Six Glorious Days in Spain and Portugal

History, Art, and Culture: Spain and Portugal

Learn Why Portugal and Spain are Perennial Traveler Favorites

I visited Spain and Portugal with Debbie Ruiz, our Midwest U.S. Business Development Manager, as a guest of Meliá Hotels International. I know, it’s a tough job seeing these gorgeous places, but someone’s got to do it. Both cities are so friendly and approachable, and local people are very proud of their culture, history, and cuisine. I was awed by the sheer majesty of the architecture and the beautiful parks. My advice for first-time visitors is to embrace it all. This trip exceeded all my expectations, and I’m sure it will exceed yours as well!

Six Days in Spain and Portugal

Day 1

We hit the ground running on day one at the ME Barcelona, a beautiful hotel with plenty of contemporary art right in the city center. Barcelona is a very walkable city in general, and our hotel’s prime location meant that it was even easier to get around on foot. I was also very impressed to see just how busy the city center was. It was bustling, and it had a really good vibe. Plus, there was so much live music, including an outdoor piano concert at Jardinets de Gràcia park! You don’t see that every day in the States!

We went on a walking tour to some of Barcelona’s most famous buildings, including the Casa Batlló, one of Gaudí’s masterpieces. I’d walked by it several times on previous trips, but this time we went inside and wandered through all seven stories. It was fantastic. Every floor had another story, and we spent at least 90 minutes wandering through.

Day 2

On the second day, we took a beautiful, private tour of the Familia Torres winery, which is about 40 minutes outside the city. It’s one of the few remaining family-owned wineries in Spain, and we actually got to see where the barrels are stored and sample a bit of wine. Familia Torres has a massive property with farm animals and vegetables. It’s all very sustainable.

After that, we drove another 30 minutes to Sitges, which is a lovely seaside town full of old cobblestone streets and little shops and restaurants everywhere. The beach is stunning. It’s a seasonal place and really popular with Barcelonians. Plenty of European tourists go there for vacation, too, but it’s not as well-known to North American tourists. Trust me, it’s a pearl, and it’s also even more cost-effective than Barcelona. We also visited the Meliá Sitges, which was interesting because it had a completely different feeling from the one in the city. We dined on the roof and enjoyed some marvelous views. You’re either looking at the beautiful mountains or the sea. It was quite a day.

Day 3

We checked out of ME Barcelona and moved into the Torre Melina Gran Meliá on the third day. That resort is an all-suite property, with a giant atrium and glass elevators. It’s also very close to the airport, but even though there was traffic all around the resort, you couldn’t hear the cars. It was very tranquil. Everything about this place was incredible. After we settled in, they took us back to the city to see the Sagrada Família, which is one of Gaudí’s most famous projects. 

We had a private tour, and our guide timed it so perfectly. At 5 p.m., we saw the sun coming directly through the stained glass of the western window. It was all orange and red, and the reflections bounced off the walls inside. It was astounding. The Sagrada Família is currently under construction and is supposed to be finished in four to six years. Fingers crossed.

Day 4

On our last day in Barcelona, we enjoyed the La Roca Village VIP Experience, which was in a luxury outdoor shopping mall. The retail was bustling everywhere we went in Barcelona, and every store was packed. They took us to the VIP section and gave us each a glass of champagne. This particular area was for high-end shoppers, and you can even get a private shopping guide. It’s definitely an experience for those who want to enjoy the luxe side of Barcelona.

Day 5

The fifth day was time for us to say farewell to our lovely Barcelona resort and fly to Lisbon, Portugal. We checked into the ME Lisbon and immediately went on a walking tour of the city. We had coffee right on the waterfront, then visited the São Jorge Castle, a gigantic fortress with panoramic views. You could see the whole city.

One thing I truly enjoyed about the ME Lisbon was its hospitality. There was always a nice surprise waiting for us back in the room, usually a little treat like sliced meat and port wine. The Portuguese are very proud of their cuisine and wine.

Day 6

On the sixth and final full day of my adventure, I went to Cascais, which is this nifty cobblestone town right against the ocean. It was so beautiful. We went up to the Cidadela de Cascais Palace, which is about halfway up the mountain. I survived the hike, but they clearly had me confused with Maria von Trapp! Even so, everything about that whole day was gorgeous. The town had a French countryside ambiance to it, and the architecture was stunning.

That night, we had our farewell dinner on the rooftop of the hotel. It was enclosed, with big windows, so you enjoyed these remarkable views. We were wined and dined, and then before you know it, I was back at the Lisbon Airport heading home.

When considering where to visit on your next trip overseas, ask yourself how it must feel to see the sun setting over the Atlantic while sipping local wines, or seeing the sun streaming though stained glass windows in a Basilica that’s been under construction for over 144 years.  Spain and Portugal are waiting to impress you.