¡Hola Barcelona! Tapas, Sangria, Paella – Oh My! (Pt. 3)
By Ashonté S. Lyles
In "Navigating Skies, Streets, and Seas to Barcelona," we delved into the meticulous planning required for a seamless group travel experience. Key decisions, such as selecting the ideal destination, crafting a flexible itinerary, and aligning schedules, were dissected. I emphasized the importance of comfort, budget, physical limitations, and shared experiences in shaping our travel choices. Barcelona emerges as the chosen port of call, leading us to embark on a captivating seven-day cruise aboard the Symphony of the Seas. Planning came with challenges, flight coordination intricacies, and strategic cabin selection, was just a glimpse. I also shared crucial travel tips, including enrolling in the State Department's STEP program, to add a layer of preparedness. As promised, anticipate more unexpected setbacks, delve into dining experiences, and our initial impressions of Barcelona in “¡Hola Barcelona! Tapas, Sangria, Paella – Oh My!”
Let’s GEAUX (go)!
As our journey to the Mediterranean unfolds, travel day finally arrives, and we begin with the hustle and bustle of the Las Vegas and Orlando airports, where the excitement of adventure collides with the reality of travel challenges. This is where the true essence of our journey takes center stage. Though I am excited, I am also apprehensive about all the snags we may encounter, especially at the Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which is the busiest airport in the world! Our plans to get to Barcelona before my parents were still in play despite their itinerary changes – so long as our connecting flight did not get delayed too long or canceled.
Airport Drama
And it begins on Thursday, September 7, 2023. Dad and Kimiyo left Las Vegas at their newly arranged flight time, 8 AM PST, landing in Denver, Colorado at about 11 AM. When we boarded our first flight from Orlando just after 3 PM EST, Dad and Kimiyo had already been in Denver for two hours of their six-hour layover. Marlon and I arrived at Orlando International Airport and sailed through bag-check, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening, and boarding. Our first flight landed in Atlanta exactly as scheduled at 5:02 PM. Props to Delta for doing a meticulous job, and we weren't slacking either. We took proactive steps to ensure smooth flying. We packed early, weighed our bags, and prepped the car the night before – all part of our game plan to dodge any last-minute glitches.
Know Before You GEAUX: 3 Tips to Smooth Sailing Through Air Travel Hassles
Flight Status Alerts: Stay in the loop with your flights by signing up for text or email alerts from your airlines. Imani Bashir's "Life Hacker" article spills the beans on various methods to set up these alerts across all your devices—check it out.
Trusted Traveler Programs: Dodge security line blues with DHS-approved trusted traveler programs, two of the most popular are TSA Precheck for U.S. departures and Global Entry for international arrivals. We have both! TSA Precheck lets you breeze through screening in five minutes or less on average—no need to strip down or unpack your bags. Bonus: Kids 12 and under can tag along with an enrolled parent or guardian, and those aged 13 to 17 can be enrolled like adults. Apply here.
Free Airport Parking: Being 100% Disabled Veterans, Marlon and I ride on DV plates under Florida State Statutes. This not only grants us free airport parking but also access to wheelchair/disabled parking when available. Are you a Veteran in Florida? Check if you qualify here. If you're not in the Sunshine State, dive into your state's statutes to unlock your perks for free public parking.
Upon landing in ATL with an hour and twenty-minute layover, we hopped on the train from the domestic to the international terminal, (note: never attempt to walk between terminals in this airport; always take the train). After finding our gate for the Air France flight (operated by Delta Airlines), we went back to the food court for drinks. Moments later, Delta notified us of a 45-minute delay. I’ll tell y’all what, the Atlanta airport knows how to ATL you all day! I updated Dad and Kimiyo in Denver, who were four and a half hours into their six-hour layover, exchanging pictures of our respective airport terminals.
Finally, at 7 PM EST, we all boarded our flights, but Marlon and I faced additional hiccups. Our seats were in the center row of four, and a crewmember directed me to the far aisle, causing some confusion with Marlon. As we reached our seats, someone was already seated in the row, adding unnecessary complications for placing our carry-on bags in the overhead compartments. Unbeknownst to me, I had created another setback by losing Marlon’s sleep medication specifically meant for the international leg! ¡Ay, Dios Mio! As the Spanish might say, it was about to be an extra-long fight, I mean flight.
Bienvenidos a Barcelona
We flew through the night, Marlon getting little to no sleep, and arrived in Barcelona on Friday, September 8th just after 9 am. We deplaned and proceeded to passport control in the non-Schengen area line for U.S. passport holders (among others), where they verified and stamped our passports and asked us the purpose of our visit. Then we proceeded to baggage claim and customs where they asked if we had anything to declare. Here is where you may be selected at random for further screening and/or baggage inspections. We did not have anything to declare and were cleared to exit the airport.
Know Before You GEAUX: Border Control and Customs in Europe
The Schengen Agreement
The Schengen Area allows passport-free travel across 26 European countries, promoting freedom of movement and simplified border controls. The agreement also simplifies travel for Americans in Europe by allowing entry to any Schengen country with a single visa. This streamlines border crossings and promotes seamless exploration across multiple countries during a single trip. Additionally, it enhances travel convenience by eliminating the need for individual visas for each Schengen country visited. Learn more about this travel restriction/agreement here.
After passing through Border Control and Customs, we made our way to the prearranged meeting point for our car service, which Marlon, 'The Navigator,' booked through Talixo (https://Talixo.com). Our instructions led us to the 'Go Natural Cafe' just outside baggage claim, where we were to meet our driver. The service was scheduled to wait up to 45 minutes from our scheduled arrival, so we had ample time to clear border control. However, upon reaching the designated spot, we couldn't find anyone holding a sign with our name. It was only when I turned my phone back on that I noticed several messages from the driver on WhatsApp. As I read through them and prepared to respond, the driver called via the app, explaining he was en route but stuck in heavy traffic.
