Spain with the People We Love Most

There are trips you take because a place is beautiful.

And then there are trips you take because your people are there.

This one was both.

Our dear friends Mike and Kelly joined Patrick and me for this adventure. We have raised our kids side by side for years. Our oldest boys even studied together in Rome during their junior year of college, which gave us an excuse to explore Italy together. So when Mike and Kelly’s youngest chose Barcelona for his semester abroad, we did not hesitate. Spain was calling. Making it even better, great friends of all of ours, Darla and Glenn, joined along.

Watch out Spain, here we come!

Barcelona: Sunlight, Stone, and Staying Awake

We landed on April 3 and checked into the beautiful Hotel Barcelona Catedral. I cannot say enough about this property. The location in the Gothic Quarter was perfect. Everything felt walkable. The rooms were clean and comfortable. And the lobby bar became our first gathering spot each evening.

One rule when we land in Europe after an overnight flight: no naps. None. Get outside. Move your body. Let the sunlight reset your clock.

We followed a walking route inspired by Rick Steves, which is always one of our favorite ways to orient ourselves in a new city. That first afternoon we wandered through Plaça de Catalunya, down La Rambla, past hidden courtyards and quiet churches, through the Jewish Quarter, and into Plaça del Rei.

We stood outside the Cathedral of Barcelona, deciding to save the interior for another day. There is something magical about slowly layering a city rather than rushing through it.

Barcelona feels alive in a way that is hard to describe. It is historic yet modern. Elegant yet gritty. Grand but intimate.

And then there is Gaudí.

Walking into the Sagrada Familia was one of those moments where you go quiet without meaning to. The stained glass does not just glow. It washes over you. The colors move across the floor and walls like watercolor in motion. We had purchased our timed tickets weeks in advance, which I strongly recommend. Showing up without a reservation is a gamble I would not take.

We also explored Park Güell, strolled through Eixample to admire the architecture, wandered Parc de la Ciutadella, and spent time at Mercat de la Boqueria sampling fresh bites.

One of my favorite days was our excursion to Montserrat. The cable car ride up the mountain felt surreal. Jagged peaks rising around us. Silence in the air. The monastery perched dramatically against the rock. It felt peaceful and powerful all at once.

Barcelona gave us energy. It also gave us incredible meals, late night laughter, and that feeling of being exactly where you are supposed to be.

San Sebastián: Slow Walks and Pintxos Evenings

On April 8 we flew north to San Sebastián, also known as Donostia. The energy immediately shifted. Barcelona feels vibrant and buzzing. San Sebastián feels refined and relaxed.

We rented an apartment overlooking La Concha Beach and the Ayuntamiento. Waking up to that crescent-shaped shoreline every morning felt like something out of a movie.

Our first afternoon we did a walking food tour through Old Town. I always recommend this in a food-focused city because you learn how to order, what to try, and how locals move from bar to bar. San Sebastián is known worldwide for its culinary scene, and the pintxos culture is an experience in itself. You stand at the counter, choose what catches your eye, sip wine or cider, and move on to the next place.

The next day we walked the entire promenade and made our way up Monte Igueldo. The view over La Concha is breathtaking. We ordered drinks at the top and just sat there soaking it in. Those are the moments I treasure. No rushing. No agenda. Just being present.

Evenings were spent in Plaza de la Constitución with Aperol Spritzes, then wandering back through Old Town for more pintxos. And yes, dinner at Gandarias for ribeye absolutely lived up to the hype.

San Sebastián felt romantic. Walkable. Delicious. Effortless.

Rioja: Wine, Stone Streets, and Sunday with the Locals

Saying goodbye to our friends was bittersweet. They headed back toward Barcelona while Patrick and I continued on to Rioja wine country.

We stayed in Haro at Eurostars Los Agustinos, a former 14th century convent. Cloisters, stone archways, and quiet courtyards. I love hotels with history and character, and this one delivered.

What makes Haro special is how walkable it is to multiple wineries. We scheduled our tastings in advance, which is important because many are appointment-only.

We visited:

Bodegas Gómez Cruzado

Bodegas Bilbaínas

Bodegas Muga

Bodegas Roda

We intentionally mixed traditional producers with more modern expressions of Rioja. It was fascinating to taste the differences in aging, oak influence, and philosophy.

One afternoon we Ubered to Laguardia, a medieval hill town that looks like it has not changed in centuries. It was the day before Semana Santa, so it felt quiet and intimate. Cobblestone streets. Stone walls. Rolling vineyards in every direction.

Sunday in Haro might have been my favorite memory of the entire trip. We joined locals for a long Palm Sunday lunch. Rioja flowing freely. Two dollars a glass for wine that would cost far more at home. Laughter echoing through narrow streets. No one in a hurry.

Rioja reminded me of Tuscany in its beauty and food culture, but at a fraction of the price and with far fewer crowds.

Why Spain Stays With Me

Spain gave us architecture that moves you, food that lingers in your memory, wine that tells a story, and landscapes that shift from coast to mountain to vineyard in a matter of days.

But more than that, it gave us shared moments with friends who feel like family. Watching our kids grow up, then watching them explore the world, and now following them into new cities. That is a gift I do not take lightly.

Spain, you were everything. And we will be back.