BARCELONABARCELONACapital of Catalunya,Capital of Catalunya,

by Ivonne Corichi.by Ivonne Corichi.

Why Barcelona?Why Barcelona?

Six years ago, I had Six years ago, I had to go to Europe on to go to Europe on business. Then, I business. Then, I decided to use my decided to use my vacations and spend vacations and spend one week in a one week in a European City. I had European City. I had a lot of thinking and a lot of thinking and research to do.research to do.

Why Barcelona?Why Barcelona? The top choices on The top choices on

my list were Rome, my list were Rome, London, Paris, Madrid London, Paris, Madrid and Barcelona. I and Barcelona. I decided a city that decided a city that had all of the had all of the entertaining, culture, entertaining, culture, language and food language and food that I desired. And that I desired. And specially, a city I specially, a city I could fall in love to.could fall in love to.

At the airport.At the airport.

If you arrived from a If you arrived from a country not member country not member of the EC, you must of the EC, you must go through go through immigration and show immigration and show your passport. Don´t your passport. Don´t get nervous if the get nervous if the officer has been officer has been checking your ID for checking your ID for minutes, they usually minutes, they usually take their time.take their time.

At the airport.At the airport.

If you don´t have any If you don´t have any products to declare at products to declare at the customs agents, the customs agents, then head out to the then head out to the exit and hire a Taxi. exit and hire a Taxi. The first stop is the The first stop is the hotel, where a warm hotel, where a warm bath and a smooth bath and a smooth bed are waiting for bed are waiting for you.you.

Architecture.Architecture. Barcelona´s Barcelona´s

architecture is eclectic, architecture is eclectic, from Gothic to Art from Gothic to Art Nuveau and Modern. Nuveau and Modern. One of the city´s One of the city´s architectural icon is architectural icon is Antonio Gaudi. He Antonio Gaudi. He has four masterpieces has four masterpieces in downtown. La in downtown. La pedrera, La Sagrada pedrera, La Sagrada Familia, Parc Guel and Familia, Parc Guel and Casa Batllo.Casa Batllo.

Food.Food.

Traditional food is a Traditional food is a must in Barcelona. must in Barcelona. Fideuá is a noodle Fideuá is a noodle served with alioli, a served with alioli, a sauce made from sauce made from garlic and oil. Is garlic and oil. Is either simple or either simple or delicious. I suggest delicious. I suggest you stopover “Los you stopover “Los Caracoles” a great old Caracoles” a great old school restaurant school restaurant near “Las Ramblas”near “Las Ramblas”

Entertainment.Entertainment.

In daytime, besides In daytime, besides sightseeing. You can sightseeing. You can go to the Monumental go to the Monumental Plaza de Toros and Plaza de Toros and watch a bull fight. watch a bull fight. Some people find it Some people find it either violent nor either violent nor artistic. A walk through artistic. A walk through Las Ramblas is also Las Ramblas is also very entertaining.very entertaining.

Nightlife.Nightlife. A great place to land A great place to land

late evening is Buddha late evening is Buddha Bar, music is great and Bar, music is great and you can chill out you can chill out drinking a martini. drinking a martini. Late night I suggest Late night I suggest you go dancing to Pont you go dancing to Pont Aeri, the place with Aeri, the place with great DJ´s and nice great DJ´s and nice people. Both places people. Both places need reservation.need reservation.

Vacations Over.Vacations Over. I had the greatest time in Barcelona, a curious I had the greatest time in Barcelona, a curious

thing, I almost missed the plane back home. I thing, I almost missed the plane back home. I arrived 5 minutes before take off. I have to arrived 5 minutes before take off. I have to questions after my journey… Will I comeback? questions after my journey… Will I comeback? Definitively. You ask yourself what you will do Definitively. You ask yourself what you will do on your next vacation? To have fun.on your next vacation? To have fun.