With everyone's help here, we are getting ready for our trip. We have rented the apartment and have a car for the 3 day trip to Costa Bravo. Any thoughts about cell phones and are reservations needed in advance for museums, etc.?

We were in Barcelona last October and we did not make reservations in advance for Casa Battlo, Sagrada Familia or Casa Mila (la Pedrera). I do recommend being at Sagrada Familia BEFORE they open. Our first day in Barcelona, we arrived at Sagrada Familia around 10:30AM & the line was huge, so we left & returned the next day at 8:45AM. We waited in line for no more than 30 minutes. For the other places (Battlo & Mila), we probably waited in line for 15-20 minutes. I'm not an expert but i don't think it should be any worse in May.

Booking in advance will all depend on how much time you want to waste, but my advice is to book ahead.

Regarding cell phones (mobile phones): How long are you going to be in Spain? Do you really need one? If you need one for any length of time, you can purchase an unlocked world phone (eBay or elsewhere) or rent one from On Spanish Time.

The Palau de Musica Catalana will require a ticket in advance.

For the Palau de Musica Catalana I think that we either turned up and bought a ticket for later in the day or the next day....(we were there in September)

eurocheapo.com excellent Barcelona city/day trip guides.

Never reserve anything but hotels never have any problems

Dali museum pretty cool have several Dalis so I like him.

Very interesting and informative might visit there.