Barcelona - City of dreams

“From the colourful flower stalls and pavement cafés that clutter Barcelona’s famous ‘Las Ramblas’, to the twisting alleys and sun-blushed courtyards of the city’s Gothic quarter - Barcelona is simply breathtaking.”

Marvel at Gaudi’s ingenious architecture such as the captivating Parc Guell and truly breathtaking La Sagrada Familia soaring above the modern shopping centres and world-class restaurants below. Relax, lay back and unwind on the city’s powdery, golden beach beneath the warm Catalonian rays. Take a leisurely stroll along the famous Las Ramblas strip, buzzing with life, colourful shops and stalls and enigmatic sideshows. Wander the labyrinthine cobbled alleyways of the enchanting Gothic quarter and admire ancient churches and artists workshops. However you choose to explore beautiful Barcelona, this dynamic city is awash with places to sightsee, shop and soak up the Spanish sunshine.

Beaches

Port Olympic is Barcelona’s waterfront and was beautifully redeveloped for the 1992 Olympics. Four kilometres of sandy beach were shipped in and a host of restaurants, cafés and shops opened up along the shore. Today, the beachfront retains the air of pride and splendour that the prestigious Olympic Galmes invested it with. In the 1890’s Sitges was popular with the artists of the Hispanic avant-garde who were attracted by the unassuming beauty of this picturesque fishing village. Today the narrow streets, whitewashed cottages and flower covered balconies of Sitges still retain an arty, ‘anything goes’ feel. The beach, Platja D’or, meaning Golden Beach, stretches alluringly towards the sea and is backed by a palm-fringed promenade.

Shopping

Originally a seasonal riverbed, Las Ramblas is a mile-long, tree-lined walkway that cuts through the old city and leads down to the port. Bedecked with flowers stalls selling exotic blooms, pet stands alive with excited budgies, souvenir shops brimming with miniature versions of Gaudi’s architecture and human statues in vivid costumes - rambling down Las Ramblas is a wonderful way to spend a day. Step off the walkway into Spain’s largest food market, La Boqueria to witness an explosion of colour, texture and personality with crates of bright orange peppers and polished aubergines that share stalls with exotic artichokes and deep red apples.

Eating out

You can truly eat your heart out in Barcelona. Start your day in true continental style at a pavement patisserie with a strong coffee and ensaimadas, a sugar-dusted pastry spiral or a traditional country breakfast pa ammb tomaquet, tomato bread with cured ham and cheeses. For a light lunch there are hosts of atmospheric cafés and sleek bars or bustling restaurants where you can try the menu del dia, a three course dinner at a snippet of the evening price. Wind down for a siesta at a heavenly xocolaterias specialising in drinking chocolate or at an orxateria, milk bars where you can sample orxata, tiger-nut drink and granissat, crushed ice flavoured with citrus fruits or coffee. Traditional tapas bars are a delightful place to eat in the evenings and are noisy, vibrant and deliciously Spanish. Pile a plate up to share with delicacies such as rainbow peppers, served with soft cheese and toasted bread and patatas bravas, potatoes in a spicy sauce. Finish off with some divine crème catalana, a crème brulee style dessert and some sparkling cava champagne.

Nightlife

Few cities in the world can boast such a colourful and electrifying nightlife as Barcelona. Every inch cosmopolitan, you can take your pick from Bedouin chic restaurants, bubbling champagne bars, Gothic-style wineries, bustling tapas cafés and seriously sleek nightclubs. Take a stroll through the Gothic quarter in the heart of Barcelona, an enchanting medieval centre that exudes a distinct Bohemian air and brims with trendy cocktail places and arty hangouts along its labyrinthine alleyways. The Eïxample District is overflowing with bustling clubs and pubs and along Las Ramblas you can find just about everything you could wish for to enjoy a lively evening. Down at the harbour, you can sit at an elegant Riverview eatery and dine al fresco on glistening mounds of seafood catches of the day or enjoy a drink on a stylish bar-boat with views over a star becked sea.

Sightseeing

Picasso Museum
The stylish Picasso Museum houses over 3,500 works by one of the 20th century’s most significant artists, Pablo Picasso. From simplistic childhood sketches to innovative Blue Period works and mature Cubist paintings, you can follow Picasso’s development from 1890 to 1904 via this breathtaking collection of art.


Sagrada Familia
Antoni Gaudi’s most famous and spectacular architectural monument is the still unfinished Sagrada Familia. An architect with a unique perception of the world, a flamboyant imagination and a deep patriotism towards Barcelona, Gaudi’s vision is a wonder to witness. Its towering pillars, adorned with expressive figures and sublime stained glass windows, snake and twist into Barcelona’s blue skies, defying the constraints of conventional design.

Parc Guell
Parc Guell is a peaceful, hilltop garden replete with Gaudi’s innovative designs, sparkling mosaics and organic structures. Commissioned by Eusebi Guell, friend and patron of Gaudi, it’s a haven of tranquillity and architectural wonder. Climb up to the gargantuan balcony and admire the multi-coloured mosaic dragon that has become one of Barcelona’s most famous symbols.

