Advantages: Architecture, a modernism jewel
Disadvantages: Acoustic.

...Hello people: After my first experiences writing for you in Ciao, and reading some diamond reviews, I've decided to start a serie of reviews about the city I'm living right now... Barcelona.... The serie is called Barceloning... from the verbe "To Barcelona" that means, enjoying one of world's amazing cities. Today I'm starting with maybe one of the greatest places in Barcelona: "El Palau de la Musica Catalana" (Catalonian Music Palace). In order to do that today we will have an interview with the famous historian Mr. McQuest, who will answer to all of our questions... Mr. McQuest, where is the Palau? MQ: The Palau is placed at "Carrer (Street in Catalá) de Sant Francesc de Paula, 2" Near to the Via Laietana. in the Barri Gotic. How can we get there? MQ: Let's see, by Metro, the closest station is: Urquinaona, if you decide... Read review

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Advantages: Less well known therefore less busy than other Gaudi sites
Disadvantages: Non really

...Palau Guell is one of Gaudi's creations that people often seem to overlook. It's tucked away on a side street just off the bottom end of the Rambla and being on a fairly narrow street you can easily miss it as you don't get the grand view of it that you do of some of the other attractions. However it is equally worthy of your attentions as any of the others and shows another side to Gaudi's diverse styles. The interior of this I can best describe as mediaeval and Gothic, with lots of dark carved wood panelling and details around. It's not at all like the more organic architecture of La Padrera or the Casa Batlo, different again to the infinitessimal detail of La Sagrada Familia, but still distinctly Gaudi. The entrance fee is very reasonable but you can't wander around at your own pace. You have to be guided around and parties... Read review

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Advantages: So much to see
Disadvantages: Finding somewhere to stay

...Barcelona is only 2-hour flight away and the fare including tax is only around £100 or less... What are you doing this weekend? Come to the beautiful seafront of Barcelona and enjoy the gentle sea breeze of Mediterranean Sea. You can even ride a cable car over the modern habour of Barcelona. It will take you to the clean sandy beaches (St Sebastia) just beyond the habour. The cable car also goes to a hill (Montjuic) where you'll find the vast Olympic Stadium (Estadi Olimpic), and a domed palace (Palau Nacional) which is now a museum of Catalan art. On top of the hill, there is a disused military fortress (Castell de Montjuic) that can be reached also by cable car. Up here, you'll appreciate the panoramic view of Barcelona city. To go down from Montjuic to street level, try the funicular railway (Funicular de Montjuic) or just walk down... Read review

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Advantages: See how people manage to survive in the wilds
Disadvantages: its just another survivial show

...IN the wake of Big Brother, all the current rash of Japanese style endurance shows seem like damp squibs. The much - hearalded SURVIVOR ( ITV), was a bit of a let down ( in my eyes anyway)- through one with slightly worrying Biggles in the Jungle overtones. Sixteen people were marooned in the South China Sea, all competing with one another to win £1 million. ( decent prize all the same ) It didn't take long before they were all ready to knife each other. ( not a wild surprise at all ) The team had hardly srambled across the sands of Palau Tiga before Nick, a former TA lientenant, was scheming to get rid of the rest of his team. The presence of a few women, among the money hungry hordes, brought a bit of bounce to the show, as they charged about in their bikinis ( ahh a bit of colour and excitment) but beyond that, the show... Read review

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Advantages: excellent, convienient location right on la Ramblas
Disadvantages: there werent any for me!

