This started with a gift voucher from Sandy for a hotel in Barcelona for 4 days and Linda joined me. It included Cava and a fruit basket and we missed out on nothing. Linda gave me
the upgrade to a first class travel ticket on the AVE high speed train and we
really enjoyed travelling in style. Real comfort with plenty of room, papers,
Cava, sandwiches, pastry, coffee, liquers. The works ! But it was such a silent and smooth ride that it was hard to realise
the speed you were travelling a Certainly a stress free way to travel.
Obviously we arrived in Barcelona very fresh and de camped at the
hotel and were out on the town at 2pm and did not return to the hotel until
10pm. We discovered that the best way to travel around was to get a 10 ticket
deal which gave you metro and bus travel for just under 10 euros. We were close
to both bus and metro points which meant that we saved our feet the 10 min walk
to the centre and also found a couple of local and friendly bars that were non tourist. Also some other parts of interest.....
Pre-planning meant that we knew what we wanted to visit and
set about booking the visits and bus
tour. I well remembered that during a previous visit we could not get a tour of the
Palau de Musica so it was the first point of call. Just as well as we were
there on Thursday afternoon as the first available tour was Sunday at 10 am
and I think that was only because other folk did not want to start the day that
early!
We booked and then picked up our bus tour tickets and wandered the network of side streets until dusk when the Ramblers just comes alive.
We booked and then picked up our bus tour tickets and wandered the network of side streets until dusk when the Ramblers just comes alive.
Of
course en route we founds many tapas bars and one little gem where we rested
our weary bones and revived on garlic prawns, chicken wings and tortilla. I had
Cava and Linda pronounced her red wine to be more than acceptable. The host was
a handsome Spaniard who took great care of two tired old ladies and kept us
amused and topped up.
Back at the hotel we found our welcoming bottle and fruit
basket but were too tired to attack either. Had another full day planned for
the next day.
Then back for the tour which
was somewhat different from the 2 tours I had already been on. It was a very
professional presentation and impressive and demonstrated just what good value
we get when we purchase our bottle of Cordon Negro.
We were taken on a little train ride thro the cava caves
and taken thro the process of production. Back to the tasting lounge and one of
the new additions is that after the free sampling you can stay and order glasses of other cavas they produce
plus tapas. So we stayed and sampled other labels and ordered food before started
our journey back to the city refreshed.
The Fiesta takes place in September each year and the parade is a very popular event for the whole family. Huge giants with effigies of kings, queens and nobles march through the streets of
These huge figures tower above the
crowds and spin around and around so the crowds can see them in all their
glory. The Parade is often accompanied by small percussion groups that beat out
a rhythm on drums as the Giants go by. Watch a clip from Youtube and recognise some of the giants from our photos.
The museum and presentation was fantastic and included many
photos of the streets and folk from old
days and the games that children used to play. It seems that spinning tops were
very popular but above all it showed the folk always intent to enjoy
themselves. Best value in
More by luck than design we found our special bar again to
rest and refresh,
By now we had a good idea on just how the recession is affecting
this vibrant city. Many of the side streets look and are seedy and many of the
interesting shops are closed or moved over to cheap trash rather than the
specialist goods they used to proudly display. It was quite a mixture with the
odd little gem to be found but there were parts where we felt a little uncomfortable
and it was obvious that Barcelona
now has a large immigrant population. Youths hanging around run down buildings
led us to move back out to the more active areas. Many of the restaurants and
bars are not truly Spanish any more and the service staff frequently eastern
European, Asian or Chinese. Along the Ramblers the restaurants display the
menus in pictorial format and you are constantly invited in to sample Paella
and Sangria! We stopped to buy a little bouquet of dried flowers from one of
the flower stalls on the Ramblers and the seller was from Somalia with a
Rasta hair style! Added an extra
dimension to his wonderful display of
flowers on display.
Another 14 hr day and crashed out again
Saturday was the day planned to visit the Boqueria famous market
and start or 2 day bus tour. Timed the visit to the market to enjoy a light
lunch in the market at a local stall and indeed the atmosphere was as colourful
and magic as I remembered it.. But like elsewhere the format had changed. A
large S American/Asian influence with
the colourful fruit pre-prepared in crushed juices or fruit salad packs.
