shops

“WE have a saying in Catalan,” my guide Rosa tells me, looking up at the towering structure and surrounding cranes looming over us. 

While Brits may grumble that something is “taking for ever”, the people of Catalan prefer to say: “This is taking longer than the building of the Sagrada Familia.”

It’s a valid joke. 

Barcelona’s most famous church has been under construction for 144 years, and five generations have watched legendary architect Antoni Gaudi’s vision slowly come to life.

But at last, the Sagrada Familia has reached the final stages of completion. And I couldn’t wait to check it out.

There’s never been a better time to visit the Spanish city of Barcelona. Crowned the World Capital of Architecture 2026, it is currently marking the centenary of Gaudi’s death with a year-long calendar of concerts, exhibitions and events. 

FLOAT UP

Where to find one of summer’s cheapest ‘under-the-radar’ cities with £2.60 pints

WHAT A TREAT

I visited the foodie city with new British Airways flights and 33C summers

I was visiting with Tui, which made my action-packed break super-smooth thanks to a host of easily-bookable excursions via its Tui Musement site.

Of course, it includes a Sagradia Familia tour with a specialist guide and access to the tower.

Guides really know their stuff, too. Rosa tells me, with its latest tower finally in place, the Sagrada Familia now stands at 172.5m, making it officially the tallest church in the world. 

While the landmark is technically close to structural completion, that doesn’t necessarily mean we are much closer to seeing a “finished” version without any scaffolding.  

In fact, the Sagrada Familia is far more likely to remain a perpetual work-in-progress with older, more weathered parts of the building undergoing continuous restoration.

Nonetheless, it will still take your breath away. Each side of the church tells hundreds of stories through carved figures and symbols. Look closely and you’ll see more than just saints — Gaudi used local labourers, their children and even himself as models, immortalising the people who built the church into its walls.

If you don’t fancy the crowds of the Sagrada, there are plenty of other architectural delights to admire elsewhere in the city.

Gaudi fans will find 12 more of his designs here, including Casa Batllo.

This building was designed in 1904 and sits on the Passeig de Gracia, or as I like to call it, Sweets Street (the house is now owned by the founder of Chupa Chups lollies, plus Casa Amatller next door has housed three generations of chocolate-makers).

Inside, Casa Batllo feels like a Willy Wonka dream. Gaudi took inspiration from nature, which can be seen in the spirals and rounded wooden doors that make walking the hallways feel like a fairytale.

My ­personal highlight was the ­mushroom-shaped fireplace. 

An eight-minute walk from here is the equally unmissable Casa Mila.  

And away from impressive buildings, there’s plenty of shopping. Just avoid the touristy streets of Las Ramblas and instead head to La Boqueria, a must-visit market. It’s still popular, but no tourist trap. The recommendation came from Rosa, who explained that if she’s cooking for guests, she shops there. 

Across the road you’ll find the much quieter Placa del Pi, a peaceful square with a smaller artisan market. 

From here, wander down Calle­Petritxol, home to the oldest art gallery in Spain, Sala Pares, which held Picasso’s first exhibition. 

If you’ve been inspired by all the stunning artistry, an espadrilles- making class (£88pp with Tui Musement) might appeal.  

You’ll learn about the shoe’s beginnings as farm-workers’ footwear, before it was brought into fashion by Salvador Dali.  

You’ll pick your ribbons, enjoy a glass of cava and get to work on making a pair for your next holiday. 

On my final day, I had booked onto a full-day e-bike, winery and boat tour (£122pp).

I cycled along the coast to the charming village of Alella to enjoy a tasting at a family-owned vineyard, before ending the afternoon with a yacht tour, where I could admire even more of Gaudi’s modernist cityscape from the sea. 

Staring out towards the glorious shoreline, I can easily see where he drew inspiration — and just why he loved this city. 

The town has a variety of independent shops and places to eat.

From Cotswolds villages to seaside towns, the UK is home to a variety of stunning towns. I love exploring them but to live in one for a substantial amount of time it really has to tick my boxes. After living in Windsor for several years, I was sceptical about moving to a new place. But this hidden gem town just outside London is much quieter and more peaceful.

About 28 miles from London, Marlow is on a scenic stretch of the River Thames and surrounded by the rolling countryside of the Chiltern Hills. Its historic high street and picturesque setting attract visitors from all over the country, yet it still remains fairly quiet, compared to nearby towns like Henley-on-Thames. The town was recorded in the Domesday book as an established settlement, valued for its fertile land and river access.

