Tapas have become one of Spain’s most popular culinary exports, small dishes served alongside local wines at cozy bars throughout the country. Tapas bars are popular gathering places and an excellent spot to rub elbows with locals. Pull up a barstool and join us as we introduce you to some of the most common dishes…
How long does it take to build a basilica? On a recent trip to Barcelona, I learned that the Sagrada Familia Basilica is scheduled for completion in 2026, 144 years after construction began and 100 years after the death of its visionary architect, Antonio Gaudi. There is something about his joyous celebration of faith rooted…
As spring merges into summer, gardens in much of Europe are at their most vibrant and colorful. Whether you seek out gardens as a main sight for your day or duck into them as a respite from sightseeing in built environments, it is hard not to fall in love with these lovingly cultivated spaces. They…
Barcelona is an incredible city with plenty to do. But day tripping out of the city will broaden your experience. The beauty of spending a week or two on a Barcelona UnTour is that you have time to venture out. Montserrat is one of the most popular day trips from Barcelona. A visit to Montserrat…
There’s nothing like travel to stoke romance. The sights and sounds and smells and tastes of new places can stir your passion for living, and sharing those thrills with another is a perfect way to build your relationship. UnTours are made for love, giving you space to spread out in an apartment, autonomy to do…
Adriana Nadal coordinates our Barcelona UnTour and welcomes our guests on the ground in Spain. She was born in Barcelona and works there as a journalist and in theater. Here she reflects on the movement for Catalan independence, its history, and what she’s seen on the streets in her beloved hometown. If I look back…
Barcelona boasts the biggest network of municipal markets in Europe, with over 40 food markets and 6 non-food markets. The importance of the modern market in Barcelona dates back to the 19th century when the first covered markets were built. Since then, markets have come to be thought of as vital public spaces. Each…
Meet Adriana, our local UnTours staff representative on the Barcelona UnTour. She is a great resource for our guests in Barcelona, resourceful, smart, full of city knowledge, and quick with a friendly smile. Like so many of our European staff members, Adriana has a fascinating background and a very rich professional life beyond her work with us….
Top 10 Places to Go in Spain Barcelona This seaside city, known for its quirky architecture, outstanding seafood, and rich art history, is a must-see for anyone traveling to Spain. Architecture really is the center of attention, with great works from Antoni Gaudí, the famously-unfinished church of La Sagrada Familia, and many other cathedrals, buildings…
Welcome to Spain, where eating habits are a little different than ours. If you value eating with the locals but prefer your dinner before 9pm, you’d best discover Spain’s bountiful tapas bars! “Be prepared to eat later,” Spanish UnTour Specialist Sonia Ratcliffe explains. “The Spanish eating schedule varies greatly from many Americans’ habits, with…