Which Barcelona Neighborhood Best Suits Your Family?
When my husband and I found out our family would be relocating to Barcelona, one of the things I was most excited about was finding a home in the best neighborhood. I happen to love the entire process of house hunting! This was our very first experience living abroad and I couldn’t help but fantasize about our dream apartment. An old world-styled space perfectly renovated with modern luxuries but still maintaining that gorgeous Spanish charm. Views of the Barcelona Cathedral, a short walk to the beach and the melodies of street performers outside my window were all things I thought I wanted in…
How to Celebrate Halloween in Barcelona As an Expat
Our expat family’s tips for enjoying the spookiest night of the year even while living abroad. If you don’t already know, Halloween is my favorite!! That crisp chill in the air, the rustling of freshly fallen leaves at your feet and the smell of a crackling outdoor fire nearby. So when we moved to Barcelona to become expats and realized Halloween isn’t that big of a deal, I panicked! How would we recreate a holiday that is growing enormously in the states but is overshadowed in Spain by Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead on November 1)? Before becoming expats, Halloween in…
30 Ways to Enjoy Barcelona with Kids of Any Age
Congratulations! You’ve finally made the decision to stop talking about that family trip to Barcelona and just do it. Now the fun of planning and organizing travel details begins. And if you happen to be traveling with little ones, the question of how to enjoy Barcelona with kids often follows. While this is truly a fabulous city to visit filled with rich culture, inspiring history, amazing architecture and delicious food you’ll want to have some creative ways to keep the little ones entertained. They simply won’t be moved by the Barcelona Cathedral the same way you are. Our three children are 8, 6…
Avoid Getting Pickpocketed in Barcelona with These Tips
Learn the places to avoid, the distractions to be aware of, and the smartest products to prevent getting pickpocketed in Barcelona. Unfortunately, it turns out the rumors are TRUE. Barcelona, as incredible and unique a city as it is, also takes the cake when it comes to being the number one city in the world for pickpocketing! But fear not – these tips will help you avoid this petty crime while visiting. Perhaps it’s the warm weather year round or the inexpensive cost of living – but Barcelona seems to attract a larger population of needy than other European cities. In the Catalunya…
Host an Amazing Thanksgiving While Living Abroad
American Expats Can Still Celebrate an Amazing Thanksgiving While Living Away from Home After two years of tackling our favorite holiday here in Spain, Halloween, we’ve really got it figured out. (See previous article Why Halloween in Barcelona is Amazing) . But how in the world do you host an amazing Thanksgiving while living abroad? The food, the football, the family. All a bit foreign here! While our family back home are basting birds, cozying up to Thanksgiving Day parades on TV and putting finishing touches on apple pie, it’s just another normal day here in Spain! We can’t NOT celebrate it. No…
How to Keep Kids Happy on a Rainy Day in Barcelona
Find out what cool places to go to and interesting things to do in Barcelona with busy kids on a rainy day. Barcelona is a vibrant and outdoorsy city full of festivals, outdoor restaurants, street performers, and days at the beach thanks to the incredible Mediterranean weather. So what’s a family with kids to do in this city on the rare occasion when it rains? While Barcelona only sees a handful of rainy days each year, getting stuck in one can be a real inconvenience. Take it from me, as an expat living here for almost four years. Compiling my list of 30…
Advice on Getting a Job in Barcelona as a Foreigner
Moving to Barcelona is a dream but finding employment here can be a nightmare if you don’t have the facts and specifics. I’m often asked for advice on getting a job in Barcelona. People wonder how our family ended up moving abroad. And the truth is, we had my husband’s job as the vehicle which got us here and helped support our family’s life. We are expats. But what do you do if you’re someone that dreams of moving to this city but worries about finding employment? My husband, who has a career in Human Resources sees outstanding resumes cross his desk every…
5 Family Friendly Hotels in Barcelona Your Traveling Kids will Love
Check out our favorite picks for the most family friendly hotels during your trip to Barcelona. Barcelona can be a fantastic city to visit as a family! And how you spend your days here is just as important as where you lay your heads down at night. Many of the historic and beautiful hotels we fantasize about may not be ideal for families. So you need to do your research and choose wisely! Here are some of the most family friendly hotels in Barcelona that our family personally loves. But first, a quick word to help level set your expectations. Don’t assume hotels…
How to Celebrate a Traditional Easter in Spain
Whether you’re an expat or a traveler to Spain during the Easter holiday, there are some incredible traditions not to be missed! The Easter Holiday, otherwise known in Spain as Holy Week or Semana Santa, is undoubtedly the largest and most traditional religious holiday of the year. Celebrating Easter in Spain as an American expat has really opened my eyes to the different interpretations. All of which are special and sacred. Since our family has only been living abroad for two and a half years, we feel a certain tug of war when it comes to holiday time. We want to continue to…
