DESTINATION INFORMATION
Catalonia has an ancient culture quite distinct from its neighbours, and many of the inhabitants speak Catalan, a 'Romantic' language influenced by medieval French. Costa Brava and Costa Dorada are important tourist areas.
Barcelona is Spain's second largest city and has buildings dating back to the 14th century. Dali's incredible art and architecture abound, as does the work of Picasso. Al fresco cafés, bookstalls, market stalls offering jewellery, food, flowers and birds, and street artists are just some of the attractions of Las Ramblas. Beyond Plaça Catalunya, the Eixample (Extension) has Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture.
In front of the statue of Christopher Columbus at the port end of the Ramblas lies the redeveloped seafront and the Olympic Port area, which has become one of Barcelona's most popular spaces for recreation and leisure.
Through our agent in Barcelona, we are very lucky to be able to get tickets to watch a game at the Nou Camp stadium, the home of Barcelona FC.
Other places to visit in the vicinity include:
- Tarragona ~ Roman ruins
- Montblanc ~ Gothic Church
- Salou ~ Port Aventura Amusement Park
- Sitges ~ Cosmopolitan seaside town
- Gerona ~ One of Catalan's oldest cities
- Figueres ~ birthplace of Salvador Dáli
Sitges is a dynamic cultural oasis, basing its economy on tourism and culture, and has become a first-class destination in terms of tourism in the Mediterranean area. The town has many excellent sandy beaches.
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WHAT TO DO
- Sagrada Familia ~ Gaudi's masterpiece, still less than half completed, is one of the city's most famous landmarks.
- Gaudi architecture: Casa Battló and Casa Mila ~ Houses designed by Gaudi with unusual balconies and rooftops.
- Museo Picasso ~ Picasso's paintings arranged in chronological order to give a true insight to the artist's development over the years.
- Montjuïc ~ Funicular railway and chairlift will take you up to Castell de Montjuïc, housing a military museum.
- Parc Güell ~ Large urban park, full of Gaudi's traditional mosaics, curves and colours.
- Monserrat and The Shrine of the Black Virgin ~ A Benedictine monastery sits high on a peak 50 kms outside the city founded in 1025. The Black Virgin is a 12th century wooden sculpture and pilgrims still line up to pay homage.
- Nou Camp Stadium/Museum ~ Home to FC Barcelona, this museum is full of trophies, pictures and statues of football legends.
Restaurant suggestions:
- Set Portes ~ The building is a national monument, with a typically traditional Catalan dining room. Old-world charm and legendary dishes maintain its status as one of the city's favourites.
- El Pla de la Garsa ~ Former stables, now converted into a cosy, bohemian eaterie, offering a wide selection of dishes, including cheeses, pâtés and wonderful desserts.
- l Convent ~ Occupying 4 storeys, this 18th century building offers an extensive menu of traditional Catalan and international cuisine. Inexpensive group menus available.
- Cantina Machito ~ Mexican restaurant where many of the ingredients are imported from the homeland, so unsurprisingly it is authentic and extremely good.
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