Barcelona Travel: Eyewitness Travel to Barcelona & Catalonia, Spain

Barcelona, Spain is one of the jewels of Europe with its rich history, cultural, and vibrant city life. When you concentrate on the recent cultural developments in Catalunya (composed of four regions, including Barcelona) you will find some of the richest aspects of the area.

Set of to Park Guell to see some of the richest examples of Modernism in Barcelona. This park was designed by architect, Antonio Gaudi and contains some of his best works. There is as much art here as in many museums. There are benches, walls, and buildings that are true pieces of art. After you experience a stroll through the park then head to the Sagrada Familia. This is Gaudi’s church that was created in 1883 and has yet to be completed. It is said to be completed sometime this century, but it’s a joke amongst locals and expat’s alike as to when exactly the church will be finished.

If you want to take a walk on the wild side then head over to the Barcelona Zoo which was founded in 1892. The zoo can be found in a beautiful park called the Ciutadella Park. The zoo itself has more than 7,500 kinds of animals. There is a small pygmy hippo and a strange anteater as well. The zoo takes much pride from its primate collection. There are tortoises, pelicans, and a red kangaroo. All of these delights can be photographed up-close without having to traveling to the swamp or desert! If you want to try something else for a change then the Aquarama Barcelona is a great place to start. This aquatic park is another world within the zoo. There are daily shows featuring bottlenose dolphins and all kinds of sea creatures. The Barcelona Zoo has an excellent reputation for its research and also is know for its captive breeding, as well as helping to preserved endangered species.

Take a strong down the center of old Barcelona on Las Ramblas. This is one of the best street shows in the world. It is full of gardens and bird for sale. The Boqueria is a beautiful fresh market full of anything you can imagine. You can buy fresh squid to the best chocolates and fruit shakes!

The 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona helped the city develop even more. For instance the location of the Olympic village is now full of shops and hotels. The Arts Hotel, Mapfre Tower, and the Nova Icaria Square are all there to enjoy. The twin towers can be seen all over the city and mark where this historical even took place.

About the Author:

Clinton Maxwell routinely writes reports on subjects relating to Costa Brava.

You might find out more about his writings on Barcelona Spain at

http://www.barcelona-information.com and many different sources for

Barcelona Spain tips.

Fun in Barcelona

Author: Robert T. Carlton

The personality of Barcelona, Spain has been formed by its long and ancient history and traditions, dating back to the Romans. The Arabs who settled in Barcelona left a special legacy that can still be seen today. This mixture of influences leaves us with beautiful cathedrals, temples and many other interesting buildings. It also influences the character of the people of Catalunya, as the region that includes Barcelona is known, in their strong, brave temperament. The "Community of Valencia" is made up of the cities of Barcelona, Tarragona, Girona and Lleida. This region rambles along the shore, ranging from the French border all the way to the Mediterranean coast.

With a coastline such as this, there is no wonder that this region attracts so many tourists. Famous for its beaches, lovely resorts and hotels and watersports, the region also boasts wonderful cultural and architectural treasures. One of the most popular destination for visitors is the Sacred Family or the Sagrada Familia in Placa de la Sagrada Square. Even non Spanish speakers call it the Sagrada Familia. What is the big attraction of it? The famed Spanish architect Antonia Gaudi decided to construct a church for the poor people. It was started in 1883 and he enlisted other architects to help him with this effort and got many people to donate money to build the church. In 1898, he thought that this special church should not resemble other churches, but should be one of the most unusual of the day.

The bell towers, which are traditionally square, he made round. Then he constructed them in such a way that they had a lot of holes, like Swiss Cheese. Saint Joseph's chapel, the east facade of the church, and the crypt were completed in 1923. Gaudi continued to work very hard on his beloved project until his death in 1926. He was, of course, buried in the crypt he himself designed. The work continued after his death, and though the bell towers and some other sections were completed, the church itself is still not completed. Gaudi's work, however, is seen throughout Barcelona: La Pedrera, Mila House and Guell Park are all his masterpieces. Sagrada Familia nevertheless remains Gaudi's prize architectural achievement.

You can obtain lots of information on Barcelona on the net or from your travel agent. Or, just go right to the tourist bureau when you arrive in Barcelona. Any one of these sources will lead you to all of the wonderful things to see and do in Barcelona. You can get information in just about any language about all of the museums,exhibitions, entertainment, restaurants, shopping, hotels, etc., including information about prices and schedules. Get a map showing all of the sites of interest and you will never get bored wandering around Barcelona and all it has to offer.

About the Author:

Robert Carlton's articles are published on quite a few web publications tied to information on Barcelona and Costa Brava. Sharing his passion in writings, the reviewer proofed his deep knowledge on news associated to Sagrada Familia.

Things To Do and See in Barcelona

Church of the Sacred Family

(Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia), Barcelona
This masterpiece of modernist architecture, built by Antoni Gaudi,

pushes the gothic style to the extreme, drawing hundreds of visitors a day.
Attraction type: Architectural building; Religious site; Lookout

Guell Park (Parc Guell), Barcelona
This playful urban park, the work of architect Antoni Gaudi, features peaceful

greens, winding paths and many sculptures and mosaics designed by Gaudi himself.
Attraction type: Historic home; Urban park; Architectural building; Fountain; Park

La Pedrera - Mila House (Casa Mila), Barcelona
Casa Mila is an amazing building within which you can spend a huge amount

of time without even noticing it passing by! In this building the roof is an

interesting area although the apartment is also...
Attraction type: Architectural building; Specialty museum; Bar/club; Museum; Landmark/point of interest

Picasso Museum (Museu Picasso), Barcelona
This museum is dedicated to the work of legendary painter Pablo Picasso,

showcasing over three thousand paintings, sculptures and drawings.
Attraction type: Art museum; Architectural building; Museum

Casa Batllo, Barcelona
Antoni Gaudi designed this building to look like St. George's dragon:

although it may only house tame offices today, its unique exterior

can still excite even the most stubborn imaginations.
Attraction type: Architectural building