This is my first time going to Barcelona and I was going to book this apartment http://www.habitatapartments.com/calabria.htm in the l'Eixample area of Bareclona, and wanted to make sure it was in a pretty central location.

If you have any other tips or places that are must see I'd loved to hear them.

Thanks,
M

We stayed in a small hotel--Aparthotel Calabria--in 2002 when we spent three days in Barcelona. The I'Eixample area is supposed to be a more sophisticated area of Barcelona. We took the Metro once, but walked to Playa Cataluna and Espana and down into the main part of town. We did have two incidents of pick-pockets while there--Barcelona seems known for that. One was a guy with the "sprayed chocolate" technique going down into the metro in the area. But we'd read about it on this BB and acted accordingly. The other was a lady selling flowers, and we successfully managed to deter her. If you know it can happen and keep alert, it is not a problem.)

We thought it a great area. Your choice looks a bit "classier" and larger than where we stayed, but for only a few days it was a good choice for us and had one of the best included breakfasts we've had anywhere. If you have time, take the train to Monserrat--you can walk to the train station, easily.

If you are there on a Sunday around noon, there is ethnic-type folk dancing in the plaza before the main cathedral. Part of the time, an orchesta played; otherwise it was probably a tape. Ciao!! mhm

We stayed in a small hotel--Aparthotel Calabria--in 2002 when we spent three days in Barcelona. The I'Eixample area is supposed to be a more sophisticated area of Barcelona. We took the Metro once, but walked to Playa Cataluna and Espana and down into the main part of town. (We did have two incidents of pick-pockets while there--Barcelona seems known for that. One was a guy with the "sprayed chocolate" technique going down into the metro in the area. But we'd read about it on this BB and acted accordingly. The other was a lady selling flowers, and we successfully managed to deter her. If you know it can happen and keep alert, it is not a problem.)

We thought it a great area. Your choice looks a bit "classier" and larger than where we stayed, but for only a few days it was a good choice for us and had one of the best included breakfasts we've had anywhere. If you have time, take the train to Monserrat--you can walk to the train station, easily.

If you are there on a Sunday around noon, there is ethnic-type folk dancing in the plaza before the main cathedral. Part of the time, an orchesta played; otherwise it was probably a tape. Ciao!! mhm

Double post--sorry!!mhm

Thanks for the reply. What is the "sprayed chocolate" technique?

The "sprayed chocolate" technique is to either have cocoa or coffee in a spray-type container or even a mustard squeeze container. The choc. or mustard is sprayed on your person, usually on your back, and then the perpertrator "discovers" this and offers to help you clean up--he'll have tissues, etc. And as you are flustered, and not paying attention, he will search obvious areas where purse/wallet might be. There are other "gooey" things that have been used, at least I've read that.

Another "choice" ruse is for two guys to hop on a Metro car, just as doors are closing. One of them will bend down and very neatly slip some credit cards, a room key, etc. between the legs of the person whose back is to him. (In this instance, it was my husband and I was leaning against the side of the car, watching this play out like "deja vu," since I read a description of the ploy on the BB.) Anyway, the guy did this, rushed around to in front of my spouse, and began picking up the cards, at the same time examining my husband's leg--checking for a leg safe, I guess. His friend was spending the time, leaning agains t my spouse. trying to get into my husband's side pockets. I was beating the "kneeler" with my umbrella and my husband was jabbing the other guy with his elbows as he would not take his hands out of his pockets--most of his $$ was in his moneybelt, anyway. Other passengers watched and shouted but did nothing. The pair hopped off at the next stop--to try it again on another unsuspecting person.

It was a sobering experience, but I was happy that someone had posted about it on this BB--it made me more aware of what can be tried. Don't let it scare you--just be careful and alert. Ciao. mhm