Going to Barcelona in a couple weeks for 7 days. Staying at the Hotel Gran Derby for three nights. I've read that it's quite a walk from where everything is at....is it more walking that in Manhattan? Or will we be use to it? Any recommendations for people in their early 30's?

Also, would like to go to Mallorca or Menorca....which is better? Any hotel recommendations on either of those islands?

Any help much appreciated : )

See the Gaudi church Familia and the Gaudi apartment, also the Picasso Museum. The best place I found to exchange money was at the tourist office on the square near Las Ramblas. They also offered worthwhile day tours; one of them being the Salvator Dali Museum--although I had not been much of a fan of his before I did love his imagination and the museum.

I think it depends what you like, but I'm planning a trip to Barcelona and Malloca and have heard great things about Malloca, but would be very intested in opinions from those who have been there or to Menorca.

We've been to Mallorca and loved every bit of the visit.

While I haven't been to Menorca, I highly recommend Mallorca. You have the beautiful beaches, the rich culture and architecture and great spanish Majorcan cuisine.

Check out our pictures. We rented a car for 3 days out of our 7 day stay.
http://www.wongngravrok.com/2003Mallorca/ We went around the island for 3 days, with Alcudia being our base, visiting:

- Day 1: PALMA
- Day 2: Formentor/ POLLENCA/ (Monastery at) LLUC/ SOLLER/ DEIA/ VALLDEMOSSA/
- Day 3: Can Picafort/ Porto Cristo (to see the caves)/ Santanyi/ Felanitx
(note: highly recommend cities in capitalized letters)

In Alcudia, Mallorca, we found a great Majorcan restaurant which we went back several times during our stay. They serve also tapas, fish and BBQmeat.

Bodega d'es Port (near Alcudia harbor/ Puerto)
Teodoro Canet 8
Puerto Alcudia
Reservas: 971 549 633

I would probably recommend using Palma as a base, unless you are beach people. The beach in Palma is not as fantastic as in Alcudia.

We bought a package which included air+flight. But check out: www.venere.com . There are probably plenty to choose from. sorry....can't help you with a hotel recommentation...

good luck,
Vivian

We enjoyed Mallorca and it's easy and cheap to get there from Barcelona. We did a day trip via an overnight "cruise". Anyway, you take the ship from the port of Barcelona and it sails overnight to Mallorca and you get there in the morning. It then sails back to Barcelona that night and you arrive the next morning. We rented a car right at the dock and toured Palma and the rest of the island.

How much was the cruise to Mallorca? That sounds like a good idea. Seems like more tourists have been to Mallorca

Thanks all for the replies--as usual good information. And HappyTraveling--thanks for the beautiful pictures!!

We stayed at Hotel LLeo in Barcelona. The location was very convenient. We paid about 110 euros + 7% IVA.