This spring, Katie set off on a 10-day adventure across Spain with her two sons, Augie and Miles—a long-awaited reunion sparked by Augie’s semester abroad in Barcelona. With her oldest studying through AFS (a global college exchange program), and her youngest wrapping up high school back home in Denver, the trip was a chance to reconnect, explore, and experience the beauty of Spain through fresh eyes.

What started as a visit turned into a full-on design lover’s dream. From whimsical Gaudí masterpieces to the colorful La Boqueria Market—everywhere they turned, there was something that stopped them in their tracks. Architecture, texture, light, and everyday details (yes, even doorknobs!) became sources of inspiration.

Here’s a peek into Katie’s travel diary—city by city, day by day.

Day 1: Arrival in Barcelona

After a long travel day, Katie and her son touched down in Barcelona and headed straight to their Airbnb in the heart of the Eixample neighborhood. Just two blocks from the iconic Casa Batlló, their home base for the next few days was walkable to shops, restaurants, and endless architecture.

Dinner was quick and casual—just enough to fight off jet lag—and then it was straight to bed to rest up for the days ahead.

Day 2: Café Culture and Artistic Finds

Katie’s first full day in Barcelona started the best way possible: with a café con leche and a buttery croissant. In this city, great coffee and pastries are never far.

First stop: Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf, one of fifteen across Europe. From there, they wandered through Ciutadella Park, one of the city’s few expansive green spaces and a perfect spot to stretch their legs and take in the spring air.

The afternoon was spent exploring the Picasso Museum and the surrounding La Ribera neighborhood—a creative hub full of art galleries and shops. Katie picked up a few original pieces at MAXO Gallery, where bold colors and playful compositions caught her eye.

Day 3 – Markets, Speakeasies & Gelato

The day began with a visit to La Boqueria Market, a buzzing indoor market full of fresh seafood, fruit, cheeses and produce.

They then wandered Las Ramblas, stopping for sangria, street shopping, and taking in all the views. Dinner was at Arume, a cozy local restaurant that turned out to be a favorite of the trip. Even better? The chef had just opened a secret speakeasy in the back called Le Truth, where they wrapped up the evening with cocktails in a moody hideaway.

Naturally, the night ended with gelato, because... when in Spain.

Day 4 – Gaudí, Tapas & a Flamenco Nightcap

To get a deeper look into the city's architecture, Katie booked a private tour with Suzi Ziegler from ToursByLocals—and it was one of the most enriching experiences of the trip. Over four hours, Suzi led them through Park Güell, Casa Batlló, and the breathtaking Sagrada Família. With its dramatic scale and stained glass, the Sagrada quickly became a top highlight.

They stopped mid-tour at Hotel Praktik Bakery (yes, it’s both a hotel and a bakery), where the pastries were just as impressive as the architecture.

Later that evening, they saw a live flamenco show and ended the night at Colección by Sensi, a client-recommended tapas spot that lived up to the hype. The final stop? Bosc de les Fades, a whimsical bar covered in wild greenery.

Day 5 – Coastal Charm in Costa Brava

Katie booked another private tour through ToursByLocals, this time with a guide named Francisco. They explored three towns along the Costa Brava—Blanes, Lloret de Mar, and their favorite, Tossa de Mar. Each stop had its own personality, but Tossa de Mar stood out with its lively, small beachside restaurants and tucked-away shops.

After a full day on the coast, they stopped at Reserva Ibérica to grab wine, cheese, and Iberico ham for dinner back at their Airbnb.

Day 6 – Barcelona → Mallorca

They caught a short flight to the island of Mallorca to kick off the second leg of the trip. After landing in Palma, they had lunch in town, then picked up a rental car and drove the scenic route to Deià, a village nestled in the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Katie and the boys stayed at Hotel Es Molí, a hillside retreat with panoramic views, a beautiful pool, and access to a tucked-away cove called Cala Muleta. Deià is known for its artist community, and Katie was especially taken with the ceramic shops and natural stone architecture around town.

Day 7 – Exploring Sòller

They started the day with a little poolside downtime before hitting the road to Sòller, a charming inland town filled with local shops, restaurants, and markets. After some exploring (and a bit of retail therapy), they returned to Es Molí for dinner, which was exceptional.

Day 8 – Design Inspiration in the Details

Back down at Cala Muleta, they lounged seaside before heading to La Residencia—a luxury hotel and spa owned by Belmond. Katie was especially inspired by the interiors here, which featured curated art collections and Mediterranean textures.

They stayed for lunch, a massage, and an early evening drink before heading back to Xelini in Deià for dinner (and a little live music to close out the night).

Day 9 – One Last Night in Barcelona

Katie and the boys flew back to Barcelona for one final night before heading home. They stayed at Hotel Praktik Essens, a design-forward hotel dedicated to the world of fragrance.

Next door, she stumbled upon El Nacional, a grand multi-restaurant space that brings together some of Barcelona’s best food concepts under one roof.

Day 10 – Homebound

After ten full days of architecture, history, design moments, and a whole lot of walking, Katie headed home to Colorado—refreshed, inspired, and already dreaming about the next adventure (maybe the South of Spain next time).

“Spain is amazing and I want to get back to explore the South as well! The architecture and details are amazing so you will also see lots of random door, tile, stained glass or detail photos of things I loved throughout!.” – Katie

Until Next Time, España

From the architecture to the mouth-watering tapas, this Spanish escape was one for the books. As always, Katie came home with more than souvenirs—she returned with a fresh lens on color, texture, and the kind of everyday beauty that only travel can unlock.

Stay tuned...you might just spot a few of these Spanish moments woven into an Atelier project very soon.

Postcards from Spain: Katie’s Spring Getaway with Her Sons