Barcelona itinerary help!
 

Barcelona Sites: I get to make a choice between the following activities as a special guest of a companies awards trip. <BR> <BR>1. Picasso Museum & Cathedral Tour or <BR>2. Shopping Tour or <BR>3. Miro Museum & Olympic Tour <BR> <BR>Which should I choose? <BR> <BR>Picasso is not my favorite artist but the cathedrals sound fascinating. <BR> <BR>Shopping for me can or cannot be fun, depending on prices (I love bargains). I have no idea where the shopping will be. <BR> <BR>I am not very familiar with Miro art, but have read to skip the Olympic stadium. <BR> <BR>If you had to choose 1, 2, or 3, which one would you choose? <BR> <BR>I also get to choose between: <BR> <BR>1. Gaudí City Tour: Paseo DeGracia, <BR> Guell Park and Sagrada Familia or <BR>2. Bicycle Tour: Gothic Quarter or <BR>3. Cava Caves Tour: Sant Sadurni d'Anoia <BR> <BR>I would appreciate any helpful imformation! <BR> <BR>

I say go with the Picasso museum. Even if you're not a big fan, the museum is endlessly fascinating. You'll be very impressed with the depth and breadth of his work. <BR> <BR>I also say go with the Gaudí city tour - that's part of what people go to Barcelona for. <BR> <BR>Have fun! <BR>

Thanks Wendy, that's what I had in mind, not for Picasso, but for the cathedrals. <BR>But how about the second choice? <BR>I'm leaning toward option 1. <BR>Gaudí City Tour: Paseo DeGracia, <BR>Guell Park and Sagrada Familia <BR>What do you think? <BR>This will probably be my first and last time to Spain.

Agree with the foregoing. I'm not Picasso's number one fan, but The museum is great and taught me about how well the man could draw/paint beofre he started the stuff that turns me off. It's also in a great building. <BR> <BR>My only reason for recommending the Gaudi is because I liked it so much. <BR> <BR>The Gothic quarter is interesting but the Gaudi is better

Definately Gaudi! The man was an architectual genius. The other tours I would chose the shopping tours. Only because I think that the only church/cathedral worth seeing is the Sagrada Familia and that you will be seeing in the Gaudi tour. I am not a shopper, I will preface, but I think you might be less bored doing that. I feel that the Picasso Museum was not worth it and I happen to love art. The shopping tour would probably take you down the Paseo de Gracias and the Las Ramblas streets which I found interesting. Just another perspective for you.

I'll add my vote to the Gaudi supporters. Parc Guell was amazing, the Sagrada Familia is the landmark of Barcelona and the rest of his architecture is quite interesting. <BR> <BR>The other option I would probably lean towards shopping. I have to disagree with the Picasso supporters-I am not a fan (but do like to visit art museums) but went because everyone said it was interesting even if you don't like his art but I was unimpressed. The cathedral in Barcelona (not Sagrada Familia) is quite nice though with a lovely courtyard where the geese live. <BR> <BR>The shopping tour would probably be down Las Ramblas and Paseig de Gracia which is a wonderful place to people watch. There is also a funky flower/meat market in the middle. The only thing I purchased there was Lladro porcelain at prices of about 50-60% of what you would pay in the US. I found a place off the main street that gave me a 10% discount for using cash in addition to the 10% tax you get back at the airport. <BR>

Hi, Cheri, <BR>I certainly hope it isn't your last trip to Spain, especially Barcelona. By all means see all of Gaudi's work that you can. This is not to diminish Picasso, but to recognize that Gaudi's accomplishments are really centered on Barcelona, while Picasso's work can be seen in a wider set of venues. <BR>If you enjoy architecture and the art noveau/moderniste movement (as we do), Barcelona is Eden, every street a chance to gasp at the legacy of that energetic time. It's worth studying about the field a little before you go if you have the inclination. Do NOT miss the Catalan Music Academy, which, while not Gaudi's work, is a breathtaking example of the period.

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