Buenas Días Families!
It is hard to believe that we have reached our final trip update. The last two weeks have flown by, and what an incredible journey it has been. Watching this group grow from a collection of anglers from across the United States into a tight-knit group of friends has been one of the most rewarding parts of the expedition. As guides, there is nothing better than seeing the confidence, curiosity, and camaraderie that have developed throughout our time together.
After saying goodbye to Jaca, we were fortunate enough to spend two nights at the beautiful Rueda Monastery, an ancient monastery that has been carefully restored into one of the most unique hotels any of us have ever stayed in. Following several busy days on the road, everyone enjoyed the chance to catch up on some much-needed laundry and relax around the peaceful courtyard, where centuries-old olive trees provided plenty of shade from the Spanish summer sun. The boys explored the monastery on a self-guided audio tour, wandering through centuries-old stone hallways and quiet courtyards with hardly anyone else around. It quickly became one of the unexpected highlights of the trip.
The following morning, after another incredible Spanish buffet breakfast, we met up with a local guide for one final day of fishing on the legendary Ebro River. Our target was one of the largest freshwater fish on Earth: the famous Wels catfish. These incredible fish can grow well over 200 pounds, and believe it or not, the one in our photos is considered a small one! Along the way, the boys also landed an enormous common carp, making for an unforgettable final fishing adventure. The stories—and the mud-covered clothes afterward—made for plenty of laughs over dinner as we watched another evening of World Cup matches together.
The next morning, we loaded up the vans and pointed them toward the destination many of the boys had been looking forward to since day one: Barcelona. As vineyards, rolling farmland, and the Mediterranean landscape passed by outside, their faces were pressed against the windows in awe and curiosity.
After checking into our hotel, we jumped right into the city with one of my favorite experiences of the trip: an authentic paella cooking class. After enjoying appetizers of olives, jamón ibérico, fresh fruit, local nuts, and refreshments, the boys rolled up their sleeves under the guidance of our chef, John, and prepared fresh seafood, prawns, squid, and countless other ingredients before cooking two enormous Barcelona-style paellas from scratch. Of course, the best part came afterward, when everyone gathered around the table to enjoy the meal we had created together while learning about the history and traditions behind Spain's most famous dish.
With full stomachs, we met up with our wonderful local guide Alessia for a walking tour through the heart of Barcelona before making our way to one of the most breathtaking places in Europe: the Sagrada Família. No photograph can truly prepare you for standing beneath Antoni Gaudí's masterpiece. The towering architecture is humbling from the outside, but it is the interior that leaves the greatest impression. As the afternoon sun streamed through the stained-glass windows, the entire basilica filled with incredible colors that seemed almost impossible to describe. It was one of those moments where everyone simply stopped talking and took it all in.
After a short Spanish-style siesta back at the hostel, we headed back into the city for an evening tapas tour through the Gothic Quarter, Plaça Reial, and the Born District. The boys continued embracing every opportunity to try something new, sampling everything from jamón ibérico and croquetas to chorizo, blood sausage, and traditional northern Spanish pintxos. Experiencing Barcelona during the World Cup has been an incredible bonus, and we enjoyed watching matches alongside locals while soaking in the electric atmosphere that filled the city each night. We wrapped up the evening with more tapas, gelato, and a sunset stroll through Barcelona's lively plazas before heading to bed after a jam-packed first day in the city.
For our final full day, we let the boys help decide how they wanted to spend it. After a slow Spanish breakfast, we wandered through the narrow cobblestone streets of the Gothic Quarter, stopping in local thrift shops where everyone found a few European outfits to bring home as souvenirs. It was especially meaningful for me to lead this part of the tour, as these were many of the same streets I explored every day while studying abroad here during college.
Lunch brought us to one of my favorite local restaurants, where the boys somehow decided that local escargot might become one of the biggest culinary hits of the trip. Along with snails came jamón ibérico, local sausages, pan con tomate, patatas bravas, and plenty of other Spanish favorites. Afterwards, we wandered through Barcelona's beautiful Mercat de Santa Caterina, admiring colorful displays of fresh seafood, cheeses, spices, olives, cured meats, fresh bread, and produce. By that point, we were completely stuffed—and looking surprisingly stylish in our new European outfits.
That afternoon, after packing our bags for the journey home, we made one final trip into the city and walked along Barcelona's beautiful waterfront past sailboats and enormous yachts before arriving at Barceloneta Beach. With crystal-clear Mediterranean water, sunshine overhead, frisbee, soccer, and plenty of swimming, it was the perfect way to spend our final afternoon together.
Before dinner, we were even lucky enough to stumble across one of Barcelona's free outdoor concerts as the city prepared to host the start of the Tour de France. We finished the evening with one final celebratory Italian dinner together, sharing favorite memories from the trip and laughing about everything from giant catfish to hacky sack competitions. It was hard to believe that only two weeks earlier, many of these boys had never even met.
The following morning came far too quickly. We checked everyone in for their flights, said our goodbyes, and watched each of the boys begin their journey home to the United States.
Looking back, this trip became about so much more than fishing. Together we traveled from one end of the Spanish Pyrenees to the other, fished world-class rivers, learned from incredible local guides, practiced Spanish every day, explored medieval villages, ancient monasteries, and one of the most famous churches on Earth. We experienced new cultures, new foods, and new perspectives while creating friendships that we hope will last a lifetime.
Thank you for trusting us with your sons. Sharing Spain with them has been an absolute privilege, and we hope they return home with not only unforgettable fishing stories, but also a lifelong appreciation for travel, adventure, and the incredible experiences that come from stepping outside their comfort zones.
We truly hope this isn't the last adventure we share together. We'd love to see many of these boys back on another Lillard expedition in the years to come. Stay tuned for our 2027 Spain dates—we're excited to be expanding the itinerary into another incredible country while keeping the same balance of world-class fly fishing, authentic culture, incredible cuisine, and adventure that made this expedition so special.
We're also putting the finishing touches on an entirely new European expedition through Slovenia and Italy that follows that very same ethos—immersive travel, unforgettable fishing, and meaningful cultural experiences. We can't wait to share more details with all of you in the months ahead.
Until then, we hope each of the boys has an unforgettable rest of the summer, whether that's exploring close to home or somewhere new around the world. If your family ever has questions about traveling in Europe, planning another fishing adventure, or simply wants recommendations for future travels, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'd be more than happy to help.
Hasta luego—sunshine, tight lines, and good times.
Jack, Miguel, Adrian, and Miquel
