One of the highlights of Barcelona was visiting the church that was originally designed by Gaudi –  La Sagrada Familia.  This massive church isn’t actually finished yet – more than a hundred years after being started it is still being completed to Gaudi’s design.  In the last few years the inside (pictured above) has been opened up as it has been finished.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we arrived we learned that we had a two hour wait until we could go up one of the towers.  We thought that this would be way too much time, but by the time we had visited the museum, watched the video, explored the inside and the outsides and had a picnic the time had flown by.  We took the lift up the tower and then walked down.  It was fascinating to be in a church that is still under construction and to see the peculiar mix of Gothic and modern styles as well as the purely Gaudi-esque touches.

 

 

 

 

From here we walked to Barcelona’s Arc de Triomphe before heading over to see the Magic Fountain – a free sound and light fountain show.

 

 

On our last full day in Barcelona we headed to Parc Guell, a park that was designed by Gaudi.  We spent time strolling around looking at the crazy designs before having our picnic lunch up the top overlooking the city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After lunch we headed down to the beach, but sadly just as we got there the clouds came. It was still interesting to see Barceloneta beach, which was created for the Barcelona Olympics and our patience was rewarded when the sun came back late in the afternoon.