You don't have to take a tour at the Hospital...we just wondered around on our own ...
( we visited in May this year)
Tarragona is an hour by train from Sants train station . Check RENFE for times.
You can google it to see the sites...

I visited Palau Guell twice...no need to prebook, it was rather busy second time ( in May.)

p.s.
don't take AVE to Tarragona, and don't go on Sunday...the trains returning to Barcelona are full
of students . We had to stand all the way.

hi,

If you are interested in seeing "castellers" you can go on saturday at 12 to the neibourghood of Sarria..there are a "diada" with 2 groups, castellers de barcelona and bordegassos de vilanova.
the place is "plaça del consell de la vila" in sarrià....

Last year you could only go into the hospital with a guided tour but now I see there are self guided visits. The tour was interesting. And I see they've substantially increased the admission prices.

Re the flamenco - Our concierge made the reservation for us just a day ahead.

Consider attending one of the Barcelona Church Concerts if your group enjoys music - http://www.classictic.com/en/special...concerts/2747/

One was playing the church in the plaza by our hotel. It was an amazing evening.

The Monastary of Pedralbes. It is out a bit but in a lovely part of Barcelona. The gardens are beautiful.
Will get you away from the hustle and bustle of the Ramblas.

Laura, We were fortunate to have friends drive us to Sant Sadurni from Sitges, but you can take the train from Barcelona (less than an hour I believe) and Cavas Freixenet is next to the train station. Have a look on google maps. Check the Freixenet website for tour information. Enjoy.

Website for regional trains (Barcelona to Sant Sadurni is R4 train and trip is 45 minutes each way)
http://www20.gencat.cat/portal/site/...?newLang=en_GB

About El Born, I always stay here:
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

Close by Barceloneta, great local feel area just inland from the beach with the same name: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...taurants-spain

Tablao de Carmen is named after the greatest flamenco dancer of all times, Carmen Amaya (1918-1963) from Barcelona. On the site where she made her public debut in front of king Alfonzo XII during the world fair in 1929. You need reservations. http://www.tablaodecarmen.com/en/

One of my favourites, El Junco, at Tablao de Carmen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sENoCuTQYPs

A recent documentary about the flamenco culture in Barcelona: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BibV3tYo0U

And I highly recommend a night in Barcelona classic Set Portes from 1826. Tons of history in the walls, and the best atmosphere and food. I could die for their Arroz Caldo, but in general excellent traditional food.
http://www.7portes.com/catala/index2.php
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujDIsGzDO38

We took the Fat Tire Bike Tour the first or second day of our trip. It is a great, fun way to see a lot of the city (but without exerting yourselves too much!), and enjoying the outdoors. They start from the Barrio, and end there several hours later, with a stop for lunch at the beach along the way!

Thank you all so much for all these good tips! Leaving tomorrow, can't wait!

So of course now am packing so mired in the detail...would you all think black jeans with nice top and new-looking loafers with some design on them, are nice enough for a nice restaurant on a weeknight and/or wherever we might land on Fri./Sat. nights? Am trying to keep packing to a minimum, and want to walk comfortably, but certainly wouldn't want to either offend or stand out by being under-dressed.

If it helps, I'm in my fifties, so not a 20-something possibly needing to look more glam

I remember dinner in a rather upscale restaurant outside the city center...a few older people
were dressed more formally, but most of the patrons were in jeans .

The fanciest place I went was a concert at Palau de la Musica and people wore all sorts of outfits. Some were a bit dressed up (but not formal); most wore something similar to what you describe. I would add a pretty pashmina for some style.

Again, many thanks to all! Our friend consolidated all the tips from this thread into a pdf document and has downloaded it onto his laptop, and since he emailed it to me, I'm printing for dh and I to have on the days when they and we will be going our separate ways.

As always, will do a trip report when I return, to pay it forward!

Tons of great info!!