Because we are engaged in the business of creating a ‘sense of belonging and place,’ we notice locations that create this feeling in the two of us when we travel. We attempt to document them, describe them for ourselves, remember them vividly, in order to recreate pieces of the experiences at home in the lives we lead every day. Some of these places are in Texas, the Southwest, and across the U.S. And some are on other continents. Our trip to Barcelona was just such a memorable place, one in which we feel that we belong, to its people, its landscape, and its culture.

As we say “goodbye” in this last chapter of our Spain Blog, we look at why certain places hold special meaning for us. Why do some have a strong identity and character that is deeply felt by its visitors? What we identify in all of them is a mix of the natural and cultural features in the landscape and the people who occupy it. There are places that represent an interaction of nature and of man that belong uniquely to these locales and stay with us for a long time.

So what is so distinct and rare about Barcelona and the surrounding region of Catalan that still resonates, long after we return home? We made a list so that should you ever find yourself on the Costa Brava, you will look for what we loved there: Azure blue sky; rocky cliffs snuggled up to a wild Mediterranean Sea; fish and shellfish of every taste, color, and description; ancient Iberian heritage; balmy moist air; colorful clothes, buildings, and art; regional pride; deep appreciation of their artists and architects which leads to the preservation of their contributions; fresh fruit, rice dishes, creamy desserts, chocolate; the Spanish Triathlon: eating, drinking, falling in love; quirky and melancholy art and literature; a sense of fairness and order, while at the same time embracing artists who break rules; pervasive acceptance in the culture of all things artistic and colorful; beautiful vegetation that is often seen as motifs in its architecture; strong religious heritage and beautiful churches; and integration of the contemporary and the ancient architecture and culture.

Our ‘last look’ photo gallery below: Barcelona airport; old bullfighting ring retrofitted with modern interior and escalator; Dali; beautiful government buildings; attractive police force; sycamore tree bark that looks like a painting; colorful murals; modern art on ancient buildings; prawns; Mediterranean Sea; our colorful glass-enclosed bathroom; breakfast; fried calamari; Catalan cream dessert; ceiling tiles in our 1100 AD castle; flowers; the rolling countryside and vistas.