Tips About the Cabaret at the Barcelona Edition

One of the best meals we had in Spain was at the Cabaret show at the Barcelona Edition.  This was such a unique way to spend the night eating delicious local cuisine and drinking cava while watching some talented dancers. This sexy show is perfect for a romantic night out!  Read on for tips about the Cabaret Show at the Barcelona Edition, in Spain.

TAKE A PEEK INTO THIS ROMANTIC RESTAURANT…

The Cabaret restaurant is tucked away on the basement floor, and feels like no other restaurant I’ve ever been in.

Dim lighting sets the mood and dark red velvet curtains hang throughout the room and drape around the bar.

THE CHEF’S TASTING MENU IS A MUST!

We had the Chef’s Tasting Menu (100 EUR per person) that consisted of about a 10-course meal (I lost count after a while…lol).

Take a peek at this amazing meal…

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Picasso Museum, A Gem in Barcelona, Spain


The Picasso Museum, which opened in 1963, is another must-see attraction while in Barcelona.  The museum shows the deep connection Picasso had to the city, and you will learn all about what made Picasso one of the most famous artist in history. Let me tell you all about it…

Where is this fabulous building located?

Getting to the museum is a delight, because you will weave through small dark alleyways in a gorgeous section of Barcelona.  The building itself is a work of art, and it fits in well with the Gothic architecture of the city.

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All about museum tickets…

The Picasso Museum is one of the most popular attractions in Barcelona, so I would suggest buying tickets online before you go.  They like to keep crowds to a minimum, so they only allow a certain number of people in at a time. As with most attractions, the tickets are timed and you will need to arrive during your window or you will not be allowed to enter.

 

Ticket costs…

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15 Books that Make the Ultimate Christmas Gift

Christmas is the perfect time to share your favorite stories with friends and family.  Maybe it’s the former language arts teacher in me talking, but I think there’s nothing better than getting lost in a good book.   My favorite moments during summer are afternoons spent with the girls on the hammock as we each get lost in our own chapters. Looking for a good book for someone this Christmas?  Look no farther than this list of 15 books that make the ultimate Christmas gift. These books are full of characters you wish you could meet, lives you’re thankful you didn’t live, and endings that wish would never come.  Pick some up as gifts or as a gift for yourself that you can enjoy after the craziness of this holiday season.

Enjoy!  Happy shopping!!

Where the Crawdads Sing

By: Delia Owens

Where the Crawdads Sing: For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So, in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life – until the unthinkable happens. Click link to purchase.

That Night

By: Chevy Stevens

That Night: Toni Murphy was eighteen when she and her boyfriend, Ryan, were wrongly convicted of the murder of her younger sister. Now she is thirty-four and back in her hometown, working every day to forge and adjust to a new life on the outside. She’s doing everything in her power to avoid violating her parole and going back to prison. But nothing is making that easy – not Ryan, who is convinced he can figure out the truth; not her mother, who clearly doubts Toni’s innocence; and certainly not the group of women who made Toni’s life miserable in high school and who may have darker secrets than anyone realizes. Before Toni can truly move on, she must risk everything to find out the truth and clear her name. Click link to purchase.

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Tips on Seeing the Palau Dalmases Flamenco Show in Barcelona

Photo Credit: Palau Dalmases

Although there are lots of places to watch flamenco dancing in Barcelona, Spain,  it becomes an unforgettable experience when you find an authentic, high-quality show.  One of the most memorable nights we had in Barcelona was when we visited the Palau Dalmases. I can hardly wait to tell you all about it!

Where is Palau Dalmases located?

Tucked into the dark side street of Calle Montcada, the former Baroque Palace hosts nightly performances.  Since it is right near the Picasso Museum, we decided to visit the museum before our show. You may miss this unimposing doorway if you’re not paying attention.

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Tips on Visiting Park Gϋell: A Gaudi Masterpiece in Barcelona

If you’re looking for a place to truly see the masterpieces of Antoni Gaudi, a Spanish architect and an overall hero in Barcelona, Park Gϋell is the place you’ll want to be.  I’m sure Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s famous church, is on your itinerary, and if it’s not then you’ll definitely be missing out. (Click here for tips on a perfect visit to Sagrada Familia.) But today is all about the outrageous architecture of Park Gϋell!  First, I’ll fill you in on ten tips to make the most of your visit, and then I’ll take you on a little tour of my favorite areas of the park.

FIRST OFF…WHAT IN THE WORLD IS PARK GϋELL?

Park Gϋell (pronounced Gwell, as my cab driver corrected me) was intended to be a housing development for the wealthy citizens of Barcelona.  Eusebi Gϋell contracted Gaudi to design it, but the plans fell through because of lack of interest and funds and only two out of the 60 planned houses were actually constructed there.  The city, who has a love…and I mean LOVE for Gaudi, turned it into a public park. It is now one of the most visited places in Barcelona.

READY FOR SOME TIPS?

