sea, after which instantly it’s not! My mother and I each really feel cruise ships have a coziness about them, and I all the time stay up for getting on! Getting off is a bit unhappy to me.
We had one closing breakfast on our balcony earlier than we left at 9am (Room service is complimentary any day you need, however it’s particularly handy for the ultimate day!).


Cotton Home Lodge
We took our baggage to the Cotton Home Lodge by way of Uber and dropped them with the valet for the reason that room wasn’t prepared but. I truly booked this room with Marriott factors and also you’d by no means understand it was half of a giant firm. It was GORGEOUS!














City Hike
We got down to discover Barcelona with out a lot of an itinerary.


Mid-morning snack!


We walked a few miles as much as Park Güell, however alas we weren’t ready that tickets had been bought out for the day.


So, we walked the perimeter after which headed again down the hill.




At this level we had been prepared for lunch, so we went again to Cotton Home to verify on our room and luxuriate in lunch at their restaurant. It was too sizzling to take a seat outdoors, however the inside was simply as charming. I used to be critically obsessive about this lodge!


We had fried oysters, croquettes, and a very scrumptious hummus.




Afterwards, we went to the rooftop pool for a nap!


By 3pm our room was prepared, so we went there to relaxation somewhat, unpack for the night time, and clean up. Beloved our room!




We headed again out for extra strolling and exploring, however we went south to the Gothic District. The Sagrada Família was in the wrong way as our dinner, however now we remorse not going! We did get to see the Cathedral.


I liked this a part of town – the buildings had been lovely and there was tons of purchasing!






Completely happy hour
We sat down for a drink round 5pm and chatted with one other couple subsequent to us who had been from Germany. Cocktails had been €14 and wine was €4!


On the hunt for good tapas, we had a resy at El Chigre and sat on the bar window (This was advisable by our lunch waiter).


We had Spanish wine and the perfect glowing water with lemon (it was a factor and I liked it!)




I didn’t take pics of every little thing, however we’ll admit this meal was somewhat disappointing. Thomas didn’t love the stuffed dates or tomato toast. I used to be simply so full from the cruise week that I didn’t have the most important urge for food, however I assumed the meals was nonetheless good. We ended up having a lighter dinner and stored strolling.




Our tour de Barcelona ended at Las Ramblas, the well-known pedestrian avenue. There have been so many individuals out!


It was solely becoming we ended our journey with extra gelato.


We had been up at 5:30am the subsequent morning for our flight dwelling by Paris. It was a LONG day of journey, however we additionally bought so fortunate with {a partially} empty flight from Paris to Raleigh the place we didn’t have anybody sitting between us.
Couldn’t wait to hug my boys once we arrived!!!
They’d the perfect time with Grammie and Pea, and I’ll be sharing extra about their adventures subsequent week!




We had such a tremendous journey, however I’m glad to be dwelling candy dwelling!