I just returned from a 9 day trip to Barcelona. If anyone has any questions they would like answered let me know.

Dawn: Did you have any chance to go west of Barcelona? Would you recomend it? Did you go to Tarragona? What were the places you enjoyed the most? <BR> <BR>My husband & I are planning a trip to Spain in May 99 and would like to explore that region.... <BR>

Maria, <BR> Barcelona is a photographers and an art lovers dream come true!! It is a city of opposites. One minute you are walking down an old alley way admiring the architecture and history and then smack dab at the end of the alley is a modern building. I spent all my time in Barcelona with the exception of a tour to Monteserrat. It was definitely worth the trip but i would not recommend taking the 4 hr Julia Tour. It cost 5800 Ptas ($44US)and was basically a bus ride with a 1/2 hour tour once you get there. I would suggest either driving or taking the train and cable car. Plan on dressing comfortably and wear hiking boots or sneakers if you plan on seeing any of the shrines. I had to laugh seeing women in dress shoes trekking up a 45 minute trail!! Speaking of shoes, if you don't want to stand out as a tourist, wear leather walking shoes. It was easy to pick out all the Americans...they were the only people in town dressed down and wearing sneakers. The Spanish really do dress up morning, noon and night!! If you are into high fashion there is an outlet about 1 hr NW (not sure of the town)called the Company Stores. My friend picked up a Versace casmere coat for under $200 US!!! Sitges (pronounced Sizhes)and the Costa Brava are supposed to be beautiful resort towns but we did not go. I loved the Barri Gotic section of town the most of all. Be careful not to get lost b/c the alley ways are not listed clearly on the Barcelona map. This part of town is rich in history and has wonderful antique shops and handmade jewelry shops. I went to tons of Museums. The Picasso was good but my favorite was the Fundacio Joan Miro (on Montjuic). Rembrandt and Goya this is not, so be prepared!! Casa Museu'Gaudi in Park Guell was nice. You can walk around the house he lived in, wander the grounds and check out the park which showcases much of his work. Museu d'historia de la Ciutat was great too (has an entire Roman village bought back brick by brick that you can wander through). The Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) was a waste of time and money. It is a huge building but we were only allowed on the 1st floor. If we saw 15 pieces we were lucky. Buy a 5 dies Metro pass (allows 5 days unlimited Metro usage) to get around the city. It's cheaper and faster than using a bus or cabbing it. I could go on and on. If you have any other questions regarding restaurants, other sites, etc., just E-mail me. Have fun!!!!!!!!

Dawn: Thank you very much for sharing travel notes. Definitely will use them during my own planning! Thanks again!

Could you tell me what kind of stuff there is to do at night in Barcelona? <BR>What kind of clubs are there to hang out at?

Patricia, <BR> Well, for starters, don't even think about heading out to a club before 1:30am. We stopped into Luz de Gas at Midnight, paid a $15 cover,walked in...and were the only 2 people in the whole place. I guess b/c the Spanish still follow the "ciesta" where everything shuts down between 2-4pm, it seems as if everything is 2 hrs behind the time you'd go anywhere in the States. Of course there are the typical US bars (Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood and Baja Beach Club) but there are tons of other places to go such as Otto Zutz, Bikini, Karma and Limbo's. I really think there are more bars in Barcelona than in NYC. They are everywhere. The best thing to do is get a guide book and find which ones you like. I liked the one's i listed above. Stay safe!!

Can you make some hotel recommendations?

My significant other and I plan on being in Barcelona for 4 days in September. Any hotels that you would recommend?