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Barcelona summer 2017 -- brainstorm with me

Barcelona summer 2017 -- brainstorm with me

Old Apr 10th, 2017, 06:17 PM
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Barcelona summer 2017 -- brainstorm with me

My family -- hubs, me, DS20, DD19 and DS14 -- will be in Barcelona June 10-18. The older son will stay and study all summer at a university there. We have rented an apartment for the entire time but are looking for some day trip suggestions and thoughts on your best Barcelona memories.

I've done my research and have books, etc. I just want opinions! What do you like? What didn't work? What do you wish you'd done? What was your best day trip?

Thanks in advance!!!
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Old Apr 10th, 2017, 06:35 PM
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You could read my trip report. Start here (links at the top of the page):

https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com...s-the-ramblas/
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Old Apr 10th, 2017, 08:24 PM
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And my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-catalunya.cfm
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Old Apr 10th, 2017, 09:53 PM
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I guess you can read some trip reports, but with only 7, 8 days, what are you looking to do, see, experience? Renting an apartment means you actually loose a day or so, so you will have to work around that.
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Old Apr 11th, 2017, 01:11 AM
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If you don't have a car, then use the excellent trains that Spain offers. Try a day trip up to the Monastery at Montserrat, trip up to Figueres for the Dali Museum or the Costa Brava coast at any of the resorts, Tossa de Mar for instance or Cadaques and the Bay of Roses.

If you're in a car, you're close to the French border, so could drive into one of the small towns and enjoy a change of language.
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Old Apr 11th, 2017, 04:36 AM
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Have no idea what Robert means by renting an apartment costing you a "day or so". I had an apartment in Barcelona, and while it is true I did a little grocery shopping, it didn't take a day. Since it was getting pretty chilly at night I appreciated being able to eat in a few times. And ham was cheaper that way, lol.
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Old Apr 11th, 2017, 04:54 AM
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Girona, easy train ride, picturesque small city, fine dining.
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Old Apr 11th, 2017, 08:57 AM
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The hop on-hop off bus was a complete waste of money and time. Stuck on a hot bus traveling through a city. Once you're out of the Modernisme neighborhoods there's not much interesting about it. The Boqueria and Palau de la Musica are "must sees'.
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Old Apr 11th, 2017, 09:13 AM
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UNLIKE all the usual Barcelona "experts" who frequent this board, what we often remember about Barcelona is:

all those "living statues" who hang out either on Las Ramblas (where ALL the experts tell you not to EVER go, no matter what) or in front of the "gothic cathedral."

The mob scene that is often Sagrada Familia and ignoring that (there's a reason a lot of visitors go there) the place has certainly become a symbol of the city.

Enjoyed the trip to Montserrat, and Parc Gueall, as well as the various Gaudi structures.

We also enjoy Liceu performances which are a much more arcane activity and something I usually don't bother to mention since it actually IS ON that dreaded street you will be told to avoid at all costs.

Eating LATE at the other end of Las Ramblas, among other places, various museums which I'm sure you already know about and just being IN the city in general.
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Old Apr 11th, 2017, 12:40 PM
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You see the city you want to see.

There is a Joie de vivre that is Barcelona that you do not see elsewhere. The art and history is in the streets and in the architecture. They speak a language not founded in Castilian but in the Occitan languages.

Catalunya was in the forefront in the changes of Spanish cuisine.

If you are interested in the city read "Barcelona" by the cranky and now dead writer and art critic Robert Hughes for a balanced and educated view.

