Our final full day with Adventures by Disney somehow managed to include a monastery high in the mountains, a funicular ride, the Black Madonna, local treats, an afternoon wandering Barcelona, a farewell dinner and flamenco show, and one absolutely WILD night celebrating in the streets after Spain won its World Cup match.
It was one of those travel days that just kept getting better, and by the time we finally went to bed, I couldn’t believe everything we had packed into it.
Spain with Adventures by Disney and Disney Cruise Line
Day 1: Arriving in Barcelona & Welcome Dinner
Day 2: Gothic Quarter, Park Güell & La Sagrada Família
Day 3: Montserrat, Flamenco & Viva Espana!
Day 4: Farewell Barcelona, Hello Disney Dream
Day 5: Cartagena
Day 6: Malaga & Granada
Day 7: At Sea
Day 8: Santiago de Compostela
Day 9: Betanzos and A Coruña
Day 10 & 11: At Sea
A Morning at Montserrat
After breakfast at the hotel, we boarded our motorcoach and left Barcelona behind for the drive through the Spanish countryside to Montserrat.
Montserrat means “serrated mountain,” which makes perfect sense the minute you see it. The jagged peaks rise dramatically from the surrounding landscape, and tucked into the mountainside is Santa Maria de Montserrat, the Benedictine monastery we had come to visit. The setting alone was spectacular.
We took the tram up the mountain and then joined our guide for a tour of the monastery and basilica. This was another one of those Adventures by Disney experiences where having someone there to explain what we were seeing made such a difference. Rather than simply walking through a beautiful church, we learned the history and significance of a place that has drawn pilgrims to this mountain for centuries.
One of the most important things we saw was the famous Black Madonna, known as La Moreneta, or “the little dark one.” The Romanesque statue of the Virgin Mary and infant Jesus is the patron saint of Catalonia and has been associated with Montserrat for centuries. Seeing her was one of those moments when I was very grateful to have a guide explaining why what we were looking at was so important.
Up the Mountain We Went
From the monastery, we boarded the Sant Joan Funicular, which carried us even farther up Montserrat. The railway climbs to about 1,000 meters above sea level, and the views from the top were incredible.
This is another thing I loved about the Barcelona Escape. We had spent the previous day immersed in the energy, architecture and crowded streets of Barcelona, and less than 24 hours later we were standing high above a monastery surrounded by mountains.
It felt like a completely different Spain.
We had time to take in the scenery before making our way back down toward the monastery. Somewhere along the way there was cheese involved, because apparently I was determined to conduct extensive research into Spanish cheese on this trip, along with some little madeleine cakes that our Adventure Guides treated us to.
We eventually met back up with our Adventure friends for a delicious Catalan lunch at Montserrat before heading back toward Barcelona.
The Other Job of an Adventure Guide
There was another Adventures by Disney perk I hadn’t talked about yet, and this was one I appreciated more and more as our trip went on: our Adventure Guides also became our unofficial family photographers.
Throughout the Adventure, Cesc and Billy were constantly taking photos. They captured the big moments at the places we visited, but they also caught candid moments throughout the day that we never would have thought to photograph ourselves.
And they made sure we had pictures of all three of us together.
Anyone who travels as a family knows how valuable that is. Usually one person is behind the camera, or you’re handing your phone to a stranger and hoping for the best. With Adventures by Disney, we came home with photos of our family actually experiencing the Adventure together, and those photos were provided to us after the trip.
It was one of those ABD inclusions that might not be the reason you book the trip, but once you’ve experienced it, you realize how much you appreciate it.
A Free Afternoon in Barcelona
Once we returned to Barcelona, the afternoon was ours to enjoy before meeting the group again that evening.
We did a little shopping and wandered around the city, but Barcelona felt completely different that afternoon. Spain was playing in the World Cup that evening, and the entire city seemed to be gearing up for it. There was an energy everywhere we went, and we knew before the game even started that this was not going to be an ordinary night.
