| So you think it would do you some good to visit | | | | with enough of the historical to please your |
| Barcelona, the city-queen of Spain and of all things | | | | photographic tendencies, but also with a goodly |
| Spanish on this Earth. But can you take it? For | | | | number of places where you can relax and have |
| Barcelona is a city unlike any other. It's exotic and | | | | fun. It's not really an antique part of town, the |
| fast-paced, as you're likely to find out if you go | | | | place became a fully-fledged "hood" in the 19th |
| for a walk on one of its crowded, noisy, lively | | | | century. Nowadays, its residents are a tutti frutti |
| boulevards. Yet Barcelona is also a place of | | | | of artists and students and some "average" |
| solemn gravity, soberness and tranquility - all you | | | | persons which results in a relaxed, down-to-earth |
| have to do is step in the shadow of one of its | | | | atmosphere, a thing that the classical grand |
| ancient cathedrals, churches and palaces and it's | | | | touristic attractions, like the Sagrada Familia or the |
| like stepping into another world. | | | | Aquarium area, are lacking. It's not that they're |
| Intrigued? Then let me tell you more about what | | | | too crowded and stressful, their main |
| to do and where to go in Barcelona so that your | | | | disadvantage is that they're somewhat fake and |
| visit should be more than just a simple tourist's | | | | artificial (tourist make-up) and you have to make |
| expedition. | | | | an effort to look beyond the facade. |
| The right time for "Barceloning" | | | | Once, the Grà cia was a village, separate of |
| Barcelona is blessed with a Mediterranean climate, | | | | the big city, and at the end of the 1890's, they |
| warm and sweet, with a soft breeze which you're | | | | still had poor roads, no street lighting and no |
| sure to miss once you're back home, maybe in a | | | | sewers. Tough, huh? Don't worry, they caught up |
| drab and gray metropolis. There is no such thing | | | | just fine. In the 1960's and 70's it was the |
| as winter here, at least not as you know it; | | | | meeting place for rebel-like figures, all sorts of |
| Barcelona's winter-time is like a cool, day-long | | | | bohemians and radicals. That kind of flavor is still |
| spring morning. But you must like it really hot if | | | | fashionable today, especially in the cafes and bars, |
| you dare those months of feverish heat which go | | | | of which you'll find aplenty, and many of them are |
| by the name of summer down here in Barcelona. | | | | quite picturesque, in the hip sense of the word. If |
| Yet this is the time when the true spirit of the | | | | you really can't just wander about and you just |
| city comes out to play. | | | | have to have a specific place to go and |
| Anyway, if you're dead set on visiting the Spanish | | | | photograph, try the Plaça del Sol - it's a nice |
| capital, be sure to book in advance, because lots | | | | place to be, with beautiful 19th architecture and |
| of people come here, for business or pleasure, | | | | it's practically surrounded by cafes. Give it a try. |
| and hotels are busy for most of the year. Try to | | | | It's all about the money (even in Barcelona) |
| schedule your stay for spring and early summer, | | | | A piece of advice: you're a tourist, you have |
| because the weather is still pleasant at that time | | | | money and you're in a unfamiliar place. Which |
| of year and there aren't too much tourists | | | | means that you can get in some trouble, even in |
| gawking around in the streets (not that you do | | | | a charming place such as Barcelona. You would |
| that, far from it). High summer (which awakens in | | | | avoid many uncomfortable (to put it mildly) |
| mid-July and goes back to sleep in late August) is | | | | situations by simply using a card. ATM's are |
| a bit on the asphyxiating side, but, like I said, it's all | | | | practically around any corner and most money |
| part of the atmosphere. In fact, many locals (who | | | | spending places take major credit cards. |
| are already used to the exotic hot-latino | | | | Another often encountered difficulty of the tourist |
| atmosphere) have the good sense of bailing out | | | | is tipping. A small thing which can lead to other |
| of town at this time of year. Things quiet down a | | | | "uncomfortable" misunderstandings. In Barcelona, |
| bit in September, even if the weather can play | | | | there is no ground rule about tipping, you are not |
| several nasty tricks on the unsuspecting tourist. If | | | | always expected to tip on top of restaurant |
| you have a strange and disquieting craving for | | | | services; still, it is rather customary to leave |
| rain, choose October for your stay. Winter isn't | | | | some small amount (especially if you intend to |
| very harsh, but you should still look for a room | | | | come back and receive a bit of special attention, |
| with heating. | | | | you know the drill.) |
| Attractions? How about just going for a walk? | | | | Delightfully foreign |
| Even if you're for the first time in Barcelona, and | | | | As you may have noticed, the information above, |
| even if you plan on staying for only a few days, | | | | despite its practicality, is not necessarily meant for |
| you shouldn't rush in and enter a state of | | | | classical tourists, addicted to sightseeing and |
| sight-seeing frenzy and run around the city, blitz | | | | admiring all that other people have admired and |
| a-blazing. Take your time, savor the unique | | | | found to be exactly the same. When you travel, |
| Spanish aroma, with all its foreign spices. For | | | | you should do so in order to experience a |
| example, just go for a walk and look around, you | | | | different kind of atmosphere, something beyond |
| don't necessarily have to hunt for the | | | | the routine feel of your home. And Barcelona is |
| "attractions" you read about on some tourist | | | | perfect from this point of view, because this city |
| guide. | | | | has so many faces that any visitor, no matter his |
| A good place for such an experience is the | | | | or hers place of origin, will feel this place to be |
| Grà cia, a very pleasant suburb of Barcelona, | | | | delightfully foreign. |