We travelled from Vienna to Barcelona with one of the intercontinental airlines, Berlin Air; it was efficient and relatively inexpensive (less than $100 pp Canadian). The terminal in Vienna is being overhauled and I don’t know about you, but JT and I have the uncanny ability to chose a flight that departs from the absolute farthest terminal in and out of the building. This was no exception; fortunately we were able to dump our weighty luggage early and manage the walk (and hobble) to the extreme farthest part of the temporary portable building (yes, this terminal was even farther from the actual terminal — it was outside the terminal!). Our drive from Budapest took two hours longer than it should have and we were both anxious not to miss the flight, we made it but we’re being boarded within 15 minutes of arrival! Thank goodness my dear Aunt made sandwiches which we gobbled down while speed-waiting! For some reason security did not care about food, just our documents which were pulled out and scrutinized. Oh, and my shoes! (nudge, nudge wink, wink my shoe buds Kristy and Charlie)
We rented an apartment with AirBnB that was in the Barri Gotic area (thanks for the tip for AirBnB, Charles – I’ll have a little surprise about Charles later!). The apartment was great, much as described on line and the bed was comfy, the kitchen had a coffee maker and a good fridge and the bathroom was modern and we had free wifi! The location was great too, within a short walk to La Rambla with the pedestrian boulevards with restaurants and shops.
Our first full day was kind of a bust, full fledged rain so we opted for a bus tour of the city — a great way to get to know what you want to see. We ended up getting the two day pass so that we could go back and see things more in detail, but we ended up just seeing new things. So much to see, so little time.
And that concludes our trip to Barcelona. I had additional photos showing a vista from a fort high above the city, but sadly the light didn’t really provide enough contrast and the photos were dull and boring. We’ll just have to return to Barcelona to get better photos!
It looks like you had a great time there. Barcelona is a wonderful city, it’s definitely in my top 3 places I’ve visited.
I can see your point about Gaudi. I personally like his style, it’s busy, but it looks unique, like you said “alien”. I like that.
Great looking tapas, I have a very nice book with tapas recipes, I’ll have to post some on my blog.
The only place that was a bit of a letdown was La Rambla, my Mom and my friends told me it was going to be unbelievable, but when I got there, it was just touristy stuff, like those statue-people and lots of artists.
The food was great and we found this awesome little pub or bar. It was in an alleyway, inside it was amazing. It was done in a gothic style and looked very fancy and played classical music. We loved it, until we got the bill for the drinks, then not so much.
The highlight of my trip there was Montserrat, we rode on a motorcycle to get there and the view and the atmosphere were really unique.
Spain is a great holiday destination and very cheap, if you live in England. £60 for a return ticket to Barcelona, I think that’s a good deal.
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Thanks Tudor, we like La Rambla and if you walked further north, it became far less touristy (lots of flower shops and such). We actually found the food and booze rather inexpensive, but then again we were expecting Paris prices and they were much more reasonable. Spain is definitely on my list to visit again, and I’d love to see Barcelona again, but then there are so many other places to visit.
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I can just imagine your shoes Eva! I didn’t bring any of my fun ones on this adventure…but will be on the next one for sure! (Mike and I are sneaking away together next month – yay!) This apartment looks like a great place to stay. I’m going to have to remember that for when we get to Europe one of these days. Off to catch up on more of your adventures. 🙂
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What a lovely time to sneak away, just before the mad rush of Christmas is upon us. The shoes are a real hassle point for me because I wear my shoes on an emotional level…they have to really feel like they go with the outfit otherwise the whole outfit is ruined (in my head, anyway). Shoe sole-mates understand, JT thinks I’m nuts, of course!
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Thanks for sharing Eva and I’m sorta with you about Gaudi…not necessarily my favorite.
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Thanks Jed, it is interesting but slightly disturbing at the same time. I wonder if that was the emotion he intended to solicit.
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Your room looks fabulous and in such a nice central part of the city!
I also find walking inside of the airports really tiring (unless you have only a cabin trolley). As for sandwiches, I think most companies (at least in Europe) don’t mind them, unless you have some liquid parts. I took a delicious BLT sandwich on my plane to Tokyo even though the control was strict (scan etc.). I haven’t had the time to take lunch so I was glad I could have my delicious sandwich as soon as we sat down.
Barcelona is one of the places I plan to visit and your post confirms it’s worth a short stay at least. I hope next time the weather will be nicer.
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Absolutely you must see Barcelona Sissi. It is very reasonable in costs too…particularly with your very strong Swiss Frank, it will be almost ‘free’ for you! ;-). I’d like to go back and see more of it for sure.
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Perfect location for the apartment – what a win! You had the best holiday and we’ve all enjoyed it with you:)
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Thanks Maureen, it was a very cool spot and the location was also perfect, a bit off the beat’n track so that it’s not noisy at night.
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I have never been to Barcelona, but it looks like your cute apartment was in a great location, and I loved the tour via your photos. I’ll have one of each of those tapas on that plate, please.
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Well, I highly recommend it Betsy and it’s a pretty reasonable city cost wise. I can hardly wait to go back.
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Eek, I gotta agree with you about the Gaudi architecture… *not* a fan at all. The buildings actually remind me a little of some of the buildings in Brussels… have you been there before? I was dragged around an “Art Nouveau” architecture tour by my ex-girlfriend once and we saw loads of buildings really similar to this.
I love the look of that apartment you stayed in… very chic!
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Thanks Charles, Brussels is somewhere I have always wanted to go to…sigh, someday.
Yes the Gaudi architecture is somewhat disturbing.
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I’ve been fortunate to have visited Barcelona twice and still have not managed to see all that I wanted. The Gaudi buildings/creations are really something to see, aren’t they? Such a beautiful, friendly city — and the food. Oh, the food! Thanks, Eva, for sharing your vacation with us.
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Thanks John, I forgot to mention how reasonable a city it is too…a good bottle of wine is only about 10E at a restaurant…much less expensive than Paris or Lyon!
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Okay, I’m ready to book a flight to Barcelona . . . but only if I can stay at the same cute little apartment. Guess I have to leave the ponytails at home. Can you watch them for me?
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The apartment has a windowless room with two beds as well Barb! But I sure wouldn’t want to be around for the complaining regarding the stairs as there is no lift! And I don’t mean the ponytails! 😉
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Eva, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you kindly Zsuzsa, it helps me relive my holidays which somehow seem a life time ago now.
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Why so many eyeballs/Security cameras on the exterior of the Olah hotel?. I am looking forward to your tapas from the “borrowed” menu.
You sure did a lot in a short time glad you are having grand time.
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Hi Norma, not sure of the reason but it would be cool if they were hooked up to the web to see what they are seeing! Barcelona is filled with rather unusual architecture all over!
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Only people with beautiful shoes are asked to remove them – that’s my theory! Barcelona looks amazing and like a city that you could stay for weeks and still not see all there is to offer. Beautiful architecture but I agree with you re Baroque – everyone in the sculptures looks like they’re being tortured. I prefer the Renaissance xx
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Thanks Charlie, your theory may indeed be true!
Yes, we could definitely go back to Barcelona for a week and still not see and do everything. I love tapas dinners too!
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Very nice…
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Thanks!
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