Our last morning began fittingly at the Columbus Monument—on Columbus Day. The 60-meter column, built in 1888, honors Christopher Columbus’s return from the New World, which he reported to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand in Barcelona. The monument points toward the sea, symbolizing Spain’s historic spirit of exploration and connection across the Atlantic—an interesting link to the United States and shared maritime history.

We ended our trip at the Barcelona Aquarium, which had been transformed for Halloween with spooky sea creatures and glowing pumpkins decorating the tanks. It was a playful end to a trip filled with creativity and color.

As we headed to the airport, Barcelona faded behind us in the sunset—a city of art and rhythm, where architecture sings and football roars.