Description
Welcome to Spain: the land of bullfighters and flamenco dancers, fiestas and siestas and crispy churros con chocolate. Start off in Madrid, take in the sights and sounds of the Plaza Mayor or relax with a row around the pond in El Retiro. In Barcelona, once home to such influential artists as Picasso, Miró, and Dalí. No stop in this vibrant city is complete without a visit to Gaudí's architecturally intriguing Casa Batlló, Park Güell, and the Sagrada Familia.
Highlights and Inclusions
Welcome to Spain: the land of bullfighters and flamenco dancers, fiestas and siestas and crispy churros con chocolate. Start off in Madrid, take in the sights and sounds of the Plaza Mayor or relax with a row around the pond in El Retiro. In Barcelona, once home to such influential artists as Picasso, Miró, and Dalí. No stop in this vibrant city is complete without a visit to Gaudí's architecturally intriguing Casa Batlló, Park Güell, and the Sagrada Familia.
Highlights and Inclusions
- Accommodations: Madrid 3 nights and Barcelona 4 nights
- Breakfast daily except where noted otherwise
- Private arrival transfers
- Art Flamenco Show with Dinner
- Madrid City Tour with Royal Palace
- Madrid Paella, Tortilla, and Sangria Cooking Experience
- Barcelona Highlights Half Day Tour
- Tapas Evening Walking Tour
- Fast-Track Sagrada Familia Tour
- Montserrat, Tapas & Wine Tour from Barcelona
- Private departure transfers
Madrid - 3 nights
Stay at Gran Melia Palacio de los Duques
March 23: Arrive in Madrid
Arrive in Madrid and collect your bags. As you exit customs, a transfer representative will be waiting to take you to your hotel. The afternoon is yours to explore. In the evening, you'll attend a flamenco show with dinner included.
ART FLAMENCO SHOW AT CAFÉ CHINITAS WITH DINNER
Enjoy a traditional flamenco show at Cafe Chinitas with dinner. This 18th-century mansion hosts performances by some of flamenco's top virtuosos, as well as promising up-and-comers. The dinner menu includes an appetizer of olives, bread, and butter, followed by salad, paella, dessert, and a glass of sangria.
March 24:
Eat a hearty breakfast and head to your hotel lobby to meet the guide for your city tour. When you return, treat yourself to a traditional local meal like cocido Madrileño - a slow-cooked broth flavored with vegetables, chickpeas, chorizo, and pork.
MADRID CITY TOUR & ROYAL PALACE 9:00 AM
Highlights: Panoramic tour of Madrid by motorcoach plus an inside visit of the Royal Palace. Duration:
Approximately 4 hours Departure: 9:00am daily (except public holidays and official ceremony days)
March 25:
This morning, take some time to explore. People-watch in the Plaza Mayor, wander the paths and marble statues of Parque del Buen Retiro, or head to the Centro de Arte Reina Sofa to admire Picasso's "Guernica." In the afternoon, you're headed to cooking school!
MADRID PAELLA, TORTILLA, AND SANGRIA COOKING EXPERIENCE
Prepare yourself for a rip-roaring introduction to Spanish gastronomic culture! Your three-hour cooking experience begins with a trip to the food stalls of Torrijos Market, where your experienced chef-teacher will show you tips for picking the best local and seasonal products. When you return from the market, your chef will guide you through process of crafting paella, tortillas (Spanish omelets), Andalusian salad, and sangria - Spanish dishes that have influenced cuisines around the world. When you're finished, you'll taste your dishes with a sampling of Spanish wines. Your parting gift will be a recipe card, so you can recreate these delicious dishes in your own kitchen.
