Alquezar

Accommodations

Hotel Castillo Alquezar: 2-star hotel in a town that only has five hotels total. The hotel is actually quite nice and has excellent reviews. It's probably low on stars because it doesn't have a long list of amenities but the accommodations themselves are very comfortable and I had a balcony looking out to the castle on top of the hill, it was a great view. I would absolutely stay here again.

Sites/Tours

Canyoning: Located on the Rio Vero, Alquezar is known for outdoor activities, especially canyoning, which is exactly why I was here. Arrange a tour with a local company, like Vertientes, and you'll drive out to a starting point to start hiking through and up a canyon until you are at a high enough level where you can begin rapelling into, rock sliding into or jumping into the water within the canyon. A wetsuit suit is provided, wear a bathing suit underneath and good traction shoes/boots. I had never heard of this activity until I got to France as my French family do it often and wanted to take me. It was a kickass time and like any robust outdoor activity, just be prepared to be a little sore the next day.

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Barcelona

Accommodations

Ayre Hotel Rosellon: 4-star hotel overlooking the Sagrada Familia. The rooms are modern, large and if you are lucky to stay on the best side of the hotel, you get floor to ceiling views of the Sagrada Familia. I was fortunate to get such a room and you can't help but stretch out and smile every morning as the window shades scroll up, revealing the view of the Sagrada Familiar towers, inch by inch. To top it off, the hotel has a rooftop bar to give you amazing views of the Sagrada Familia and city, which can be especially beautiful at night. The only downside is the location, as the Sagrada Familia is not in the city center, but there is a subway stop right there and I had no issues getting around. If you are in Barcelona long enough, my recommendation would be to split your accommodations between this one and another one more city center.
Musik Boutique Hotel: 3-star boutique hotel in the gothic area of Barcelona. I love me some boutique hotels but I wasn't in love with this one. I thought it was fine but nothing special. Room was basic and carpet was stained, which always makes one think what else isn't clean. There are a lot of other options in the gothic area, just timing of last minute booking during peak season greatly reduced options.

Sites/Tours

Sagrada Familia: One of the obvious, but hands down, my most favorite place in Barcelona, and I can say that without any religious undertones. It doesn't matter if you aren't catholic or have any religious beliefs, the architecture and story of the construction is alone - incredible. Construction started in 1882 and is the vision of Antoni Gaudi. Over 100 years of work and construction is still ongoing. When I first visited the Sagrada Familia in 2013, I spent about 4 hours here, inside and out. You need to pre-plan a little bit on this one and get tickets ahead of time, otherwise you risk not getting in or wasting half your day just standing in line for a ticket. I think it's worth going up one of the towers (unless you have vertigo) as it gives you the opportunity to see some of the details of the spires and towers you could never see from ground level. At the time of writing this, I believe Barcelona is still "hoping" for a completion in 2026, to correlate with the centenary of the death of Gaudi.
Everything else Antoni Gaudi: Take your pick in Barcelona. Besides the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi is sprinkled all over the city and always a delight to the senses - definitely not boring. But pick a handful to tackle, if you try to see them all you might get guadi-ed-out (e.g. Park Guell, Casa Mila, Caso Batllo, Palau Guell).
Montjuic: Outside of the city center, you can spend half a day exploring the hill of Montjuic that has some beautiful areas and views including the old fortress and Olympic Stadium. Take the metro/funicular up and then the cable car back to spice it up.
Promenade and Jazz Catamaran: Walking the Barcelona promenade is definitely worth it and when you are ready for a rest, book a ticket for the Jazz and Chill Catamaran. For an hour, you can veg out on the water with a glass of wine soaking in the sun rays with a jazz saxaphone player in the background. I could have done this all day long...rinse and repeat.
Las Ramblas: Everyone should stroll down the Ramblas at least once to feel the energy of the people and absorb the buildings that line the street. It is absolutely inundated with tourists and sellers of every nick-nack you can think of and not need...but it's a special place in the city. At the time of this writing, there was a recent, tragic terror attack on Las Ramblas. People ask me if I would go back and answer is absolutely, I would go back tomorrow.

Food

La Boqueria: The food market of Las Ramblas in Barcelona. You find something for everyone here. Creps Barcelona is a food stall here that has amazing sweet and savory crepes. To date, I have not had another crepe I've enjoyed as much as the one made for me there.
Taller de Tapas: I think this has grown into a chain in recent years (sigh, I hate when that happens). The food is standard tapas, not mind blowing but bar staff is very friendly if you are seated up at the counter for a quick bite.
Xaloc Restaurant: It's all about tapas here. Food is pretty good here but service can be hit or miss.