| There are a few things you should consider before | | | | 'block of discord', which is equally astonishing in its |
| taking a trip to Barcelona. There is so much to see | | | | design, and the highly original Park Guell in the north |
| and do in this fabulous city that you will want to | | | | of the city centre. If you are not an experienced |
| make the most of every minute. | | | | photographer, it might be worth checking out the |
| Make sure you have a good camera, with plenty of | | | | postcard stands for truly beautiful shots of these |
| film, or a good battery and charger. You are sure to | | | | buildings to add to your holiday album. |
| take a whole load of photos, to keep and treasure | | | | Make sure you leave time for a stroll down the main |
| yourself or to send to friends and family as | | | | avenue of Barcelona, La Rambla, which stretched |
| souvenirs. | | | | from the commercial city centre all the way to the |
| Invest in a good map which shows all the museums | | | | harbor. This lively promenade, filled with the color of |
| and places of interest. Although you may enjoy | | | | flower and bird stalls, and the bustle of street |
| wandering around the city, and there is certainly | | | | performers will have something for everyone. You |
| plenty to look at, it is easy to get lost which is | | | | could also try to pull in a visit to the 1992 Olympic |
| frustrating if you only have a short time. If you want | | | | sites, located on Montjuic, a hill overlooking the city. |
| to visit a lot of museums or galleries, check out the | | | | If you have time to get away from Barcelona itself, |
| passes available from the tourist office. You can save | | | | there are fantastic places to visit along the Costa |
| a lot of money by investing in a pass rather than | | | | Dorada. You might also venture up to the Monestir |
| paying individual entrance fees. The pass may also | | | | de Montserrat. Reached by cable car, this monastery |
| entitle you to take the hop on, hop off tour buses | | | | is set high up in the mountains, surrounded by really |
| that will help you get an idea of where everything is | | | | unusual shaped rocks and peaks. The views are |
| located in the city, without tiring your feet too much. | | | | spectacular. |
| The weather in this part of the world can be very | | | | Eating out in Barcelona is a pleasure in itself. Don't |
| varied, so you want to take advantage of dry, fresh | | | | expect to eat early, most restaurants do not get |
| sunny days by doing outdoor activities and checking | | | | lively until at least ten o'clock, and the party goes on |
| out the coast. Save the countless museums and | | | | all night. Seafood is a speciality of the area, not |
| galleries for cloudy, rainy or overly hot days. | | | | surprising given its location, and the seafood stew |
| Some of the most famous sights in Barcelona are | | | | known as zarzuela is a regional favourite you should |
| architectural, and you need to be sure to include the | | | | try to sample. If you don't want a full meal, tapas |
| various Gaudi buildings in your itinerary. Most will be | | | | bars can provide tasty snacks or traditional finger |
| unable to avoid the spectacular Sagrada Familia, but it | | | | food for a very reasonable price. |
| is easier to miss such delights as La Pedrera, the | | | | |