Stay at Gran Melia Palacio de los Duques
- A former 19th century palace with a prime location in the Madrid of the Austrias, next to the Royal Palace, the Teatro Real and the Almudena Cathedral, inspired by the work of the famous Spanish painter Velázquez and a member of the exclusive group “The Leading Hotels of The World”
- Spectacular, historically important garden measuring 1000 m², the only one of its kind in the heart of the city, a haven of peace and quiet, bursting with life and with an exceptional gastronomic offer
- Seasonal pool and whirlpool on the top floor overlooking the Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral and the famous district of the Austrias, with solarium and cocktail bar
- A large dining area with 3 restaurants: Coroa, Montmartre and Dos Cielos Madrid
- Thai Room Wellness center offering all kinds of massages and treatments and 24 hour Fitness Center
March 23: Arrive in Madrid
Arrive in Madrid and collect your bags. As you exit customs, a transfer representative will be waiting to take you to your hotel. The afternoon is yours to explore. In the evening, you'll attend a flamenco show with dinner included.
ART FLAMENCO SHOW AT CAFÉ CHINITAS WITH DINNER
Enjoy a traditional flamenco show at Cafe Chinitas with dinner. This 18th-century mansion hosts performances by some of flamenco's top virtuosos, as well as promising up-and-comers. The dinner menu includes an appetizer of olives, bread, and butter, followed by salad, paella, dessert, and a glass of sangria.
March 24:
Eat a hearty breakfast and head to your hotel lobby to meet the guide for your city tour. When you return, treat yourself to a traditional local meal like cocido Madrileño - a slow-cooked broth flavored with vegetables, chickpeas, chorizo, and pork.
MADRID CITY TOUR & ROYAL PALACE 9:00 AM
Highlights: Panoramic tour of Madrid by motorcoach plus an inside visit of the Royal Palace. Duration:
Approximately 4 hours Departure: 9:00am daily (except public holidays and official ceremony days)
March 25:
This morning, take some time to explore. People-watch in the Plaza Mayor, wander the paths and marble statues of Parque del Buen Retiro, or head to the Centro de Arte Reina Sofa to admire Picasso's "Guernica." In the afternoon, you're headed to cooking school!
MADRID PAELLA, TORTILLA, AND SANGRIA COOKING EXPERIENCE
Prepare yourself for a rip-roaring introduction to Spanish gastronomic culture! Your three-hour cooking experience begins with a trip to the food stalls of Torrijos Market, where your experienced chef-teacher will show you tips for picking the best local and seasonal products. When you return from the market, your chef will guide you through process of crafting paella, tortillas (Spanish omelets), Andalusian salad, and sangria - Spanish dishes that have influenced cuisines around the world. When you're finished, you'll taste your dishes with a sampling of Spanish wines. Your parting gift will be a recipe card, so you can recreate these delicious dishes in your own kitchen.
Barcelona - 4 nights
Stay at Eurostars Grand Marina GL
This luxurious hotel basks in its prime setting, lying at the heart of the mesmerising city of Barcelona. The hotel is situated just a short distance away from the cultural and historical centre of the city. Las Ramblas and Plaza Cataluña are located within easy access of the hotel. Links to the public transport network, as well as a vast array of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues can be found nearby. This wonderful hotel enjoys an attractive architectural design, blending effortlessly with its culturally-rich surroundings. The guest rooms are superbly appointed, offering a haven of peace and serenity in which to escape the bustle of the city which lies just outside. The rooms come complete with modern amenities for guests` comfort and convenience. Guests can enjoy a leisurely swim in the freshwater pool, or simply relax and unwind on the sun terrace.
March 26: Arrive in Barcelona
After lunch, meet your private driver in the hotel lobby for your ride to the train station. The train will take you to Barcelona, where you'll meet the transfer representative who will deliver you to your hotel. Take the evening to get acquainted with your surroundings.
March 27:
Take a half day tour of Barcelona this morning. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore. Take a walk to admire the facade of Gaudí's architecturally unique Casa Batlló, tour the Picasso Museum, or sample some traditional Catalan cuisine in El Raval. In the evening, meet up for your three-hour tapas walking tour.
