debiness

I just returned again from one of my favorite cities in the whole world, Barcelona! While I was there, I met a great tour guide. I lived in Barcelona from 2000-2004 and was a tour guide myself (I had many postings on this forum). Sandra is American born but she has lived in Barcelona since she was 6 years old so she knows Barcelona sites, history, culture and restaurants, etc. like the back of her hand. Since she was raised by an American mother her English is totally understandable (with a few quirks here and there) and she has a great personality too. I did not do Sandra's full tour because, of course, I know Barcelona well myself, but we did spend some time together talking and walking through the Gothic Quarter and El Born. She knows her stuff and taught me some things I did not know. You can find her at www.barcelonacharms.com . Please, if you contact her, tell her that Debbie sent you.

Also, on another topic, I stayed in a studio apartment I found on VRBO in the Eixample area on Rambla Catalunya, just 3 blocks from Plaza Catalunya and the top of Las Ramblas (and, in my humble opinion, the best area to stay in). I stayed in a penthouse studio apartment with a private terrace overlooking Rambla Catalunya big enough for only 1 or 2 people. It had a queen sized bed, a nice bathroom with shower and a small sitting area with a cooktop stove, small refridgerator, microwave and washing machine. Wifi is available and there is satellite TV. It has air conditioning and heat. The terrace also had furniture and it was nice to sit outside with tapas and wine in the early evening before going out to a late dinner (after all I was in Spain!). The owner of the apartment, Philippe, was very accomodating and friendly. He is the neighbor, so he's readily available if you need him but he is not nosy or imposing. The apartment is in one of the fabulous modernistic buildings and the doorman is as charming as they come. The cons (neither of which are biggies): The elevator does not go all the way to the penthouse so there is one flight of stairs. There is a door with a lock to get onto the terrace and then you have 2 doors with locks to get into the apartment (and, of course another key to get inside of the building if you come home after the doorman has left for the evening). No big deal though. All in all the apartment was A+. The VRBO owner listing number is 157504. If you contact him, as with Sandra above, please tell him that Debbie referred you.

Have a great trip to Barcelona, all of you!!!
Buen viaje,
debbie

sfmaster

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yestravel

debiness - I'm interested in this apt and went thru VRBO to contact him, but got no response -- its been several weeks now. Would u have another way to contact Phillipe? thanks

yestravel

debiness -- I did finally hear from Phillipe at the apt u recommended. He said he had a computer crash and lost our email. He asked that you contact him.

sacesb

I too am interested in this apt for May. Let me know how to access. Thanks.

debiness

Thanks for the message, yestravel. I will contact Phillipe. Hope it worked out for you to stay at his apartment.
Sacesb, the VRBO listing number is 157504. Phillipe's e-mail address is [email protected].
buen viaje,
debbie

amwosu

debiness- I am apartment hunting for Barcelona and appreciate your thorough review of the apartment where you stayed. The info about the owner being next door is especially helpful. I like renting directly from an owner rather than a leasing company when possible. I'm going to check out your tour guide rec as well.

jetsetj

can you recommend a 3 day/4 night itinerary for Barcelona?
anything Gaudi is good...