Nou Camp Football Stadium
Watch Barcalona F.C. play a home game in the world’s second largest football stadium. The atmosphere is truly electric, especially if the home team wins!

Universal Meditteranea Theme Park
Based in nearby Salou, this theme park is comprised of the Universal Studios’ Port Aventura and Costa Caribe Waterpark. Port Aventura is brimming with exhilarating rides and dazzling shows whilst Costa Caribe boasts an array of steep waterslides, a wave pool and a long beach.

Figueres
Just two hours drive northwest of Barcelona, Figueres is the birthplace of the surrealist painter Salvador Dali. Visit his museum, the second most popular in Spain. The building itself, consisting of a huge metal dome and bright pink towers embellished with giant egg shapes spectacularly compliments Dali’s weird and wonderful work.

Montserrat
Nestling at the top of a dramatic mountain, the monastery of Monserrat is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Europe. Thousands travel here every year to pay homage to a statue of the Madonna and child, reputedly made by St Luke and bought to the hilltop monastery by St Peter. The famous choir sing daily at 1pm in the Basilica.

Tarragona
Spend some time in the beautiful city of Tarragona where picturesque streets adorned with wrought-iron balconies and tiny shops tumble down the hillside towards the glittering coast. The ancient upper town contains the largest set of Roman ruins in Spain, including an impressive amphitheatre where you can imagine dramatic gladiatorial contests unfolding before your eyes. The smart Rambla Nova is the main shopping street.

Explore the magnificent slopes in Andorra

From Barcelona you can reach the following great ski and snowboard resorts:-

Arinsal
Arinsal is an attractive, compact resort with an excellent selection of accommodation. The Arinsal ski area is linked by high speed cable car to the lovely tree-lined runs of neighbouring PAL, offering something for every grade of skier and is particularly suitable for beginners and intermediates. The resort also boasts a lively atmosphere with a great selection of small bars and restaurants. The Arinsal lift pass also covers the excellent ski area of Arcalis known as the best ski area in Andorra!
Distance to resort: 228km
For the latest information on the resort click on: www.arinsal.com

Pas de la Casa
Situated right by the French border, Pas de la Casa is the highest resort in the Pyrenees, boasting an excellent snow record with a good range of skiing above the tree line. The purpose-built resort, has a very modern lift system providing a great skiing area immediately accessible from the village. The resort also offers an excellent range of shops, restaurants, bars, cafés and a thriving night-life - all with great duty-free prices! Distance to resort: 185km
For the latest information on the resort click on: www.andorramania.com


Soldeu
Set in the Andorran Pyrenees, Soldeu is probably Andorra’s best known resort, recommended for budding beginners and improving intermediates, the well developed GRANDVALIRA ski area will also tempt competent skiers too. Excellent standard accommodation, a friendly atmosphere, varied skiing, comprehensive lift system, including the new high speed gondola from El Tarter, and glorious sunshine; together with the lively après ski and reasonably priced drinks, make Soldeu and the neighbouring villages of El Tarter and Canillo an ideal choice for a fun-filled, great value ski holiday. Distance to resort: 180km
For the latest information on the resort click on: www.grandvalira.com

Useful links

www.sitges.org
www.arinsal.com
www.museupicasso.bcn.es
www.sagradafamilia.org
www.fcbarcelona.com
www.portaventura.es
www.dali-estate.org
www.mnat.es
www.fut.es
www.andorramania.com
www.grandvalira.com

Annual Events

		February
		Carnival Before a restrained lent, indulge in the forbidden pleasures of the carnival. A feast of gigantic proportions featuring all things sweet and unhealthy, the aim is to eat, drink and be merry. Commencing with a tortilla competition and culminating in a huge parade, carnival is an annual event not to be missed.
		April
		Palm Sunday Celebrations Palm Sunday celebrations are amongst the most important Spanish Christian events. A solemn procession begins at the cathedral in the old town and wends through the parishes, sometimes displaying palm creations decorated with plaits and braids.
		July
		European Balloon Festival Prepare to be amazed as over 40 hot air balloons take off from the Catalonian village of Igualada and fill the blue sky with a floating palette of colours and designs.
		September
		La Fiesta de Vino de Alella For a true taste of Barcelona, go along to the annual food and wine festival where traditional Catalan cuisine and a delectable selection of vintage wines are waiting to tempt you.
		November
		Festa de Sant Roma in Lloret de Mar Every November the seaside resort of Lloret de Mar holds its winter festival involving dance and theatre, much of which is aimed at children. Barcelona International Jazz Festival One of Europe’s longest running and most well respected events, the Barcelona International Jazz Festival features world-famous artists and includes music as diverse as Latin jazz, gospel and bebop. www.the-project.net/jazz
		December
		RESFEST Touring Digital Film Festival The year’s best short films, music videos and animation are shown at the Mercat de les Flors. www.resfest.com