BARCELONA HIGHLIGHTS HALF DAY TOUR
Highlights: Panoramic sightseeing tour with Monjuic cable car, Spanish Village and walking tour of Gothic
old city center. Duration: Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes Departure: 8:45 am
TAPAS EVENING WALKING TOUR IN BARCELONA
On this pre-dinner walking tour of Barcelona's famous tapas bars, you'll learn how to order tapas (bar snacks) and discover some of the best bars and cafes in the city. Your guide can also offer suggestions to help you get the most from your time in Barcelona. To start the tour, there will be a guided tasting of three selected Spanish products (cheese and/or cured meats with bread and a drink). Following this, your guide will lead you through La Rambla - a famous boulevard lined with tapas bars and restaurants - and La Boqueria - a food market with an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, cheese and meat. Next, you'll visit a restaurant offering a wide selection of local tapas. Here you will enjoy three tapas with a glass of wine, beer or cider. You'll continue through the Gothic Quarter, which will give you a glimpse of the architecture, atmosphere, language and gastronomy that are unique to Spain. Your last stop will be a bar where you'll enjoy four tasty tapas and a glass of wine.
March 28:
Don't forget to lace up your comfortable shoes for your late-afternoon guided tour of La Sagrada Familia. When it's over, stroll through the produce and food stands of the Mercat de la Boqueria or check out the evening happenings on the Rambla pedestrian boulevard.
FAST-TRACK GUIDED TOUR SAGRADA FAMILIA
Barcelona is known as the capital of Modernism and the home of famous architect Antoni Gaudí. His cathedral, La Sagrada Familia, is one of the most visited buildings in the world. This tour will walk you through the astonishing interior of this church, with its 18 symbolic towers and 230-foot vaulted ceilings. You will also visit the Sagrada Familia Museum, which houses drawings, plaster models, and photographs depicting the basilica's history and development.
March 29:
Begin your day with a private tour of the awe-inspiring Montserrat. When you return, grab a late lunch - maybe some black rice with garlic aioli - and head out to explore Barcelona on your own. Take in an FC Barcelona match at Camp Nou or spend a serene afternoon at the 14th-century Monastery of Pedralbes, now a museum of monastic life.
MONTSERRAT, TAPAS & WINE TOUR FROM BARCELONA
Highlights: Visit Montserrat's National Park and Sanctuary, learn about how wine is made while touring
Oller del Mas Cellar and partake in a wine tasting of 3 wines served with tapas. Duration: Approximately7 hours
Departure: 8:45AM daily
March 30:
Pack your bags and head to the hotel lobby to meet the driver who will take you to the airport. Reflect on how quickly your trip flew by, but recognize that the experiences you had are yours forever.
Stay at Eurostars Grand Marina GL
This luxurious hotel basks in its prime setting, lying at the heart of the mesmerising city of Barcelona. The hotel is situated just a short distance away from the cultural and historical centre of the city. Las Ramblas and Plaza Cataluña are located within easy access of the hotel. Links to the public transport network, as well as a vast array of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues can be found nearby. This wonderful hotel enjoys an attractive architectural design, blending effortlessly with its culturally-rich surroundings. The guest rooms are superbly appointed, offering a haven of peace and serenity in which to escape the bustle of the city which lies just outside. The rooms come complete with modern amenities for guests` comfort and convenience. Guests can enjoy a leisurely swim in the freshwater pool, or simply relax and unwind on the sun terrace.
March 26: Arrive in Barcelona
After lunch, meet your private driver in the hotel lobby for your ride to the train station. The train will take you to Barcelona, where you'll meet the transfer representative who will deliver you to your hotel. Take the evening to get acquainted with your surroundings.
March 27:
Take a half day tour of Barcelona this morning. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore. Take a walk to admire the facade of Gaudí's architecturally unique Casa Batlló, tour the Picasso Museum, or sample some traditional Catalan cuisine in El Raval. In the evening, meet up for your three-hour tapas walking tour.
