Barcelona odds and ends
 

Hello....can anyone tell me about how far, how long a walk, it is from Placa Catalunya bus stop to La Boqueria? Can we walk there in 10 minutes?

Also, in mid May, would we expect beach/ bathing suit weather?

Do seniors get a discount on public transportation in Barcelona? If so, is a "card" necessary and how would we obtain it before we arrive?

We love, love ice cream/ gelatin/ soft serve yogurt....Are there any SPECIAL Barcelona ice cream parlors?

We will be all over Spain and want to go to a bullfight. ( I know....not everyone approves, but we want to see one from a cultural standpoint.) Which city do you recommend?
Thank you very much!

LG

<< about how far, how long a walk >>

Yes, +- 10 minutes. I can't remember exactly as when you're walking you amble about, looking around but it's not a far walk.

<< mid May, would we expect beach/ bathing suit weather? >>

Depends on where you live and what climate you're used to. Barcelona is about the same latitude as NJ so if you would wear a bathing suit in NJ in mid May then you can do so in Barcelona. I would say the water would be cold so no sea bathing.

There are so many fascinating things to do and see in Barcelona, why would you want to spend time hanging on a beach?

<< ice cream/ gelatin/ soft serve yogurt >>

I think you probably mean gelato? There is a convenient gelateria off the Ramblas on Calle de Ferran, across from MacDonald's. I had sorbet both times (can't have ice cream) and it was the creamiest sorbet I've ever had (lemon and mango). I had to ask twice to ensure there was no milk in it. My friend had chocolate gelato (I had a taste) and it was like diving into a vat of chocolate - very chocolatey and dense.

There are Amarino gelaterias in Barcelona, my favorite gelato in Europe. I know there is one on the Ramblas near placa Catalunya. Of course this is an Italian chain, but gelato is Italian, AFAIK.

I suggest you read up on the cultural aspects of bullfights, but Barcelona is a main centre of resistance to them in Spain, and has been for some time, I believe. Bullfighting has been completely banned there for about five years. So you can't go there, thank goodness. YOu can see the bullring as a point of interest there. I would think either Madrid or Seville would be a good place to do that, if you really want, I think historically, Seville is a bigger place for that, so why not go there. I don't go to things to view them culturally that I find repugnant, as I keep my values when I travel. I wouldn't go to a dog fight, either, for example, or any animal fight, for that matter, or a spectacle that involved killing things for amusement.

They don't have senior discounts for travel in Barcelona for tourists. I think local residents can get a discount card for age, but you need a pensioner ID card from local government. I just buy a card that is good for 10 journeys when I'm there, you can buy some daily pass cards also (eg, 2 or 4 days, etc.). They end up costing about 6-7 euro per day. I don't usually take that many trips a day. The T-10 card costs about 10 euro.

Can 2 people share the same 10 ride card or does each person need his own?

Thanks for the useful info!

La Boquería is less than 400 meters down La Rambla from Plaça de Catalunya.

Past seventeen years statistics for mid May in Barcelona says average daily highs at 72 F and 8 hours sun/day (wetteronline.de). The Barceloneta beach is very popular with locals, all kinds of people and activities until sun-set. I also recommend the adjoining local atmosphere Barceloneta district: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...taurants-spain

Regarding ice cream/heladerías in Barcelona:
DelaCrem in Carrer Enric Granados, 15-17 (Eixample) was recently presented as the best heladería in Spain by the Spanish newspaper ABC. http://www.tripadvisor.es/Restaurant...Catalonia.html
Italian ice-cream in Gelaati in the Gothic quarter: http://www.tripadvisor.es/Restaurant...Catalonia.html

Regarding bullfights, the best toreros in the country come to the Las Ventas bullring in Madrid from early May to mid June for the San Isidro Feria/Feria del Arte y la Cultura: http://www.las-ventas.com/

Mrsgo..you have all the information you'll need for your questions. MrGo can carry you piggy-back and reach La Boqueria from the Catalunya fountain in three minutes and 17 seconds. Guaranteed. But take pictures!

Have a fun trip.

two or even more people can share the 10 ride cards.. but must get off at same place, of course.

"There are Amarino gelaterias in Barcelona. Of course this is an Italian chain".

It is not, though the 2 owners are Italians. Their company is based in France and the gelati are made near Orly.

You might try The Ronda Bull Ring...small town, mid-sized arena, full of history, little museum attached. I don't know their schedue for May, but someone in Sevilla's TI could tell you. It's a fairly easy drive from Sevilla,through boring country side until you get close to Ronda.

I may have mistaken you for another Mr and Mrs Go, longtime posters herein (Bob The Navigator's family)..otherwise I would not have gotten so personal about the time to reach La Boqueria.

stu

amarino gelatos are amazing.. we have one in Valencia now. they are totally natural, no artificial colorings..

I think the Ronda bullring is the oldest in Spain. There is an interesting museum attached.

Bullfights are banned in Barcelona (and whole Catalonia) for a couple of years ago.