DAY TRIPS FROM BARCELONA:
If you have extra time or want to get out of the city for the day, I would highly recommend traveling around the Catalan district and take day trips. My favorite day trips from Barcelona include Girona/Figueres, Penedes Wine Country and Stiges. They are easy to get to too!
Girona/Figueres Daytrip Option 1: Girona is a small city located an hour northeast of Barcelona. It is rich in history, as it used to be inhabited by the Iberians and has transformed into civilized, Catalan town with abundant culture. After stopping in Girona, head about 20 minutes north to Figueres, notably known for the Dali Museum. The Dali Museum makes this stop worthwhile, as it is hands-down one of my favorite museums I have been too (along with the Musee d’Orsay in Paris). I definitely recommend going if you have time.
Stiges Daytrip Option 2: If you are looking for the beach scenery and experience, head southwest of Barcelona to my favorite beach community called Stiges. Stiges has picturesque beaches with that small coastal town feel.
Penedes Daytrip Option 3: I would only visit Penedes if you have extra time and truly enjoy wine tasting. Penedes is located southwest of Barcelona and is known as the wine-making region of Catalonia. It is divided into two regions- Alt Penedes and Baix Penede. Alt Penedes is higher in altitude and warmer in temperature, allowing for a vast variety of grapes to be grown. Baix Penedes consists of the low-lying plains of this area. If you do want to go wine tasting, I would highly recommend you take a tour. I went with the Spanish Trails Tourist office. It was the best experience. Charles and Tracy are the owners, who are Americans who have been living the life in Barcelona. They are amazing. Their shop is located off of Las Ramblas by the restaurant Los Caracoles. The address to Spanish Trails Adventure (spanish-trails.com) is c/ Vidre 7, Bajos 308002, Barcelona. If you want to get in touch with them, they can also be reached at reservations@spanish-trails.com or by phone at +34 93 500 1616. Even if you don’t want to go on this tour, I would stop by their shop because they are a wealth of information as they have lived there for years!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
BARCELONA: Eat then play...restaurants then nightlife
BARCELONA RESTAURANTS:
Barcelona could be considered an international cuisine mecca, as it has some of the finest dining in Europe. Multiple restaurants have Michelin Stars, ranking among the top dining experiences in the world. For those who know me, I am quite a picky eater. I am not the biggest fan of Spanish food or Catalan cuisine. However, I did find some dining (both- pricey and inexpensive) where I think everyone can have a fulfilling meal. See my recommendations below:
Cal Pep- Hidden away in a little plaza in the Born area. Food is exceptional! Great tapas for lunch and dinner (The tapas are equivalent to a full meal). Get there early because it gets packed very quickly. Mid priced.
La Dolca Herminia- Mid-priced, one of my favorite restaurants in Barcelona! Amazing food. Mediterranean cuisine. Nice environment. They have English language menus. Visit their website at www.ladolcaherminia.com
Alkimia- a Michelin star restaurant in Eixample area. Very very good food. Elegant restaurant. Dress appropriately. New Catalan, avant-garde cuisine. Expensive.
Taller de Tapas- a vast variety of tapas can be found here- something for everyone. Mid priced. Especially great for lunch. www.tallerdetapas.com
Noti- a trendier restaurant located in the Eixample area. Great main courses and amazing deserts. High ranged pricing. www.noti-universal.com
Los Caracoles- which translates to “the Snail.” Don’t let the name deceive you. Los Caracoles has vast variety of solid Catalan traditional food. Located just off of Las Ramblas, near Placa Reial. Good, lively atmosphere. Mid priced.
Other restaurants that I heard were amazing that I didn't end up getting to try due to my limited budget as a student: Hoffman (a top restaurant that is led by the "Hoffman"- the one of the best cookery schools in the world), Comerc 24 (a well known restaurant for its great Catalan cuisine, same chef as Alkimia)
BARCELONA NIGHTLIFE:
Obviously, the happenin’ bars and clubs change over time. However, I found some good staples that I think will be forever popular. Put your dancing shoes on and enjoy the great clubs. Some of my favorites include Pacha, Razzmatazz, and Otto Zutz. If you want to enjoy a drink before these popular, trendy clubs- go to L'Ovella Negra (the black sheep), which is located off of Las Ramblas. Sip on pitchers of the infamous Spanish Sangria while mingling with this laid back crowd. For the stylish non-touristy lounge/bar, I would recommend Buddha Bar. Dress nice, as they can be selective as to whom they let in (especially on certain nights- Thursdays and Sundays).