BARCELONA HIGHLIGHTS HALF DAY TOUR
Highlights: Panoramic sightseeing tour with Monjuic cable car, Spanish Village and walking tour of Gothic
old city center. Duration: Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes Departure: 8:45 am
TAPAS EVENING WALKING TOUR IN BARCELONA
On this pre-dinner walking tour of Barcelona's famous tapas bars, you'll learn how to order tapas (bar snacks) and discover some of the best bars and cafes in the city. Your guide can also offer suggestions to help you get the most from your time in Barcelona. To start the tour, there will be a guided tasting of three selected Spanish products (cheese and/or cured meats with bread and a drink). Following this, your guide will lead you through La Rambla - a famous boulevard lined with tapas bars and restaurants - and La Boqueria - a food market with an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, cheese and meat. Next, you'll visit a restaurant offering a wide selection of local tapas. Here you will enjoy three tapas with a glass of wine, beer or cider. You'll continue through the Gothic Quarter, which will give you a glimpse of the architecture, atmosphere, language and gastronomy that are unique to Spain. Your last stop will be a bar where you'll enjoy four tasty tapas and a glass of wine.
March 28:
Don't forget to lace up your comfortable shoes for your late-afternoon guided tour of La Sagrada Familia. When it's over, stroll through the produce and food stands of the Mercat de la Boqueria or check out the evening happenings on the Rambla pedestrian boulevard.
FAST-TRACK GUIDED TOUR SAGRADA FAMILIA
Barcelona is known as the capital of Modernism and the home of famous architect Antoni Gaudí. His cathedral, La Sagrada Familia, is one of the most visited buildings in the world. This tour will walk you through the astonishing interior of this church, with its 18 symbolic towers and 230-foot vaulted ceilings. You will also visit the Sagrada Familia Museum, which houses drawings, plaster models, and photographs depicting the basilica's history and development.
March 29:
Begin your day with a private tour of the awe-inspiring Montserrat. When you return, grab a late lunch - maybe some black rice with garlic aioli - and head out to explore Barcelona on your own. Take in an FC Barcelona match at Camp Nou or spend a serene afternoon at the 14th-century Monastery of Pedralbes, now a museum of monastic life.
MONTSERRAT, TAPAS & WINE TOUR FROM BARCELONA
Highlights: Visit Montserrat's National Park and Sanctuary, learn about how wine is made while touring
Oller del Mas Cellar and partake in a wine tasting of 3 wines served with tapas. Duration: Approximately7 hours
Departure: 8:45AM daily
March 30:
Pack your bags and head to the hotel lobby to meet the driver who will take you to the airport. Reflect on how quickly your trip flew by, but recognize that the experiences you had are yours forever.
TBD
Gran Melia Palacio de los Duques, Madrid, Spain
Check-in: March 23
Check-out: March 26
Hotel Address : Cuesta de Santo Domingo, 5, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Telephone: +34 912 76 47 47
Family Room - Bed and Breakfast, 1 Family Room
Eurostars Grand Marina GL, Barcelona, Spain
Check-in: March 26
Check-out: March 30
Hotel Address : Moll de Barcelona, s/n, 08039 Barcelona, Spain
Telephone : +34 936 03 90 00
Triple Superior - Bed And Breakfast, 1 Triple Superior
Check-in: March 23
Check-out: March 26
Hotel Address : Cuesta de Santo Domingo, 5, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Telephone: +34 912 76 47 47
Family Room - Bed and Breakfast, 1 Family Room
Eurostars Grand Marina GL, Barcelona, Spain
Check-in: March 26
Check-out: March 30
Hotel Address : Moll de Barcelona, s/n, 08039 Barcelona, Spain
Telephone : +34 936 03 90 00
Triple Superior - Bed And Breakfast, 1 Triple Superior
Madrid
Art Flamenco Show with Dinner
Enjoy a traditional flamenco show at Cafe Chinitas with a drink. Some of flamenco's top virtuosos and young promises perform regularly in this 18th century mansion.
Sample dinner includes:
Olives, bread and butter
Cafe Chinitas Salad
Cafe Chinitas Paella
Dessert
Sangria
This tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Passengers must contact the local sightseeing company upon arrival to reconfirm their tour.
