Re: Barcelona-7-21 to 7-25,2009
I love Barcelona...I havebeen there several times now...in fact, I am flying to Barcelona on Tuesday--spending three nights there before boarding the Oceania Nautica for a 14 night cruise...
I would not bother with a "tour company"...at worst, just buy a ticket for thehop on/hop off bus:
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/Barcelona-Bus-Turistic/_vf-SMlY1yItM-U_l9RgLJoJPG-BcW4K5Nh9zolHzbfE_3bIBi9uXxeYypqHsbbrdY1KXVZYhHgXWn9kx1dacDfIGDfdnPOon
Barcelona is a town easy to tour on your own...especially if you are staying anywhere near the Placa Catalunya (you are). The Placa Catalunya is the large public square at the northern end of Las Ramblas. It serves as a hub for all of Barcelona's transportation systems. But a lot of important sites are walking distance from there anyway.
Buy a copy of the AAA Spiral Guide - Barcelona...indispensable...great maps, illustrations and walking tours....easy to use. You can buy it over the net for around $10.
Do not miss:
1) La Sagrada Familia...Simply nothing else like it in the world. Every time I return, I am amazed anew. Gaudi!!
2) Parc Guell (I think it's the #21 bus up Passieg de Gracia from the Placa Catalunya). Gaudi's wild imagination creates a park like no other.
3) Casa Mila. A Gaudi apartment building with Gaudi Museum. Make sure to walk on the roof. A treat.
4) Casa Batllo. Gaudi brings weird to a private residence.
5) Stroll Las Ramblas
6) Museo Picasso
7) Wander the Barri Gotic.
8) Dine on Tapas
Other notes: If you want to buy water, snacks, drinks...or anything...head over to El Corte Ingles, an incredibly huge department store on the East side of Placa Catalunya. The Supermarket is in the basement and sells bottled water at a fraction of the price you'll pay in any small shop in the area. Beaches? Bogatell or Barceloneta...Go to either the Barceloneta or Ciutadella-Villa Olimpica Metro stations and walk towards the Mediterranean...
Girona is a quaint town...It has an old Ghetto and a very small restored Synagogue which make it quite interesting...Combine it with a trip to Dali's home and museum in nearby Figueras--if you really have time to spare...Otherwise, just enjoy Barcelona...
Hope this helps...
