Time of Journey: April 2006
To enhance my knowledge in Spanish, I chose to attend a 1-week course in Barcelona.
Half of the day I spent in school, then I concentrated on exploring the wonderful city!
It was the first time I travelled fully alone, which was not so easy in the beginning due to my urgent need to talk continously with somebody *g*
Barcelona is known for its great variety of architectural arts, such as the Casa Milá, Casa Battló or the whole Parc Güell, everything built by the great architect Antoní Gaudí.
Day 1 - The Arrival
After getting out of the plane, a display shows you wether your lugagge arrives on Terminal A or B. Don't miss to check that display! I, for instance, chose the wrong way and had to re-checkin with very difficult procedures and explanations and it took me more than 1 hour to get my lugagge back!
The airport bus takes you into the city center rapidly (it costs about 4.50€).
The first thing I got to know was the giant Plaza Catalunya, the main square where all busses and several metro stations meet.
I changed to the 41 and asked the bus driver where to leave. I had to do so because the bus station names are neither displayed nor spoken anywhere. He answered very politely and soon I had found my headquarter in the Vila Olimpico. I wasn't staying in a hotel, I wanted to be in a family to even more gain access to the spanish mentality ;)
Day 2 - My first explorations
At first I had to see the Parc Güell in all its details.
The park was built between 1900 and 1914 and is 17ha large. Antoni Gaudí used the terrain bumps to build a giant low-cost mosaic town.
A mosaic salamander statue welcomes you at the entrance.
In 1984 the Park has been saved by the UNESCO.
It took me hours to explore everything carefully and I used the perfect view over the city and the warm weather to relax a bit.
Day 3 - Old Town and Ramblas
Time to have a look at the old town.
One should start at the "Ramblas", a 2km long market street which ends at the harbour. Lots of people watch the little shops, the "tiendas", and stroll around.
There are so many ways to go, that I gave up following the guide and took listened to my instict. Half on my way I found the market "La Boqueria", which really is a colorful place!
One can buy anything from fruits over juices to fish here!
The tourists cannot stop watching and buying.
Also a very attractive area is the Plaza Real, which is a very small one with café bars everywhere and a particular flair.
Lots of narrow streets lead to old churches and buildings, small shops and the famous Iglesia de Santa Maria del Pi. The Arc de Triomf is also quite close.
The long street ends at the harbour, where one may visit the Aquarium to watch the several types of fish they own (including the Mola Mola!).
Because I was already on the run, I also visited the famous Sagrada Familia as well. Again, Antoní Gaudí was the constructor, although he wasn't able to finish it in his lifetime. Nobody knows how he wanted the church to look like in the end, so nobody dares completing it.
Day 4 - La Barcelona Olimpica
I was living in the Olympic houses near the beach, so I had to find more about the games which took place in 1992.
Montjuic Mountain is the oasis for the Barceloneros and also the part of the city, from which you get the best view over the whole town. One can get there either by the Funicular or by bus. The sporty ones might walk, of couse ;)
The olympic stadium is opened and free to enter to my surprise. It is really astonishing and worth having a look at!
I followed the streets and reached the Palau, one of the most beautiful buildings I had ever seen!
Walk around it and enjoy the marvellous view over the Plaza España and the rest of city, and, if you come here at night, you can admire the colorful fountains at the bottom (if they are activated).
In the late afternoons I rested a bit at the beach... Wonderful 27°C and the smell of the sea really cured me...
Day 6 - Last Walks
Only one day left.. Time to buy souvenir stuff and other things I needed. Visiting the Torre Agbar was one need I had. In the dark, the tower shines in motion, changing red and blue colors, thus producing a strange water-similar effect.
My advice: It's better to view it from distance than standing in front of it!
Day 7 - Good Bye, Barcelona!
It's a pity, seven days went by so fast... In the beginning it was not so easy to experience everything alone, but I got used to it and fortunately Barcelona is a city in which one never gets bored!
Resumeé
I really loved Barcelona and honestly think of moving there permanently. The people are very friendly, the sun always shines, you can have a rest at the beach or make long sightseeing tours, can educate yourself in museums, watch exotic fish swimming in the Aquarium, stroll over the Ramblas or buy things in the Corte Inglés!
A hint for all city-lovers!
Some advices if you want to go there:
To enhance my knowledge in Spanish, I chose to attend a 1-week course in Barcelona.
Half of the day I spent in school, then I concentrated on exploring the wonderful city!
