Easter Traditions in Spain: Las Monas de Pascua
Semana Santa (Holy Week) for Christians is a special time in Spain. Although the reputedly religious South of Spain is more well-known for its Easter traditions, pastry shop windows in Barcelona will be filled with las monas de pascua for the occasion. Las monas de pascua are hollow chocolate sculptures that symbolize the...
All About Celebrating Carnival in Barcelona
It’s that time of the year again in Barcelona! Get ready to pig out, drink, dress up and get wild during the seven days of fun leading up to Lent, a time of abstinence for Catholics. Carnival (Carnaval in Catalan) starts on February 23, Dijous Gras (Fat Thursday), with...
A Quick Guide to Castellers: Human Towers, a Catalan Tradition
The casteller tradition, specific to the region of Catalonia, Spain is said to have originated during the 18th century near Tarragona, where different colla (teams of castellers) began competing against one another to see who could create the tallest human castle possible. In 2010, castells were added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural...
Peak Inside the new Catalan Inspired Gastronomic Experience, Opera Samfaina
I stumbled upon Opera Samfaina while walking around Barcelona one day and was completely taken aback by what I found inside. This unique gastronomic experience on Las Ramblas, below the Liceu Opera Theater was created by world famous chefs, the Roca brothers, who opened El Cellar de Can Roca in the...
Foolproof Tips for Vegetarians and Vegans in Barcelona
Boasting some of the best cuisine in the world along with many decorated Michelin star restaurants and renowned chefs such as Ferran Adriá and Joan Roca, Spain doesn’t lack culinary excellence. Spanish gastronomy favors their meat and fish products, especially the famed jamón ibérico pata negra and many vegetarians and...
A Quick Guide to Sant Jordi: Celebrating the Day of Books and Roses
Every April 23, Barcelona (and all of Catalonia) becomes filled with bookstalls and roses on the most romantic day of the year! Locals celebrate the day of Sant Jordi (Saint George), the patron saint of Catalonia by rummaging through the many stands in search of the perfect book and stopping for a vermouth...