With three days to explore Barcelona, I am determined to experience as much culture and cuisine as possible. Each morning, I wander along the narrow, winding streets of the nearby Gothic Quarter, absorbing local sights and sounds while searching for breakfast.

Tiny shops sell exquisite, open-faced sandwiches piled with meats, cheeses and spicy condiments, and looking like miniature works of art.

Around many corners, I encounter buskers filling the air with a soulful opera aria or haunting classical music.

A stroll down the bustling pedestrian mall known as Las Ramblas -- bursting with vendors, flower shops and outdoor eateries – leads me to the waterfront and a towering monument to Christopher Columbus.

Meandering along the boardwalk, I marvel at the golden beaches where tourists and local residents can bask in the sun and frolic in the waves without having to leave the city centre. Vast public squares, gurgling fountains, and leafy green parks add to the city’s friendly, open atmosphere.

Evenings in Barcelona bring other delights such as watching the Magic Fountains of Montjuic sparkle and dance to music under the stars, savouring plates of piquant paella and tapas washed down with huge glasses of fruit-filled sangria, and following the magical adventures of Alice in Wonderland performed by an English language theatre troupe. One memorable night, the downtown core absolutely pulses with energy as excited FC Barcelona supporters revel in their football team’s success at clinching the European Cup.

By the end of my visit, I feel invigorated and enchanted by the sensory extravaganza that is Barcelona.