1st Time to Spain
 

<BR>We're heading out to Barcelona area in early April. We like good food, local history,pretty small town scenes, water... the usual I guess. Any ideas of where to go and what to do? Thanks in advance. <BR> <BR>Clay

Clay, <BR>Take a day trip to the great Monastery at Montserrat with its stunning setting, another day trip (1/2hr by train) to the elegant, always lively and hip Modernist seaside town of Sitges. Can also visit and sample "cava" (champagne) at the Codorniu and Freixenet bodegas of Sant Sadurni d'Anoia (easy train trip-the Freixenet bodega is across from station). (Can do the same at the Penedes wine bodegas of Vilafranca del Penedes, not far from Sant Sadurniu). Drive up to the upper Costa Brava, a land of rocky inlets and pine-covered hills falling down to secluded coves (avoid the uninspired, featureless beach towns of the Costa Dourada) to its very best (and poshest) beach area right below the Parador at Aiguablava (not for swimming obviously in April,but for sightseeing),and while in the area see the 2c BC ruins of the Greek city of Empuries, the perfectly preserved medieval village of Pals (very, very pretty)and the walled village of Peratallada (more rustic, less restored but a more medieval feeling), stop for a truly fabulous paella or arroz negro at any restaurant at the tiny beach of Sa Tuna (near Begur and Aiguablava),and if you have time to go further north, drive on towards Cabo de Creus and the French border to Cadaques, the bohemian artists' colony and hangout of Picasso, Lorca, Magritte and Dali (can visit his home at adjacent Port LLigat-call for appt.) <BR>An alternate trip would be to go inland to the Empurdan in province of Gerona, Catalunya's answer to Tuscany, for Michelin star quality food at Figueres at the Restaurant Empurdan on highway the Duran in town or the Mas Pau on highway to Olot, west of town (also Dali Museum/Theater-it's Dali at his very most eccentric/outrageous), keep west to see two charming, well-preserved medieval villages of Besalu and Santa Pau, which is in the volcanic region of La Garroxta. There's plenty to keep one busy in Catalunya for a lifetime! Also, below Barcelona, the city of Tarragona is blessed with some of the best Roman ruins in Spain. <BR> <BR>Feel free to email me for more suggestions/notes on lodging/dining, etc. and have a wonderful time! <BR>

I really recommend you to take a day trip to SITGES. Really nice small town, near Barcelona. You can get a train (RENFE) to go there, it takes 35min from Sants station (Barcelona)
You can visit its beaches, the famous church, and some modernist houses near the sea.
And if you want to taste the catalan gastronomy, don't hesitate to go to the restaurant &quot;LA SALSETA&quot;.
Enjoy your time!

Adria, the OP posted nearly 9 years ago. Is this an advert for your restaurant ?

Rent a car if possible and drive to Aquablava in the Costa Brava area and you'll see beautiful scenery and beaches. If you are into hiking, head up to the national forest area around LaSpuna, near the Pyrennes and French border.

I repeat, this question was posted *nearly 9 years ago* !!!

Caroline,

Remember the old adage? RIF!

Reading Is Fundamental. It's too often ignored.

Clay: I hope you have a great time in BCN; gorgeous architecture, early Apil should be a stunning time to be there. I was not crazy about the people; kind of snooty and rude, but hey still manage to have a great time!!

P.S. caroline-- do that drive you nuts enough or should we keep posting info somebody else could find useful...:-D

Viajero2 writes: &lt;&lt; I was not crazy about the people; kind of snooty and rude, but hey still manage to have a great time!! &gt;&gt;

My last 2-visits to Barcelona (Once with Son, 17), I never found people &quot;snooty &amp; rude.&quot; We stayed with relatives in their Piso on Pi y Maragall, shopped in the local supermarket and relied primarily on Subway &amp; Bus transportation.

The Seafood Platter at el Rey de la Gamba in Barceloneta was very good!
Otherwise I recommend Sunday AM at Parc Guell,

Easter Sunday is 12 April

Hi Caroline,

I'm a regular client of this small restaurant. I discovered it 3 years ago, and I enjoyed it. I didn't post any tel. and adresse, only the name. So, if Clay is interested in it I'll give her more details by e-mail.

And I'm sorry... I didn't see the date of the post.

Sorry to say that Ned-- but straight up I have been to 34+ countries and NEVER, ever had to say that about people anywhere...until I spend 8 days in Barcelona. To be honest, Barcelona is a gorgeous city, but I could not get out of Barcelona fast enough....sorry.