March 2018 Issue #15 March 2018 Issue #15, 4GUYS | Page 32

After meandering through the narrow streets
to the promenade and round to the next bay,
we lay our towels on Platja de las Balmins,
one of the town’s gay – and clothing-optional –
beaches. It’s also one of the prettiest and most
sheltered, with a good stretch of sand, shallow
waters and a café.
While I’m always keen for a swim, Dean isn’t
much of a water baby. I go alone, swimming out
then turning back to face the shore, luxuriating
in the view of a town loved by so many LGBT+
tourists. The next morning, it’s back to Calafell
station for a train to our final destination: bus-
tling, bohemian, beautiful Barcelona.
The journey takes about an hour and, though
not as airy as the train from Valencia, the scen-
ery is hypnotising. The train hugs the coastline
for most of the journey, offering views of the
shimmering blue sea and brief glimpses into
deserted little coves.
We’ve booked two nights at the Meliá Barce-
lona Sky, a tower of glass, a few Metro stops
north-east of the heart of the city, in the Poble-
nou neighbourhood. Having discovered a talent
for sculpture in the past 18 months, Dean’s so
keen to see some art that he hurries me out of
our sea-view room before I’ve even unpacked
my toothbrush.
As we’ve already visited the Sagrada Família
and Parc Guell, both part of Gaudí’s legacy
(and definitely worth the ticket price if it’s your
first visit to Barcelona), on this trip we head
to the magnificent Casa Batlló on Passeig de
Gràcia.
Built for the Batlló family in 1904, it’s a mesmer-
ising sight, with an undulating façade made up
of rows of balconies that resemble a rib cage.
Over the next couple of days, we roam the city,
soaking up the atmosphere and culture.
32