However, I also have a passion for modern buildings (was a journalist for Advantage Steel magazine for years) so can't resist checking those out and will be hoping to get a glimpse of the construction of the new Kingdom Tower in Jeddah when there in January. I love seeing what we can make with the tools of the day. And really, making a mile high tower is just fantastic.
But today it's all about Gothic architecture because I'm in Barcelona!
Barcelona is Spain's second most-populated city with 1.6 million people. For some reason, I thought it was a lot bigger, but when you are there and can walk to most of the old neighborhoods, you realize, it's not as big as you imagined.
The Gothic Quarter is the center of the old city and walking distance from La Rambla, which is the shopping area of the city by the Placa de Catalunya and where I was staying at the Hotel Pulitzer (see article about the Hotel Pulitzer here).
The hotel was very central. I was able to take the airport bus for around 5 Euros to Placa de Catalunya and walk the half block to the hotel from there. The hotel has a great rooftop bar and the room are really nice. However, the food is not that fantastic at the hotel. This isn't a problem though as there are so many restaurants in the area to pick for dinner.
La Rambla can be crowded with tourists and locals, but it's a fun area with a main pedestrian-only street with mostly chain shops. For more unique shopping, take a stroll down the tiny little cobblestone side streets leading off the La Rambla. These are lined with one of a kind clothing shops, bakeries, knick knacks, art shops, jewelry and other cool little places.
The hotel was very central. I was able to take the airport bus for around 5 Euros to Placa de Catalunya and walk the half block to the hotel from there. The hotel has a great rooftop bar and the room are really nice. However, the food is not that fantastic at the hotel. This isn't a problem though as there are so many restaurants in the area to pick for dinner.
La Rambla can be crowded with tourists and locals, but it's a fun area with a main pedestrian-only street with mostly chain shops. For more unique shopping, take a stroll down the tiny little cobblestone side streets leading off the La Rambla. These are lined with one of a kind clothing shops, bakeries, knick knacks, art shops, jewelry and other cool little places.
It's through these little streets that you'll find yourself in the Gothic Quarter.
The buildings there are incredible. There is the cathedral, of course (no fee to enter), but even the little apartments above the shops are interesting. The people there like to have a lot of flowers and you'll see pots and pots of them hanging from their terraces or window ledges (if they don't have a balcony).
The buildings there are incredible. There is the cathedral, of course (no fee to enter), but even the little apartments above the shops are interesting. The people there like to have a lot of flowers and you'll see pots and pots of them hanging from their terraces or window ledges (if they don't have a balcony).
Many of the buildings date back to medieval times, but Barcelona is also famous for the Art Nouveau buildings from 1885 to 1950. The most famous architect of the time was Gaudi. His famous church (started in 1882) is the Sagrada Famila. It's still under construction and they hope to finish it in 2026 - which I find inspiring that they are still investing money into this building to finish.
You can wander around the Gothic area yourself, but if you are looking for a cheap walking tour, check out Feel Free Tours. Just like the name says, the tours are free (you can tip the guide at the end) and they start at the Hard Rock Hotel located in La Rambla. The Hard Rock is across from Placa de Catalyuna so easy to find.
Their website is http://www.feelfreetours.com.
Their website is http://www.feelfreetours.com.
After shopping and sightseeing all day, you then have the night life.
Barcelona has great food and great red wine. I can make a meal of just a few pieces of tapas and a glass of wine, but if you have a bigger appetite, there are numerous restaurants in the city -- and if you like to dance, you're in luck. The people of the area dance all night.
In fact, when I was catching the bus back to the airport at 7 am, the streets were still full of people coming home from wherever they had been all night.
Barcelona has great food and great red wine. I can make a meal of just a few pieces of tapas and a glass of wine, but if you have a bigger appetite, there are numerous restaurants in the city -- and if you like to dance, you're in luck. The people of the area dance all night.
In fact, when I was catching the bus back to the airport at 7 am, the streets were still full of people coming home from wherever they had been all night.
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