Still some locals shopping but out numbered by tourists and it became obvious thatBarcelona at the weekends
sees a big influx of stag/hen party groups showing off a variety of outrageous gear.
Still some locals shopping but out numbered by tourists and it became obvious that
We enjoyed a snack and then picked up a carton of pre prepared excotic fruit salad and one of fresh raspberries to enjoy on the bus.
We then visited the Gaudi Museum
It also ably demonstrated
what wealth was generated in Barcelona during this time
of trade and industrial revolution. The house showed off the best of all forms of arts and materials of the period.
Sculpture, mosaic, glass etching, stone, tiles and wonderful carvings using the very finest wood from all over the world.
It was a refreshing visit after the bustle of the market.
Sculpture, mosaic, glass etching, stone, tiles and wonderful carvings using the very finest wood from all over the world.
It was a refreshing visit after the bustle of the market.
Picked up the bus tour at the bottom of the Ramblers and
completed a full circuit of 1hr 45 mins to give our feet a rest and check where
we would like to visit for a more in depth viewing next day.
Visited the Park Guell in the afternoon and enjoyed the
atmosphere and met the dragon,
The storm clouds were gathering so we grabbed Taxi to return to the Familia Sagradain the hope to stay long enough to see it floodlit.
The difference in the two facades, the original which was constructed during Gaudi's lifetime and the starker new entrance. However, we are informed that they new part is being constructed to Gaudi's drawings.
However, the weather was against us and we got caught in a heavy shower and grabbed the next bus back and took refuge in El Corte Ingles at the Placa Catalunya.. Later made a dash for the Metro and back to the hotel after another 14hr day.
The storm clouds were gathering so we grabbed Taxi to return to the Familia Sagradain the hope to stay long enough to see it floodlit.
The difference in the two facades, the original which was constructed during Gaudi's lifetime and the starker new entrance. However, we are informed that they new part is being constructed to Gaudi's drawings.
However, the weather was against us and we got caught in a heavy shower and grabbed the next bus back and took refuge in El Corte Ingles at the Placa Catalunya.. Later made a dash for the Metro and back to the hotel after another 14hr day.
Sunday and a fairly early start with the visit to the Palau
de Musica which was worth both the cost and the effort. It would have been wonderful to be there for a performance but all concerts are booked well in advance . You are sure to find something to suit your taste as the program is so varied
Check out the webpage. http://wwww.palaumusica.org/seccion=245&idioma=en_GB.do
The Placa Catalunya was the start of the Marathon so we had been warned that no surface public
transport would be available until mid-day. It was a bright warm sunny morning
and after the visit we went to the Cathedral to watch the weekly event of the local
folk dancing in the square.
We sat basking in the sunshine and then headed down the Ramblers to take the lift to the top of the Columbus Colon Monument for the view. We queued for sometime as the small lift only took 4 passengers. When you reached the top there was only a very narrow ledge enough for one person to keep walking and return to the lift! On top of that we had seen better views of the city from other locations.
We then picked up the bus again with the intent of taking a cable car trip and visiting the Poble Nou. However, the clouds came over and we were a little wiser and headed for home base a little earlier than usual. Picked up some fresh goodies and went back to the hotel to picnic in bed with a bucks fizz. Slept like a babe!
Since our return we have heard that a group of 6 tourists had to be rescued from the viewing platform because the lift had broken down.. They were stranded for 6 hours . At first a rescue attempt was made using a helicopter but had to be abandoned due to high winds. So all the roads at the entrance to the Ramblers had to be closed and a crane mounted by the fire service. So I missed my fireman's lift...and happy to do so!
We then picked up the bus again with the intent of taking a cable car trip and visiting the Poble Nou. However, the clouds came over and we were a little wiser and headed for home base a little earlier than usual. Picked up some fresh goodies and went back to the hotel to picnic in bed with a bucks fizz. Slept like a babe!
Monday.. and our return to Benidoleig but not before another
busy and full day. Up and packed and had a good breakfast to sustain us a long
day.
We started off at the Placa Espana on a train to Monserrat to visit the Monastery . The mountains of Monserrat are very special and impressive.
