How To Experience Gaudi's Barcelona Without The Crowds

Hello from Iceland, where I’m working on a very special project I can’t wait to share with you. Until then, I’ll tell you about a new way to experience Gaudi’s Barcelona and the unexpected Asian American history lesson I recently got in Portland, Ore.

I took the long route to Iceland, flying through Barcelona for four glorious days of sunshine, gothic architecture, food markets and Gaudi.

I made my second visit to Sagrada Familia, the architect Antoni Gaudi’s famous unfinished church. This time I avoided the crowds by joining Get Your Guide, which just launched an exclusive after-hours tour of the church.

You won’t have the place all to yourself, but these Sagrada Familia tours are small enough—each with fewer than a dozen participants—that you’ll feel like it. There’s no more magical way to experience this masterpiece.

I also took a Get Your Guide after-hours tour of another Gaudi project, Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera, and a regular tour of Casa Battlo.

If you can only go inside one of these, I recommend Casa Mila. The building houses three of the most beautiful rent-controlled apartments in the world (not open to the public) and regularly hosts work from leading sculptors.

Casa Mila helped me better appreciate and understand Gaudi, the architect whose fingerprints are all over Barcelona. It gave me a glimpse into how people lived, worked and played in Spain the early 1900s. And its rooftop offers nice views of this upscale neighborhood.

Casa Battlo’s exterior is mesmerizing, far more so than its interior. There are, however, several beautiful rooms inside and a few special exhibits including an immersive Gaudi experience.

Go to Casa Battlo in the evening as the building lights are coming on for the best view.

Before this trip, I spent Memorial Day weekend in Portland, Ore., where I got a crash course in Asian American history by visiting the Japanese American Museum of Oregon and the Portland Chinatown Museum. The two museums offer an eye-opening look at Asian American history and the history of Portland.

I ate lots of delicious (and affordable) food, found the cutest bakery for dogs and learned the best way to experience this city is to meet your local friends in their neighborhoods.

I also just recorded my fifth-ever podcast segment, this time about travel to Portland for the magazine Different Leaf. I hope you’ll give it a listen when it’s out!

And keep an eye on TravelWithMeena.com for all my Portland recommendations.

See you at the airport,

Meena

I wrote about what might just be the most underrated summer escape in Switzerland, Basel. I wasn’t expecting much when I visited last summer, but what I found blew me away. If ever I move to Switzerland, it’ll be here. It also might just be for the summer.

And if you need Banff recommendations ahead of your summer travels, I’ve got you!

Travel with Meena favorites:
The travel backpack so perfect I bought it twice ✈️ 
This Delsey suitcase weighs itself 🧳 
This backpack goes from daypack to carry-on 🎒
My review of the Monos Carry-On Pro Plus 🧳 
The battery charger I can't leave home without 🔋

👋🏽 from the Kerið Crater in South Iceland