Snapshot: Barcelona

Barcelona is one of those cities of contrast where old meets new in a major way. Big, bold, and filled with European holiday goers. While too sprawling to fully explore in a couple of days, let alone on foot, we managed to hit some of the highlights and get a sense of what the hubbub was all about. Beaches draw crowds, even though the water can be quite frigid.  However, this wasn’t the picturesque and serene shore I’d jump on an plane for, the real gem for me was the old part of town better known as the Gothic Quarter.  This is where tiny, winding streets and artisan eateries and shops transport you away from the grandness that is the rest of the city.