Alrighty, backtracking here.
May 15
We did a day trip out to Monserrat, the second most popular pilgrimage in Spain after the Camino. Hit up a nice hike there with some gorgeous views even if it ended up being the wrong hike! Headed back to town for sangria, lots and lots of yummy sangria.

May 16
Just hung around barcelona chilling. I'm at the point where I don't even need to pull out my map anymore, which is very nice. Locals dance the traditional sardana in front of the Cathedral every Saturday, so swung by to check that out; very simplistic but still something pretty about it. Dinner was over in Barcelonetta, by the wharf, and the first area where it was pretty much just locals, and mostly families at that. Hit up dessert first at a cute bakery that is supposed to be the best in Barcelona for tiramisu for Mum and a ricotta cookie sandwich for me!
Dinner was spectacular and went with a bottle of rose from the penedes wine region, cuz hey, guess what we're doing tomorrow?
P.S. Tomoatoes with Procuitto and touch of olive oil and balsalmic must be added to my repitoire!

May 17
Daytripping/wine tripping!
Out to the penedes wine region just south of Barcelona to vist 3 different wineries, one of which just produces cava, Spains answer to champagne. Started out at Jean Leon, a small winery that specialized in bordeaux style wines (cab sauv and chards). The next one was larger with wineries all over the world. They also did an amazing cheese and wine tasting. I was very tempted to buy wine there but then I'd have to carry it, so no. Final one was the cava, which was incredible! Mass, and I do mean mass, amounts of bottles, with a cellar 5 stories down into the earth. Many glasses of cava later, along with much cheese and meat, and it was time to head back to Barcelona. Our last evening in town ended with "Opera y Flamenco" at the "Theatre de Musica de Catalunya" which was pretty damn cool. Plus I think I might actually like opera, who knew?

Today as I sit writing this, I'm on a high speed AVE train headed for Valencia. Will write more later.