Oh The Places You'll Go! (New! On the second Sunday of every month I'll be posting some places to visit throughout Europe.)
Nook of Europe: Known for its sizzling beaches and the largest European port for cruise ships, Barcelona in the off-season plunges the visitor into what feels like a tile-and-sandcastle world. A long weekend at the Mediterranean coast still means taking along sweaters, jackets, scarves, and umbrellas; the average temperatures range from 5-16 degrees Celsius in winter. But for the kid-at-heart, the sports connoisseur, or the art lover, the city compares to wandering in an underwater playground.
The best way to stay warm and admire the endless landmarks at the same time, hop on the double-decker Bus Turistic at the city center of Plaça Catalunya or along the bus line’s forty-four other stops. An audio tour explains the sights, especially Barcelona’s rich architecture, the most notable buildings designed by the eccentric architect Antonio Gaudí.
Our first stop was the UNESCO World Heritage site, Park Gruell (see picture above). Designed by Antonio Gaudí, one enters the park through a gate flanked on either side by sandcastle-like buildings with white icing on top. Steep steps lead past a tiled dragon up to a courtyard filled with columns, the outer ones slanted to give a watery impression. The upper courtyard touts musicians, street performers, and a serpentine bench along with a small café-bar perfect for hot chocolate. Walking through 14 hectares worth of park, kids can climb trees or wander up cobbled steps. Colonnaded footpaths give the impression that you are surrounded by swirling hydrothermal vents.
Museums abound in the city, but for kids one of the best bets is the contemporary Joan Miro Foundation. His bright colors and interest in lines and ovals make you feel as though you’ve entered a bubble world. The Foundation also works well for rainy days. You can rush through in less than an hour or amble for a good bit more depending on your mood.
Another stop worth a look is the famous Barcelona Soccer Stadium, or FB club (though not part of the Bus Turistic line). Accommodating 100,000 fans (and 90,000 season tickets are sold per year – it’s popular!) you can take an audio tour, which includes a 3-D movie of what it’s like to be in the middle of a soccer game inside the stadium, then wander through the changing rooms, the player’s chapel, the press box, the lounge for business patrons, and of course, sit in the choice seats of the stadium itself. They close off the actual field – it's for pigeons only. But there’s a small viewing area at the bottom, which gives you a view of how large the field is.
For dinner, don’t forget to try the local Fideua, which is typical Barcelona paella made with little pasta rather than the usual rice.
Bundle up, check the weather reports, and plan museums when it rains. Then rush to the park once the skies smile grey.
Getting There: We found that the cheapest jump from Naples to anywhere in Europe is Barcelona. You can check for flights on Expedia.com or, better yet, Click Air.
Where to Stay: Go to www.booking.com to find accomodations that suit your specific needs best. For families it’s well worth considering a flat rather than a hotel.
If in a pinch: For basic needs like shampoo, hairspray, memory for the camera, or for a warm place to wander for shopping, there are several El Corte Inglese, including in Plaza Cataluyna.
For more travel information on Barcelona click here.
Here are still a few picture impressions of the city:
Here are still a few picture impressions of the city:
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