We may visit pay an unexpected visit to Barcelona next year. That means we will have visited at least once every decade since the early 1970's. And every time I go to Sagrada Familia to see how much progress they have made without me. (I still hate their Gloria Entrance.) La Boqueria, one of Europe's great markets. And on Sunday morning go to the plaza in front of the Cathedral and watch them dance the Sardana.
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Old Apr 11th, 2017, 10:51 PM
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I am also a little perplexed by the apartment comment... lose a day or so? Maybe if you rent from one of those pesky owners who wants to tell you their life story.

ksbeem try to see the castellers (human towers) when you are in Barcelona. Your kids will be amazed (there are kids involved in the towers.) There will be an exhibition on June 17 at 6 pm at the Plaça del Rei. It goes on for some hours, so don't feel like you have to get there right at 6.
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Old Apr 11th, 2017, 10:59 PM
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Oooooh, yes, do see the castellers -- they are awesome!
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Old Apr 12th, 2017, 01:45 AM
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Pehaps go and see top of the shelf flamenco artists in Tablao Codobés right on Las Ramblas, one of the most prestigious tablaos (flamenco restaurants) in all of Spain. Could be a huge experience for all of you. http://www.tablaocordobes.es/

World class artists like Karime Amaya, Farru and Pastora Galván perform here frequently.
Amaya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CklXLAvSIyc
Farru: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrxGsksJusU
Galván: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2SBUcrJgeQ

And perhaps have dinner before or after the show at Can Culleretes from 1786, just off Las Ramblas and three minutes walking from Tablao Cordobés. The oldest restaurant in town, fabulous atmosphee and hearty, traditional and affordable Catalan food. Very popular with locals. Must always have a lunch or dinner here when in Barcelona. http://www.culleretes.com/en/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...Catalonia.html
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Old Apr 12th, 2017, 05:43 AM
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I don't know what Robert meant, but it could have been that when you rent at apt you do lose time because of the issues with meeting someone, and departure (nothing like a hotel), and many apts don't allow you to check in until afternoon. I don't know about a whole day, but you do definitely lose time with those issues in most cases. I've rented an apt in Barcelona and did lose time compared to a hotel on those issues, plus shopping for "stuff" you need in an apt that you don't in a hotel, and that isn't just food, although that can vary by the place. But I've rented apts that did not have the basics, so you have to shop for soap, toilet paper, etc.

But the OP has already rented an apt, so that decision is made.

As far as Barcelona, my best memories are nothing you couldn't find in a guidebook, just go by what interests you. My best memories would not be the same as other people who have little interest in some of the things I do, and vice versa. I really enjoyed the Catalonia art museum and the maritime museum down on the water, though, and some Gaudi buildings, of course. Was not blown away by Parc Guell at all, not sure why that is such a special thing to so many.

I don't think many people on Fodors tell people do never go on the Ramblas, at least I've never seen it. I think some, like me, would not spend a lot of time there and find it has negatives, but anyone who's never been there before would likely see it, of course, it's so famous. Similarly, I find it bizarre when some Fodors experts tell someone who has never been to Paris before that they should avoid the Champs-Elysees and never see it. Not only would that be hard to do (same with the Ramblas, I don't know how you could never see it), but it is very important historically, and the Champs-Elysees is a brilliant work of urban planning just in its vista and design. No, I do not like the Ramblas due to the noise and some of the activities on it. I'm not impressed nor interested in living statues, which exist in many other urban areas, anyway, I've seen that gig all over.

I only did one day trip from Barcelona, it's probably the one most cited, Montserrat, and enjoyed it.
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 06:44 PM
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Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions! We always stay in apartments because we like to spread out, and we actually like the activity of shopping for food and trying to feel like a local. It's fun for us.

I like to hear what other people like to do because it might be something I didn't think of. When we were going to London the first time and had our children with us (they were much younger,) a Fodorite suggested the Ceremony of the Keys and gave me some great tips on how to get some discounts on admission to some venues. And it also helps to hear first-hand recommendations of some of the suggestions from the various books I have.

Thank you again for the information, and I'll try to write a trip report when we return.
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Old May 2nd, 2017, 03:54 AM
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We had a great day trip to cava country - Sant Sadurni d'Anoia. It's an easy train ride from Barcelona and the Freixenet cave is literally next to the train station while others (we also enjoyed the beautiful grounds at Cordoniu) are a short taxi ride away. Check out the websites for visiting information.
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Old May 3rd, 2017, 08:07 PM
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Thank you!
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