<BR>Just back from a week in Barcelona, Sitges and Tarragon, flying from the U K. <BR>It was fantastic, especially since it was my first trip to Spain. Tarragon was a real find too, mainly frequented as it was by Spaniards. <BR>If you have any questions, let me know. I found accommodation easy to find once there, by going to the tourist office and asking for such-and-such a room at such-and-such a price. <BR> <BR>

Going to Barcelona in September. Would be interested in any restuarants that you especially liked. Thanks!

<BR>Our main haunt for both drinking (cava) and eating was 'Taxidermista' a swish place on Placa Real (sp?) off La Rambla fairly near to the port. The waitresses dress in blue shirts and black trousers, if that helps. Lovely tapas and great cava, and good prices. <BR>There is also a Basque tapas bar near to Placa Catalunya whose symbol is a Basque man in a big beret! The menu is the placemat, showing you 51 tapas at 155 pesetas each. They suggest 6 different plates of 10 or so tapas and they are delicious. It was popular with the locals, so that suggests it's a safe bet.

Nigel, <BR>Got any great pensions in Barcelona to suggest for me and my husband? We're there for 4 nightsand don't want to spend a lot. Most of the pensions we've read about are in the US$50 range. We're hoping to find a charming place where we can sleep (we're early risers, so noise is a factor). Got any ideas? This will be our first Spain trip. <BR>Thanks! <BR>Sabrina

Nigel, what king of accomodations/rate did you get in Tarragona? I would guess that A/C is essential in July. We should be getting to Tarragona in the evening and I guess we'll book instead of trying to get a room in the Tourist office. BTW, do you know when Tourist offices close in Spain? <BR> <BR>Have you by any chance visited the Monastery of Poblet? I'm interested in opening hours, visit time, etc. <BR> <BR>TIA, Paulo <BR>

I stayed in 3 star hotels, costing about $90-$100 including a big breakfast and air conditioning, some having nice outdoor pools too. I don't know anything about pensions therefore. <BR>In Tarragona, we simply turned up at the tourist office, which is a fair hike from the station near the cathedral and up a hill at that! The woman was not that friendly and would not make a call for us to the hotel, but we insisted and she relented. We stayed at the Hotel Lauria on La Rambla {yes, it has one too!} and were very pleased. I cannot recommend Tarragona enough, because it was friendly, compact and very Catalonian. I don't know when the tourist office closes, not do I know anything about the Monastery mentioned. I basically followed my nose and never put a foot wrong, thankfully.

Nigel--- the info you are posting is probably among the best info I had seen posted on that area; truly off the beaten track, great info. Cool!