Decibellas on Tour: Barcelona & Costa Brava - day 5

Another glorious morning greeted us in Calella, and with a leisurely start to the day, everyone embraced their own pace. Some headed straight for the pool, others wandered down to the sandy coves for a refreshing sea swim, while a few were perfectly content with a gentle paddle along the shoreline. A little more shopping followed—because, of course, you can never quite have enough!

We returned to the hotel for lunch, where we were treated to a delightful surprise: a birthday celebration for Libby! The room filled with a wonderfully tuneful rendition of “Happy Birthday,” complete with impressive harmonies—proof, if ever it were needed, that this group is never off duty musically.

Suitably refuelled, we boarded the coach and made our way to Barcelona for our final concert of the tour. Our venue was the breathtaking Barcelona Cathedral, where preparations took an amusing turn as we changed in a small glass room under the watchful eye of a security guard (who assured us—perhaps a little too eagerly—that he wouldn’t peek!). With limited space, a strict one-in, one-out system kept things moving.

The setting itself was nothing short of magnificent. Performing in the quire at the centre of the cathedral, we were surrounded by centuries of history—though the choir stalls, dating back to 1538, remained strictly off-limits as protected treasures. As the quire doors opened, a curious audience gathered, drawn in by the sound. The acoustics here were unlike anything we had experienced before—perfectly designed to enhance blend, projection, and the singers’ connection with one another. Despite a touch of end-of-tour fatigue, it was a fitting and memorable final performance.

Afterwards, we made our way to the charming Catalan restaurant Bornes in the Gothic Quarter for our “Last Supper.” With glasses of cava, an array of delicious small plates, and plenty of laughter, it was the perfect way to celebrate the journey we’d shared.

The energy didn’t stop there. Back on the coach, rather than opting for quiet reflection, the group found a second wind—singing enthusiastically all the way back to the hotel. A truly fitting finale! In fact the coach driver remarked that it was “the best ride he had ever had”!

And just when you thought the day might wind down, there was still time for one last gathering in the hotel bar and disco—complete with birthday cake, dancing, and a bit of “rehydration.”