The Netherlands is a special place. We stayed in an eco-friendly tiny home in Amsterdam-Noord, in a beautiful wooded neighborhood. We spent most of our days biking through Amsterdam, navigating our way to different shops, restaurants, bars and sites all through the city. We took breaks, sat along the canals and wandered through the Red Light District and Jordaan. A free 2 minute ferry for bikers and motorists would take us to and from the city center. On one of the days during our stay, we road our bikes through the Netherlands countryside. It was a 20 mile bike ride on a path that winded through expansive farmland, tiny canal villages and ended in Volendam - a lovely seaside town. Some of our favorite memories from the trip: bitterballen from Mata Hari, Sara falling off her bike on the train tracks, the coffee shops (Jesse), Heineken, pouty prostitutes, boat houses and beef nachos from Harlem Soul Food. Amsterdam has been the most exciting, inviting and surprisingly family-friendly city on our trip so far.

We spent the last five days in Barcelona and it was so nice to settle into a city for a bit. We stayed in the El Borne district in a tiny little apartment with a balcony on Agullers street. It was the perfect location, with restaurants, cafes and bars on every corner. We found ridiculous food in our neighborhood at restaurant called El Xampanyet. This tiny little spot was a 4 minute walk from our apartment, and was so good we went our last two nights in a row. In order to get a table you have to show up right before they open. People crowd in front of the steel garage door until it slides open at 7pm, and everyone rushes in to grab a spot. They serve large bottles of homemade cava, and seriously amazing tapas. We shared canned mussels, anchovies in vinegar, salmon salad on bread, pan con tomate, baby clams and calamari. So glad we found this spot. We were also able to experience some of the Festes de la Merce, which is the annual festival that bids summer goodbye. We watched the Castellars (human towers) and the Correfoc. The Correfoc was unreal - it's a late night parade where people dress as devils, light giant sparklers and spray fire at themselves and the crowds (us) on the sides. Barcelona is a magical, energetic and endlessly artistic place.

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