Barcelona could be considered an international cuisine mecca, as it has some of the finest dining in Europe. Multiple restaurants have Michelin Stars, ranking among the top dining experiences in the world. For those who know me, I am quite a picky eater. I am not the biggest fan of Spanish food or Catalan cuisine. However, I did find some dining (both- pricey and inexpensive) where I think everyone can have a fulfilling meal. See my recommendations below:
Cal Pep- Hidden away in a little plaza in the Born area. Food is exceptional! Great tapas for lunch and dinner (The tapas are equivalent to a full meal). Get there early because it gets packed very quickly. Mid priced.
La Dolca Herminia- Mid-priced, one of my favorite restaurants in Barcelona! Amazing food. Mediterranean cuisine. Nice environment. They have English language menus. Visit their website at www.ladolcaherminia.com
Alkimia- a Michelin star restaurant in Eixample area. Very very good food. Elegant restaurant. Dress appropriately. New Catalan, avant-garde cuisine. Expensive.
Taller de Tapas- a vast variety of tapas can be found here- something for everyone. Mid priced. Especially great for lunch. www.tallerdetapas.com
Noti- a trendier restaurant located in the Eixample area. Great main courses and amazing deserts. High ranged pricing. www.noti-universal.com
Los Caracoles- which translates to “the Snail.” Don’t let the name deceive you. Los Caracoles has vast variety of solid Catalan traditional food. Located just off of Las Ramblas, near Placa Reial. Good, lively atmosphere. Mid priced.
Other restaurants that I heard were amazing that I didn't end up getting to try due to my limited budget as a student: Hoffman (a top restaurant that is led by the "Hoffman"- the one of the best cookery schools in the world), Comerc 24 (a well known restaurant for its great Catalan cuisine, same chef as Alkimia)
BARCELONA NIGHTLIFE:
Obviously, the happenin’ bars and clubs change over time. However, I found some good staples that I think will be forever popular. Put your dancing shoes on and enjoy the great clubs. Some of my favorites include Pacha, Razzmatazz, and Otto Zutz. If you want to enjoy a drink before these popular, trendy clubs- go to L'Ovella Negra (the black sheep), which is located off of Las Ramblas. Sip on pitchers of the infamous Spanish Sangria while mingling with this laid back crowd. For the stylish non-touristy lounge/bar, I would recommend Buddha Bar. Dress nice, as they can be selective as to whom they let in (especially on certain nights- Thursdays and Sundays).
BARCELONA, my second home
Through growing up in Manhattan Beach and attending college at UCLA, I have in the Los Angeles area for the vast majority of my life… therefore, calling Southern California my home. However, I was fortunate enough to study abroad in college and live in Barcelona immediately preceding my birthday in 2006. It was an incredible experience and was my home away from home. By living in the vibrant city and getting accustomed to the rich culture, I must say I have some great, authentic recommendations.
GENERAL BACKGROUND: Barcelona is an astounding cosmopolitan city that lies on the water in the Northeast of Spain. It is the second largest city in Spain and the capital of the Catalan district. Barcelona is a bilingual city where everyone speaks Castilian Spanish, but natives speak Catalan to one another to indicate their prideful Barcelonan roots. Just a side-note: What I found fascinating is that many of the schools teach in Catalan, rather than the standard Castilian Spanish.
The city has astonishing architecture, vivacious nightlife, and incomparable culture.
