Aduchamp1

I found it hard to give someone advice, who has such an usually take on Paris. Who knows what they might like or dislike about Barcelona? Maybe they will see too many churros that are gordos and they prefer regulares?

suelise3

Aduchamp1 not to worry! Many others have been able to give me feedback that I find very helpful.

Ackislander - I have just learned what a troll is and this is not a troll.

Lexma90

I like this question - it's a little bit different. And I definitely feel that people can like or not like different places - I really didn't not love Turin, even though many people love it, and I thought I would too. And both DH and I loved Madrid, and plan to return, but lots of people do not.

I love Paris, but I also enjoyed Barcelona very much.

I felt the that "feel" of Barcelona was more like Rome, or other Italian cities, in terms of being more casual and laid-back. Very much a cafe culture, with many lovely plazas with cafes - more like in Italy. As I recall, Barcelona had more pedestrian-only areas than I've experienced in Paris. We spent a lot of time in the Barri Gotic, though.

Like Paris in that (IMHO) lots of good food and restaurants. Both are beautiful, in their own ways. Like Paris in that both cities are very walkable. Great art in both, though in Barcelona it was the Gaudi architecture, primarily. We also loved the Picasso museum and the Miro museum.

suze

<Paris just seemed like a busy city with North American stores>

That is one huge generalization you made. I guess that's probably true of some parts of the city, but certainly not all of it.

I like the suggestion for Venice. It's completely unique.

Ackislander

Sorry to come on so strong here. I was just completely taken aback that the Paris you describe is so different from the Paris I experience that I had the same kind of dislocation as Aduchamp. Yes, Paris certainly has areas like you describe -- the Tour Montparnasse, the area around the Place d'Italie, some of the new developments in Bercy, and of course La Defense. But I, and I think many visitors, deal with and remember Paris at a sort of Hausmannian level -- anything above 6 stories doesn't much enter our consciousness.

Barcelona is perhaps more diverse. There is Catalan architecture, including Gaudi, that is unique. The Barrio Gotico is more medieval than any similar district I remember in Paris, and the former Olympic Village areas on the waterfront are more modern. There is a building that looks just like the Pickle in London, and there are large districts of nineteenth century villas that look like everywhere else in bourgeois southern Europe. There really is a vast Dunkin Donuts, much bigger than any Dunkin Donuts in Boston, where Dunkin Donuts rules.

So it really is hard to say whether you would like Barcelona because the question is which of these different and sometimes dissonant Barcelonas would we be recommending. You will have to go and find out for yourself. I loved it and would go back in a minute, but if I could only go one more place again before I die, it would be Paris.

And I mde my snarky comments about Montreal before I read the post where you said you had lived there. It was a reflection of my disappointment in Montreal rather than a further blast at you! But I loved Quebec City . . . .

1965

No one has mentioned the day trip to Montserrat if staying in Barcelona, so maybe it's just me who finds it a wonderful place to visit. We've been to Barcelona twice, and both times I took a day trip by tour bus to Montserrat. The natural and unique mountain formations, the ancient monasteries, cathedral. If you do decide on Barcelona, look into visiting Montserrat. That being said, we very much enjoyed Barcelona, but have never been to Paris except for some time in the airport, so can't make a comparison. Have a great time whatever your choice.

Jojonana

Gosh, I WISH Montreal was like Paris!

danon

jojo. me too. It would save a ton of money on airline cost and exchange rate .

I don't know where people get the idea ( advertising?)
that a big North American city would be anything like Paris.

dfourh

I love people who love Paris. They have my deepest appreciation and respect. But myself - -I don't enjoy Paris at all. I can appreciate Barcelona, but it is kind of 'hard', particularly with a 7-year-old. If you don't enjoy Paris, then you might enjoy one of these I really like:
* Turin - Been there only once, but it is so pretty, easy-going, minimally touristed, and easy to enjoy. Lovely.
* Berlin - It was built with broad, wide avenues - - to emulate Paris - - but it is actually stimulating and fun, with plenty of green space - - particularly if you get away from the most concentrated tourist sites, and very particularly if you rent bicycles. Boat rides, swimming at Wannsee, the zoos - - could be very pleasant with a 7-year-old.
* Nice - Great colors, good food, very strollable; a couple years ago they put in a tram and cleared traffic out of the city center and now it is a gently simmering pot of little colorful and tasty pleasures. Cool beach. Great daytrips.
* Prague - Prague is cool. It's getting modern really fast, but the ochre hues, the castle, the bridge - - hard to beat.

