Spain

Barcelona 

There really is nothing better than escaping London during the winter months, and even though I would normally not expect the weather conditions in Spain to be any better than England at that time of year, on arriving at Barcelona airport I was pleasantly surprised (14 degrees and sunny!). This made me feel a lot better after my impulse buy on www.voyageprive.com!

Places and food to eat: TAPAS TAPAS TAPAS! When in Barcelona, the best thing to do is veer off the beaten track - the best places to eat and drink are hidden down side alleys and plazas. Local wine is cheap and super yummy as is the local tapas ( I would personally highly recommend the manchago cheese!) Paella is another MUST!

For all you foodies, the Las Ramblas Market is a definite must see! Every form of meat, fish, cheese, fruit, juices, chocolate etc is readily available and right at your finger tips. Amelia and I spent an entire afternoon just wondering around and sampling different cuisine.

Places to visit: 
The top of the list would 100% be La Sagrada Familia (which I'm sure most people would suggest). By far my favourite European Cathedral! From the way the building is sculptured to the beautiful stain glass windows, this was a memorable experience!

I would also highly recommend walking up the mountain of steps to Parc Guell. Parc Guell was commissioned by Eusebi Guell who wanted to create a stylish park for Barcelona Aristocracy. The park contains amazing stone structures, stunning tiling and fascinating buildings produced by Gaudi. However its not just the structures that are amazing, the views are something to be appreciated as is the museum which is situated in the heart of the park. 

Parc Guell isnt the only impressive park in Barcelona - Parc de la Ciutadella is also beautiful and situation closely to other tourist hot spots including the Barcelona Zoo. Other sites to see in the park include the Catalan Parliment Buildings, Cascada fountains, Castel dels Tres Dragons and a boating lake! On a weekend the Parc is buzzing with people, picnicing on the grass and strolling through the gardens - its a great place to go and sit and watch the world go by. 

Take a wonder through the gothic quarter and visit the other Barcelona Cathedral . It is also the perfect place to find little restaurants for dinner or drinks - I would recommend the Plaza of Santa Maria - even though its fairly touristy, its beautiful at night time. 

If you have time, try and fit in a trip to Montjuic. Its another place to take in the spectacular Barcelona views.  It is also home to the Magic Fountains which are an amazing display of colour, light, motion, music and water acrobatics! There are also great exhibitions always running at Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya which is situated at the top of the hill. 

 Another thing to note is the shopping!! Zara especially is a store to be hit - prices are considerably lower than they are in London. Other places i would recommend are...

The Portal de l’Àngel - just off Placa de Catalunya, is lined with an endless array of shops selling the most exclusive brands of clothing and accessories. 



Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol is usually filled with street musicians, fortune-tellers and painters. This area is full of designer boutiques and handicraft shops that will definitely tempt you into buying.



Avinguda Diagonal is the place to look if you're after international fashion. Shops along here include Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani, Gianni Versace and Gucci. 



Les Glòries - close to the metro and situated on the Avinguda Diagonal is a huge commercial centre with 230 well-known shops, a multiplex cinema, bars and restaurants - the complex is spread over 3 levels.



The Centre Comercial Maremàgnum is a large American style shopping mall with shops, discos, bars, restaurants, rooftop mini golf course, cinemas and aquarium.  Located at the end of Moll de la Fusta open from 10am to 10 pm all-year round, and the only mall to be open on Sundays.  This is the perfect spot to find what you are looking for and experience fashion at its best. 



El Bulevard Rosa - Indoor arcade of over 100 shops in the heart of the Barri Gotic area - mostly clothes boutiques.  The side streets in the area are lined with a multitude of antique shops - visit Bulevard dels Antiquaris, which has more than 70 antiques shops, mostly furnishings, paintings, decorative items.



El Corte Inglés–spread over 9 floors and possibly the most important chain-store in Europe, can be found on the Plaça de Catalunya.



Diagonal Mar– At the end of the Avenida Diagonal can be found the newest and most modern commercial centre in Barcelona with more than 250 stores, cinemas, game spaces for children and a large public walkway with views to the sea.  The complex is split into convenient to use levels.  First floor White goods, TVs, and all your household goods.  Second floor for fashion, design and personal care and then the top floor for a good meal.



L’illa Diagonal - complex was the first commercial centre to be opened in the nineties.   Due to its size, it was known as the "Superblock".  Home to over 100 big-name shops the mall can be found on the Avenida Diagonal.  



La Maquinista- Catalonia’s largest and newest mall on three levels. The complex houses 225 shops, ranging from top-rung designers to ready-to-wear fashions There’s also a cinema, a bowling alley and a Carrefour hypermarket

I am hoping the next time i get to visit Barcelona will be in the summer so I can take a trip to the famous beaches! 

Till then, Bon voyage x