SIGHTSEEING RECOMMENDATIONS: Incredibly astounding, unbelievably breathtaking, remarkably picturesque, and always memorable are all words I would use to describe Barcelona’s sightseeing offerings. The city’s architecture revolves around the well-recognized, legendary Spanish artist, Antoni Gaudi. His magnificent work is abundantly scattered throughout the city. Out of all Barcelona’s offerings, I would HIGHLY recommend you see Gaudi’s unfinished yet spectacular Sagrada Familia. The Sagrada Familia is also known as Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia, which translates to "Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family.” Another must-see is Gaudi’s well-recognized Parc Guell, a garden complex with great architecture on the hill of el Carmel in the Gràcia district. In my opinion, Parc Guell and Sagrada Familia are two of Guadi's finest masterpieces in Barcelona. Can’t get enough of Guadi? Then visit the house that Guadi made for Rosario Segimon and Pere Milà named Casa Mila (aka La Perdera). I argue that Casa Mila has more artistic brilliance than Gaudi’s other house, Casa Bastillo. Other than Guadi’s masterpieces, I recommend visiting the Picasso Museum. The Picasso Museum is tucked away off of Las Ramblas down a little alley and features works from Pablo Picasso’s apprenticeship years. Once you are finished strolling through the Picasso Museum, visit "La Boqueria"- the bustling outside farmer’s market located just off of Las Ramblas. Definitely stop by to experience the authenticity of true Spanish meats, wine, fruits, vegetables, and more. After “La Boqueria,” wander down Las Ramblas and enjoy the shops, cafes, and small vendors. Las Ramblas is very touristy so the prices can be high but it is definitely worth the saunter. Another must-see on the other side of Barcelona is Font Magica, a spectacular fountain show that illuminates the sky with colorful-lit water. Check times of the show, as it is a definitely worth it! Font Magica is located at the base of Montjuic (translated to English: the Hill of the Jews). At the top of the Montjuic hill, there are spectacular views of the entire city. I would recommend going to Montjuic around 2pm on a clear day. As you are walking up the hill, you will pass the Olympic Stadium and as you are walking down the hill, you can catch the Fountain show. My last recommendations would include a relaxing visit to Barceloneta, the local man-made beach. Suntan, stroll along the boardwalk or play some beach volleyball. If the beach isn’t your scene, take a leisurely visit to Parc de la Ciutadella, a decorative spacious park. Relax on a row boat ride through the park’s pond or meander by the large statuesque monument. Barceloneta and Parc de la Ciutadella are definitely great ways to end an eventful, culturally-rich sightseeing adventure. Now enjoy the beautiful sites of my second home, Barcelona…
GENERAL BACKGROUND: Barcelona is an astounding cosmopolitan city that lies on the water in the Northeast of Spain. It is the second largest city in Spain and the capital of the Catalan district. Barcelona is a bilingual city where everyone speaks Castilian Spanish, but natives speak Catalan to one another to indicate their prideful Barcelonan roots. Just a side-note: What I found fascinating is that many of the schools teach in Catalan, rather than the standard Castilian Spanish.
The city has astonishing architecture, vivacious nightlife, and incomparable culture.
SIGHTSEEING RECOMMENDATIONS: Incredibly astounding, unbelievably breathtaking, remarkably picturesque, and always memorable are all words I would use to describe Barcelona’s sightseeing offerings. The city’s architecture revolves around the well-recognized, legendary Spanish artist, Antoni Gaudi. His magnificent work is abundantly scattered throughout the city. Out of all Barcelona’s offerings, I would HIGHLY recommend you see Gaudi’s unfinished yet spectacular Sagrada Familia. The Sagrada Familia is also known as Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia, which translates to "Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family.” Another must-see is Gaudi’s well-recognized Parc Guell, a garden complex with great architecture on the hill of el Carmel in the Gràcia district. In my opinion, Parc Guell and Sagrada Familia are two of Guadi's finest masterpieces in Barcelona. Can’t get enough of Guadi? Then visit the house that Guadi made for Rosario Segimon and Pere Milà named Casa Mila (aka La Perdera). I argue that Casa Mila has more artistic brilliance than Gaudi’s other house, Casa Bastillo. Other than Guadi’s masterpieces, I recommend visiting the Picasso Museum. The Picasso Museum is tucked away off of Las Ramblas down a little alley and features works from Pablo Picasso’s apprenticeship years. Once you are finished strolling through the Picasso Museum, visit "La Boqueria"- the bustling outside farmer’s market located just off of Las Ramblas. Definitely stop by to experience the authenticity of true Spanish meats, wine, fruits, vegetables, and more. After “La Boqueria,” wander down Las Ramblas and enjoy the shops, cafes, and small vendors. Las Ramblas is very touristy so the prices can be high but it is definitely worth the saunter. Another must-see on the other side of Barcelona is Font Magica, a spectacular fountain show that illuminates the sky with colorful-lit water. Check times of the show, as it is a definitely worth it! Font Magica is located at the base of Montjuic (translated to English: the Hill of the Jews). At the top of the Montjuic hill, there are spectacular views of the entire city. I would recommend going to Montjuic around 2pm on a clear day. As you are walking up the hill, you will pass the Olympic Stadium and as you are walking down the hill, you can catch the Fountain show. My last recommendations would include a relaxing visit to Barceloneta, the local man-made beach. Suntan, stroll along the boardwalk or play some beach volleyball. If the beach isn’t your scene, take a leisurely visit to Parc de la Ciutadella, a decorative spacious park. Relax on a row boat ride through the park’s pond or meander by the large statuesque monument. Barceloneta and Parc de la Ciutadella are definitely great ways to end an eventful, culturally-rich sightseeing adventure. Now enjoy the beautiful sites of my second home, Barcelona…
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