The Journey To Barcelona

Barcelona. Such a splendid city! Its name just rolls so beautifully off your tongue.  Both ancient and ultra modern, with inspiring mountain scenery, spectacular Mediterranean Beaches and a city full of architectural delights. It is just a 2 hour flight, but a world of difference away from Bavaria and such a wonderful difference it is! Won’t you come along with Sparky and I as we tour this incredible city by the sea.

So very modern, but I’m not thinking I’d like my office on that right “arm!”

And the very, very old.

 

“So, how was Barcelona, Spain,” I am asked. “I want to go back now, and stay forever,” I reply. How’s that for an “how did you like it,” answer. This fantastic city of 1.6 million people with an additional 4.7 million folks surrounding the main city, maintains its dignity amidst the hustle and bustle of every day life. The Catalonia people may work hard but they also know how to relax at many of the outdoor cafes and bistros for Tapas every evening. They also know how to play hard at the Football ( soccer) games, the Beaches and the plentiful playgrounds of the rich known as Marinas! I found myself in love with the language, people, food and customs of Catalonia and wish I could return, today!

Dan walking one of the many beaches of Barcelona on the Mediterranean Sea.

The city is surrounded by the Catalan Mountain Range and there is a funicular railroad going up to the top!

Located on a broad peninsula on the east coast of Spain, Barcelona is home to 1.6 million city dwellers and yet another almost 5 million people live in the surrounding area. Barcelona is the Capitol of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, something like a “State.” In 1992, Barcelona hosted the summer Olympic Games and many of the modern facilities were put in place for those games. Even the beaches, docks and piers were manufactured for the Olympics, and today they continue to draw visitors from around the world. Barcelona is largest city on the Mediterranean Sea and also is home to the largest Port on the Mediterranean.

The Port of Barcelona

The Port is a departure point for fantastic Mediterranean Cruises. A safe Harbor with plenty of shelter.

Barcelona is an area of rugged beauty and graceful palms.

I was really liking those graceful Palms!

The Fitness Center at the Sheraton 4 Points Diagonal was on the 12th floor and looked out over the numerous apartment complexes toward the Mediterranean Sea. What a way to start my day exercising with this view!

There are no houses in this city. Just enormous apartment complexes. It’s common practice to hang your laundry on the balcony for all the world to see!

One of the best ways to get an overview of the city is by joining a “Hop On, Hop Off” tour bus as it circles the city showing you the highlights. Then, you can pick the sites that appeal to you and go back to tour them at your own pace and time. They are a true bargain at about 15€ a day.

The old Customs House seen from the Hop On, Hop Off.

Barcelona’s famous Art Museum. Spend an hour or a day. It’s also a stop for the Hop On, Hop Off bus. And if the weather cooperates, sitting outside on the upper deck provides excellent views!

It’s not only the architecture that is appealing and interesting, but also seeing the different types of trees, landscapes and birds. I loved this tree so much that I just had to take a picture!

The Palm trees lining the broad Boulevards were full of squawking Green Parrots at night!

Whether it’s watching the sailboats,

or people watching,

or looking at quirky, imaginative art, like this fanciful fish,

or admiring the complex designs of old gorgeous buildings like the historical Bull Fighting Ring now converted into an upscale shopping center

or enjoying culinary delights such a fabulous Paella featuring locally sourced seafood,

Barcelona is a city to entice all your senses and leave you wanting more!

I hope you enjoyed my mini tour of Barcelona today. This experience is so incredible. I am so Blessed, lucky, humbled and appreciative of the opportunity to tour Europe. I truly wish all of you, my friends were here with me! Stay tuned for tomorrow when I visit the famous Market Place, The Basilica and Sparky and I contemplate what it’s like owning a multi million dollar ocean going yacht!

Until then, I hope your journey today is full of promise and hope.

Journey On!

Karen, TJG