yk, I very much enjoyed reading your report. We were in Barcelona in October 2010 & love the city, & your report was a wonderful walk down memory lane!

On another note, I think you stayed at the Beach Rose Inn last summer in Falmouth, right? My DH & I spent a weekend there in September (my second, his first time there). I think you read my trip report from my first stay, & I enjoyed reading your trip report. We visited the Heritage Gardens & Museums at your recommendation, & love them & will definitely return.

yk

Thanks for your information. Given that you have been in Barca several times, what would you suggest as must see sites?

I am bit concerned with the 20 euro entry for many sites and the cost can quickly add up.

What would you recommend as a must see from inside in barcelona?

Sagrada Familia -
Casa Mila -
Casa Batlló
Nou Camp - I am a soccer fan
Espanyol de Montjuic
Picasso Museum
Hospital Sant Pau

I also plan strolles in the Gothic quarter and park gruel

yk....another great report. Really enjoyed reading it! :-)

Nice report, yk. I too was floored by the progress in Sagrada Familia. Your description of it in 2008 was similar to what I remembered in 2006. Great shots.

jubilada, LCI, TDudette, thanks for your comments!

Kwoo, I'm glad you enjoyed Heritage Garden & Museum! It is really lovely there and I'm tempted to return next year for the rhododendron blooms.

keano, bear in mind that my "must-see" may be different than other people's "must-see". On your list, I'd say definitely Sagrada Familia and Casa Battlo. I don't think it's absolutely to see both Casa Battlo and Casa Mila, and I'd pick the former over the latter. I would give Hospital Sant Pau a miss this time, simply because of the restoration and construction currently. However, I would ADD Palau de la Musica Catalana to your list as a must-see. Take a guided tour; it's amazing. Picasso museum is nice, but since I'm not a Picasso fan, I don't think it's a must-see on a first visit.

yk, thank you so much for a great report - once I have accommodation sorted I will be combing this report with a fine toothed comb for many other details!

I agree with yk on must sees...( been to Barcelona six times )

In Oct., I saw a concerti at Palau for 13 euros...and another time for 10 euros.

yk nice to hear from you...never been to Barcelona. And glad you did travel with family and also felt safe. Thanks for the photos. Did the "oldsters" (some younger than me) do OK?

Bill in Boston

ozgirl, good luck with deciding on your accommodation.

Bill, thanks for asking. My parents are in good shape generally speaking so they did fine on the trip. I did try not to cram too much to our daily schedule, as I get tired too after several hours of sightseeing!

Great report, yk. Glad your parents didn't get too tired; I'm tired just reading about it.

In case anyone is interested in reading <b>PART II</b> of our trip in London, I have finished that segment:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ember-2011.cfm

yk, we really enjoyed every bit of your trip report. Having visited and loved Barcelona, we agree with your "Tips". Thanks for all the detail you provided. Now we're going to pursue your London report!

Another outstanding trip report, yk! For my first trip to Barca in January 2010 (5 days), I used your TR's a LOT, and made out great. Loved the city so much that I spent another 11 days there last January. After spending that much time there, I'd say you really showed your parents the best of the city. Great itinerary. In your TR's, your attention to detail, timing and prices are of great value. They've inspired me to be as detailed as possible in my own TR-writing. Sagrada Familia changed so much in the 1 year between my visits, can't wait to see it again one day! Agreed on the excellent guided tour of Palau de la Musica Catalana. Finally, good tip on buses. For first-timers, the metro is easier to figure out, but once you get a feel for the city layout, buses are much more fun! Cheers!

Excellent report! I'm almost embarrased to admit that I have not been to Barcelona, though it has been in out Top 5 Destinations list for years.

Thank you so much for all the additional kind comments! deonca, I'm glad you too enjoyed Barcelona!

Wow!! Have to come back and really read your report. Late east coast, so skimmed only - preparing for our first trip to Spain, 6 days in Barcelona in early June.

You mention the T-10 card. Went to the TMB website, but can't figure out the zones. If we're doing metro & buses in city only, do we need more than 1 zone? There is a tiny map (which I can't read) when I clicked on more info for the T-10 ticket. Suggestions on which zones we need to include? Thanks for sharing your Barcelona expertise & experiences.

Great report. Just arrived in Barcelona today and will be using lots of your info in panning each day. Thank you for sharing.

burnhamski, I'm so sorry I didn't respond to your question. I swear I typed a reply back then but I guess it didn't post.

You only need zone 1 on the T-10 ticket; majority of tourist sights are within zone 1, including the airport.

PRLCH, have a good time!

No worries, yk - we aren't going until June! Thanks for the info. However after many negative posts on "Barcelona's Barri Gotic - Safe?" thread, reconsidering how much we'll use the metro. If we do, at least I have the zone thing figured out. Thanks for the additional info.