Anyone in Barcelona?

[KeyMoe]

Hi, my daughter and I will be in Barcelona next week for spring break. Any suggestions or recommendations? She will be 21 shortly and we would love to check out some live entertainment.

 

Thanks

Matt

[yannis D]

Go to Miro Museum if you're in Modern Art. It's a beautiful building -as everything else in Barcelona- and has a nice view over the city. From there take a walk up to the castle for a fantastic view of the city and the sea. Eat seafood and walk in the old Bario-a real "northern" Gothic city in the heart of the Mediterranean sea. Visit the little bars and cafes in the barrio, they are all nice and have a end-of-the-century atmosphere.

Also try to visit the Palau de la Musica (i played there some years ago), a fantastic concert hall as far as architecture (not so much acoustics).

Generally, Barcelona is an architectural miracle: La Sagrada Familia is the most astounding representative of this movement.

Barcelona is so beautiful it's impossible not to have a blast. BTW, watch out guys who sell weed on the streets: they're polite, but since you got your daughter with you, better stay out of trouble...

[JpScoey]

Generally, Barcelona is an architectural miracle:

La Sagrada Familia is the most astounding representative of this movement.

Barcelona is so beautiful it's impossible not to have a blast.

I couldn't agree more - it's a beautiful city...

 

(although the high-rise housing outskirts aren't quite so picturesque)!

 

Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia (+ his other architecture in the city) is simply magnificent.

 

Some pics here -

http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Sagrada_Familia.html

 

...although you have to see it 'in the flesh' to fully appreciate the scale & magnificence of it!

[JeffLearman]

One of my favorite cities. I remember my wife showing me pictures of Gaudi buildings beforehand and I thought they looked stupid. The real things were a completely different experience and now I'm a big fan.

 

Definitely google or read up a bit about Gaudi (the architect for Sagrada Familia) before going, and see the exhibit in the attic of the Predrera, another of his most famous buildings. Don't miss a visit to Parc Guell especially if the weather's nice -- it's like a fantasy land. See these three places and you get a pretty comprehensive picture of Gaudi's range.

 

I walked up the stairs in the towers at SF, and was miffed to find that folks who took the elevator got to go a floor higher and get a better view. But I'd still climb those stairs. ;-)

 

I particularly enjoyed the Maritime Museum down by the waterfront, but then, I'm a boating/shipping geek. YMMV. Evidently Barcelona was the shipping capital of the Med for many hundreds of years, and the Barcelona code was the law of the sea for most of the 2nd millenium.

 

Walks along Las Ramblas are great; I recommend staying someplace not too far and then you'll have most of the old city within walking distance. The human statues are cool; I walked by a few before I noticed the eyes were real eyes. Of course, be on guard for pickpockets; put you wallet in a safe place.

 

The hop-on/hop-off bus tours are a good way to get around as well, in addition to seeing a lot of the best sights.

 

It was the least cleanly city we saw in Spain but still considerably cleaner than any city I know of in the US.

 

I loved the bakeries & breakfast cafes in the plazas. You pay a bit more if you sit outside and are waited on. It's also great to grab something to eat and head for a park if it's nice out. Dinners in Spain are seated quite late, like 10:00 on. The tapas bars are great for meals when you don't want to do the big late dinner thing. Paella FTW.

 

Sorry I can't help you about the music scene. Good luck with that!

[Musicale]

Barcelona - Great place. Go up Montjuic the Jewish hill with a amusement park. The Miro museum is up there and there is a cable car ride up the hill. Also on the hill visit Poble Espanyol, a recreation of a Spanish town. Go see the flamenco dance/music show there as well as the glass factory. The Gaudi (Parc Guell) is a nice visit, with a great view of the city. Check out "Time Out Barcelona" on the internet for current events in town.

 

The market off the Rambla near the sea is very nice. A good desert only restaurant is Espai Sucre.

 

Rent a car and drive up the coat on the small hilly winding highway to Roses a superb resort town on the Bay of Roses. Stop at Espinaler Bodega in the village of Vilasar de Mar for fabulous seafood experience. Cruise over to Besalu an ceramic town that is exceptional, and then over to Girona a very ancient city with a superb old town.

 

Of course El Bulli (Ferran Adrias's) famous restaurant near Roses is fantastic with the 29 course meal ($495.00 each) and a 1 year wait for reservations is a worthwhile adventure.

 

My favorite area to vacation !!

 

Musicale

[Analogaddict]

I can only agree with the rest, Barcelona is inceredible..! I played there last fall, very cool city.

[MAJUSCULE]

I can't comment much more than what's been said, other than to add that's it's awesome and Gaudi is incredible! You'll have a blast!

[KeyMoe]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Keep them coming!!!!!

 

Cheers

Matt

[KenElevenShadows]

Spain is gorgeous. Definitely take in some of the Gaudi buildings and visit the little bars and cafes in the barrio and walk along Las Ramblas.

[Michelle ggurl]

+1 to everything said here ... LOVE Barcelona and wish I was going back soon. Only other thing that stands out that I didn't see mentioned is the huge marketplace accessed from Las Ramblas. I remember many sights and sounds from there, and also getting a really great deal on saffron and buying a lot of it.

[JpScoey]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Keep them coming!!!!!

 

Cheers

Matt

 

Ok, here's a suggestion - don't advertise the fact that you're going to be away from home.....

 

someone might 'call round' & steal your beautiful blonde (Hammond) !

[KeyMoe]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Keep them coming!!!!!

 

Cheers

Matt

 

Ok, here's a suggestion - don't advertise the fact that you're going to be away from home.....

 

someone might 'call round' & steal your beautiful blonde (Hammond) !

You mean my wife? Oh wait - the B3...

[JeffLearman]

.. exactly when did you say you'd be leaving? And what's your address again?

[KeyMoe]

.. exactly when did you say you'd be leaving? And what's your address again?

 

Sunday.

 

John Doe

1234 Areukidding

Good Luck, Texas

60655

 

[Joe Muscara]

I would have gone with

 

Chris Miles

Director, HOG Chapter

1234 Good Luck

Cut-n-Shoot TX, 77303

director@cutnshoothog.org

http://www.cutnshoothog.org