Duration:
Approximately 2 hours
Meeting point:
Torija 7
Ending point:
Torija 7
Departures:
7:30pm daily except Sundays
Not included:
Transportation, entrances other than Flamenco Show, gratuities
Madrid City Tour with Royal Palace
The best tour to get acquainted with the city. Madrid shows the multiple contrasts inherited through the History. You will be able to find the medieval origins of the city, like the Arabic fortress, at the Barrio de la Morería, characterized by the antiquity of its buildings and the taste of its typical restaurants. We will also cover the Hapsburg Madrid of Felipe II, with its Renaissance and Baroque buildings walking and making pictures on Calle Mayor, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa. Then, we will also see the Bourbon Madrid and the urban layout made by Carlos III, the Royal Palace, the Cibeles Fountain, Neptune Fountain and the Puerta de Alcalá. We will also visit the works from the kingdom of Joseph Bonaparte on the 19th century, such as Prado Museum. We will get to know the contemporary Madrid on areas such as Gran Vía, Paseo de la Castellana, Barrio Salamanca, Plaza de Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as the commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, like the emblematic Ventas Bullring or Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Next, we will visit the Royal Palace, which was built in the XVIII century upon the ancient Baroque Italian style fortress of the Habsburg. It is one of the most beautiful and best preserved palaces in Europe and a symbol of the permanence and consolidation of Madrid as the capital of the Kingdom. The Palace was the official residence of the Spanish Monarchy from 1765 to 1931. To date, the most stunning receptions of the Spanish Crown are celebrated here: audiences, dinner parties, signature of agreements and the traditional ceremony of presentation of Credential Letters from foreign ambassadors to His Majesty the King.
This tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Passengers must contact the local sightseeing company upon arrival to reconfirm their tour.
Duration:
Approximately 4 hours
Meeting point:
Julia Travel San Nicolas Street, 15
Ending point:
Royal Palace
Departures:
9:00am daily
Not included:
Return transportation to hotel, entrances other than Royal Palace, lunch, gratuities
Madrid Paella, Tortilla, and Sangria Cooking Experience
Enjoy this fun introduction to the Spanish gastronomic culture. You will learn how to cook Paella, Tortilla, Sangria, and more Spanish food. After taking this class you will be ready to prepare these most famous Spanish recipes at home. Learn how to cook Spanish dishes that have travelled the world, with the help of an experienced chef. Once you meet at a meeting point, your cooking experience can start. Learn how to cook Spanish dishes that have travelled the world. You will cook them yourself with the aid of an experienced chef, in a small group. At the beginning you will visit fresh food stalls Torrijos Market (Mercado de Torrijos), where the chefs will give you plenty of tips on picking local, seasonal products. Then you can start cooking dishes like Paella, Spanish omelet (Tortilla), Andalusian salad, Sangria, all while enjoying & learning about Spanish cuisine. After you have prepared your dishes, you can taste them, while trying different Spanish wines. Before leaving, your instructor will give you a recipe card so that you can re-create the food yourself at home to impress friends and family!
This tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Passengers must contact the local sightseeing company upon arrival to reconfirm their tour.
Duration:
Approximately 3 hours
Meeting point:
General Díaz Porlier, 8 (Metro station Goya) Mercado de Torrijos, 2nd floor. Cooking school.
Ending point:
General Díaz Porlier, 8 (Metro station Goya) Mercado de Torrijos, 2nd floor. Cooking school.
Departures:
12:00 pm Monday through Friday
Not included:
Transportation, food and drinks not specified in the inclusions, gratuities
Barcelona
Barcelona Highlights Half Day Tour
Enjoy the most emblematic sights the city has to offer. We will start with a sightseeing tour from the bus that will take you up Passeig de Gracia, where you will see the most famous Gaudi houses, casa Battlo and La casa Mila (La Pedrera) as well as other majestic buildings of the Modernism era.
We will take you to the sea where you will be able to admire the intense changes the city underwent with the organization of the Olympic Games in 1992. You will drive by the Olympic Village, the Olympic Port, the beach and the fisherman’s quarter, the Port Vell, Plaza de Colon with its famous Columbus monument. This point is also the beginning of the famous Ramblas of Barcelona. We will continue the visit driving up Mountjuic where you will enjoy a cable card ride with beautiful views of the city. The bus will pick you up at the last station, and we will continue our Mountjuic visit passing by the sports facilities built for the 1992 Olympic games: the Lluis Company's stadium, the Palau Sant Jordi, the Olympic swimming pool Picornell until we get to the Spanish Village. We will visit this charming place where you will admire a collection of traditional buildings from all over Spain.
