Hotel Eurostars Barbera Parc 26 August for 7 nights, per person including flights
from £229
Hotel Eurostars Barbera Parc 10 September for 7 nights, per person including flights
from £269
AS Bellaterra 08 October for 7 nights, per person including flights
from £198
Seen the sights then chill out on the beach
Barcelona – a cultural awakening
Located on the Mediterranean Coast, this city has a rich history dating back to the Roman Empire. Barcelona is really a collection of multi-faceted, diverse cities and is becoming known as a very modern, chic city, yet preserving its historic Gothic centre. With its spectacular cathedrals, medieval streets, plentiful museums and rich culture it has something to offer everyone. The beauty of this city is that if the pace is too much the beach is just a hop away!
A cutting edge city, Barcelona is always one step ahead of the game. When it comes to art and culture there’s no better place to be.
There is so much personality to explore in Barcelona that it is not the place to go for a peaceful and relaxing break, but if you’re looking for a progressive city with plenty to see and do then Barcelona holidays might be right up your street.
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and is also the second largest city in Spain. It is situated between the Mediterranean beaches and the hills of Montjuic and therefore has plenty to offer in terms of views and surroundings.
But for most people who visit Barcelona, the views and surroundings come secondary to the culture, diversity and the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the city. You only need to walk along the Ramblas, where musicians, live statues and interesting characters dwell to find that out. A quick wander down here can confirm just how unusual and quirky this city is.
Barcelona holidays are full of energy as the bars, restaurants, clubs and culture to be explored seem never ending. The Gothic Quarter of the city, Barri Gotic, adds character with its medieval buildings all gathered within the 4th century Roman walls and they contrast perfectly with the more modern aspects of the city.
It’s certainly a city from which a lot can be learned and if you’re looking for a city break where you can be enriched and have your cultural horizons broadened, then Barcelona holidays are a fantastic choice.
If there’s one thing which attracts visitors from all over the world to the city of Barcelona, it’s the architecture. As previously mentioned, the Gothic Quarter is a fascinating area of the city but there’s also the wonderful works of Antoni Gaudi to leave you breathless. For example, his rooftop sculptures are truly inspirational.
While on Barcelona holidays visitors are simply spoiled for choice when it comes to museums and galleries in the city. The Picasso Museum is Barcelona’s most visited museum and it displays both Picasso’s early works of realistic drawings as well as his later, more cubist style art. The National Art Museum of Catalonia is another favourite and is the best place to see pre-modern art.
A stroll in the park allows you to contemplate how utterly soaked Barcelona is in history and culture. And if you choose Parc Guell, it is another chance to marvel at some impressive stone structures. These are more works by Antoni Gaude and to get a proper view of them and of Barcelona as a whole, ensure you go to the top of the park where the panoramic view is spectacular.
The Sagrada Familia is another building which has to be seen to be believed. It took Gaudi more than 40 years to build and is still not actually complete. The spectacular building is in the centre of Barcelona and has become immediately recognisable to visitors to the city.
The city boasts pleasant warm, dry summers; perfect for Barcelona holidays. But there can be the occasional storm during the month of August. Temperatures in summer rarely peak above 27 degrees and they usually stay around 23 degrees.
As well as traditional Spanish food, you can experience something a little different on your Barcelona holidays. If you really want to test your taste buds, the city is right at the cutting edge of cuisine, with native chef Ferrán Adria leading the way with some innovative recipes and cooking styles. Of course, if you want to stick to tradition, then there are plenty of restaurants offering the classic garlic and tomato inspired dishes as well as a few seafood recipes too. And of course, there is always some delicious paella to sample while on your Barcelona holidays.
Travel in Barcelona
Getting around while on your Barcelona holidays is relatively simple. There is a metro system as well as a reliable bus network and trams running through the city. The underground metro system is great for getting around the city quickly and easily but if you want to see the city as you travel, then you may wish to travel by bus; you could even opt for an open topped tourist bus if you want the full experience. As well as these traditional methods of transport, you can also take a ride on the city’s cable cars.
However, the locals are now taking full advantage of Bicing. This is the name of a new programme which was designed to tackle climate change and traffic congestion in the city. People taking short routes on a daily basis are encouraged to obtain a user card which entitles them to take a bike from one of the stations situated across the city – there are 100 all together. They can then use it for their journey and leave it at another station in the city.
What not to miss on your Barcelona Holidays
1.Take a shopping trip in the city and be inspired by the trend setters that walk the streets here. With plenty of unusual boutiques popping up all around Barcelona it’s easy to see why the people here are at the cutting edge of fashion.
2. Being immersed in the culture and art of the city on your Barcelona holidays can lead you to forget that you are also right by the sea front. And Barcelona’s sea front has plenty going on too. Enjoy the beaches lined with palm trees and perhaps visit the impressive aquarium and nearby restaurants for some delicious sea food.
3. The Magic Fountain of Montjuic was designed by Carles Buigas and displays some stunning water acrobatics set to music with some beautiful lighting and colours.
4. Many chocoholic visitors to Barcelona agree that the city provides some of the best hot chocolate you will ever taste. Often very thick and creamy, the drink is served with churros for dipping.
30/07/10 - Grab a Hotel Deal in Barcelona - Prices for Today Only!
Hotel Front Air Congress Aeropuerto
Staying between 28 September and 01 October
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Silken St. Gervasi
Staying between 28 September and 01 October
From £78per night.
Hotel Palace
Staying between 28 September and 01 October
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Splendom Suites
Staying between 28 September and 01 October
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Occidental Reding Hotel
Staying between 28 September and 01 October
From £133per night.
W Barcelona
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Barcelona – a cultural awakening 
