Hi All,

My Wife and I are in UK for 6-7 months and are planning to use some of our time ( Weekends mostly ) to start visiting other countries in Europe. We have our Schengen Visas ready. Our first trip is scheduled early march 2011 to Barcelona for a weekend.
I wanted to reach out to all of you who have travelled extensively to

1) What are the places in Barcelona that you would recommend covering over a weekend .. we love visiting museums, the beach and enjoying the local cuisine and dance and culture.
2) What are the other places you would suggest visiting over the next 4-5 months in europe given the weather .

Rgds,
Thomas

Skip the museums in Barcelona and see all things Gaudi and the Barri Gotic. Please check a guide book like Time Out Barcelona to narrow choices.

For museums go to Madrid, Paris, Florence, Amsterdam and London. I have not been to the Hermitage but by all accounts it belongs on the list.

no beach time in March in Barcelona , Gaudi defines this beautiful city
Another place with world class museums and galleries - Berlin ! Unlike any city in Europe : Rome !
Most people here have their favorites - some like exploring small towns, some like big cities, some ....
You'll get a lot of suggestions.

I, too, would vote for Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia. Be sure to take the extended tour which, at the top, will afford you stunning views of the city.

If I go back, I would try to stroll the Las Ramblas. If it is like the one in Tarragona, it should be a fun evening experience.

Hop on a tour bus in Barcelona and spend a day seeing the whole city highlights then spend the next two days visiting everything you want to see in detail. Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi is a 1/2 day in itself.

I never did a trip report on Barcelona, but have plenty of pictures that might give you some ideas:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7623192954454/

In addition, to la sagrada familia, I thought Parc Guell was really worth the trek. More fantastic Gaudi work and the view of the city down below to the sea is very lovely.

The Block of Discord is really interesting. Be sure to see the fantastic Palau de la Música Catalana--a fabulous example of modernisme! As others have said, all things Gaudi.

I plan to use this on an upcoming visit; there is also a dedicated guidebook:



http://www.rutadelmodernisme.com/def...nisme_01en.htm

I recommend Sagrada Familia, Casa Battlo, Casa Mila (La Pedrera), Park Guell, & the Citadel Park with the magnificent La Cascada (the most amazing fountain I've ever seen). If you click on my name, you can read my recent trip report. We were there this past October. You will love Barcelona!

For future European travels, I also recommend Prague & Krakow.

I have a "Things to See & Do in Barcelona" document if you would like it. Click on my screen name and send me an e-mail and I'll send it to you.

It's 4/5 pages only and covers the major places.

Thanks for the responses .. its given me a good idea of what i need to be doing.
Rgds.