Congost de Mont-rebei is that quiet, middle child nobody notices because her louder siblings – the Costa Brava beaches and Pyrenees ski stations – get all of the attention. Last May, our family friend, Ricardo, casually shared with me a photo of an area in Catalunya where he wanted to take his family hiking. I look at and take many…
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Masks are the new black. Obviously, they are for protection first and foremost. Of course. But listen, so are shoes and coats, yet look at all of the options we have (and insist on having). With the possibility of masks becoming mandatory in Spain, don’t settle for the plain white or medical blue versions. Some people quickly jumped onto the…
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The COVID-19 lockdown officially robbed us of the start of spring, along with our dreams of enjoying new, lighter outfits under the lovely Mediterranean sun. But rest assured, not all is lost. We refuse to be indefinitely doomed to wearing loungewear that devilishly seduces us with comfy drawstring pants to hide our quarantine (over)eating sins. Look ahead with hope at…
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Sidewalks and bike lanes have been expanded by the ajuntament as one possible solution to encourage city residents to forego public transportation in Barcelona for shorter trips around town. COVID-required social distancing rules mean fewer of us can take public transportation; although the dedicated drivers continue to provide service, there are fewer buses and trains. As much as we already…
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In 2016, American Tracy Fontana opened the Barcelona gelato shop, Swiit, in the living room of her Gótico home. Now, one door up, she’s opened an interiors store. This is how her family transformed a backstreet into a community. Sweet Streets. Baixada de Viladecols is one of those quintessentially quaint streets in the Gothic Quarter where centuries-old remnants of Roman…
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Moving to Barcelona with my family and leaving behind my midwifery career in the United States left me feeling a bit homesick. I found myself chatting up any English-speaking pregnant woman I could find in the city. I met some through Spanish classes, my children’s school, friends, and a variety of other ways. I started asking these new friends about…
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Since the first sip. Wine and I are in a long term relationship. I have always appreciated wine, but I feel a little guilty for not taking the time to understand the complexity of it. In all honesty, it overwhelms me and I find it a bit intimidating. I know what types of wine I like and I know certain…
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