The Addition Edit

Spain with Love: From Barcelona to the Mediterranean

Spain with Love: From Barcelona to the Mediterranean

Writing this blog four years after our honeymoon, with our son playing next to me is surreal. The honeymoon period that everyone talks about, I have found, is not the beginning of the relationship but it’s the authentic experience of earning a place in someone’s heart. With the cyclical nature of life and relationships, we earn that place every once in a while. In between, the stretches of safety and comfort, reclaiming our love has us re-entering the honeymoon period constantly. We got married in February, 2022, after the wedding, we decided to take some time for me to settle in Dubai and that would give us the chance to plan our honeymoon together. During the first couple of months, our days and weeks were spent making our living space our home, in between visiting local hotels, swimming in private pools and enjoying the Dubai weather at the beach.

For our honeymoon, we wanted somewhere fun, vibrant and rich with culture for explores that don’t hike. I envisioned small plates of colorful food, magnificent architecture, passionate people and music that can be felt. Here is almost everything we experienced in Spain.

Barcelona

The transition from the quiet, blurry days of newlywed bliss to the overwhelming vitality of Catalonia was breathtaking. Stepping out into the crisp May air, felt as though the city itself was celebrating with us. We stayed at Hotel Majestic which was perfectly located on the glamours street of Passeig de Gràcia, where the luxury brands were spread and nestled near two residential masterpieces from the genius architect Antoni Gaudí.

The House of Dreams: Where Antoni Gaudí Rewrote the Sky

The first one is directly across from the hotel, Casa Batlló, a UNISCO world heritage icon renowned for its vibrant, bone-like balconies, iridescent mosaic facade, and a colorful roof resembling the arched spine of a dragon. We toured the interior of this building and felt the authenticity and originality of Gaudi’s work not only throughout the walls and bones of the structure but also in the curated interior that felt unapologetically integrated with the exterior. Two blocks down from our hotel, stood another one of Gaudi’s renown buildings, Casa Milà (popularly known as La Pedrera) an architectural marvel famous for its undulating stone facade and surreal, sculpture-like chimneys.

On our first day in Barcelona, we headed to the cities most famous landmark, La Sagrada Família (Formally known as the Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família). This is a church started by Antoni Gaudi in 1882 but never finished, it stands as a wholly unique monument of faith, art, and human perseverance as it continues to further bloom into wholeness with every passing year. The structure beautifully displays nature’s influence on Gaudí’s work, as he moved away from conventional, rigid straight lines, opting instead to mirror the fluid forms and structures found throughout nature. As I looked around, my eyes couldn’t help but climb the monumental pillars that are artfully carved to resemble towering trees. Reaching toward the ceiling, they divide into branch-like extensions that hold up the vaulted roof above. With that my skin was washed with colorful reflections from the stained glass windows that were strategically placed to employ natural light. The morning sun bathes the east-facing nativity facade to symbolize the dawn of life, whereas the west-facing passion facade captures the intense shadows of the afternoon to reflect themes of pain and sacrifice.

To dive further into the Gaudi rabbit hole, we decide to take a whimsical stroll up the hillside in Park Güell. Originally conceived by Antoni Gaudí and Count Eusebi Güell as a high-end residential estate, it was later converted into a municipal park that showcases a flawless harmony between avant-garde design and the natural landscape.

Cobblestone Symphonies: Getting Lost in the Pulse of the City

The vibrant yet unconventional design of Barcelona is a visual representation of the raw authenticity of the Catalonian people. Anchoring a fierce, unyielding pride in the poetry of their stone streets and the vibrant tapestry coloring their buildings. My husband and I found ourselves continuously getting mindfully lost in the city air, we floated across the iconic tree lined street of La Rambla to the old port for dinner. The next day we navigated the ocean of chic boutiques and luxurious high end stores until we randomly made our way to the Barcelona zoo. The lush sanctuary provided the perfect dose childlike joy, it offered a wide verity of animals and the size was perfect for a morning wander. Next, we left the wild rhythms of the zoo and were called towards the mystical allure of old Barcelona, in the Gothic Quarter. Luckily, it was Saturday and there were two markets in Quarter, an antique market and a food market (both worthwhile). As we walked the gothic streets, the singing of a street artist dressed in old school clothing, singing opera flooded the narrow paths and I couldn’t help but wonder what magic took place in those streets in centuries prior and how it must look so different now.

The Camp Nou

The choice of visiting Barcelona in May was intentional as it was during the finals of La Liga. Four years later, looking back, I realize that sharing a stadium with thousands of strangers, yet feeling entirely tethered to one person, is exactly how you reclaim that honeymoon warmth in the middle of a crowd. Seeing Camp Nou for the first time wasn’t just about football; it was about stepping into a temple of pure devotion. For my husband, it was a lifelong dream; for me, it was witnessing the boyish wonder return to his eyes and hearing the passion in the Catalonian chants for our team. Sports has always fascinated me, it is the one area people from across boards, beliefs, cultures…eta. become one unit, the passion of sports fans reflects our craving for human connection and belonging. Barcelona won the game and the experience was exhilarating!

