This post is an introduction to our 8-day family trip to Barcelona, which is already being published on the ODPOTUJ blog as a day-by-day travel diary.

Why Barcelona?

Because we’re one of those families who plan vacations early, both for time reasons and for the budget, the idea was born back in late July.

I was sitting on the terrace of our apartment in Tenerife, drinking coffee and scrolling through my phone without any particular goal. Between ads for shoes, I noticed a news item: a direct Ljubljana–Barcelona route was launching in the fall.

The price of the plane tickets? Roughly what you’d spend on a train ride to Maribor and back, with lunch at Maistrov trg in between.

And that’s when the moment of truth arrived.

Before Igor even took his first sip of coffee, I served him my well-known line:

You know what I’ve been thinking…?”

After eleven years of marriage and two children, he knew perfectly well that this didn’t mean a conversation about which shoes I’d been looking at.

No.
It meant: a new destination, a new mission, a new place to stay.

To be fair, the ads I see online only ever show shoes and flight connections. Coincidence?

Thirteen Years Ago

We were last in Barcelona thirteen years ago, back then with Igor’s sister Katja and our friend Ciril, who became Igor’s best man two years later.

Thirteen years ago feels, in my mind, almost the same as if we had never been there at all.

If we don’t go celebrate New Year’s as a family now, when will we?
Later, when the girls are already grown and roll their eyes at us while walking down La Rambla?

From the first idea to a confirmed destination, it took about half an hour. Just enough time for Igor to check accommodation prices for the Christmas and New Year holidays and realize that, considering the season, they were surprisingly reasonable.

Family Meeting (Still in Pajamas)

About half an hour later, the girls, still half asleep, dragged themselves out onto the terrace of our little “house,” as Nia likes to call it.

With due ceremony and a bit too early for their liking, we revealed the news.

Nara accepted it happily, still half-dreaming. Already used to the fact that we’re always somewhere.

Nia, on the other hand… well.
Nia would have preferred Terme Olimia ( a popular thermal spa resort in Slovenia, especially loved by families)

Nia trains swimming and is a child of order, chlorine, pools, and precise training schedules. For months now, patiently, in her opinion far too patiently, she’s been waiting for us to finally give in to a water-based holiday.

Barcelona may not have water slides or pools. But it does have the sea, tapas, and plenty of new experiences.

So Olimia, for now, remains on her list of unfulfilled wishes.
Barcelona, however, is here. Warm, sunny, and ready for us.

How We’ve Celebrated New Year’s So Far

Up until now, we’ve always welcomed the New Year at home.

In the most classic way possible: in pajamas, with a good dinner, a movie or two, and the obligatory countdown on TV.

Last year, we made a small, almost daring break from tradition. We celebrated New Year’s just a few steps away, at our neighbor Tom’s place, who puts up holiday lights every year that could make even Las Vegas feel a little jealous.

December, the Local Way

And so the decision was made: we’ll welcome 2026 in Barcelona.
It will be our first New Year’s trip.

But before we pack our bags and raise a toast under the Catalan sky, there’s still our almost traditional pre–New Year’s gathering to look forward to. Every year, we host it right at home, in the most down-to-earth way possible – in our garage.

We get together with the neighbors over snacks, mulled wine, and conversations that tend to last much longer than planned.

This time of year is all about togetherness for us. It probably helps that both Igor and I celebrate our birthdays just four days apart. Laughter, conversations, and that comforting feeling that simply being together is enough.

We usually gather for Halloween as well, out in the garden, surrounded by pumpkins, lanterns, and children’s excitement. This year, because of our trip to Portugal, that tradition had to be skipped.

No harm done. Around here, there’s never a shortage of reasons to get together.

The First Time a Little Farther from Home

This year, all that homely warmth will get a pleasant continuation.

Once Christmas is behind us and the suitcases are finally packed, we’ll be welcoming the New Year a little farther from home for the first time.

In Barcelona, where we hope to be greeted by sunshine, city energy, and a new experience that will reshape how we think about New Year’s celebrations.

❓ If you’re planning a trip to Barcelona, we’ve gathered practical answers in one place: Barcelona with family – questions and answers .