The sun was shining and all of Barcelona lay at our feet so off we went – on our feet – bright and early. We really have walked miles, happily, and now that we’ve mastered the public transit system in all its forms, nothing feels too far. Walking up the grand avenue ‘Passeig de Gracia’ with all its elegant shops, rich facades and wide sweeping views we were determined to get more Gaudi and visit the Casa Batllo. This is the spectacular house pictured above that he designed for the wealthy industrialist Batllo. The result is a feast for the eyes and an architectural marvel…we loved it!

Every floor was a marvel, every room a delight and even the staircases were fascinating. Both the colours and the spaces that were whitewashed fed the soul. The textures, coloured glass and exquisite woods, the way the light fell and played – all combined was extraordinary. We couldn’t get enough of it!

Walking further along the Passeig we passed the amazing Casa Mila (also called La Pedrera) which seemed conservative compared to some of Gaudi’s other works…and the very tiles that were beneath our feet on the sidewalk were also Guadi’s. Overwhelmed we descended to yet another metro station and took the train to Placa Espanya.

The space here is imposing and grand and proved a huge contrast to Guadi. We rode the outdoor escalators up to the patio outside the gallery and relaxed to take in the view. The surrounding gardens were lush and fountains sprinkled everywhere.

After a fast metro ride back to the Gothic neighbourhood, we strolled the streets, took in the Parc de la Ciutadella and decided on a quiet evening.