What nobody tells you about visiting Spain

After a lot of research I thought I knew what to expect from Spain. Some things matched: Park Güell is as spectacular as every review says, and Barcelona has a genuine energy I'd read about. The churros con chocolate obsession is completely justified.

What I wasn't prepared for: beautiful beaches. That element genuinely surprised me and added something I hadn't seen in any review. Also: late dining hours take adjusting. That part the reviews undersell. Overall a wonderful trip — just a more layered experience than I anticipated.