The
final part of this trip was by cable car which gave us magnificent views. Then
our ticket included the steeper journey to the top by Funicular rail which
again was something else.
We were back at the Monastery level in time to visit the Basilica and hear the mid day choir. The church was packed but the clarity of the young boys voices resounded thro this beautiful ornate church. It is famous for a black Virgin statute.
We started off at the Placa Espana on a train to Monserrat to visit the Monastery . The mountains of Monserrat are very special and impressive.
The
final part of this trip was by cable car which gave us magnificent views. Then
our ticket included the steeper journey to the top by Funicular rail which
again was something else.We were back at the Monastery level in time to visit the Basilica and hear the mid day choir. The church was packed but the clarity of the young boys voices resounded thro this beautiful ornate church. It is famous for a black Virgin statute.
We picniced with a view down the mountains where the trains,
people and busses looked like a colony of worker ants. Then back down the cable
car to catch the train back to the city. The cable car only takes 36 people and
thankfully we started queuing in time to be on the first car as the 2nd
car did not make it in time for the train back to the city. It would have meant
another 1 hrs wait. We arrived at the hotel in time to rest a little in the
lounge before a taxi to Sants station and back to Valencia .
This part of the trip was by Preferente Class on the high
speed train. Very special indeed and well worth the upgrade with free food and
drink service all the way. It seemed no time at all and we were back in Valencia and
boarding the shuttle bus to transfer to Valencia North station. We had to pick
up our train ticket and wait 30 mins for our next journey of 40 mins. Arrived
back at Xeraco where I had left the car at about 10.30 pm. Then it was a good
quiet drive back to Benidolieg to be welcomed by an overpowering aroma of
orange blossom.
So today we have used 8 different modes of transport.
Metro, Suburban train, Cable Car, Funicular rail, Taxi, High
Speed Train, Shuttle Bus and good old VW Polo!
It has been a fantastic trip and as this account indicates a
very full one. The feeling remains with
me that I am pleased that I had visited Barcelona
some 15 years ago and seen something if its proud splendour and vibrance before
it has become diluted and fallen a victim of recession. It still remains a
wonderful city with a proud heritage but I doubt if much of the current times will leave impressive and
lasting monuments for the future generation to admire.
Many thanks to all the folk who make this trip a special event.
Sylvia April 2012
Many thanks to all the folk who make this trip a special event.
Sylvia April 2012
TIPS and Links.
If travelling to Barcelona from Gandia/Xeraco and then one of the fast trains from Valencia then, if applicable, purchase a Tarjecta Dorada. Any retired person can purchase one for 5.50 Euros. These can be obtained from any travel agent or local station. This will enable you to advantage of large discounts.. up to 40 % on your travel cost on any train. This card is valid for 1 year. On arrival at Valencia North you will need to take the FREE shuttle bus to Sants Station where the high speed train departs from. Exit Valencia by the exit on the North side (left) and walk to the left to a shuttle bus. The bus leaves every 20 mins and the journey only takes 5 mins. However make provision for this when planning your journey.
In Barcelona there are ticket machines at the Metro stations where you can purchase a ticket for 10 journeys. We paid 9.75 euros as opposed to 2 euros for a single journey These tickets can be used in any metro train or buses. Just validate at the machine when travelling.
There are two bus tours operating in Barcelona on a Hop On Hop Off basis
http://www.barcelonacitytour.cat/
http://www.barcelona-on-line.es/eng/reserves/bus_turistic.htm
Geull Palace
http://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_city_guide/gaudi_barcelona/guell_palace
Geull Park,, is FREE but is an uphill walk from the bus stop. Leave yourself at least 1/2 day to explore
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/gaudi/park-guell.html
Palau de Musica
http://wwww.palaumusica.org/seccion=245&idioma=en_GB.do
Combined trip to Monserrat. Ticket is available at the Placa Espanya station or tourist info offices look for the R5 line
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/tour/barcelona-montserrat.html
Sagrada Familia
Has various entrance options but make sure you leave at least 1 1/2 hr for the tour.
Entrance fees are high in Barcelona so always ask if any discounts apply
