Barcelona

My husband and I left sunny Malaga early today for an impromptu trip to Barcelona where we'll be staying a few days at the city's iconic Hotel Arts. Located on the beach overlooking Port Olimpic, its' 455 rooms and suites plus 28 duplex apartments on the top floors offer fantastic views of the Mediterranean or the city including Gaudi's unfinished cathedral, the Sagrada Familia.

We had been to Barcelona almost two years ago when we first arrived in Spain but unfortunately haven't been back since. We were lucky enough to have stayed at the Hotel Arts then as well as now so we are a little bit familiar with their restaurant offerings and the penthouse Six Senses Spa. I'm looking forward to going back to their hip and happening tapas restaurant Arola, the local outpost of celebrated Michelin-starred Catalan chef, Sergi Arola. I also want to try and make it back to Barcelona's celebrated market, La Boqueria, and experience tapas at Pinotxo or at least a pa amb tomaquet (Catalan's breakfast of tomato-rubbed toast) right in the middle of all the food stalls and vendors. Lots to see and taste so check back in a couple of days for my gourmet update on Barcelona.