Staying at the Hilton Paddington made it easy to take the train to Heathrow. It was a 20 minute ride but we had to switch terminals. This gets a little difficult managing our luggage. Another reason why cruising is good.
We tried to get into two lounges with my Priority Pass, but neither would let us in until after our flight left. I went back to one and showed my Amex Platinum and we got in no problem.
Actually it wasn’t worth trying to get in. Seats were hard to find and the food didn’t look great.
When we reached Amsterdam we went into the lounge there. Seats were torn and place could use some TLC but we were able to get a seat. They had tomato soup which made Bruce happy.
We took a cab to our hotel, the Via Sants Barcelona, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.
After a sort of good night’s sleep, we didn’t get to the hotel until 11:30 pm, and woke at 8:30, we had the breakfast buffet at the hotel. As a Gold Hilton member, we get free breakfast.
Then we headed out to catch the metro to the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia. This huge temple began construction in 1882 and continues today. Gaudi was the original architect and he worked on this project for over 40 years.
We were in Barcelona in 2016 but did not have the opportunity to go inside. I booked tickets in advance through the Sagrada Familia website and it included an audioguide for 26€.
We began our tour on the outside of the temple at the nativity facade which highlights the joy of Jesus’ birth.
Inside the church, the stained glass along with the different stones that make up the large pillars, create a colorful, awe-inspiring masterpiece.
We had a tour of the Nativity Tower. We rode an elevator up to the top and walked 400 steps down in very tight quarters. Some of the views were amazing.
The crypt from above.
And more beautiful colors.
We exited the building on the Passion Side where it depicts the crucifixion of Jesus.
After our visit we walked back to our hotel stopping along the way to enjoy the sites in Barcelona.
There are many bakeries here in Barcelona and we stopped to have some.
It was a lovely day in Barcelona with so much to see and do. For now, though we need a little rest.
#barcelona#spain#sagradafamilia#gaudi#church#basilica#stainedglass#nativitytower#hiltonhonors#hiltongold#desig#
thefouramigosblog 
That took me back to the last time I was in Europe. we were in Cologne Germany and went to the Kölner Dom. I think they just called the Cologne Cathedral now. It was being restored at the time and there were scaffolding everywhere. I love living vicariously through you and your adventures🥰
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Thank you for reading / it is quite an undertaking – I wonder if it will ever be finished
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