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Barcelona The culture, class and bustling, cosmopolitan charm of Barcelona have led many to liken this exciting destination as a “New York of the Mediterranean.” Perched in the very northeast corner of Spain and the heart of Catalonia, Barcelona offers visitors the best of fashion, dining, shopping, entertainment, nightlife, museums, architectural attractions and a series of up and coming art galleries.
Start your tour through Barcelona strolling down the famous Las Ramblas pedestrian walkway, where Spanish style is out in full color. Station yourself at one of the many trendy, outdoor cafés and begin a fruitful session at one of Europe’s best spots for people watching. Las Ramblas is a mecca for fashionable creatures to strut their stuff, and it’s also a place where well-known fashionistas have been rumored to look for clues.
An attraction of a more bizarre nature can be found by visiting the Church of the Sacred Family, also referred to as la Sagrada Familia, which is hardly a traditional European Cathedral – after all, it was never even finished. Top that off, it’s by Gaudi, and is a centuries old predecessor to artistic styles of the early 20th century. Not only is the Sagrada Familia a totally over-embellished, lavish, formless yet spiritually inspiring structure, it is the final resting place of Gaudi himself.
While in Barcelona, don’t forget to check out the Picasso Museum. Despite the fact that this artist was born in Malaga, Andalusia (southern Spain), this museum is by far one of Spain’s – and the world’s – best exhibitions of this important artist. Like any great painter, Picasso has engendered his share of controversy. Yet the power of his images – and many critics attest to their moving beauty as well – is evidenced in his ability to help define a generation. See some of Picasso’s best works at the Picasso museum in Barcelona.
But to get a true sense of the local culture of Barcelona, be sure to see a performance at the Palau de la Musica Catalana, a cultural icon that is symbolic of the local pride of the Catalonians, who are a fine and cultured people. See classical music performances with full-fledged orchestras, as well as classical guitar pieces performed by the masters and an occasional flamenco performance, although one should really head to the south of Spain for that – indeed, ones time at night is better spent in Barcelona’s nightclubs, discos and bars that are all the rage throughout Europe. |
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