This news didn't sit well with Marlon, who was growing increasingly frustrated amidst the bustling crowd, concerned about the potential implications if the car service failed us, especially since it was also responsible for picking up my Dad and Kimiyo, aka 'The Pathfinder,' later in the day. He was also still upset from the shakeups early in our trip.
Shortly after hanging up, we found ourselves being swiftly maneuvered around the winding exit ramp from the airport parking deck, onto the highway, and into the streets of Barcelona. And when I say swiftly, I mean it – our driver expertly navigated the bustling streets, making the journey to the Hilton Diagonal Mar hotel feel like a scene straight out of 'The Italian Job.'
Diagonal Mar
We arrived at the Hilton Diagonal Mar around noon. Check-in time was 3 pm so we asked if we could check in early. As Hilton Honors members we are eligible for priority check-in, late check-out, and points toward room upgrades among other perks. The clerk had an executive room available for early check-in so we were upgraded and allowed to have our luggage taken to our new room.
Know Before You GEAUX: 6 Perks of Hotel Loyalty Programs
Exclusive Discounts: Score special rates and discounts as a loyalty program member.
Flexibility Matters: Enjoy priority check-in and late check-out options for travel flexibility.
Points Galore: Accumulate points with each stay for free nights, upgrades, and premium perks.
Partners in Crime: Earn points beyond the hotel – think airlines, rental cars, and dining spots.
Personalized Perks: Get treated like a VIP with personalized services that make each stay memorable.
Loyalty Rewarded: Feel the love from your favorite hotel brand with recognition and appreciation.
We still had a few hours before Dad and Kimiyo were due to arrive so we decided to explore the neighborhood and get some tapas. As we left the hotel I received a call from my father saying they had arrived and asking where to meet the car service. I sent him their reservation information again and the address to the hotel. Then he asked if we had booked their room at the hotel, *facepalm, I said no, this was the only reservation they needed to make. But, crisis averted, the Hilton had plenty of rooms and they were able to book a room easily once they arrived.
The Hilton Diagonal Mar is directly across the street from the Diagonal Mar Centre (shopping mall) which has many nice restaurants inside at their food court and their outdoor terrace, featuring a modern playground with a DJ some nights to entertain the children at play. We told Dad and Kimiyo about the mall and food options and told them we would meet them there later.
We began our exploration by walking three blocks away to the Platja Llevant or East Beach in an area called Sallou, a popular tourist area known for its Costa Daurada or Golden Coast, aptly named for its gold sand beaches with their pristine turquoise blue water. It is just another quick six-minute walk to Platja de la Nova Mar Bella or the Beach of the New Beautiful Sea. This beach was revealed during the redevelopment of Barcelona's coastline for the 1992 Olympics hosted by the Catalan capital, it boasts a skate park, volleyball courts, and many other amenities. Nova Mar is also a nude beach, but no worries, many families frequent this beach with plenty of fully dressed sunbathers.
After strolling around the beach, we walked around the surrounding neighborhood and observed some murals that expressed the diversity, activism, and unity of the city.
Tapas Overload
Time for a snack! The tapas hunt was on. We spotted a lively tapas joint and approached a group of locals outside, asking if they were serving tapas yet. Through one of the women who translated for the owner, we learned they were only offering drinks for now but pointed us to another place nearby.
Turns out, we had a bit of a misunderstanding about tapas in Barcelona. While we expected small bites, what we got were hearty portions. We went for classics like Patatas Bravas (Fried potatoes), Croquetas (Rolls of minced meat fried in breadcrumbs), Tortilla de Patatas (Potato Omelet), Pan con Tomate (Bread with Tomato - toasted bread rubbed with ripe tomatoes, olive oil, and salt). However, our tastes have changed over the years, leaning towards lighter, more vegetarian/vegan options. Despite the small plates, the heavy, fried options left us feeling full before we started. The bite or two that we did eat was delicious.
Po' Boy vs. Tapas Shops
Called corner stores, groceries, markets, po' boy shops, minimarts, bodegas, sari-sari, or konbini depending on where you live. These shops are an important part of any city, they serve as community hubs and often have extended hours, conveniently located within walking distance of residential areas, workplaces, and transportation hubs, and they adapt to meet changing consumer needs and preferences.
La Rambla
We needed to walk off those tapas so we decided to take the Metro over to La Rambla, which divides the Gothic Quarter and the El Raval area. We found an intriguing grocery store called El Corte Inglés. This is a next-level shopping experience, it is the ultimate shopping paradise in Spain. It's this massive department store that's basically a city within itself. Here are a few photos and videos of El Corte Inglés and walking around Sallou, La Rambla, and the Gothic Quarter:
Barcelona Unveiled!
While we were people-watching on La Rambla, Dad and Kimiyo called to let us know they were ready to meet up at the Diagonal Mar Centre. We caught the L-Train (always wanted to say that - actually it's the Metro L4 line) back for sangría and more tapas 🇪🇸 - "¡Ay, Dios mío!" We ended the day with nightcaps at Cañas y Tapas on the Diagonal Mar Centre terrace and a playground scene with kids playing and dancing to an accompanying DJ.
Stay tuned for a candid exploration of the intricacies that come with travel, offering glimpses into the reality behind the glamour. The horizon beckons, promising an engaging continuation of our travel saga. Subscribe now to embark on this unfiltered adventure with us!
Harry Krishna on La Rambla, Barcelona, Spain September 2023
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