22 – 25.07.2007

We picked up our lease car (Renault Megane) from Paris airport and headed down to Barcelona. The GPS was really great and she has a nice voice! The distance was huge, about a 1000 km so by the time we got to Barcelona it was midnight and we were buggered. We found a safe carpark with the help of our very good hotel proprietor who actually met us on the streets of Barcelona at midnight on his bicycle and we followed him through the city to our destination. It was quite funny. Our accommodation was right in the middle of the Gothic area in a tiny cobbled street. The building stairwell looked worrying and old but then when you got into the apartments they were all brand new, it was quite bizarre.

We spent the first full day in Barcelona walking around town and a bit of shopping (shopping is excellent there, especially as it was half price sale time!). The marinas on the sea are extensive. The city is really beautiful. We met up with friends of our friend Melanie; Hilary and Mark, who have lived in Barcelona for a while. We went with them to a contemporary art gallery, then to a bar for a drink and then dinner at a really cool organic Spanish restaurant that makes traditional Catalan food (as Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia). Hilary and Mark were really lovely and fun and gave us some tips on what to see etc. It was a fun night.

The second day, after more shopping, we headed down the Gaudi trail. Gaudi designed all these very strange but beautiful buildings and parks around Barcelona, the most famous being the Sagrada Familia, a huge Catholic church which is still not finished (construction started in the 1800s). The highlight was the Guell Park, which is a park above the city with fantastic views. All over it are things Gaudi designed, like cool mosaic tiled terraces, walkways etc. The night ended with more food and drink and hanging out in the Borno area of town, next to the Gothic area. We did mean to do a bit of clubbing in Barcelona, but most clubs play r’n’b and house, which is not our cup of tea.

Overall Barcelona has been a real highlight of the trip so far. It is a city that feels really familiar in a way and very welcoming. The people we encountered were all really friendly. The city is very beautiful and the hot weather suited us just fine. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to explore its beaches but hopefully there will be a next time.