Rupit is Catalan for rock (from the Latin, rupes) and this historical treasure is carved from the stony hill it is perched upon. The town of Rupit is carved from Catalan stone, creating a dramatic, yet sleepy rural sight. Situated 98km from Barcelona, Rupit is the perfect distance for a day trip. We experienced it with two other Catalonian towns from between 1000 and...
An ancient bridge, a former abbey and a Jewish bath are just a few of the treasures waiting to be discovered in Besalu. Besalu is a sleepy town of 2,400, split between this cozy scene to the left and a slightly more recent addition beyond the other side of the new bridge. Since the 10th Century, it has been home to a thriving community of artisans and until the...
The world’s two richest teams, two of the greatest players of all time, a level of passion you won’t see anywhere else and over 98,000 rabid supporters – this El Clasico was always going to be one moment we’d never forget. The El Clasico Experience 2018 is FC Barcelona’s year. Having won finished the season as La Liga champions the previous weekend you can...
Quimet? What is it about a hole in the wall outlet in a nondescript El Poble Sec side street that brings celebrity chefs and foodies from all over the world? Why Conde Naste? Why Anthony Bourdain? Why would anyone bring attention to this tiny bottle shop that can’t fit more than 20 people at a time? Why let the secret out? Quimet y Quimet (pronounced Kimmet and...
Brunch and Cake – two of our favorite things. They had us from the moment we heard the name. Then we saw the place and we were smitten. Brunch is Jess’s favorite meal of the week. If she had a choice we’d be brunching every day. To her, it’s not about bottomless mimosas or bloody marys. It’s about being able to enjoy the types of foods that really shouldn’t be...
It’s easy to fall for Barcelona’s tourist traps but if you dig a little deeper you can find the genuine places the locals drink… Like Bar Ja-Cai Step away from Barri Gotic and La Rambla, stroll in the direction of the water and the demographics change. Backpacker hostels, weed shops and souvenir vendors are quickly replaced by supermercats, cramped apartments...
Famed for its tapas, cocktails and oh-so-perfect setting, Ocana is the perfect initiation into casual Spanish dining. The late afternoon sun is beating down on us as we make our way through narrow canyon like alleyway of the passage de la Paz. Above, ornate arches and mosaic bridges join neighboring buildings. Stone meets stucco and cobble meets concrete. The alley...
Reputedly one of the world’s great markets, expect divine fresh food, new tastes and ridiculously large amounts of people. Like a giant vacuum, Mercat de la Boqueria’s one-hundred-plus-year-old pavilions suck crowds of people off La Rambla and into its covered, wrought iron darkness. The ornate stained-glass awning has greeted market goers since the 1840s (though...
