A brief damage from the English iciness to the hotter local weather of Barcelona, ​​Spain in February 2006 seemed like a very good concept.

After leaving London Luton Airport on a lifeless day to then fly to Barcelona and simply earlier than touchdown you glance out of the window and spot the tip of the Pyrenees Mountains, the Mediterranean coat and the town itself.

The airport is positioned via the ocean, however in contrast to Great within the South of France you in truth taxi across the airport for an affordable time earlier than the aircraft arrives at probably the most two terminals.

There are superb bus connections to carry you into the town heart. You want to permit quite a few time to make your connections, in particular within the rush hour or if there are highway works as there have been in February.

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and one of the vital essential ports within the Mediterranean; it's an eclectic mix of Gothic, 'modernist' and recent architectural treasures.

As soon as there on every occasion conceivable check out strolling round, where is so gorgeous with chic constructions. When you want to peer the vacationer sights farther from the town heart take the underground rail community or the bus.

Throughout are superb view issues and within the heart on the Placa Catalunya (the place the Vacationer place of work is positioned and a forestall for the airport bus) is the Division Retailer El Cortes (Nationwide chain of Spanish division retail outlets). Take a shuttle up the escalator to the 11th ground eating place and benefit from the panoramic perspectives.

A brief bus experience will take you to its most renowned landmark is the Sagrada Familia church. Despite the fact that now not consecrated as a cathedral but, definitely when finished it’s going to develop into one. The fairy-tale like construction within the northern a part of the town heart. Its author, Antoni Gaudi, commenced paintings on it in 1882 and concentrated all his energies on it till his premature dying in 1926, when he was once run-over via a tram. The Sagrada Familia remains to be below building and would possibly take any other 50 years to finish. You’ll be able to consult with its internal and take a boost to the highest of the construction and revel in much more panoramic perspectives

Gaudi was once born in Reus, within the province of Tarragona in 1852 and was once the undputed chief of the 'modernist' motion that started in the second one part of the 19th century.

If you wish to see probably the most most unusual constructions, which took the artwork nouveau thought to new heights, head for the L'Eixample space, to the north-west of the Ramblas (L. a. Rambla) within the Barri Gothic space (Barri Gttic ), a stone's throw from the port.

The Barri Gothic 'quartier' is the oldest a part of the town; a mixture of slim streets and wonderful squares and for enthusiasts of Tapas bars, a paradise. The Taverna Del Bisbe, as regards to the Gothic cathedral, serves glorious grilled fish equivalent to calamars, which you’ll be able to wash down with superb Rioja. Jardi is a 2-star lodge on this space, which is blank, welcoming and won’t burn a hollow for your pocket. It's positioned in Plaça Sant Josep Oriol 1, Barri Gttic.

Simply of L. a. Rambla in a small sq. may be very attention-grabbing eating place referred to as the Taxidedermista that excluding having superb delicacies has a component glass ground between the bottom ground and the basement under. It’s spacious, relaxed and alluring. It's bizarre to search out memorable risotto outdoor of northern Italy however this eatery has discovered the formulation. The pumpkin soup with spinach and mushroom garnish is magnificent, too.

If you’re staying centrally until you’re stuffed with power for an extended stroll this can be a will have to to consult with GUELL PARK within the north ot the town has glorious perspectives of Barcelona and the ocean past. Some other Gaudi masterpiece appeals to children of every age and, importantly, contains the home the place Gaudi lived for a few years, entire with the unique furnishings – additionally created via the grasp architect / dressmaker.

LA BARCELONETA on the sea was once a shanty-beach earlier than Barcelona was once awarded the 1992 OLYMPIC GAMES. It was once a part of the Olympic Port space for the water game actions of the Video games and is as regards to the Olympic Village. There’s a cluster of excellent, medium priced tapas bars and eating places at the coastline, together with Agua, a neat eating place that serves scrumptious meals only a metre or so from the coastline. There are two "dual towers" (however now not an identical twins) which might be via the Port Olimpic that shaped a part of the Olympic village. You’ll be able to additionally take a cable automobile experience from this location.

After a excellent night time meal while wandering across the Barri Gttic attempt to to find the L'Ascensor bar in the midst of the Barri Gothic quarter is an intimate little bar, perfect for a nightcap to complete the day's visits. Named after a "Carry – Elevator" you in truth input the awards by means of an outdated static picket and glass carry from the 1930's

L'Eixample, north of the Barrio Gothic and west of Las Ramblas, is the district the place many of the 'modernist' constructions of Gaudi and his contemporaries Puig and Domenech i Montaner created their unique constructions for his or her shoppers in the second one a part of the 19th century. Certainly value visiting.

TOUR AGBAR, CATALAN MUSIC MUSEUM – Musica Corridor is any other very good piece of modernist structure, created within the early 20th century via Lluis Domenech i Montamer. Despite the fact that in February there have been excursions and live shows being held, it’s too scorching to be open all the way through the recent months of the summer time.

PLACA REIAL, as regards to the Ramblas, is classy with its palm bushes and sublime arcades.

CAMP NOU is house to the FC Barcelona membership, these days the most efficient in Spain and in addition winners of the 2006 UEFA Champions League in Europe in Might. At the flight again from Barcelona there have been a number of enthusiasts going to the fit in opposition to Chelsea in London that night time – An excessively chilly west night time, however they’d left the heat of this nice town for the chilly of London with prime spirits and in excellent voice or even the immigration officials at passport keep an eye on at London Luton had smiles on their faces. Possibly now not had they been Chelsea enthusiasts as Barcelona beat them and in addition any other London membership – Arsenal in Paris to develop into the UEFA Champions of Europe.

A number of days away in February – unbelievable. To be consuming out (admittedly below a gasoline heater and dressed in a coat) at 11.00 at night time in February. Ingesting the Spanish model of a gin and to great. Quite a lot of gin with ice and a few tonic! Weaving a brief sleeve blouse at lunch on the coastline eating place at L. a. Barceloneta and the only time it rained it discharged up inside a couple of mins after which to go back to a rainy and chilly South of England.