I heard rave reviews about Casa Vicens, Antoni Gaudí’s first significant architectural project, while touring his iconic Sagrada Família. So, my travel buddy Judy and I decided to visit. We took the subway from the Gothic Quarter and walked into the Gràcia neighborhood of Barcelona, Spain. Our excitement grew when a structure suddenly jumped out from the rest of the buildings along the street—a house completely unlike anything else. It appeared as a kaleidoscope of colors, textures, and unexpected shapes. We couldn’t wait to get a closer look.

We followed a sign to the rear of the house, where we met a staff member who explained the use of the audio guide. We paused and listened outside, marveling at the imaginative details of the house and the blooming gardens.