Barcelona Itinerary
Jul 4th, 2015, 11:29 AM
#21
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<i>We can spontaneously decide to go into Palau Guell on our jet-lagged day if we are up for it and the lines aren't too bad.</i>
The lines won't be bad but unfortunately it's closed on Monday (our arrival day).
The lines won't be bad but unfortunately it's closed on Monday (our arrival day).
Jul 4th, 2015, 12:30 PM
#23
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"The lines won't be bad but unfortunately [Palau Guell is] closed on Monday (our arrival day)."
You will be very near it after your tour of the Museum of the History of Barcelona -- about 10 minutes by foot. (Although as mentioned above, it might make sense to visit Barcelona's Cathedral while you are within steps of it.) And Palau Guell is only about 15 minutes by foot from Santa Maria del Mar.
@ kimhe -- what a vivid, and very apt, description of Le Pedrera - thanks!
You will be very near it after your tour of the Museum of the History of Barcelona -- about 10 minutes by foot. (Although as mentioned above, it might make sense to visit Barcelona's Cathedral while you are within steps of it.) And Palau Guell is only about 15 minutes by foot from Santa Maria del Mar.
@ kimhe -- what a vivid, and very apt, description of Le Pedrera - thanks!
Jul 4th, 2015, 05:22 PM
#25
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Have a great time, whatever you end up doing. We only spent 2 days in Barcelona, but Parc Guell and La Familia (inside AND out)were fabulous and things I think your kids will truly enjoy. La Ramblas is worth a stroll (you are properly forewarned so will go guardedly) as is the Gotic area--we were in our jet-lagged fog seeing that so didn't explore far but it was fine.
Just a thought--to complicate things--did you look at Tarragona? I LOVE it--so much Roman history (amphitheater right at the edge of the Mediterranean plus much more) and charming lanes and markets--any way you can add it/substitute? Kids would find much to enjoy and explore--old walls, old lanes, nice museums. With effort it could be a day trip maybe. I remember from your time in England how much history-related things you guys did; your time in Barcelona seems heavy on the art/architecture/maybe for adults more? But your kids have matured, and I don't know your tastes or goals of course. Just a thought.
Just a thought--to complicate things--did you look at Tarragona? I LOVE it--so much Roman history (amphitheater right at the edge of the Mediterranean plus much more) and charming lanes and markets--any way you can add it/substitute? Kids would find much to enjoy and explore--old walls, old lanes, nice museums. With effort it could be a day trip maybe. I remember from your time in England how much history-related things you guys did; your time in Barcelona seems heavy on the art/architecture/maybe for adults more? But your kids have matured, and I don't know your tastes or goals of course. Just a thought.
Jul 4th, 2015, 11:09 PM
#26
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IndyDad: Sorry I did think you you asked about RB tours. I was confused. However if you had done some searching on here you would have found this.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-tip-guide.cfm
These guys are not licensed. If they are not they may not be insured, one poster on that thread suggest they my not be paying taxes. That is hard to prove. I hope that Spain does not want to go down the road of Greece and have a non contribution system which is bust.
Unlicensed tour guides are the same as using uber for some of our contributors, it seems.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-tip-guide.cfm
These guys are not licensed. If they are not they may not be insured, one poster on that thread suggest they my not be paying taxes. That is hard to prove. I hope that Spain does not want to go down the road of Greece and have a non contribution system which is bust.
Unlicensed tour guides are the same as using uber for some of our contributors, it seems.
Jul 4th, 2015, 11:14 PM
#27
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RB are confused themselves. They say they are free tours and yet this quote from their own website talks about fair prices for high standards.
***We, ourselves, are the ones who deal with all the nitty gritty organisation behind the scenes. This cuts down on a lot of the overheads but we believe that overall it gives a more satisfying personal service. Lots of work but worth it when you love what you do.
Our philosophy is: “fair prices and high standards are very compatible” and a bit of honesty can go a very long way.
Welcome to Barcelona. We really wish you a great time here!***
This begs the question are they free or do you have to pay.
***We, ourselves, are the ones who deal with all the nitty gritty organisation behind the scenes. This cuts down on a lot of the overheads but we believe that overall it gives a more satisfying personal service. Lots of work but worth it when you love what you do.
Our philosophy is: “fair prices and high standards are very compatible” and a bit of honesty can go a very long way.
Welcome to Barcelona. We really wish you a great time here!***
This begs the question are they free or do you have to pay.
Jul 5th, 2015, 04:28 AM
#28
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We've done private tours, paid tours and, yes, some "free" tours in our various travels. I have not seen negative press with RB like with Sandeman Tours (Amsterdam and others) but perhaps they are similar models.
We like the product as many on TA seem to do as well. I don't do it because it is "free" (it won't be for us). I'll review some alternatives but may still choose RB in the end if it suits our needs. In terms of social crusades I'm afraid it ranks low on my list.
We like the product as many on TA seem to do as well. I don't do it because it is "free" (it won't be for us). I'll review some alternatives but may still choose RB in the end if it suits our needs. In terms of social crusades I'm afraid it ranks low on my list.
Jul 5th, 2015, 04:34 AM
#29
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Hi TBW
I recall reading your TR on Tarragona early in my research. It did sound interesting but I'm afraid we have enough to do in Barcelona proper and then we head in the opposite direction to Costa Brava for the rest of our trip. Thanks for the suggestion though! Not sure we'll make it back this way or not, but I'll keep it on "the list".
