Down time in Barcelona - exploring Gracia - Rich and Rose day 5 and 6

One of the most common complaints of overly-ambitious travelers is that they end up trying to do too much. Every day has to be packed with activities both morning and afternoon, always on the go, trying to maximize your time. But for many people, this style ends up actually making the experience less enjoyable, as you don't have the down time to settle down at a local cafe, sip a cafe con leche while nibbling on a local delicacy like melindros or even churros con chocolate, and just reflect and relax, letting the culture and the city wash over you.

Rich and Rose took their down time to visit the Gracia district, one of the more popular, and in my humble opinion, best places to do just that. Filled with plazas and small streets, Gracia feels more like a town than anything else, despite being connected by Passeig de Gracia and just a stone's throw from some of the city's liveliest attractions. Going there with a local, someone who grew up in the area and knows all the back streets and where to find the best egg shop, or the olive oil specialist, or even where to find the best tea - coffee is the  big dog in Spain, so finding a good tea shop can sometimes be more complicated than it might first appear.

So a few hours spent wandering the streets, and the chance to stumble upon something magical, in this case the local town hall was open and the parade figures where on display. Sometimes it's the down time that turns out to provide some of your trips most memorable moments.

For more information or to plan your private guided tour in Barcelona, contact The Spanish Touch at 888-480-0013.