After the visit of the Spanish Village, we will go back down to the city center. During the drive back you will be able to admire the Venetian Towers, the Mountjuic fountains, the MNAC and the CC, Las Arenas rebuilt over the ancient Plaza de Toros.
We will arrive at the Plaza de Catalunya, the starting point of the guided walking tour of the old city center. Our guide will take you through the narrow street of the Gothic quarter and plaza Sant Jaume where the city hall is located and the headquarters of the Catalonian government. Our tour finishes in the city center at a 10-minute walk from the Julia Travel office.
This tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Passengers must contact the local sightseeing company upon arrival to reconfirm their tour.
Duration:
Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes
Meeting point:
Julia Travel Bus Terminal Balmes 5
Ending point:
Plaza de Catalunya
Departures:
8:45 am daily
Not Included:
Transportation to/from hotel, entrance to Gothic Cathedral, lunch, gratuities
Tapas Evening Walking Tour
This pre-dinner walking tour of Barcelona's famous tapas bars shows you how to order tapas (bar snacks) and provides an opportunity to discover some of the best bars and cafes in the city. Your guide can also offer suggestions to help you get the most from your time in Barcelona. To start the tour, there will be a guided tasting of 3 selected Spanish products (cheese and/or cured meats with bread and a drink). Following this, your guide will lead you through La Rambla (a famous street with tapas bars and restaurants) and La Boqueria (a food market with an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, cheese and meat). Next, the tour will take you to a restaurant offering a wide selection of local tapas. Here you will enjoy 3 tapas with a glass of wine, beer or cider. You will continue through the Gothic Quarter, where you will discover the architecture, atmosphere, language and gastronomy that are unique to Spain. Your last stop will be a bar where 4 tasty tapas and a glass of wine, cava or beer will be waiting for you.
This tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Passengers must contact the local sightseeing company upon arrival to reconfirm their tour.
Duration:
Approximately 3 hours
Meeting point:
Tours, Tapas & Friends Gastronomic Center, Pintor Fortuny 12 Street (in front of Silken Ramblas Hotel
Ending point:
Santa Caterina Market
Departures:
5:00pm daily except Sundays
Not included:
Transportation to/from hotel, food and beverages other than those mentioned, gratuities
Fast-Track Sagrada Familia Tour
Barcelona is known as the capital of Modernism and the place where the famous architect Antoni Gaudi worked and lived. Gaudi, one of the greatest innovators of his time, has left behind numerous treasures for the discerning tourist to discover in Barcelona.
The Sagrada Familia is one of the most visited buildings in the world. We will visit the astonishing interior of this church, where vaults reach seventy meters. Antoni Gaudi designed a Latin cross plan with five aisles, extremely rich in ornamentation and symbolism. We will also visit the Sagrada Familia Museum, where you will see drawings, plaster models and pictures about the history and development of this basilica from its early beginnings to the present day. The museum will also give valuable information about Antoni Gaudi´s life and career.
This tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Passengers must contact the local sightseeing company upon arrival to reconfirm their tour.
Duration:
Approximately 1 hours 30 minutes
Meeting point:
Julia Travel Office at Calle Sardenya 311
Ending point:
Sagrada Familia
Departures:
12:00PM daily
Not Included:
Transportation to/from hotel, meals, beverages, gratuities
Montserrat, Tapas & Wine Tour from Barcelona
Visit Montserrat's National Park and Sanctuary, learn about how wine is made while touring Oller del Mas Cellar and partake in a wine tasting of 3 wines with tapas.
The first stop on the tour will be 1 hour in Montserrat where your guide will share information while you enjoy spectacular views and approximately a half hour of free time for the souvenir shop, shopping at the Farmer's Market or taking pictures of the Stairway to Heaven. Next, we will proceed to Oller del Mas Castle and its winery, which is situated on over 1000 acres. Your will learn about how wine is made when your guide takes you to visit the cellar and walk around the vineyards. You will have the opportunity to taste 3 wines served with tapas before returning to Barcelona.
This tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Passengers must contact the local sightseeing company upon arrival to reconfirm their tour.
Duration:
Approximately 7 hours
Meeting point:
Plaza Catalunya 21 in front of Hard Rock Cafe (look for a bright pink umbrella)
Ending point:
Same as meeting location
Departures:
8:45AM daily
Not Included:
Transportation to/from hotel, lunch, gratuities
Art Flamenco Show with Dinner
Enjoy a traditional flamenco show at Cafe Chinitas with a drink. Some of flamenco's top virtuosos and young promises perform regularly in this 18th century mansion.
Sample dinner includes:
Olives, bread and butter
Cafe Chinitas Salad
Cafe Chinitas Paella
Dessert
Sangria
This tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Passengers must contact the local sightseeing company upon arrival to reconfirm their tour.
Duration:
Approximately 2 hours
Meeting point:
Torija 7
Ending point:
Torija 7
Departures:
7:30pm daily except Sundays
Not included:
Transportation, entrances other than Flamenco Show, gratuities
Madrid City Tour with Royal Palace
The best tour to get acquainted with the city. Madrid shows the multiple contrasts inherited through the History. You will be able to find the medieval origins of the city, like the Arabic fortress, at the Barrio de la Morería, characterized by the antiquity of its buildings and the taste of its typical restaurants. We will also cover the Hapsburg Madrid of Felipe II, with its Renaissance and Baroque buildings walking and making pictures on Calle Mayor, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa. Then, we will also see the Bourbon Madrid and the urban layout made by Carlos III, the Royal Palace, the Cibeles Fountain, Neptune Fountain and the Puerta de Alcalá. We will also visit the works from the kingdom of Joseph Bonaparte on the 19th century, such as Prado Museum. We will get to know the contemporary Madrid on areas such as Gran Vía, Paseo de la Castellana, Barrio Salamanca, Plaza de Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as the commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, like the emblematic Ventas Bullring or Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Next, we will visit the Royal Palace, which was built in the XVIII century upon the ancient Baroque Italian style fortress of the Habsburg. It is one of the most beautiful and best preserved palaces in Europe and a symbol of the permanence and consolidation of Madrid as the capital of the Kingdom. The Palace was the official residence of the Spanish Monarchy from 1765 to 1931. To date, the most stunning receptions of the Spanish Crown are celebrated here: audiences, dinner parties, signature of agreements and the traditional ceremony of presentation of Credential Letters from foreign ambassadors to His Majesty the King.
This tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Passengers must contact the local sightseeing company upon arrival to reconfirm their tour.
Duration:
Approximately 4 hours
Meeting point:
Julia Travel San Nicolas Street, 15
Ending point:
Royal Palace
Departures:
9:00am daily
Not included:
Return transportation to hotel, entrances other than Royal Palace, lunch, gratuities
Madrid Paella, Tortilla, and Sangria Cooking Experience
Enjoy this fun introduction to the Spanish gastronomic culture. You will learn how to cook Paella, Tortilla, Sangria, and more Spanish food. After taking this class you will be ready to prepare these most famous Spanish recipes at home. Learn how to cook Spanish dishes that have travelled the world, with the help of an experienced chef. Once you meet at a meeting point, your cooking experience can start. Learn how to cook Spanish dishes that have travelled the world. You will cook them yourself with the aid of an experienced chef, in a small group. At the beginning you will visit fresh food stalls Torrijos Market (Mercado de Torrijos), where the chefs will give you plenty of tips on picking local, seasonal products. Then you can start cooking dishes like Paella, Spanish omelet (Tortilla), Andalusian salad, Sangria, all while enjoying & learning about Spanish cuisine. After you have prepared your dishes, you can taste them, while trying different Spanish wines. Before leaving, your instructor will give you a recipe card so that you can re-create the food yourself at home to impress friends and family!
This tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Passengers must contact the local sightseeing company upon arrival to reconfirm their tour.
