Eurostars Gaudi, Barcelona

Advantages: Great architecture, free parks, easy to move around the city, great atmosphere
Disadvantages: Beware of pick-pockets and dodgy areas

...the day your likely to enjoy it and come across various odd little places - somewhat reminiscent of the little streets in Venice. The highlights of the city have to be the fantastic and hallucingenic buildings and fountains by Gaudi. His magnificent fountain in the main park of the city is a must see. Again - easy to find and get to. The rest of the park is pleasant also, with odd buildings scattered around and a picturesque lake. Also worth the effort (and it is a considerable effort - with lots of steps (although there are some outdoor escalators, but they are badly maintained and often broken) and the feeling you will never get there) is Gaudi's mad-cap Park Guell. Climb right to the top, following a well signposted route, and get the most fantastic view of Barcelona. Then head downwards and see various odd buildings - complete... Read review

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Advantages: Free, great views, stunning Gaudi architecture
Disadvantages: On a steep hill, can get very busy, lots of people flogging rubbish

...The various works of celebrated Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi is one of the highlights of Barcelona but I find that it is quite difficult to enjoy and appreciate some of the buildings partly because of the area in which they are situated and partly for reasons such as the huge amount of scaffolding that permanently shrouds the exterior of the Sagrada Familia cathedral , for example. A good way to escape the city, at least for a while, and to get a better view of some of Gaudi's work is to visit Parc Güell , to the north of the city centre. Its best described as an architectural garden in which you can see some of Gaudi's most exciting work but it's also a good place to catch some pretty amazing views of the city, right across to the port. Free admission and no queuing to get in are other benefits of visiting Parc Güell instead... Read review

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Advantages: More than just travel details
Disadvantages: Oh God! He's a train spotter!

...REVISED (19/10/03) TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE OPENING OF THE FIRST SECTION OF HIGH SPEED LINE IN KENT. I thought I?d already written about Eurostar, but that was a trip to Brussels, so I won?t be forced to resurrect it. With the first section of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) open (since 28th September), this seems like as good a time as any to take stock, as I?ve now been to Brussels three times and Lille twice (yesterday being the last time. We went there for lunch at ?À L?Huitrière?* ? ?550 for four! Decadent? Moi?). *probably the best meal I?ve had in living memory, but I digress. Sorry, Paris lovers, you can take the place and stick it ?where the sun don?t shine?. If I wanted to get insulted and generally sh*t on, I could stay in London, where at least I?m somewhat more fluent in the local language. On the subject... Read review

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