After being amazed by La Sagrada Família and awed by Casa Battló we decided that Gaudí's other works of art were must-sees. On our recent visit to Barcelona, Parc Güell was definitely on our agenda. Originally designed as a housing estate, Parc Güell is now a park open to the public. Gaudí's fantastic imagination is once again evident in all elements of Parc Güell's design. Wandering through the gardens is like wandering through a fairy tale.

The two houses that flank the entrance reminded me of Gingerbread houses. The undulating white tiled eaves look like frosting and the windows are decorated with colourful circular discs that look just like smarties. The houses are even the same colour as gingerbread.



Surely the most recognisable of Gaudí's works, the dragon guarding the park's entrance is a symbol of Catalunya.



On the terrace, a bench covered in colourful mosaics snakes its way around the perimeter. It is supposed to represent a sea-serpent.



Parc Güell is another beautifully designed work of art by Gaudí. He had such a unique vision. To think that gaudy means garish and tastelessly showy. I think it would be nice if the world was Gaudí.

More photos on Flickr

Our visit to Parc Güell was part of Tapas Travels: The Wilsons + Daleys do Spain. Mum, Dad, Andrew and I did a 3-week road trip around Spain with a few days tacked on in Portugal at the end of the journey. Other entries from this trip include: La Mezquita, La Sagrada Família, The knee bone's connected to the thigh bone.

La Sagrada Família is one of Barcelona's most famous and most visited tourist attractions. You can definitely see why. It is a church like no other. Designed by Atoni Gaudi, his fondness for curves, ellipses and arches has made La Sagrada Família the most striking church I've ever seen. I'm sure it will be even more impressive when it's actually completed. Construction started in 1882 and is scheduled for completion in 2026. That's a truly medieval timetable.

Andrew and I first visited La Sagrada Família in January last year. On our recent trip to Barcelona we thought we'd return to the church to see just how far construction had progressed in a year and a half.

The verdict? We could kind of see some progress but not a huge alteration. The audio guide states that the La Sagrada Família is halfway there. That's 126 years to reach 50% and they reckon it's only another 18 years to finish it. A group of us have pledged to visit La Sagrada when it's finished. I wonder how old we'll be... we might be a group of centenarians paying homage to a bicentenarian.

More photos on Flickr...

So, Andrew and I have headed to Spain for a three week vacation with the wrinklies... um the parents. We spent a few days soaking up the sun in Barcelona with Mum. We caught a train to Madrid. We spent a few days soaking up the culture in Madrid with Mum. TD arrived yesterday... his bag did not.

I'm not really going to have time to update a lot, but here are a few photos from Barcelona to tide you over.