Barcelona June 2013 Trip Report
Jun 20th, 2013, 04:34 PM
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you Eigasuki and Cheryl. I'm self-indulgent enough that I would probably write this anyway for my own enjoyment, but it's lovely to know that people are finding it entertaining or useful. Btw, the monks was one of my fave pics too 
Jun 20th, 2013, 11:14 PM
#25
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,934
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
cheryl_b
Very good idea to buy online tickets in advance for La Sagrada Familia (and the other Gaudí sights if you plan for more). Could save you for very long waits in line. http://visit.sagradafamilia.cat/?lang=en
Ans I also recommend to add an extra 2-3€ to get a guided tour. Several tours in English every day. I thought I knew a lot about both Gaudí and the church before I visited a couple of months ago, but the excellent guide provided info and impressions which added very much and made it a very powerful experience.
Very good idea to buy online tickets in advance for La Sagrada Familia (and the other Gaudí sights if you plan for more). Could save you for very long waits in line. http://visit.sagradafamilia.cat/?lang=en
Ans I also recommend to add an extra 2-3€ to get a guided tour. Several tours in English every day. I thought I knew a lot about both Gaudí and the church before I visited a couple of months ago, but the excellent guide provided info and impressions which added very much and made it a very powerful experience.
Jun 21st, 2013, 12:09 AM
#26
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,930
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great report w/lovely pix. I must go back - I was at Sagrada Familia a few yrs ago before it was finished so want to see the inside (also peaked my interest by recent report on 60 Minutes program).
Jun 21st, 2013, 03:19 AM
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm trying to remember if there was some reason we didn't book online (apart from not thinking of it!!) - I would just check that the pricing is the same before doing go ahead, that's the only caveat that comes to mind for me. Other than that it would definitely be great to beat the queues on a hot day when your feet have already been half way round Barcelona.
Btw, originally we had planned to go the full modernist walk as set out in Lonely Planet Discover Barcelona, but after just three buildings mojitos were calling.
Btw, originally we had planned to go the full modernist walk as set out in Lonely Planet Discover Barcelona, but after just three buildings mojitos were calling.
Jun 21st, 2013, 04:38 PM
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Saturday.
Showered and packed by 10:00am, kisses exchanged, goodbyes said.
Second set of goodbyes said when a knock at the door 10 minutes later revealed Tommy couldn't get out of the apartment block as the foyer was locked at weekends. Oops!
I handed the keys back to Ignacio and headed for the bakery round the corner where I had a pastry and café con leche while writing postcards. Lovely relaxing hour or two watching the world go by. Tried to buy stamps at a newsagents, but was told emphatically 'no'. In luck at the second where they responded 'si' to my request for 'cinco cellos'. The shop assistant disappeared out the back momentarily while I looked for my purse....which went straight back in my pocket as they returned with five huge bags of ice! Eventually worked out that I needed a tobacconist, not a newsagent, and managed to get my stamps purchased, stuck on my cards, then the whole lot deposited in a lemon yellow postbox.
I walked back through the parc de la ciutadella. The gryphon fountains were on, and lots of people were taking a weekend stroll. Beautiful day. Made several stops to sit on shady benches and watch the parrots vying with the pigeons for morsels of food dropped by passers by.
Eventually made my way back to the station after a brief wander round the Born. Had a lovely 7 euro lunch of bread, extra virgin olive oil, spaghetti with beef and Spanish peppers, and home-made lemonade in the grand old restaurant at Estacio de Franca. Read Val McDermid on my Kindle and drank coffee until it was time to board the train.
No sleep on the way back as I was next to a snorer. Checking Facebook updates I noticed that Tommy was safely home without further interference from French air traffic control, but only after being caught up in a terrorist scare as a plane was diverted to Prestwick and escorted in by fighter jets!
Home to a curry, mountain of post and leisurely upload of holiday pics. Barcelona we love you!
Showered and packed by 10:00am, kisses exchanged, goodbyes said.
Second set of goodbyes said when a knock at the door 10 minutes later revealed Tommy couldn't get out of the apartment block as the foyer was locked at weekends. Oops!
I handed the keys back to Ignacio and headed for the bakery round the corner where I had a pastry and café con leche while writing postcards. Lovely relaxing hour or two watching the world go by. Tried to buy stamps at a newsagents, but was told emphatically 'no'. In luck at the second where they responded 'si' to my request for 'cinco cellos'. The shop assistant disappeared out the back momentarily while I looked for my purse....which went straight back in my pocket as they returned with five huge bags of ice! Eventually worked out that I needed a tobacconist, not a newsagent, and managed to get my stamps purchased, stuck on my cards, then the whole lot deposited in a lemon yellow postbox.
I walked back through the parc de la ciutadella. The gryphon fountains were on, and lots of people were taking a weekend stroll. Beautiful day. Made several stops to sit on shady benches and watch the parrots vying with the pigeons for morsels of food dropped by passers by.
Eventually made my way back to the station after a brief wander round the Born. Had a lovely 7 euro lunch of bread, extra virgin olive oil, spaghetti with beef and Spanish peppers, and home-made lemonade in the grand old restaurant at Estacio de Franca. Read Val McDermid on my Kindle and drank coffee until it was time to board the train.
No sleep on the way back as I was next to a snorer. Checking Facebook updates I noticed that Tommy was safely home without further interference from French air traffic control, but only after being caught up in a terrorist scare as a plane was diverted to Prestwick and escorted in by fighter jets!
Home to a curry, mountain of post and leisurely upload of holiday pics. Barcelona we love you!
Jun 22nd, 2013, 05:02 AM
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Few last thoughts on Barcelona.
Very walkable city. Traffic is extremely respectful of pedestrians. Public transport is clean, efficient and cheap if your legs get tired.
Food and drink are varied, delicious and very good value.
People are for the most part friendly ad helpful. Crime does not have to be an issue if you are vigilant.
This is a world class city and you would be mad not to go.
Finishing with a few of Tommy's pics. Enjoy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4945230...7634264564676/
Very walkable city. Traffic is extremely respectful of pedestrians. Public transport is clean, efficient and cheap if your legs get tired.
Food and drink are varied, delicious and very good value.
People are for the most part friendly ad helpful. Crime does not have to be an issue if you are vigilant.
This is a world class city and you would be mad not to go.
Finishing with a few of Tommy's pics. Enjoy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4945230...7634264564676/
