If there is one place teeming with culture and life in the whole of Europe, I would say Barcelona could easily top that list. Most people would argue that Catalans are totally snobbish, but I would disagree. Barcelona is probably Europe’s counterpart of Asia’s Philippines… people are nice, friendly(too friendly sometimes) and they truly know how to have fun!
When the whole of Europe succumbs to the numbing cold of winter time, Barcelona is one of those places that offer a glimpse of sunshine, which is so rare in this part of the world during this time. I could easily escape to Barca for some sunshine, shopping and great food (which I will tackle in a separate blog post).
One might ask, what does Barcelona have to offer? Gaudi. This is the place where you can really bask in the beauty of Gaudi’s masterpieces, both paid and free.
Let me start off with my favorite place in Barcelona (next to food and shopping) – Parc Guell. This is one of the biggest uphill parks that I’ve ever been to. Personally, the only reason that motivated me to visit Parc Guell was because I saw CariDee and Melrose of America’s Top Model Cycle 7 walk off this very same masterpiece with so much and drama, during the season’s finale! But being there just relaxes my whole being. The stillness and the serenity that the place offers is probably the reason why people go there, despite the distance and despite the steep uphill walk!
Parc Guell
I am also left with awe at how beautifully crafted these masterpieces are – so colorful and without corners… one thing I could never imagine possible.
Parc Guell
Back to the city, a must visit is the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, an funcitonaly yet unfinished masterpiece of Gaudi, which relies on donations from everywhere to build. The project was started on 19 March 1882, and up to the present, on going works can still be seen in and around the church premises. If you are seriously into the arts, it might be worth to wake up early on your second day and be there before 9am to avoid the crowd of people, locals and tourists alike, queueing up to get a glimpse of Gaudi’s work inside the church!
Basilica de la Sagrada Familia
From the Sagrada Familia, the shopping street is just a stone’s throw away. This is Barcelona’s answer to Paris’ Champs Elysees or London’s Oxford Street. But in between those huge flagship stores, pay attention to the beautifully designed facade… Gaudi’s hand comes alive yet again in three of the beautiful places along the Passeig de Gracia.
Casa Battlo
As soon as you come out of the Passeig de Gracia metro, it would be very hard to miss this one of a kind facade. This is Casa Battlo, which used to be a private home of a very wealthy family that was designed by Gaudi, now converted into a museum. Don’t be fooled by the facade, it may look a little bit unassuming, but trust me when I say this – the 15.00 EUR entrance fee is totally worth it. You can easily lose 2 hours inside the whole house without knowing. It may not be huge, but the intricacies of the walls and every curves inside this house is just so mesmerizing!
Cross the street and walk a few meters, you will see yet another Gaudi masterpiece. I have never been inside, but I have heard so much about La Pedrera!
The good thing about Barcelona is that time just flies without you even noticing how much you’ve seen and how much you’ve feasted on tapas! 
Tapas!!!
After having a bit of tapas and putting your feet up a little bit, it’s time to hit the streets of Las Ramblas for the real action! If you are dying to give your feet a treat, you can easily take a metro to Liceo(middle part of Las Ramblas) or Catalunya on the red line will take you to the start of this famous strip!
La Boqueria
An institution in La Ramblas, La Boqueria is an open market where you can enjoy freshly cooked tapas and Spanish dishes. You can also stuff yourself with Pinchos and Sangria or fresh fruit juices, whatever you fancy!
There is so much more to see in Barcelona. In my next post, I will talk about Port Vell and the Olympic Stadium, the Montjuc Magic Fountain. I have very fond memories of this place and I cannot wait to share them with you! Til tomorrow then!