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The streets of Sitges transformed into a track of laughter and creativity and I was there to live it. Discover why this event is a gem of the Catalunya Carnival

If you thought you had seen it all when it comes to celebrations, let me tell you about an experience I had yesterday that has undoubtedly earned a special place on my list of most memorable events: the 2026 Sitges Carnival Costumed Bed Race.

From the moment I heard about this event, I knew I had to be there. And let me tell you, it exceeded all my expectations. The picturesque streets of Sitges, in the heart of Catalunya, Spain, became a vibrant stage for one of the funniest and most unique spectacles I have ever witnessed.

The energy was contagious. People crowded along the route, eager to see the teams push their homemade vehicles with as much speed and, above all, originality as possible. From the doors of the historic Casino Prado, where it all began, to the finish line at the Passeig de la Ribera, every stretch of the race was an explosion of colour and laughter. The teams, dressed in the most ingenious costumes, paraded with their beds on wheels, each decorated with a theme more wild than the last.

It was incredible to see how imagination had no limits. Some beds looked like spaceships, others were castles, and there was no shortage of references to pop culture characters. The music, the cheers, and the majestic presence of the Carnival Queen, the Children’s Queen, and His Majesty King Carnival leading the procession created an atmosphere that can only be described as pure Catalan joy. The route through Carrer de Jesus, Cap de la Vila, and Parellades was a whirlwind of excitement, with unexpected turns and hilarious accidents that made the crowd burst into laughter.

It was a day full of laughs, wonder, and that unique feeling of being immersed in such a living and special tradition. If you ever have the chance to visit Sitges during its famous Carnival, I highly recommend that you do not miss this gem. It is an experience that celebrates community, creativity, and above all, the ability of people to have a great time. Definitely, Sitges and its Costumed Bed Race have stolen my heart… until next time!

#SitgesCarnival #BedRace #CursaDeLlits #Sitges #Catalunya #Carnaval2026 #CostaCatalana #TradicionCatalana #SpainTravel

A quiet Gothic Quarter shrine where medieval faith meets modern travel

Barcelona is a city that rewards curiosity. Yes, there are the unavoidable masterpieces—Gaudí’s stone dreams, the grand avenues, the beaches—but the real Barcelona often reveals itself in much smaller spaces. Sometimes, all it takes is turning down an unassuming street in the Gothic Quarter to stumble upon a place where centuries of belief, movement, and modern life quietly overlap. The Chapel of Saint Christopher of Regomir is one such place.

Tucked away on Carrer del Regomir, just a short walk from the bustle of the cathedral and the port, this modest chapel dates back to 1503. It stands on what was once one of the main entry routes into medieval Barcelona, a threshold between the safety of the city walls and the uncertainties of the road beyond. The choice of patron saint here was no accident. Saint Christopher, protector of travellers, has long been invoked by those setting out into the unknown—on foot, on horseback, and eventually, behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

The chapel itself is small, almost easy to miss, especially if you’re rushing through the Gothic Quarter, ticking landmarks off a list. But pause for a moment, and it becomes clear why it has endured. Inside, Saint Christopher is traditionally depicted carrying the Christ Child across a river, straining under a weight that symbolises the burden of the world. It’s a fitting image for a city that has always been shaped by movement—by merchants, sailors, migrants, pilgrims, and, today, travellers from every corner of the globe.

What truly sets this chapel apart, however, is not just its age or symbolism, but its role in a living tradition that connects medieval devotion with modern life. Every year on 10 July, the Festa de Sant Cristòfor transforms this quiet corner of the Gothic Quarter into an unlikely gathering point for cars, motorbikes, scooters, and bicycles. Vehicles line up to be blessed for the year ahead, a ritual that began here in 1907 and is considered the first vehicle-blessing ceremony of its kind in Spain. It’s a wonderfully Barcelona moment: ancient faith meeting modern mobility without irony or spectacle.

There is something deeply human about this continuity. Long before engines and asphalt, travellers passed this same spot hoping for protection. Today, the mode of transport has changed, but the impulse remains the same. We still seek reassurance before we set off. We still like the idea that someone—or something—is watching over the journey. Unlike Barcelona’s larger churches, the Chapel of Saint Christopher of Regomir doesn’t overwhelm. It invites quiet reflection rather than awe. It reminds you that history doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it survives in a single room, on a narrow street, still performing the same role it did centuries ago.

So when you come to Barcelona, by all means, visit the icons. But also allow yourself to wander. Take a detour through Carrer del Regomir. Stand for a moment outside this small chapel and consider how many journeys have begun, passed by, or been quietly blessed here. In a city defined by movement, the Chapel of Saint Christopher remains one of its most understated guardians—watching travellers come and go, just as it always has.

#GothicQuarter #BarriGotic #Barcelona #Catalonia #SantCristofor #Regomir #HiddenGem #Architecture #SpainTravel

La fotografía callejera en blanco y negro tiene la capacidad única de despojar a una ciudad de sus distracciones superficiales para revelar su verdadera esencia. En Barcelona, donde la arquitectura histórica y la vida cotidiana se entrelazan de manera tan natural, prescindir del color permite centrarse en las texturas, los contrastes de luz y las emociones genuinas de quienes la habitan.

Pasear por los barrios antiguos de la ciudad con la cámara en mano es un ejercicio de observación constante. Las luces y sombras que se proyectan entre los callejones estrechos, el ritmo pausado de los transeúntes y los pequeños detalles arquitectónicos cobran protagonismo propio. El blanco y negro no solo rinde homenaje a la estética clásica de la fotografía documental, sino que también aporta una atmósfera atemporal que invita a detenerse y mirar más allá de lo evidente.

#FotografiaCallejera #StreetPhotography #Barcelona #BlancoYNegro #BlackAndWhite #FotografiaDocumental #BarriGotic