The Ostentatious and Decorative Streets of Festa Major de Gràcia 2015

Hi, everyone! July robbed August of all of the heat, so it seems we have a mild and rainy August. I’m not complaining. It’s perfect for being outdoors in the city! Also, you cannot miss the Festa Major de Gràcia in Barcelona. It’s the neighborhood festival of concerts, films, workshops, eating, drinking beers, and more…

Barcelona’s Non-Traditional Nativity Scene: Yay or Nay?

My family and I arrived at Plaça Sant Jaume to check out an awesome annual Christmas tradition in Barcelona. That would be the city’s official pessebre vivent, or living Nativity scene. It’s usually an extensive and elaborate pastoral landscape framing a grand moment in history — the birth of Jesus 2,000 years ago. We were looking forward to…

City of Lights

Barcelona at night is glistening right now. With all its holiday lights illuminating the streets, the city was beckoning us to come out and enjoy the Christmas glory. We intentionally left at late afternoon and waited for dusk to set in to see them turn on. And as soon as it hit 6pm, the city…

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Las Ramblas: Barcelona’s Vibrant Promenade

It’s entertaining and often gritty. And it’s a must-see in Barcelona — Las Ramblas. Before going, I wondered if we’d see Ronaldinho performing tricks of fancy footwork with his soccer ball or if we’d catch any illegal gambling along the pedestrian walkway. I’ve walked this street numerous times, and the experience is never the same…