This is a continuation from Part I and Part II of the OSSN FAM to Spain.

Málaga

Saturday, Nov. 1

Our OSSN group of 40 travel agents and companions had already enjoyed Madrid as well as Seville, Ronda and Granada. On Day 6, the group boarded the coach for a two-hour morning drive through the Spanish countryside to Málaga.

Dominating the hillside in Málaga is the palatial fortification of Alcazaba (Arabic for "citadel"). Constructed in the eighth century, the original duty of the fortress was to protect the inhabitants from pirates, a function for which it served well, thanks to its commanding views down to the sea and across to Africa.

There's never enough time to see it all when traveling, and that was certainly the case in Málaga. This was primarily a leisurely lunch stop, in which we were all free to make our own way for sustenance and minimal sightseeing.

Much as we would have loved touring the Alcazaba and seeing its Moorish courtyards and fountains (similar to those of the 300-year-younger Alhambra), on this day it suited Karen and me just to stroll the sunny promenade along the marina and select one of the sidewalk cafes for a light lunch and cool beverage. A very enjoyable interlude!

The promenade along the marina in Málaga.

The logistical reason for stopping in Málaga is that the high-speed AVE train transverses between there and our next destination of Barcelona. Even at speeds of up to 186 mph, it was a five-hour trip through more Spanish countryside.

Barcelona

After 9 p.m., we arrived at our final accommodations of the tour: the five-star Renaissance. The hotel was of high quality, with a chic, contemporary décor and occasional whimsical touches. It was conveniently located to points of interest. And, I found out quite by accident, you can get complimentary cava (Spanish champagne) for breakfast if you but ask. I wouldn't hesitate to book this property for a client.

Lobby of the Hotel Renaissance in Barcelona.

The eighth-floor outdoor lounge at the Barcelona Renaissance Hotel.

Sunday, Nov. 2

Morning came early. We had to remind ourselves that a FAM is a working trip.

Our morning coach tour of Barcelona included a stop at the major icon of the city: Sagrada Família. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the crowning work of Barcelona's artistic son, Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926). When the spires of Sagrada Família are completed, it will be the tallest church building in the world.

Sagrada Família. (Photo courtesy of Hermann on Pixabay)

But when will that be? It's been under construction since 1883 — 121 years and counting. Even the actual style of the architecture is still under discussion.

Gaudí (some detractors refer to him as "Gaudy") is not an architect for whom people have ambivalent feelings. But whether loved or loathed, he has left his unmistakable mark on Barcelona — and I, for one, am thankful.

It was readily apparent, however, that Gaudí was not the only good architect in Barcelona. Much like the other Spanish cities we saw, this one is filled with thousands of strikingly beautiful buildings. It's difficult to imagine that any client who loves architecture — especially 19th century architecture — would be disappointed with a trip to Spain.

Lunch was at a place of our own choosing around the Plaça de Catalunya, a large plaza dotted with fountains and sculptures, and flooded with people. Sitting at the top of the tree-lined promenade, La Rambla, the plaza is generally considered the city center of Barcelona.

We boarded the coach at 2:45 for the 30-mile drive to Montserrat. The last part of the journey was on a mountain train.

Montserrat is a combination of unusual rock mountain, sanctuary, and 11th-century Benedictine monastery.

Montserrat

At over 4,000 feet in elevation, Montserrat is a combination of unusual rock mountain, sanctuary, and 11th-century Benedictine monastery. There's a free concert of the famous Montserrat Boys' Choir in the Basilica at 1 p.m. daily (certain holidays excepted). Unfortunately, the timing didn't fit with our schedule.

We had a guided tour inside the monastery for most of our time there. There was a lot of detail in the commentary. As a result, it was the unintended takeaways from this visit that I think are perhaps the most important to share with other travel planners.

By the end of a busy trip — especially with back-to-back days of early mornings and late nights — the spirit may still be willing, but the flesh is weak. Obviously, a FAM is a working trip, and the whole point of it is to expose agents to as much as possible in a limited amount of time.

But for client travel, we need to keep in mind the limitations of the human body and mind. We want their memories to be pleasant ones. A heavy, fact-filled tour at the end of a tiring trip might not resonate as well as just having free time to explore a place like Montserrat (with the use of a headset, if desired).

Barcelona

Monday, Nov. 3

We were on our own until dinner for our final day of sightseeing in Spain. A small group of us headed out first to see La Boqueria, a popular farmers' market and tourist landmark that dates from 1217 (though having undergone various reincarnations). It's heaven for foodies, with just about everything the culinary heart could desire. And for photographers, there are innumerable still-life compositions just waiting to be captured.

Mercat St. Josep La Boqueria, a popular farmers' market in Barcelona.

We enjoyed the fresh, tropical juices available in a seemingly unlimited combination of flavors. (Tip: near the entrance the juices were 2.50 euro each, but when we went further in, they were only 1.50 euro. We also heard that the price goes down later in the day, when vendors are trying to unload their inventory.)

There are said to be some "easy-to-miss" sit-down restaurants at the market (appropriately described, we felt, as we missed them), but it's also a great place to pick up some picnic food for an inexpensive meal elsewhere, or to purchase delectable gifts.

So many beautiful offerings at La Boqueria in Barcelona.

Despite the temptations at La Boqueria, two of us saved room for the gelateria that my roommate, Karen, knew about. It's called Amorino, and the gelato is served in the shape of a rose. If desired, you can have each petal of the rose in a different flavor.

Cone of rose-shaped gelato at Amorino in Barcelona.

The final thing to cross off the bucket list was Guell Park, perched high in the hillsides of Barcelona and commanding spectacular views over the city and to the Mediterranean. The details Gaudí put into this imaginative park simply have to be seen to be believed.

Cafe at Guell Park in Barcelona.

Given more time, we would have also liked seeing the beautiful Parc de la Ciutadella, with its impressive fountain loosely patterned after Trevi Fountain in Rome. But that will have to wait until next time.

The final scheduled event was a farewell dinner at a lovely restaurant near the water. It was a fitting end to a lovely journey.

Tuesday, Nov. 4

We said goodbye to Spain from the Barcelona Airport. How appropriate were its sinuous lines — so fitting in this land of Antoni Gaudí.

Barcelona Airport. The end ... until next time?