
A Country Within
A Country: Travel To Barcelona by Frank Johnson
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The
distinctive regional culture of Barcelona is largely due to geography and
a plentitude of national pride and elitism. Barcelona is the capital of
Catalonia, one of Spain's 17 semi-autonomous states. The regional language
is Catalan, along with the national language of Castilian Spanish. There
has long been pressure from the Catalonian government and nationalists
to earn complete autonomy from Spain. Consequently, the exclusive culture
can be difficult to adjust to and there is significant animosity towards
foreigners around the main tourist street of Las Ramblas. To thoroughly
enjoy the sweet life and gentle hospitality of Barcelona, leave this busy
area and explore the many diverse districts, endless with possibility.
Café Life and Nightlife
for the Night Owl Barcelona is truly a city that never sleeps, particularly
during the warm Mediterranean summers. Avoid standing out like a sore thumb
by eating dinner when the locals do: after 10 p.m. It is common to see
children, grandparents and the family dog gathering at the outdoor cafes
at these hours when the day's work is finished and time for friends and
family has commenced. Since Barcelona hosted the Olympics in 1992, the
city has been revamped with visitor friendly attractions such as the massive
Olympic Village, a string of swanky restaurants, state-of-the-art nightclubs
and boutiques along the beach. Most nightclubs do not get going until after
1 a.m. and club-goers typically wander out onto the beach around 5:30 to
watch the sunrise over the Mediterranean.
A
Modernista Mecca The architectural wonders of Barcelona will keep even
the most novice eye bewildered and intrigued. Antoni Gaudi decorated Barcelona
with his treasures of modernism as a painter on a canvas. The grand boulevard
of Passeig de Gracia is lined with elaborately adorned Casa Batllo and
Casa Mila, both with the most intricate rooftops known to modern architecture.
Arguably the most stunning of Gaudi's work is the Temple Expiatori de la
Sagrada Familia. Each of the church's facades are meticulously designed
with different themes and styles combining nature with religion and the
soaring towers topped with mosaic grapes are built around a conch-like
coiled staircase that visitors may choose to take instead of the elevator.
Another tribute to Barcelona's artistic heritage is the Palau da la Musica
Catalana. A view of the glass and mosaic inverted chandelier on the ceiling
of the theater is alone worth the visit. Daily tours are offered in addition
to the regularly held musical performances. Afterward, get lost in the
tiny twisting passages of the surrounding historic Gothic Quarter.
Traveling Barcelona Right
Not Your Weekend Visit It is best to avoid traveling to Spain in August,
when most of the locals (and most of Mediterranean Europe) take their vacations.
Chances are that the restaurant you wanted to visit will be closed and
museums will have extremely curtailed hours. August can also be uncomfortably
hot.
Barcelona should be traveled
with care and patience. The only disappointment visitors have is the inability
to see all of the city's landmarks and hidden corners in a realistic amount
of time.
Visit
Spain - Spain Accommodation - Barcelona
Hotels - Barcelona
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About the Author - For
more information on international travel and discount airfare to Barcelona,
visit http://www.cfares.com/, your source for cheap airfare on the web.
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