A Journey in Spain

With Neil Simon, Chief Advisor of VESSEL Lifestylish Magazine

When business took precedence over vacation, an opportunity arose in Florence, Italy, to celebrate our friends’ fifth wedding anniversary a year before-hand. With vacation time accrued, a budget set, and expenses pared back, all was a go.

Then came an offer for career advancement—complete with a new title and two work phones, tethered me within a 50-mile radius. We missed the 2019 experience by four months, but arrived at the Church of Saints Michele and Gaetano in January 2020 with a prayer of thankfulness for this respite, new sites and repeat meals to form new memories.

Each step after our January 2020 return left me wondering if a getaway to a place with poor cell service and inconvenient time zones would ever again occur. So, when the invitation came to join our friends for their 10th anniversary, my answer was a quick “Yes!” That response marked the start of a three-year plan—saving was easy, but carving out time proved harder.

Visiting several Spanish cities allowed me to fulfill my role as an advisor to VESSEL Lifestylish Magazine, crafting stories and capturing snapshots to uncover what defines great fashion in Barcelona. While I didn’t get all the answers for that assignment, I did experience the most incredible vacation.

Were there moments or experiences that truly captivated you, leaving a lasting impression on this journey?

One of the many highlights of visiting Spain was my birthday celebration in Barcelona, guided by our best friend’s cousin who lives locally. We asked her to share the Barcelonan lifestyle with us, and with great enthusiasm, she did. The night began at Ocaña, a restaurant in Las Ramblas, for drinks. We sped through town in a sleek black sedan, arriving at a vibrant, bustling square lined with shops and restaurants, filled with locals and tourists alike.

We approached Ocaña and were greeted by a festive drag queen wearing traditional Spanish garb paired with an entire jewelry-box of baubles and embellishments that mesmerized under the arching portico near the square, where life was teaming with possibilities ... Our seating was al fresco, and half of our friends were already there, welcoming us warmly. Did we have food there? I don’t recall, but I’m sure I enjoyed at least a couple of glasses of my Spanish drink of choice, Cava. Produced just outside Barcelona in the Penedès region of Catalonia, Cava is a sparkling wine available in both white and rosé varieties. After enjoying the friendly service, snapping some pictures, and noting the upstairs restrooms with windows overlooking the dining areas and Plaza Real, we migrated on to our next stop.

We took a short walk through the colorful Las Ramblas and into a narrow cobblestone alley, leading us to Bar Cañete, just in time for our 10 p.m. reservation. A bright neon sign welcomed us, along with cheeky phrases suggesting you do *something* to your diet. The restaurant is a long corridor with an open kitchen enclosed by a bar top with seating. We had the best seat in the house—a long table at the back, shared with another party, which gave us a view of the entire space. The staff was excellent. The kitchen buzzed with passion as chefs prepared Spanish favorites, while the servers made every effort to engage with patrons, ensuring a fantastic experience. The room was filled with joy as I scanned the scene between bites of delicious tapas and paella. To top off the night, the restaurant staff sang an unforgettable rendition of “Happy Birthday”—one of the best I’ve ever had.

The night continued as we headed to Dry Martini Barcelona by Javier De Las Muelas for a nightcap. The space had a classic, old-school charm, with dark wood details, hunter green upholstery, dim lighting, and waiters in white sport coats. The atmosphere was upscale European cozy; it was clearly a local favorite as we squeezed into a plush banquette, with numerous black-and-white portraits on the walls spectated. The drinks and service were top-notch, the perfect end to a fabulous birthday celebration in Barcelona.

Did any of these cities enchant you more than the others? What sets it apart for you?

Madrid is the city I found most enchanting in Spain. The architecture is peak European—slightly over-the-top and unapologetically beautiful. My favorites are the massive statues adorning the tops of buildings; their grand scale evokes a World’s Fair aesthetic, solidifying Madrid as a truly special place. Promenading down the Gran Vía, weaving through small streets and alleyways to discover little shops and eateries among locals, is an indescribable feeling. And then, there’s the cheeky, shrug-the-shoulders realization that many places are closed for siesta. One of my favorite places in Madrid is El Retiro Park. Spanning 350 acres in the heart of the city, El Retiro is a beautifully formal park with lush greenery, fountains, ducks, and delightful surprises. Locals come here for exercise, and while tourists are certainly present, there’s a serenity, with noise muffled by the romantic standards played by saxophonists. The pride Madrid takes in this park is palpable, and I urge others to visit what I consider one of the best parts of the city.

What were your thoughts on Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces? How did his designs resonate with you?

Gaudí’s essence permeates Barcelona, with his architectural works resembling otherworldly, organic beings that seem to live and breathe through mosaic and concrete. It’s no surprise they draw immense crowds. From the nearly-finished Sagrada Família to Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, his structures evoke a hypnotic movement that both intrigues and entrances. Park Güell is a fantasy land sprawling across the hills overlooking Barcelona. The intricate nuances are astounding, making it feel as if an alien creature covered in mosaic tiles reclines on the mountain’s curves. Gaudí’s distinctive aesthetic, woven through the city, undoubtedly contributes to Barcelona’s magical allure.

In your opinion, what makes travel important? What do we gain from exploring new places?

We gain so much from traveling and exploring new places. Often, we feel bound to our careers, neglecting vacations because work commitments always seem to fill our calendars. But work is never-ending; it’s always there, and employers aren’t handing out trophies for those of us who do not take time off to see the world. Self-care is widely embraced, and I believe travel is the quintessential form that encapsulates those intentions. In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, self-actualization is the pinnacle, characterized by acceptance, peak experiences, a sense of appreciation, and purpose—travel, I urge, is an irrefutable means to accomplish this.

Could you envision a life in Spain or elsewhere in Europe?

Could I envision life in Spain? Absolutely. However, I do appreciate living in America. What I can say is there’s a lot to learn from the Spanish lifestyle. In America—especially in Los Angeles—we’re always rushing. Whether it’s walking down the street or having a meal, we are always cognizant about the time. In Spain, they savor each moment. They walk at a pace that allows them to take in the sights, sounds, and smells. Meals are a social experience meant for relishing flavors and company. Whilst sightseeing, I reminded myself to modulate my steps, resisting my instinct to hurry as if I were in LA (or work!). I’ll have to visit again to truly soak in all the things I may have missed.