There are Zara stores here in U.S. One right here in New York. Why would one need to shop in Zara in Barcelona (yes,I know it's Spanish) when you don't have to leave the US to do it?

My friends (who live in NYC but was in Spain last year) told me that Zara in Spain carries different styles not available in the US.

I'm curious about Zara. I don't get into NYC too much anymore but have been to Zara. I will certainly check it out.

Here are the notes I have for taking the #24 bus to Parc Güell.

Go early- very crowded by midmorning. Instead of entering the park at the bottom where the main entrance is (Metro Lessops) take Bus # 24 which drops you at the back entrance of the park so you can walk down through the park instead of walking uphill for 15 minutes with a crowd of other people. There's a stop for bus #24 right by Placa Catalunya near La Ramblas, getting off at the Parc Guell stop.

amwosu - thanks for the info. Now I need to figure out where to go first. It seems that there will be a crowd wherever I don't go first. Tough decision!

jerseysusan- I'm trying to figure out how to maximize my time in BCN while dealing with the crowds at the Gaudi sites as well. I plan to see Park Guell early one morning and I've read suggestions to spend 3 hours there. I'm going to see La Sagrada Familia that day but I'm not going inside so I'm not quite as worried about crowds there. I will also walk around Gracia on the day I see Park Guell and La Sagrada Familia.

Here is my day in Eixample to see other Gaudi sites and window shop. I've tried to put sites in an order that will be walked easily.

Casa Fuster http://www.hotelcasafuster.com/defau...action=english Paseo de Gracia, 132. At the top of the Passeig de Gracia, one of the costliest buildings in the city. Built from 1908-1911 as a gift from a wealthy Mallorcan to his wife. A luxury hotel since 2004.

La Pedrera (Casa Milà) Passeig de Gràcia ,92 Metro: Diagonal, 9am-8pm (Mar-Oct)
http://www.lapedreraeducacio.org/flash.htm Probably Gaudi's 2nd most recognizable masterpiece. Built between 1905 & 1910 as a commission for the wealthy Milà family in the upmarket Gracia district serving as an apartment and an office block. Get a taste of wealthy Catalan society a century ago while wandering through the rooms of the family home. The roof is particularly interesting with its selection of Modernist sculptures and chimneys from where you can see the Sagrada Familia in the distance.

Fundació Antoni Tàpies 255 Carrer d’Aragó. Tue-Sun 10am-8pm. Admission: €5. www.fundaciotapies.org This iron & brick building dates to the 1880s. It contains a collection of the Catalan artist’s mostly Abstract Expressionist works. Notice his huge sculpture on the roof. Perhaps just walk by.

Casa Batlló Passeig de Gracia, 43 Daily 9am-8pm. €10 or €16 includes access to the roof www.casabatllo.es (20% discount coupon with tourist bus or 10% discount at TI) Down the Passeig de Gràcia on the other side of the road from La Pedrera is another classic Gaudi structure. This 1905 building was commissioned by wealthy local businessman, Josep Batlló, to serve mainly as a family home. Nationalist symbolism hard at work here: the scaly roofline represents the Dragon of Evil impaled on St. George's cross & the skulls and bones on the balconies are the dragon's victims. These motifs are allusions to Catalonia's Middle Ages with its codes of chivalry and religious fervor. Audioguide included in the price of entry gives excellent insight into Gaudi's aspirations and achievements.

Casa Amatller Passeig de Gracia, 41 Designed by Puig i Cadafalch dating to 1900. A mix of wrought iron, sculptures and ceramics. Gothic Revival interior can be see only by appointment. Perhaps just walk past.

Museu del Perfum (Perfume Museum) Passieg de Gracia, 39
Mon-Fri 10:30am-1:30pm and 4:30pm-8pm, Sat 11am-2pm. €5. www.museodelperfume.com 5,000 perfume vessels- flasks from ancient Greece, a bottle designed by Dalí & one owned by Marie Antoinette.

Casa Lleó-Morera Passeig de Gràcia, 35 Designed in 1906 by Domènech i Montaner. The exterior is covered with balconies & carved floral designs, with a rooftop garden & unusual tower.

Passeig de Gràcia The fantastic block between Carrer Consell de Cent & Carrer Aragó is nicknamed Manzana de la Discòrdia (Block of Discord) because the buildings seemed to be trying to outdo one another.

We used the metro and did a lot of walking. Arrive at Sagrada Familia early in the day - you'll want time to visit the church itself as well as the museum.

amwosu - thanks for taking the time to post so much information. Aside from the Gaudi sites I also plan on walking down the Ramblas,around the Barri Gotic area check out Barcelonetta and go to the beach(promised my daughter). I need to fit this in 2 1/2 days. Logistics are everything!

Susan

Sleep is optional. ;-)

That is so true. Sadly I am a terrible sleeper in general but on vacation it's a wonder I sleep at all. The plane ride over is just the start of it. Bah sleep is overated lol.