| VISITSPAIN 411 |
TRAVEL TIPS | HOTELS | PRACTICAL INFORMATION | PHOTOS | FLIGHTS | ||||||||||
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   The weight of history in Spain It is impossible to ignore the evidence of Roman aqueducts, the splendor of Arab architecture in the south, the massive architectural testaments to the imperial centuries when Spain ruled Europe and the New World, or the incomparable richness of the art displayed in the country’s world-class museums... |
Barcelona,Spain. What to visit? Where to start in Barcelona? What most people do is starting at the Ramblas, the lovely promenade that runsfrom the port to Plaça de Catalunya. To see the best known sights in the city, take the Barcelona Bus Touristic which operates from March 28 to January 6, 9am - 7.45pm. The bus runs every 20 to 30 minutes and the whole journey takes up to 2 hours. A oneday ticket (purchase it on the bus) costs 15.00 euros, a two days' ticket costs 19 euros. The Telerifico de Montjuic (aerial cable car) takes you up to the Montjuic Castle and costs 675 pts retour.The cable car operates daily 11:30am-9pm in summertime and weekends. If you head for the port, you can stroll down de Paseo de Colonboulevard, visit the beach, the harbour and the aquarium and climb de San Sebastian tower to have some goodviews of the city. This tower in the area that is better known as Barceloneta (little Barcelona) is also the placewhere the cablecar for Montjuic leaves.The hill Montjuic has a nice park, an impressive fortress and some good museums, such as the Miro museumwhich has, besides a good collection of Miro paintings, also a fairly extensive modern art collection. Spanish village, which remained fairly intact, is also located in this area. Plaza de Catalunya is the heart of the modern centre. This is also the area where there is a high concentrationof houses designed by Gaudí. Pick up one of the walking tour guides and follow the traces of this remarkablearchitect all throughout town. Of course, the tour isnt finished without a visit to the unfinished Sagrada Familia, the Parc Guell and the Gaudí Museum.The old city centre, better known as the Gothic Quarter, offers a good view of medieval times and all sorts ofarchitectural styles that left their mark on this part of the city afterwards. The Santa Maria del Mar Cathedral and its plaza are only a few of the interesting places in this are. There are several palaces, either still in use bythe government (or foundations) or left on their own to be explored by visitors. The Picasso museum islocated in one of these palaces and this is only one of the many interesting museums that Barcelona has tooffer. This is the perfect area to get lost and explore the winding streets, the little shops and the tapas bars. City sightseeing tours are run by Julia Tours (Ronda Universitat 5, tel 93/317-6454) and Pullmantur (GranVia 635, tel 93/318-5195). Tours leave from these terminals, although it may be possible to be picked upfrom your hotel. Plaça Reial-Plaza Real Built in the 19th century, this is a lovely spot where you can relax from the hustle and bustle of the Ramblasand enjoy a drink in one of the many terraces and enjoy the view of people passing by, the palm trees and thefountain. Plaça de Sant Jaume The Adjuntament (town hall) with its impressive façade faces the Plaça de Sant Jaume. Plaça del Rei - Plaza del Rey The former royal palace faces this plaça in the Gothic Quarter. Brett E. Haase: This plaza has an interesting medieval feel to it. Recommended: catching a drink at one of the bars and enjoying the history. Plaça de Sant JustPlaça, with its Gothic fountain and palace, that keeps the memory of Barcelonas character in the old days vivid. Spain Incredible Deals - 3 Days, 2 Nights To Palma de Mallorca from Barcelona. Transfer to the airport and departure in regular flight of Spainair to Palma de Mallorca. Includes breakfast & dinner... Book in advance for New Years Eve & Christmas. From 55.000 pesetas! Pullman tours. |
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