Have read a lot about Barcelona on this page. Buildings and Museums sound fine but living close to New York and Philadelphia we would rather see the real Spain. Our ship allows us only a shot stay (3 days in Spain) all in Barcelona. Although the Las Ramblas sounds like a fine circus for tourists, is there any way we can see the real Spain while staying overnight in the city?

Yes, but why stay there since you already have a negative impression going in. Stay there one night to see the major stuff, then head up into some of Catalunya's great less well known places like Lerida (Lleida) or my favorite, Seu d'Urgell. Montserrat on the way makes a nice half-day stop.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Hi John. What kinds of things do you mean by the "real Spain"? <BR><BR>By the way, Barcelona natives may actually not like having their city, and surrounding area, referred to as the "real Spain" since Barcelona is the capital of a historic region distinct from Spain, Catalunya (or Catalonia), with its own language (not dialect), Catalan. So perhaps you might ask, instead, where to find the real Catalunya.

Barcelona is the real Spain, or Cataluna if you prefer. There is so much to do and see there besides the Ramblas. Perhaps you could take the short train ride down to the seaside resort of Sitges or a day trip to the monastery at Monserrat which I've heard is stunning.

Like other posters have said, it depends what you mean by the "real Spain." Barcelona is the capital of Catalunya, a region in Spain with a distinct identity, language, history and culture. It is as "real" as anything else, and a fascinating city in its own right. If you want something less cosmopolitan, or smaller, or quieter, then there are any number of small towns in Catalunya that are also fascinating. Tossa del Mar is a great beach town, and the Costa Brava is great. If you want scenery and nature, Catalunya also has that in droves.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

Like others said, Barcelona is real Spain. Why wouldn´t it be? It is not built for tourists but for local people. Actually it is nowadays one of the favourite week-end destinations for Europeans.

I agree with the above said. It´s a pitty you pretend to skip Barcelona, 3 days is not enough to visit one of Europe´s top cities. And don´t try to compare it with Philadelphia, I´m sure Barcelona is far more interesting and culture rich. I don´t recommend you to try to see all Europe in a short trip.

John, still curious what you mean by seeing the "real Spain" in Barcelona. My guess is that -- based on your comment about La Rambla -- what you mean is that you want to see non-touristy parts of Barcelona. <BR><BR>First of all, while plenty of tourists are on La Rambla and in the Gothic Quarter, these places don't exist just for tourists; you'll find plenty of Barcelona residents there too. It's interesting that your impression of La Rambla is as a circus. To me, it's one of the most fascinating -- and, with its towering plane trees, lovely -- pedestrian streets I've seen in Europe. <BR><BR>Second, one place you might like that's not too far from the Gothic Quarter and doesn't have as many tourists is the "village" of Gracia, at the north end of Passeig de Gracia. We wandered through it on our way back from Gaudi's Parc Guell and really enjoyed it.

just back from Catalonia! We stayed in Barcelona for 2 nights, but really my favorites were staying out in the country. We did the beach thing and stayed at Hotel Santa Marta near Lloret de Mar. While Lloret de Mar is every bit the touristy beach town, Hotel Santa Marta is a few kilometers south of town on its own private beach, Playa Santa Cristina. A great place to unwind for a few days, lay on the beach, etc. Its about an hour or so north of Barcelona.<BR><BR>We also ventured to La Seu d'Urgell and stayed at the Hotel El Castell on a hill overlooking the town. If you're not into outdoor activities, there's not a whole lot to do here. We shopped one afternoon, visiting the Olympic Parc, ventured into Andorra (yikes!) and then vegged at the hotel spa. The hotel is very nice, but I've been to better mountain towns. This one's a little too industrialized for my tastes.<BR><BR>The real "find" in Spain is a small hotel called La Torre del Visco, which is billed as the most remote hotel in Spain. It's owned/operated by Jemma and Piers (originally from Britain). Its located about between Fuentespalda and Valderrobes (just over the border between Catalonia and Aragon) and then back in the woods another 5 km on a dirt road. It's like staying in someone's country home deep in the heart of Spain.<BR><BR>The room rates (which are very reasonable) include breakfast (family style in the kitchen) and dinner (great restaurant, gourmet type food (one choice for each of three courses, menu changes daily)). They have a medieval wine cellar stocked with local vintages. They have some great local finds from wine producing villages right up the road as well as some of the well known wines from all regions of Spain. <BR><BR>We stayed there two nights and drove up to Barcelona from there (about a 3 hr drive--shorter mileage--but lots of back roads). I'd highly recommend it!

topping<BR>

Having lived in Spain for a couple of years, one of the things that I find most interesting about it is that Spain seems at times like several countries.<BR><BR>The postcard images of Spain, of whitewashed houses, flamenco and sevillanas come from Andalucia, and nothing could be more different to Andalucia than Catalonia.<BR><BR>Is Barcelona the real Spain? Most Catalans would disagree (fiercly). They even sell t-shirts that say (in Catalan) "Me? Spanish?" with a drawing of a person laughing out loud.<BR><BR>Is it worth visiting? Absolutely. It is one of the most unique cities I've been to. It is cosmopolitan, elegant, vibrant, and, to a certain degree, surreal.<BR><BR>Is it the real Spain? What IS the real Spain?<BR><BR>I don't think that such a thing exists.

I must (briefly) express a pet peeve on travel boards. Use of the word "real" as in see "the real Spain". This often comes up in Mexico travel posts too. How can Barcelona be anything BUT, the REAL Spain??? Kindly attempt to more accurately express what you mean to say.<BR>

It depends on what you define as "real". Trying to pinpoint what embodies a country seems like a very difficult task. What is the "real" France? Is it Paris? Or Provence? Or Normandy? Or all of them? Or none?<BR><BR>What is the real US? Is it New York or Washington? Or is it Mobile, Alabama?<BR><BR>To be quite honest, I think that pursuing the "Real" (fill the blank with the country of your choice) is a very banal attempt in separating yourself (or himself, herself, myself) from the "average" tourist. "I seek the real whatever, as opposed to tourists that go to the touristy whatever".<BR><BR>Who knows?

up<BR>

Girona!

The buildings and museums in NY and Philly are completely different from Barcelona. How can one not marvel the architechure and style of Gaudi? Barcelona's "buildings" are more interesting than NY or Philly.

ttt!