Beautiful Barcelona ~ A must see

I was perusing my blog and was horrified to see I had no blog on Barcelona. Barcelona! The city I have been to probably 7 times! I love Barcelona and would even go again - especially to share it with someone. So, here is my experience in Barcelona. I have visited it several times alone, then with 2 different friends and twice with students.

Barcelona may seem like other European cities, with central squares and fountains and feeding

pigeons, but it has a flare of its own. Like those other places it is bursting with culture, history, art and food but Barcelona is super unique in many ways. The uniqueness is primarily from the architecture throughout the city - much of it designed by Antoni Gaudi. (see my blog on his masterpieces) Those buildings are why I go back but not everyone enjoys the weird and wonderful architecture. But - that is not all that Barcelona has to offer.

Historically it goes back to the Roman times! Who knew? It was/is (I am never sure about this) the capitol of Catelonia - which has a very strong culture on its own as well as a distinct language. And Barcelona was even part of France at one point. There are churches and theatres that are beautiful buildings on their own and a Gothic quarter is near downtown and you can wander

alleys and feel the history of what once was and see the worn cobbles and stone work. Arches stretch overhead allowing access between the buildings on either side. Some of these alleys are the

entrance to quaint little artsy stores as well as some very fancy stores. A small cafe was scrunched into the corner where 2 alleys met and the food was delicious. Just don't go down here alone at night. Barcelona is not the safest city so be sure to not carry a lot with you and keep values in zippered pockets, zippered bags, tightly held zippered rucksacks etc. Pick pocketers are VERY talented in Barcelona!

History and Arts

History is everywhere in Barcelona. There are museums galore to visit. There are galleries of awesome art - Barcelona has quite the history of famous artists: Gaudi for one (I consider him an artist in his own way but many see him as an architect), Eusebi Guell who was a patron of Gaudi and brought him to success; Joan Miro who is not just a painter but a sculptor and ceramicist; Antoni Tapies considered is one of the most

important Spanish artists; Pablo Picasso, who everyone has heard of, was born in Malaga but lived in Barcelona as did Salvador Dali who was born just north of Catalonia and much of his life and inspiration were from Spain. Barcelona has museums for many of these and I visited Picasso's and took a bus to see the Salvador Dali Theatre and Museum in Figueres.

Dali's Museum and house

I feel it is appropriate to start discussing Dali's museum with photos - who can truly explain anything of Dali's? ... so you have to see them. This museum or gallery or whatever category it falls into, is a bit of a drive but you'll get a look at mountains and rolling grassland. It's a nice drive. You end up near the coast and you might get a stop there - some tours will do a stop at a coastal town.

I am not fond of Dali's art. It's just plain weird. And apparently he was a spoiled child that grew into an adult who thought he was better than everyone else. Anyhooo... there were two pieces of art that I loved. A collage of Abraham Lincoln and a sketch that is Don Quixote in my mind. Picasso has sketches of Don Quixote as a tribute to the character at the time...

Abraham Lincoln - a painting within a painting within a painting. It appears to be cubist but the painting of the woman and the water is not that style at all. I thought this was brilliant - but don't let Dali know! Here it is from across the hall where you see the face, then where it filles the frame and you start to see the woman, then very close to show the woman and the scenery.

Don Quixote - this was genius. The drawings were on a paper and could be turned. But you could not see the picture until it was reflected in the goblet or vase or whatever they would use. It had to be very reflective. Plus the style of the person on the horse was beautiful.

The proportions on the paper were weird - if you can see the horses head (upside down here) is all wonky and the hat is weird, but in the reflection the proportions are perfect and artsy. Another wonderful piece. Shh!

Las Ramblas ~ for walking only

In the heart of Barcelona is the iconic street of Las Ramblas.

This is a walking street (car lanes are along the sides but there is not much traffic) and has all kinds of attractions for the tourists

- mimes of all sorts, human statues, musicians, architecture and restaurants. See how many of the statues have flesh and blood running through them, as you walk along.

Gran Teatre del Liceu, is a gorgeous opera house that still has world-class performances is on Las Ramblas. Museums are along this street.

A famous Market can be visited along Las Ramblas. You can buy groceries if you are in a BnB or buy the beginnings of a picnic lunch. There are vegetables, fruit, lunches, meat... think whatever you need... fish on ice, hanging vegetables, sausages...

Cafes and small tourist stores dot the center of the street, as well. Look for a mosaic in the pavement created by above mentioned Joan Miro.

There are layers and layers of street artists as well:

Some paint abstract art, mimicking the masters, while others are painting scenery for you to buy as a memory of Las Ramblas - little sketches of the cafes or the mimes. Everyone must experience Las Ramblas - but hold on to your wallet and important belongings tightly.

I know a lot of people that have visited Barcelona and I would say that 40% of them have had phones stolen or been scammed with buying stuff or booking tours that never existed.

By all means, take a tour or you will never find the quaint little places or learn about the quirks of the city. But shop and compare. There are some very expensive ones but others that go to the same places that are much less. Walking tours are lots of fun because you really experience the city - and many of the guides are funny and can answer almost any question you could ask.

AND as I say to everyone that asks about my travels

- take the 'Hop on, Hop off' bus near the beginning of your stay. You will get to the highlights with time to tour around and be able to catch the next bus to get you back to town. There are many different busses now but this pink/purple one should be the official 'Hop on, Hop off' program. There are now other 'City Tours' that run a similar program but they have copied the 'Hop on Hop Off' idea. Maybe the prices will determine which one you use or even the route that you want - check them out before going. Even the places you can buy tickets might have easier access for one tour group over another. Whatever you choose, you will get a great overview of the city and have ideas for where you might want to spend more time.

If you are organized you can buy entrance tickets to some places online before you go there on the bus, so you don't stand in lines... or you stop at the places that don't need tickets. The Tibidabo might be part of the 'Hop on, Hop off' (you can check when you pick the bus) and you can have a view over Barcelona for free - entering the Park for the rides, will cost you!

You can also take the Cable car up to get a fabulous view over all of Barcelona - but it will cost a bit. Oh, my! I want to go back again!! Maybe soon.