It was the first time I travelled fully alone, which was not so easy in the beginning due to my urgent need to talk continously with somebody *g*
Barcelona is known for its great variety of architectural arts, such as the Casa Milá, Casa Battló or the whole Parc Güell, everything built by the great architect Antoní Gaudí.
Day 1 - The Arrival
After getting out of the plane, a display shows you wether your lugagge arrives on Terminal A or B. Don't miss to check that display! I, for instance, chose the wrong way and had to re-checkin with very difficult procedures and explanations and it took me more than 1 hour to get my lugagge back!
The airport bus takes you into the city center rapidly (it costs about 4.50€).
The first thing I got to know was the giant Plaza Catalunya, the main square where all busses and several metro stations meet.
I changed to the 41 and asked the bus driver where to leave. I had to do so because the bus station names are neither displayed nor spoken anywhere. He answered very politely and soon I had found my headquarter in the Vila Olimpico. I wasn't staying in a hotel, I wanted to be in a family to even more gain access to the spanish mentality ;)
Day 2 - My first explorations
At first I had to see the Parc Güell in all its details.
The park was built between 1900 and 1914 and is 17ha large. Antoni Gaudí used the terrain bumps to build a giant low-cost mosaic town.A mosaic salamander statue welcomes you at the entrance.
In 1984 the Park has been saved by the UNESCO.
It took me hours to explore everything carefully and I used the perfect view over the city and the warm weather to relax a bit.
Day 3 - Old Town and Ramblas
Time to have a look at the old town.
One should start at the "Ramblas", a 2km long market street which ends at the harbour. Lots of people watch the little shops, the "tiendas", and stroll around.
There are so many ways to go, that I gave up following the guide and took listened to my instict. Half on my way I found the market "La Boqueria", which really is a colorful place!
One can buy anything from fruits over juices to fish here!
The tourists cannot stop watching and buying.
Also a very attractive area is the Plaza Real, which is a very small one with café bars everywhere and a particular flair.
Lots of narrow streets lead to old churches and buildings, small shops and the famous Iglesia de Santa Maria del Pi. The Arc de Triomf is also quite close.
The long street ends at the harbour, where one may visit the Aquarium to watch the several types of fish they own (including the Mola Mola!).
Because I was already on the run, I also visited the famous Sagrada Familia as well. Again, Antoní Gaudí was the constructor, although he wasn't able to finish it in his lifetime. Nobody knows how he wanted the church to look like in the end, so nobody dares completing it.
Day 4 - La Barcelona Olimpica
I was living in the Olympic houses near the beach, so I had to find more about the games which took place in 1992.
Montjuic Mountain is the oasis for the Barceloneros and also the part of the city, from which you get the best view over the whole town. One can get there either by the Funicular or by bus. The sporty ones might walk, of couse ;)
The olympic stadium is opened and free to enter to my surprise. It is really astonishing and worth having a look at!
I followed the streets and reached the Palau, one of the most beautiful buildings I had ever seen!
Walk around it and enjoy the marvellous view over the Plaza España and the rest of city, and, if you come here at night, you can admire the colorful fountains at the bottom (if they are activated).
In the late afternoons I rested a bit at the beach... Wonderful 27°C and the smell of the sea really cured me...
Day 6 - Last Walks
Only one day left.. Time to buy souvenir stuff and other things I needed. Visiting the Torre Agbar was one need I had. In the dark, the tower shines in motion, changing red and blue colors, thus producing a strange water-similar effect.
My advice: It's better to view it from distance than standing in front of it!
Day 7 - Good Bye, Barcelona!
It's a pity, seven days went by so fast... In the beginning it was not so easy to experience everything alone, but I got used to it and fortunately Barcelona is a city in which one never gets bored!
Resumeé
I really loved Barcelona and honestly think of moving there permanently. The people are very friendly, the sun always shines, you can have a rest at the beach or make long sightseeing tours, can educate yourself in museums, watch exotic fish swimming in the Aquarium, stroll over the Ramblas or buy things in the Corte Inglés!
A hint for all city-lovers!
Some advices if you want to go there:
- Buy 10-ways tickets, with which you can use the public transport system 10 times 1 hour for only 6,65€.
- Watch where you go: Busses don't give you hints what station you're reaching!
- Like in Lisboa, make plans. You can loose so much time by not knowing where to go because of the humps.
- Are you Inline-Skater? Then Barcelona is a paradise for you ;) Especially at the beach its wonderful to skate.
For those who want more photos, just email me!
