As soon as we walked into the lobby, we met Javier, our guide for the trip. He pointed out the clipboard where he’d be posting each day’s schedule—so we’d always know when and where to show up. We were told to meet back in the breakfast room at 5 p.m. Just like that, our Rick Steves adventure was officially underway.

Our agenda for Day 1!

5:00 PM, rolled around we went to the meetup and spotted Bob & Barb. We started to meet the rest of the group, everyone seemed nice and like a lot of fun. One guy even worked hard learning everyone’s name and knew mine!! Javier welcomed us with wine and snacks.

Apparently they have a name game and one of our fellow travelers named Rick was walking around guessing everyone’s name! Yes, he got mine right.

Cheers to a wonderful 2 weeks with the best of friends!!

Javier made introductions, we went around the room providing name, where we are from and how many Rick Steve tours we have been on.

He also explained that we didn’t have to play the name game. I was very glad because I would not have done well. Rick on the other hand had everyone’s down pat!

Then he gave us the lowdown: how the tour would work, what to expect, and tips for navigating Spanish culture. He explained that not all our hotels would be like this one—some would be more basic, some would be nicer, but all would be clean,

Javier gave us a crash course in how things work in Spain: light breakfast (maybe coffee and toast), a snack mid-morning, then a big lunch around 2 or 3—that’s their main meal of the day. After that, a little downtime or siesta, and then dinner, usually something light like tapas, starts around 9 or even 10 p.m. Daylight Saving Time? They basically ignore it. “We eat when we’re hungry, not when someone tells us,” he said. It’s a whole different rhythm—and one we’d have to get used to.

Then came the first snag—The Sagrada Família had just released a limited set of timed-entry tickets, and the only slot available for our group was during the exact SAME time we’d booked Flamenco. Gaudí at sunset won. Flamenco was out. Very disappointed we couldn’t join Kathy & Paul.

At 7:00 PM, we met outside for our first walking tour. Javier handed out whisper headsets and told us to pick a buddy—someone we didn’t already know. I turned to the woman next to Tim and asked if she had one. “Yes.” Ugh. Everyone else paired up fast. Javier called out, “Who doesn’t have a buddy?” I raised my hand. “Perfect,” he said. “I need one too.” So yes—I got paired with the tour guide. Total win.

Javier pointing to grocery store for buying our picnic lunch for the high speed train to Madrid on Wednesday

After we all paired up, we all gathered up onto the wide, modern avenue where our hotel was—lined with sleek storefronts and high-end shops. Javier pointed out a grocery store just past the big vertical thermometer and reminded us to grab something for a picnic lunch on the high-speed train to Madrid on Wednesday.

We set off through a different section of Barcelona’s Old City—not the lively, tourist-filled side near Plaça Reial where we had lunch earlier, but the quieter, more residential heart of the Gothic Quarter. The streets here were even narrower, the buildings more worn and shadowed, and the energy felt completely different—local, layered, and deeply historic.

Getting started hearing about the history of the area
This is on the corner of Cercle Artístic de Sant Lluc

We passed the Cercle Artístic de Sant Lluc, once home to artists like Gaudí and Miró, and wandered through hidden courtyards and quiet alleys. More about Gaudi tomorrow.

As we walked, Javier pointed out the flags hanging from balconies. Catalonia independence flags, rainbow pride flags, Palestinian flags—you name it. He said this is how people in Barcelona express themselves: no shouting, no signs. Just fabric in the breeze. A quiet kind of protest or pride.

Protests One for Catalonia independence and one for not above art school

Traveler, don’t pass by. You are on Amargós Street, a street that is not bitter, and it will welcome you kindly.

And then… the eyeball building. A massive modern façade covered in black glass orbs—it looked like dozens of eyes staring back at us. We all stopped. Javier explained it was a controversial local art installation. Some people love it. Some people hate it. I couldn’t stop staring.

Eventually, we looped back to Taberna Onofre, a cozy restaurant tucked on a side street, for our welcome dinner. We sat down with our new travel crew, passed plates of tapas, sipped wine, and shared stories.

The wine was flowing!
Heading home!

Day one was officially in the books—and what a day it was. We were so excited about what is to come!