...fine, on the small size! I would definitely go back to the hotel, and happily recomend it. getting there - we got cheap flights from Bournemouth with Ryanair (£26.50, + 18 ish euros for a return ticket on Barcelona Bus from Girona airport right into the city to the bus station - and back). Barcelona is one of my favourite cities - so full of life & variety yet i think it caters for all tastes - its got the beach, the Olympic stadium, Art & Gaudi & Dali, tango, tapas & tons more. My favs: palau de la musica - stunning, Bar Pastis - tango nights tues & thurs, Casa Mila (La Pedrera) - gaudi's chimneys so magical if you get as dusk is just coming (check opening times!). Just writing this, I know now, I will be going back & staying again at Lloret - Barcelona is my fix & i want more. Hope you enjoy it too.... Read review

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Advantages: Sights & sounds
Disadvantages: Petty crime

...Boqueria, subject of the next article in the series, is a covered market that must be seen to be believed. The Museum of Erotica across the street has its fans - you know who you are! Admire the "Palau de la Virreina", "Gran Teatre del Liceu" and "Palau Güell". Finally, we reach the impressive Columbus Monument by the port. How about this for trivia - the discoverer of America is pointing in the wrong direction! La Rambla can seem a lot longer than a single mile, depending on the mime artists, puppeteers and human statues there on the day. During our frequent passages, we witnessed a fidgety Batman in an ill-fitting suit, a couple in authentic 17th century attire, a 70 year-old Rivaldo impersonator and ET! The pet stalls lining the avenue arouse mixed feelings of amazement and outrage at the sight of caged exotic creatures, from the mundane... Read review

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Advantages: Good starting point for visits
Disadvantages: Not especially important place

...installed at various points of Maria Cristina Avenue. The fundamental element, however, was the monumental fountain situated on a platform erected at the end of the avenue, with the perspective of the Palau Nacional as a backdrop. Here you have two options: - Go right to the Poble Espanyol The Poble Espanyol ("Spanish Village") responds to the initial idea of bringing together in the form of a "village",representative samples of the architecture of the various regions of Spain. Nowadays it has become a meeting-place for people who also want to enjoy theatrical shows or concerts or to share a good dinner with friends in one of the Village's restaurants -Go up to the Olympic Ring Montjuic mountain contains the sports facilities were remodelled to adapt them to the modern conditions demanded by the holding of the 1992 Olympic Games. The old... Read review

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Advantages: Great way to get a feel for Spanish life
Disadvantages: Long walk, need to concentrate of the map to find it

...We only picked up a pamphlet on our last day so it was thanks to fate that we were drawn to Poble Espanyol, helped by the brochure's 10 percent discount. We don't even know where we acquired it, but we are really pleased we found it, somewhere. Due to high summer temperatures we decided to have an afternoon siesta and venture out at 5pm and with all the walking ahead of us it was a wise decision. We took the underground and got off at Espanya underground, I think, and what a site to behold when coming up to the light of day: beautiful buildings alongside a water feature as far as the eye could see. That was up to the Palau Nacional, an impressive building which now numbers around 10 snaps in my picture gallery. To aid the feet, when you reach the top of what I think was called the Maria Christina Avenue, there are welcome... Read review

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Advantages: Spanish architecture
Disadvantages: Touristy

...the monumental Magic Fountain to the Palau Nacional. The latter is well worth visiting in its own right, as it houses the Catalonian National Arts Museum with a splendid Gothic and Romanesque art collection. A pleasant walk and 975ptas (~£3.90) later, and you're inside! Phew! The Plaza Mayor greets you on entry, a massive square containing cosy cafés and congregating crowds. It's the centre of all activity, and a fine place to peruse the guide and get your orientation. The guide is seriously invaluable as you explore the Poble, as I found the buildings to be poorly labelled. The Poble (amusingly pronounced to rhyme with "gobble" by our witty group!) proudly claims to be "a watercolour painting which portrays the different peoples and cultures of Spain, represented in the form of streets and squares, monuments and buildings". That statement... Read review

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Advantages: getting away from it all
Disadvantages: having to return to it all

..., Palau and Easter Island Since being a kid I have loved to turn pages in Rand McNallys and such, experiencing all these places I have dreamed of has on certain few occasions proved not worthwhile but considering the magnificent landscape and its inhabitants throughout the blue planet makes travelling a true rewarding and mind-opening pastime... Read review

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