Anna_Galea

Hi, In my opinion, Paris is much lovelier than Barcelona. Barcelona does have a beautiful port and a nice Aquarium to visit, but the centre is quite hectic and nothing comparing to Vienna in my opinion. Vienna is so rich in history and is in a class of its own. The people are lovely and friendly, unlike the Parisians, and so many beautiful majestic palaces, squares and streets. Vienna is certainly on one of my top cities, and I have visited many Europeon ones. Brussels is not that nice, unless you have to go on business, very busy streets. I would prefer to visit Bruges if you do want to go to Belgium. Munich is also a lovely city in southern Germany, but in my opinion, Vienna beats them all. The Graben, a pedestrial street in the centre, is so lovely and rich, with beautiful shops and cafeterias with outside seating. There is also a small amusement park, and the loveliest palaces. The people are much more friendly than the Parisians, and food and accomodation cheaper. I would certainly prefer Vienna to Barcelona, believe me. But if you still prefer Spain, then maybe you can go for a couple of days to the funpark of Port Aventura, south of Barcelona. Enoy and please tell us what you decided.

danon

OP is traveling in mid March.....
the only bike riding or swimming in Berlin visitors could do
that time of the year would be in a warm coat( and carrying an umbrella).
"People in Vienna are lovely...unlike the Parisians"
Really?

KarenE

"But if you still prefer Spain, then maybe you can go for a couple of days to the funpark of Port Aventura"

WHAT ??? Really, this is what one should do while in Barcelona with all the amazing Gaudi architecture...are you kidding ?????

Aduchamp1

Or the cheesy Poble Espanyol in Barcelona.

uhoh_busted

I think your son would get a huge kick out of the Gaudi architecture -- well, not just Gaudi -- and the weather in March should be much nicer there. Barcelona is a bit like Paris in that you will find English is spoken all over the place. You will also hear lots of other languages and see and meet people from all over the world. I would suggest you plan to spend all 5 nights and 6 days in Barcelona - although consider one day trip out of town if you can find something that will appeal to both you and your child. Not sure Montserrat would be a draw for a 7 yo, but possibly it would be a cool bus ride...

Cowboy1968

I think there are lots of things in Barcelona that can interest kids
> the sea / beaches (even though it will be too cold to swim!)
> the harbor cable car (a bit scaaary.. but maybe just the right thing for a boy), and the one up to Montjuic castle
> CosmoCaixa "museum" (actually a "hands-on" thing geared at kids, with a "real" indoor rainforest
> a car-free old town with a maze of small streets where you don't have to watch out for traffic
> the zoo/ Ciutadella park/ Montjuic with its many parks, each usually equipped with playgrounds
> the Aquarium!
> Tibidabo fun fair, on top of Mount Tibidabo (plus the ride on the old tram and cogwheel train to get up there).. in March still maybe only open on weekends
> the very relaxed attitude of Spaniards/Catalans towards kids.. no one expects kids to behave like half-dead and stay nailed to their chairs in a restaurant
> boat trips through the harbor
> and of course Gaudi's "funny" architecture

suelise3

Thanks everyone! This was my first time using a forum and I really appreciated all of the positive feedback. I just booked Barcelona and I can't wait.

Anna_Galea

Dear KarenE
It is true that Barcelona has the beautiful Gaudi architecture, but remember that there is going to be a 7-year old child travelling as well, and after just one day, as I know from experience, children get fed up looking at ancient buildings, palaces and squares, and think that is boring, they want fun things to do, and on top of their list is always a funpark. There is also an aquarium and a museum bnear the port which my kids loved in Barcelona. So I would combine excursions that kids would enjoy as well.