I recall reading your TR on Tarragona early in my research. It did sound interesting but I'm afraid we have enough to do in Barcelona proper and then we head in the opposite direction to Costa Brava for the rest of our trip. Thanks for the suggestion though! Not sure we'll make it back this way or not, but I'll keep it on "the list".
Jul 5th, 2015, 06:02 AM
#31
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Never trust who writes on TA some Destination Experts say they are from a certain location when the timings on the posts are all-to-cock with where they live.
Reviews on TA are notoriously untrustworthy.
I know that at least one DE for BCN has links to the tourist industry in BCN. I wonder if they have links to this company too?
RE you comment about being a man without morals. I would like to thank you for the heads up on that.
Reviews on TA are notoriously untrustworthy.
I know that at least one DE for BCN has links to the tourist industry in BCN. I wonder if they have links to this company too?
RE you comment about being a man without morals. I would like to thank you for the heads up on that.
Jul 5th, 2015, 08:04 AM
#32
RE you comment about being a man without morals. I would like to thank you for the heads up on that.>>
really, ribeirasacra, I appreciate a lot of your posts on Spain as being both insightful and informative but this is neither accurate nor fair. I think that in this virtual world as IRL we all have to appreciate that our concerns may not be shared by others - you have drawn the problem to the OP's attention and he has responded. personal insults are not necessary nor are they appropriate.
really, ribeirasacra, I appreciate a lot of your posts on Spain as being both insightful and informative but this is neither accurate nor fair. I think that in this virtual world as IRL we all have to appreciate that our concerns may not be shared by others - you have drawn the problem to the OP's attention and he has responded. personal insults are not necessary nor are they appropriate.
Jul 5th, 2015, 08:42 AM
#33
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"These guys are not licensed. If they are not they may not be insured, one poster on that thread suggest they my not be paying taxes."
How do you know that they are not licensed? Before you accuse a company of being illegal, uninsured and tax evaders publicly, you had better be 100% sure of what you are talking about.
Sorry IndyDad but I just had to ask. I wish you a wonderful trip and look forward to your report.
How do you know that they are not licensed? Before you accuse a company of being illegal, uninsured and tax evaders publicly, you had better be 100% sure of what you are talking about.
Sorry IndyDad but I just had to ask. I wish you a wonderful trip and look forward to your report.
Jul 5th, 2015, 08:48 AM
#34
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Hi indy-dad,
How nice to "see" you again! Your kids have certainly grown up a lot. Don't mean to high-jack your thread but we are going to Scotland soon and will be staying in two places I chose from your trip report..Annfield House and Skye Holiday apts. Do you remember if the Skye apts had laundry facilities?
How nice to "see" you again! Your kids have certainly grown up a lot. Don't mean to high-jack your thread but we are going to Scotland soon and will be staying in two places I chose from your trip report..Annfield House and Skye Holiday apts. Do you remember if the Skye apts had laundry facilities?
Jul 5th, 2015, 09:04 AM
#35
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Hi Jane
Glad to know my TR helped you out.
You are stretching my memory on Skye, but IRC there was a communal laundry (or at least one detached from the rather cozy apartment). You had to walk outside to get to it but it was accessible. I think it also had a separate dryer. No promises!
Still one of our favorite trips!
Glad to know my TR helped you out.
You are stretching my memory on Skye, but IRC there was a communal laundry (or at least one detached from the rather cozy apartment). You had to walk outside to get to it but it was accessible. I think it also had a separate dryer. No promises!
Still one of our favorite trips!
Jul 5th, 2015, 12:42 PM
#36
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"what time for Parc Guell"
I think Parc Guell can get REALLY crowded during the middle of the day, especially "in season," so you might want to take that into consideration. I was there in late May from about 7:20 p.m. until it closed at 9:30 p.m. There was a line for the Casa del Guarda (it took a bit less than 1/2 hour for me to enter) and there were enough people around the Dragon Staircase that I waited a while for the crowds to dissipate before taking my time with it. (BTW, if I had to do it again, I'm not sure I would go into the Casa del Guarda, but then, I saw several Guadi interiors.) As I was leaving the park, one of the staff members commented that those last 2 hours of the day are the only ones that he recommends to anyone, as he finds it unpleasantly crowded any earlier. I don't know what it's like earlier, though, or how easy it is to navigate the crowds.
I think Parc Guell can get REALLY crowded during the middle of the day, especially "in season," so you might want to take that into consideration. I was there in late May from about 7:20 p.m. until it closed at 9:30 p.m. There was a line for the Casa del Guarda (it took a bit less than 1/2 hour for me to enter) and there were enough people around the Dragon Staircase that I waited a while for the crowds to dissipate before taking my time with it. (BTW, if I had to do it again, I'm not sure I would go into the Casa del Guarda, but then, I saw several Guadi interiors.) As I was leaving the park, one of the staff members commented that those last 2 hours of the day are the only ones that he recommends to anyone, as he finds it unpleasantly crowded any earlier. I don't know what it's like earlier, though, or how easy it is to navigate the crowds.
Jul 5th, 2015, 03:19 PM
#38
We just bought an advanced Fast Pass Ticket for Casa Batllo. It didn't matter what time we showed up. We decided to go after seeing La Sagrada Familia, which we saw first thing in the morning. The line was long for Casa Batllo, but with the Fast Pass, we bypassed everyone by going in a separate line. FYI, we did not like it nearly as much as Casa Pedrera, but I still enjoyed it enough that the cost was worthwhile to me.