Earlier in the trip, Cesc had introduced us to one of my favorite quirky Catalan traditions: the caganer. Yes, the pooping guy. The caganer is a traditional Catalan figure typically included in nativity scenes, usually depicted as a peasant crouching down to, well, poop. Barcelona’s own cultural materials describe him as a traditional nativity figure and a particularly memorable example of the Catalan sense of humor. Naturally, once we learned about him, there was no possibility that we were leaving Barcelona without one. Some people bring home beautiful art from Europe. We brought home a pooping man. I regret nothing.
Our Adventures by Disney Farewell Dinner
That evening we met back up with our Adventure friends and returned to Montjuïc, where our Barcelona adventure had begun just two nights earlier.
This time we were headed to Pueblo Español, an open air architectural museum originally built for Barcelona’s 1929 International Exhibition. It includes more than 100 buildings designed to represent architectural styles from different regions throughout Spain, so even our walk through the village became part of the experience. Whit found a random ham and cheese sandwich shop that he named “best sandwich in the world.” And then, our farewell dinner included a flamenco performance, and it was SUCH a fun night.
The music, the dancing, the costumes and the incredible energy of the performers made for the perfect finale to our time together. After three very full days of exploring Barcelona and Montserrat, it was hard to believe we were already at our farewell dinner.
One of the things that continues to amaze me about Adventures by Disney is how quickly you become attached to your Adventure Guides and the other families traveling with you. Three nights doesn’t sound like a long time, but when you’ve spent your days experiencing so much together, friendships form quickly.
Of course, our night wasn’t actually over. Not even close.
The Night Spain Won
After dinner, we headed back to the hotel, where a group of us gathered to watch Spain play in the World Cup. I can’t imagine a better place to have watched that game.
We had spent the previous three days learning about Barcelona from people who lived there. Cesc had told us about how important soccer was to everyday life, and we had already felt the excitement building throughout the city that afternoon. Now we were sitting in Barcelona with our Adventure friends watching Spain play.
And then Spain won.
The city ERUPTED.
We headed outside and found ourselves in the middle of one enormous celebration. People poured into the streets. There was cheering, singing, flags, horns and fireworks, and the energy was unlike anything I had ever experienced.
This obviously wasn’t something Adventures by Disney had planned for us. There was no itinerary description promising “run into the streets of Barcelona after Spain wins.”
It was simply one of those extraordinary travel moments when you happen to be in exactly the right place at exactly the right time.
After three days of being introduced to Barcelona by our guides, learning about its history and culture, eating its food and hearing about the importance of soccer from a local, we got to experience the city celebrating a huge win right alongside everyone who lived there.
GOSH, WHAT A NIGHT.
Why We Love Pairing Adventures by Disney with a Disney Cruise
This was our second time pairing an Adventures by Disney Escape with a Disney cruise in Europe, and I’m telling you I won’t do it differently if I can help it.
In three nights, we experienced Barcelona in a way I never could have planned on my own. We had transportation waiting for us, knowledgeable local guides, incredible meals, admission and logistics handled, and Adventure Guides taking care of us throughout the entire experience.
But what I valued most wasn’t simply how much we accomplished. It was how much we understood because of the people traveling with us.
By the time we boarded the Disney Dream, we hadn’t just “done Barcelona.” We knew something about Gaudí and Catalan culture, family life, food, faith, soccer and even why there was a tiny pooping man coming home in my suitcase.
And now we were about to experience an entirely different side of Spain.
Planning an Adventures by Disney Vacation?
By the time we took this trip, I had traveled with Adventures by Disney seven times, across different destinations, itineraries and styles of adventure. That firsthand experience is a huge part of what I bring to my clients.
I don’t just know Adventures by Disney from a brochure or an online training course. I’ve traveled with them. I know what these days actually feel like, what makes the experience worth it, what you need to know before you go and, just as importantly, which Adventures are the best fit for different families.
When you book your Adventures by Disney vacation with me, my help doesn’t end when the reservation is made. I’ll help you choose the right Adventure and departure, navigate the booking process, prepare for your trip, understand what to expect and answer all of those little questions that come up along the way.
My planning services are complimentary when you book your Adventures by Disney vacation with me.
If Spain or another Adventures by Disney destination is on your family’s bucket list, I’d love to help you find the Adventure that’s right for you.
Up next: saying goodbye to Adventures by Disney and boarding the Disney Dream for our cruise around Spain.