It then developed as a river crossing and trading point before becoming known for malting and brewing. In the 19th century, the construction of the bridge began to improve connections across the Thames, and the arrival of the railway later in the century further boosted accessibility and growth.

Now, it’s an affluent residential and leisure destination known for its riverside setting, bustling high street and outstanding food scene. It’s regularly voted as one of the best places to live in the UK.

There’s a lot to do and see in the town, including hiring a rowing boat, visiting Higginson Park for a picnic, and visiting the market.

The picturesque high street is full of independent boutiques and eateries, including The Cheese Shed, The Marlow Bookshop and The Dresser. I’m also a huge fan of Laurent’s, an Italian cafe and deli serving delicious sandwiches and coffee. Marlow also hosts regular markets where visitors can find local produce, including delicious homemade gelato by Agosti Gelato and juices from Marlow Juices. The town is well-regarded for its food scene, including award-winning pubs and Michelin-starred dining.

The Hand and Flowers is perhaps the town’s most celebrated restaurant, as it was the first pub in the country to be awarded two Michelin stars, a distinction it still holds today. It’s owned by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge and elevates classic British dishes with refined techniques and bold flavours. However, dining here doesn’t come cheap, with prices for a set Sunday lunch around £195.

Housing and living costs tend to be above the national average, reflecting its desirability and commuter-friendly location. According to Rightmove, the average price of a house in Marlow over the last year was just shy of £700,000. This is more than double the UK’s current average of £290,000, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The town is also close to towns and villages like Bourne End, Cookham, and Bray, and exploring Cliveden, a National Trust property, is my favourite weekend destination.

The town was also recognised as one of the “Happiest Places to Live in 2025”

In an age where numerous British high streets have fallen victim to a “clone town” plague of betting shops and vacant premises, one Tudor-framed town in the West Midlands is mounting a spectacular, independent fightback. Shrewsbury, the birthplace of Charles Darwin, was crowned ‘Britain’s best high street’ for two years running – and with an impressive tally of roughly 515 independent shops, it’s easy to understand why.

Cradled within a bend of the River Severn, this Shropshire treasure has achieved what many deemed impossible: building a retail landscape where local enterprises don’t just survive but significantly outnumber the national chains.

The town was also recognised as one of its ‘Happiest Places to Live in 2025’ and the leading town in the Midlands by The Guardian. It boasts dozens of historic pubs, including The Bull Inn and The Nags Head, which stretches back to the 16th century and appeared in A Christmas Carol (1984).

When the Daily Express dropped by the town, Seb Slater, executive director at Shrewsbury BID, explained that the combined efforts of businesses, the Business Improvement District (BID), and the local councils to deliver effective campaigns and schemes ensure that Shrewsbury “enjoys strong footfall and vacancy rates that remain well below the national average, with a continuous stream of new businesses keen to open here,” reports the Express.

He added: “Shrewsbury serves a wide customer catchment area extending across Shropshire and mid Wales alongside a growing visitor economy that strengthens our reputation as a leading regional destination.”

A shining example of this independent spirit is Shrewsbury’s Market Hall, which has been voted Britain’s favourite market across multiple years and claimed the title of best community market in 2026.

Commercial, markets and events manager at the town council, Ian Thorpe, told the Express it is a “treasured asset” that will celebrate its 60th anniversary this September, adding that the “fantastic traders provide an eclectic shopping experience for both residents and tourists.”

Yet perhaps the true jewel in Shrewsbury’s crown is Wyle Cop, widely regarded as the longest unbroken stretch of independent businesses in the UK.

This historic thoroughfare is a masterclass in boutique retail and a stunning showcase of the town’s architectural heritage.

Lining the street are numerous 17th-century timber-framed buildings, and the Cop is home to 39 of Shrewsbury’s almost 800 listed buildings, according to the town’s official website.

Beyond its thriving retail scene, Shrewsbury has much more to offer. The town’s 29-acre Quarry Park and Gardens provide a vast swathe of green space, ideal for leisurely winter walks or cycling trips.

Rich in history and flanked by listed buildings, you could easily while away the hours exploring the town’s captivating architecture, from the iconic

Shrewsbury Abbey and the striking red sandstone castle, to the Old Market Hall and Shrewsbury Prison, known as The Dana, which dates back to 1793.

Beyond that, there’s the Museum & Art Gallery and Theatre Severn to discover, as well as neighbouring green spaces such as Hawkstone Park Follies and National Trust Attingham Park.