Barcelona - Shopping Spree

So - there are lots of places to shop in Barcelona. For the rich - Passeig de Gracia is the place to go. For those interested in local work to mainstream department stores - we found the route. Start at Carrer la Ample and walk up Carrer d'Avinyo. At St. Jaume - go east to Via Laietana and up one block and back west on Carrer la Libreterie. Back at Carrer d'Avinyo go north until Carrer de la Palla (west), then north on Carrer de Petritxol to Carrer de Portaferrissa keeping right up Ave del Portal de de Angel.

You will see fantastic local designers and speciality shops. Jewelry, shoes, knitting, chocolate, t-shirts, and more. The end offers department stores and mainstream shops.

Barcelona - Mercat Santa Caterina

Mercat Santa Caterina is a modern food market in the Northern El Born area. Of course, I was in love with the David market stall.

Barcelona - Local Lunch

We had been warned that English isn't always an option even in a big city like Barcelona. Generally we did a fairly good job - but this local lunch spot had us pointing a pictures and laughing with the waitress.

Great experience.

Barcelona - Olympics 1992

Barcelona - Surprise

We continue to discover interesting neighborhoods in Barcelona. La Barceloneta is definitely the place to be to enjoy the beach in the summer. Surprisingly - this we discovered this neighborhood in winter without crowds and all the locals. Fun and friendly place to spend some time.

Barcelona - Daredevils

It didn't fit into our schedule and we could not garner the interest to take on the Transbordador Aereo Cable Car. It whisks you from the Harbour to the mountain and Parc Mont Juic.

Barcelona - Day Four

We woke to another beautiful sunny day in Barcelona - too bad it is our last day here. We decided to walk, shop and sightseeing versus touring another museum. Catching the L1 and then the L4, we ventured down to the Harbour area for a stroll near the beach. It is tough to get pictures of the city center from the Harbour.

Barcelona - More Jazz

A few more pictures of our hotel in Barcelona.

Casa Batilo - Audio Introduction

Barcelona - Street Views

Playing with some pictures with Photoshop on my iPad.

Barcelona - Santa Maria

After lunch we ventured back into El Born to walk off some pizza and do some people watching. We stumbled onto open doors at Santa Maria Church. Santa Maria del Mar is an imposing church built between 1329 and 1383 at the height of Catalonia's maritime and mercantile preeminence. It is an outstanding example of Catalan Gothic, with a purity and unity of style that are very unusual in large mediaeval buildings.

Barcelona - Pizza

Yummy - I love pizza. In Barcelona - they make it just like I prefer with thin crust and fresh ingredients. No sharing here - we each got our own.

Barcelona -Milo

In Barcelona - you have to love mountains if you love Miro. The Fundacio Joan Miro museum is located in Parc Mont Juic located high above the city. Great views and tough hike from the nearby Metro stop. The museum designed by Joseph Luis Sert houses hundreds of the artists finest works - sculpture, drawings, textiles, and paintings. Our visit was slightly rushed since the museum closes at 2:30 on Sunday (trust me - be certain to check the schedule before hiking up the mountain) and we arrived after 1 pm.

Barcelona - Day Three

One of Gaudi's most famous buildings is Casa Batilo. This house is a wonderland filled with smart - yet odd - architectural details. Each room offers a new feature and enjoyable experience, The home is 5 stories - each different than the one before it. This site is well worth your time in Barcelona.

Being Barcelona

When the sun comes out in Barcelona - so do the natives.

Barcelona - Dining

Dinner at La Lluna on c. santa anna, 29 immediately off the Ramblas we enjoyable. The food was tasty although the service slowly devolved before our eyes. It was pricey compared to our previous night at 120€ for 3.