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Tips on Visiting Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s Must-See Creation in Barcelona

One name you will hear repeated throughout your visit in Barcelona, is of the Catalonian architect, Antoni Gaudi.  He is a hero in these parts and after taking one look at his creations, you’ll see why.  Sagrada Familia, a Roman Catholic church, is one of Gaudi’s most famous creations.  Construction began in 1883 and he worked on it until his death in 1926.  Construction continued throughout the years and as of now it is about 70% complete.  But don’t let the fact that it’s not finished stop you from visiting because it is hands-down the most beautiful church I’ve ever seen.  It is my #1 recommendation for Barcelona, but trust me…lots of people will have it on their agenda too, so here are…

10 Tips for a Perfect Visit to Sagrada Familia

BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE…SERIOUSLY!  This is the one tip that I would stress the most.  I felt so bad seeing the look on people’s faces when they showed up at the gates and saw the sign that read, “No tickets left for purchase today.” The best way to purchase tickets is through the website.  You can keep your tickets right on your phone, or print them out. (FYI…I always print out my tickets and keep them on me as a backup.) I would recommend buying tickets at least 2-3 weeks in advance.  (I’m pretty sure they are available 2 months ahead of time.)

GET THERE ON TIME: Tickets are allocated in 15-minute time slots and they are not joking when they say you MUST be there at your assigned time.  They do this so it keeps the entrance to the church running smoothly, so don’t expect them to make an exception for you.  I’ve heard they will turn you away if you miss your time slot and that would be a waste of money.  Once you get inside you can stay for as long as you want.

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Barcelona Edition

Photo credit: Barcelona Edition

I was so excited to join my husband on a trip to Barcelona, Spain, to celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary, even if we would only be there for a few days. Since we had such little time, I knew location was going to be super important.  I also knew I wanted to stay in the Gothic Quarters, where we could explore the maze of cobblestone streets.  The Barcelona Edition, which only opened a year ago, was the perfect hotel, and I’m thrilled I chose it for our stay.

While we were there, protests were going on in the city.  In fact, one day there were 525,000 people involved in the protests.  Although it was organized and safe throughout the day, at night there were cars burning in the street and fights between police and protesters.  The hotel did a wonderful job caring about the safety of their guests.  They placed extra security at the front door, and several times they placed notes in our room keeping us updated about what was going on. I am so thankful to the staff for making me feel completely safe during our time there.

Read all about our stay….

A Tourist in Spain During the Barcelona Protests

After I posted some pictures during my trip to Barcelona last week, people have been emailing me with tons of questions about what was going on while I was there since my pictures included burning cars and officers with guns.  People have been wondering if it is safe to visit Barcelona during the protests.  So, I thought I would answer all of the questions I’ve been getting, since it was unlike any trip I’ve ever taken.  Here we go…

WHAT WERE THE PROTESTS ABOUT?

On Monday, October 14, a Spanish court handed down lengthy jail terms to 9 Catalan leaders for their role in a 2017 secession attempt.  People were outraged, so it sparked a week-long protest throughout the streets of Barcelona, the highways, and airport. I had a flight into Barcelona that Wednesday…two days into the protests.

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE YOUR TRIP TO PREPARE? WERE YOU NERVOUS?

I’m not gonna lie…I came really close to canceling my trip. I was afraid of flying in because I had heard on Monday people were stuck at the airport and many had to either sleep on the floor or walk with their luggage for six miles on the highway to get to the subway since there was no transportation leaving the airport. My husband was already in Barcelona for work, and he wouldn’t tell me to come unless he felt I would be safe, so that helped me feel less anxious.  He also hired me a driver that would be waiting for me at the airport.

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October Product Roundup: Products I Loved While Camping This Summer

As many of you know, we spent A LOT of time outdoors this summer camping each weekend while our house was being built.  We got to experience lots of different products and these are a few of my favorites! So…the Product Roundup for September is all about products you can use while CAMPING! Enjoy!

Kachula Adventure Blanket

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM:  When you’re traveling, you need to expect the unexpected.  This blanket is the most versatile I’ve seen.  You can take it with you to the beach, the park, camping, on road trips…it’s endless. Feeling sleepy? This blanket stuffs into itself so you can use it as a pillow.  It also has a snap-attached hood so it can be used as an emergency poncho.  There are many colors you could choose from.  Personally, I wouldn’t have chosen the camouflage one, since there were several others that are more my style.

WHAT ELSE I LOVE ABOUT THEM: The top of this blanket is made from a soft flannel material and the bottom is a water-resistant nylon.  We used it last weekend at a soccer game.

COST: $47

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2 Day Itinerary for a Solo Getaway to Stowe, Vermont

The start of the school year has gone off with a bang…theater rehearsals, soccer practice, homework, tests, and even a fractured foot for one of my kiddos.  October was looking to be even more crazy, so I was thrilled to  head to Vermont for a little relaxation. My tires practically burned as a sped off with my music blasting for my three-hour drive to one of my favorite states.  I love autumn in New England and was thrilled to see that the leaves were just starting their dazzling display of colors. 

Let me show you how to spend 2 perfect days in Stowe, Vermont…

Day 1: (Mine was a Sunday)

Your first stop is to Cold Hollow Cider Mill. There is an explosion on your senses as you walk through the door.  There are so many locally-made products that you won’t know where to look first.  I loved that they have a beehive there enclosed in glass (pic) and you can actually buy honey that is produced by these bees.  I can’t wait to taste some.

  Since it is a cider mill, you have to taste their warm cider donuts.  What?  It’s not like you have a choice…lol! Head on over to their Apple Core Luncheonette and Brew.  Try the “Vermont To the Core” (bacon, apple slices, cheddar and apple jelly) and a glass of their hard cider, Barn Dance. (You may want to pick up some cans or a growler to bring home!)

If you’re lucky enough to be there on a Sunday, drive to the Stowe Farmer’s Market that takes place from 10:30-3:00.  Everything is made local…soap, dips, cheese, wooden trays, pottery, wine, honey, jewelry…endless! There is even live music.

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