mvor

opaldog, I think it's really sweet that you bring photos of your family. I have a ton on my iPhone that keep me connected. BTW, shouldn't you be dottydog?

oopsy, as an almost-vegetarian, I don't think you'll have any problems eating in Barcelona. One dish that I really loved was escalivada: a mix of smoky grilled vegetables. On most tapas menus there were more veg options than one could possibly eat in one sitting so I think you will find enough variety. Definitely try the fried artichokes - salty and sublime.

oopsy

Mvor, we were in Barcelona last May and I didn't have any problems at all. I was just wondering if you found any particularly wonderful veg-friendly restaurants that we might try on our next trip.

mvor

oopsy, just the usual Tapas restos mentioned above. Have fun!

opaldog

mvor: Opal was my dog, a greyhound, when I first started on fodors. I guess the name has stuck. We also loved the escalivada. We had it twice at Ciudad Condal.

Nikki

I'm escalivating just thinking about it.

oopsy

Nikki, ha!
Thanks Mvor. We'll put them on the list.

mvor

Nikki,

We're having a tapas party this weekend and hope to make escalavida but it may be too cold to use the grill. Got lots of great goodies from www.latienda.com.

yk

opaldog, the Fundacio Antoni Tapies was undergoing renovations when I was in Barcelona last year. Does the interior retain some modernisme decor? I totally agree with you on the weather in Nov. We went last Nov and the weather was perfect (and much nicer than Nov in Boston)!

opaldog

The interior of the Fundacio Antoni Tapies appeared to be fairly modern to me. I can't say that I lingered there. I know that he is very well known in his field and in Spain, however I did not know his work and although I found it interesting, I didn't hang around too long. The building was pretty well gutted out and made into open galleries. On the bottom floor they appeared to be having a lecture for art students. The exterior however, as you are well aware is modernisme with a very modern sculpture going across the length of the top of the building. We did see Antoni Tapies work in all of the museums we visited with our ArtTicket.

The weather was beautiful in Barcelona and unusually was not bad in Boston while we were away. That's happened to us before. We have traveled to Ireland in October, leaving on a warm sunny day from Boston to arrive in Ireland to cold and rain. That's Ireland for you.
Delicious website, Nikki. Good idea.

Colombia1

Hi Opaldog,
Thank you so much for your post. I'm in the process of planning a surprise trip to Spain for my SO and your report has giving me so much insight.

If you don't mind, I do have a couple of questions for you. I'm planning the trip for early November to Mid November, how was the weather for you guys during November? also this is going to be our first time in Spain and we are counting with 11 days of vacation. So I'm not sure if we should spend the 11 days in Barcelona or spend 3 days in Madrid and the rest in Barcelona, what do you recommend?

FYI, my SO is not that crazy about museums, he will visit one maximum two but he is not a museum type of guy and I'm a museum person, so I'm looking for a city were we can enjoy.

I appreciate any advice.
Thanks

opaldog

Hello Colombia1: First, thanks, second, the weather in early to mid November was for us, beautiful. The days were mostly sunny and the nights clear. The weather was cool some mornings, but most days I did not need my coat (a light raincoat type) and either wore a very light jacket (see my pictures) or didn't need to wear any outerwear. We had one day that threatened showers, but they didn't happen. The day we went to the top of the mountain to see Tibidabo it was cool up there but nice down in the city.

We spent 5 nights in Barcelona. It was our first trip to Spain. There is a fast train to Madrid and I think with 11 days I would consider a few nights there as you are considering.

Barcelona definitely has much more than museums. We enjoy short visits to interesting museums, preferably smaller ones. However, we did so much more in Barcelona than just museums. The scenery is beautiful. You have the mountains and the water with the city in between.

If you haven't purchased your airfare I would look into an open jaw fare so that you could go to Madrid without having to back track. I would also consider an apartment in Barcelona if that is where you plan to spend the bulk of your days.

Have fun planning. That's a big part of the fun for me.