Restaurants to try:

  • Parking Pizza
  • Piazza di’italia – Italian
  • Machaka – Smash Burger
  • Chivous – Burger near La Ramla
  • Megatzem – Near the port
  • Somewhere – Breakfast near historic center
  • Hammock – Breakfast
  • Brunch and Cakes – Breakfast near historic center

Marbella

After four intoxicating days in Barcelona, we rented a car and drove cross country to Marbella, Malaga. The city is splint into two area the old town and the port area, we decided to stay in the old town to immerse in the experience of the city. Stayed at Amare Beach Hotel, which was adults only and the rooms were tight so we had to upgrade for space but the views and proximity to the old town streets were wonderful.

The Extravagant Puerto Banus

Where Marbella transitions from a charming traditional Andalusian beach town to the glittering extravagance of super yachts, luxury cars, and high-end fashion boutiques along the Mediterranean edge. Here I bought my lady Dior in muted pink that I adore! and we ate pizza at a port front restaurant called Picasso. You will have to drive from old town to get to the port, the drive is short but traffic can build up so plan accordingly.

Old Town: A Love Affair with Old-World Spain

After securing my honeymoon bag, feasting on delicious pizza and exploring the white draped luxury boutiques of Puerto Banus all day, we headed back to our hotel for a good nights rest. The next day we had breakfast at the hotel and spent the morning by the beach. In the afternoon, we headed to the old town, where we were transported back in time by the cobble stones and small boutiques nestled in the bones of the sun drenched white buildings circling us. We had lunch at a random family owned traditional restaurant in the square, dessert donuts from a local bakery and a second dessert of ice cream and waffles from an ice cream shop near the bakery. The whole town felt cozy, intimate and with the street musicians playing all around, I couldn’t help but feel stillness, like the town was built around him and I and the three of us blended as one.

Seville

With the salty scent of Marbella’s breeze still surrounding us, we headed towards the beat of flamenco dancers, to Seville. The route we took lead us to Ronda, a spectacular Andalusian city built on a cliff, making it seem suspended in the sky. We spent the morning exploring and had lunch there.

Via Ronda Highlights

  • Puente Nuevo (Famous Bridge)
  • Plaza de Toros (Bullring and museum)
  • Baños Árabes (Arab Baths)
  • Palacio de Mondragón (Former residence of the Moorish King Abomelik)
  • Alameda del Tajo Park (Cliff views overlooking the lush greenery below)

Plaza del Triunfo, The Historic Heart of Seville

We walked down Ronda soaking in the rich history, feeling as though the city stands as a tribute to the generations prior. Once done, we got in the car and by the time we got to Seville it was dark and still. The next day, we woke up excited to explore and headed straight to the Seville Cathedral & Giralda Tower. We peaked inside the cathedral and climbed the stairs to the top of the tower, where the transportive panoramic visuals of the city filled us with respect for the determined preservation of history. After the climb, we worked up an appetite for paella, luckily it was offered in many of the restaurants in the square. After lunch, we walked around Santa Cruz, the medieval center of the city and made our way to The Alcázar of Seville. In Arabic Alcazar, means the palace, which resonated with Arabic and Islamic influences in the architecture and the interior designs and arts of the it.

Plaza de España, A Grand Embrace

Plaza de España, a crescent that arches like a passionate embrace around a canal, capturing the romantic vibrance of the Andalusian capital. The bricks were displayed mosaic art that narrated the stories of Spain and the locals were beautifully dressed in traditional colorful flamenco attire. We took pictures, walked along the arc and strolled the park, observed the streets buzzing with a passion that mirrored our own excitement.

Madrid

After experiencing the city version of Penelope Cruz in Woman on top, we hit the road again to Madrid, the country’s capital and our football rivals! I couldn’t wait. On a whim we decided to stop in Toledo, perched above a winding river and crowned by its majestic stone castle, Toledo felt like a medieval fairy tale. Took some time to walk around, had lunch and bought delicious marzipan candy (which they’re famous for). With the marzipan gift baskets secured for back home, we continued our road trip to Madrid, listening to Ed Sheeran, John Legend and drinking diet coke.

Madrid was far removed from the traditional towns of the south and globed in the rush of the city. We stayed at Hotel NH Collection Madrid that Gran Vía, which overlooked the city’s most iconic street. Our days in Madrid were spending aimlessly walking, getting blissfully lost in the hustle and bustled and doing a lot of shopping. We were attracted to the rich aroma of velvety, thick Spanish hot chocolate at Churrería-Chocolatería Las Farolas, a cosy, traditional cafe with small tables and dim lighting for a immersive experience.

Madrid Highlights

  • Museo del Prado (art museum)
  • The Royal Palace
  • Puerta del Sol (city square)
  • Gran Via (street shopping)
  • Calle de Ortega y Gasset (street of high-end luxury shops)

Spain wasn’t just a destination—it was a mood.

From the sunny coastlines to the mesmerizing history, the country has a way of slowing you down and making you present. We’re heading home with a full camera roll, a deeper appreciation for good design and the progression of time. The book that accompanied me on the trip was The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness, the title is self explanatory. It was a useful read, helped me put life into perspective (in alignment with this trip), but this was before I started reading fiction for growth and development and so I wish I had a good book set in Spain for an immersive read, although that has come in future trips. Nonetheless, our honeymoon in Spain provided the perfect blueprint for how we want to experience life together.

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