Barcelona, Spain, is a bustling city filled with stunning cathedrals, gaudy architecture (literally), and delicious cuisine— hello, tapas. It’s also a destination that perfectly blends land and sea, as it is home to golden sand beaches and lush green mountains that house some of the region’s best wine labels.
I recently popped into the Spanish destination to test drive the all-new Volvo EX30. Although I’m an avid traveler, I’ve never actually driven while abroad. So, I jumped at the opportunity to check something new off my travel bucket list while also exploring the area behind the wheel of the car brand’s smallest EV yet.
My second time in Barcelona, I was able to cover even more territory than my initial visit nearly ten years ago. From Black-owned restaurants to DIY upcycling studios to getting “the shot” in front of the famous The Cheetah Girls 2 movie backdrop. Here’s an insider’s take on what to eat, see and do while there.
Where to Stay
The key to any major city is staying in a central location. This way, you can easily get around, whether by foot, rideshare, or even public transportation. For this trip, I stayed in the ultra-trendy ME Barcelona. With gorgeous imagery of Black women rocking their natural kinks and coils filling its walls, the hotel is a dream for any Black girl that likes to feel seen.
The entire property is decked out in neutral tones and wood accents. There’s a rooftop pool for those visiting in warmer months, a late-night bar accented with pink florals hanging from its ceiling, and a delicious restaurant with tons of greenery splashed throughout.
What to See and Do
First and foremost, you’re in Europe, so retail therapy is a must. With the EU having the VAT (value-added tax) refund, it’s the perfect excuse to get in a little designer shopping while also saving a few coins in the process. With Spain being the home of fashion house Loewe (pronounced Loh-eh-vey), you’re sure to get your hands on some of the brand’s hottest bags and shades for a fraction of the price in the US. Oh, and there’s a nice designer outlet just 30-minutes outside Barcelona proper— you can thank me later. You can also find great shopping around Plaça de Catalunya, as well as the iconic La Rambla (Barcelona’s famous pedestrian strip).
For the artsy girls, add a visit to Upcycling Barcelona Shop (L’Escola d’Upcyling) for unique pieces as well as the chance to take one of the collective's daily DIY upcycling classes. The shop mostly works with denim, so you could walk away with your own custom piece. Also, no trip to the city is complete without seeing the various buildings and houses built by architect Antoni Gaudí. Words really don’t do these structures justice, so you’ll just have to see them for yourself.
Be sure to spend some time getting lost in the alleys of the Gothic District, which is filled with tons of street art and murals.
Were you a Cheetah Girls fan growing up? The city served as the backdrop to the second installment of the Disney film, and some of the most memorable scenes were shot in Park Güell. Pro Tip: If you want to get “the shot” get there early as the crowds can be overwhelming with everyone trying to snap photos of the landmark. Also note that there’s a 10 euro entry fee to even walk the park.
Where to Eat
Spain, in general, is famous for its tapas culture. Nearly any sit-down restaurant around the city will serve up an array of small, shareable plates for you and your group. Some of my favorites: the tomato bread with olive oil, fried croquettes, and grilled octopus.
If you’re on your Issa Rae vibe right now— rooting for (and supporting) everyone Black— check out Black-owned Spice BCN and Fori, both known for their African influences and cuisine.For a local vibe, make a reservation at Taberna Llamber tucked away in the city’s back alleys. This spot is popular for local residents, so keep that in mind because it can get packed.
For a unique spin on tapas, head to Fismuler, which also offers live music on most nights.
For the vino enthusiasts, Barcelona is known for its wine tourism as the country is home to the popular sparkling varietal, Cava. Add a full-day wine tour to your itinerary to partake in some of the region’s best labels.
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Feature image by DeAnna Taylor
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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Feature image by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
Kimora shares how she’s been able to joyfully watch as her daughter achieves her greatest goals over the years, including becoming Teen Vogue’s September 2023 cover star. In doing so, the runway star reflects on the natural instinct of mothers to desire success for their children but expresses her commitment to letting her daughters make mistakes while providing support.
"It's a mom's natural instinct to want to impose your expectations on your kids. But I'm learning to let my kids make their mistakes and serve as their support,” Kimora shared. “As a mom, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. I just try my best and make sure that the wisdom I pass down comes from a good source."
The Baby Phat founder went on to express concerns about her daughter Aoki's modeling career, fearing she may encounter the “cutthroat” nature of the industry that can cause those within it to feel like they’re not “enough.”
With this in mind, she often reminds Aoki, “to understand that in life you will face rejection because this industry can be so cutthroat. For some, you won't be cool enough, tall enough, or petite enough. I've definitely had my ugly duckling days."
(L-R) Ming Lee Simmons, Aoki Lee Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons attend the Prabal Gurung show during New York Fashion Week: The Show.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows
Although the fashion mogul has managed to balance being in the public eye since she began her modeling career at the age of 13, along with motherhood and running an era-shaping clothing brand, it’s apparent that Kimora understands the importance of staying grounded. “Truly, who even cares?! Easier said than done. I never want her to have to deal with that part of the industry but all I can do is prepare her,” she says.
When you’ve been in the fashion game long enough to set the trends and see them come full circle, it’s natural to desire a level of evolution within the space — from the clothes to the culture. And while Kimora has seen how far the industry has come, she hopes for greater inclusion and support within the industry; especially for women of color.
“Fashion is an ever-changing industry with the same pitfalls. For women of color specifically, it's changed so much but we still have so far to go,” she says. “These brands claim to always have been so inclusive but that doesn't always pan out to be true. I wish people would practice what they preach.”
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Featured image by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Teen Vogue