Duration:
Approximately 3 hours
Meeting point:
General Díaz Porlier, 8 (Metro station Goya) Mercado de Torrijos, 2nd floor. Cooking school.
Ending point:
General Díaz Porlier, 8 (Metro station Goya) Mercado de Torrijos, 2nd floor. Cooking school.
Departures:
12:00 pm Monday through Friday
Not included:
Transportation, food and drinks not specified in the inclusions, gratuities
Barcelona
Barcelona Highlights Half Day Tour
Enjoy the most emblematic sights the city has to offer. We will start with a sightseeing tour from the bus that will take you up Passeig de Gracia, where you will see the most famous Gaudi houses, casa Battlo and La casa Mila (La Pedrera) as well as other majestic buildings of the Modernism era.
We will take you to the sea where you will be able to admire the intense changes the city underwent with the organization of the Olympic Games in 1992. You will drive by the Olympic Village, the Olympic Port, the beach and the fisherman’s quarter, the Port Vell, Plaza de Colon with its famous Columbus monument. This point is also the beginning of the famous Ramblas of Barcelona. We will continue the visit driving up Mountjuic where you will enjoy a cable card ride with beautiful views of the city. The bus will pick you up at the last station, and we will continue our Mountjuic visit passing by the sports facilities built for the 1992 Olympic games: the Lluis Company's stadium, the Palau Sant Jordi, the Olympic swimming pool Picornell until we get to the Spanish Village. We will visit this charming place where you will admire a collection of traditional buildings from all over Spain.
After the visit of the Spanish Village, we will go back down to the city center. During the drive back you will be able to admire the Venetian Towers, the Mountjuic fountains, the MNAC and the CC, Las Arenas rebuilt over the ancient Plaza de Toros.
We will arrive at the Plaza de Catalunya, the starting point of the guided walking tour of the old city center. Our guide will take you through the narrow street of the Gothic quarter and plaza Sant Jaume where the city hall is located and the headquarters of the Catalonian government. Our tour finishes in the city center at a 10-minute walk from the Julia Travel office.
This tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Passengers must contact the local sightseeing company upon arrival to reconfirm their tour.
Duration:
Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes
Meeting point:
Julia Travel Bus Terminal Balmes 5
Ending point:
Plaza de Catalunya
Departures:
8:45 am daily
Not Included:
Transportation to/from hotel, entrance to Gothic Cathedral, lunch, gratuities
Tapas Evening Walking Tour
This pre-dinner walking tour of Barcelona's famous tapas bars shows you how to order tapas (bar snacks) and provides an opportunity to discover some of the best bars and cafes in the city. Your guide can also offer suggestions to help you get the most from your time in Barcelona. To start the tour, there will be a guided tasting of 3 selected Spanish products (cheese and/or cured meats with bread and a drink). Following this, your guide will lead you through La Rambla (a famous street with tapas bars and restaurants) and La Boqueria (a food market with an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, cheese and meat). Next, the tour will take you to a restaurant offering a wide selection of local tapas. Here you will enjoy 3 tapas with a glass of wine, beer or cider. You will continue through the Gothic Quarter, where you will discover the architecture, atmosphere, language and gastronomy that are unique to Spain. Your last stop will be a bar where 4 tasty tapas and a glass of wine, cava or beer will be waiting for you.
This tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Passengers must contact the local sightseeing company upon arrival to reconfirm their tour.
Duration:
Approximately 3 hours
Meeting point:
Tours, Tapas & Friends Gastronomic Center, Pintor Fortuny 12 Street (in front of Silken Ramblas Hotel
Ending point:
Santa Caterina Market
Departures:
5:00pm daily except Sundays
Not included:
Transportation to/from hotel, food and beverages other than those mentioned, gratuities
Fast-Track Sagrada Familia Tour
Barcelona is known as the capital of Modernism and the place where the famous architect Antoni Gaudi worked and lived. Gaudi, one of the greatest innovators of his time, has left behind numerous treasures for the discerning tourist to discover in Barcelona.
The Sagrada Familia is one of the most visited buildings in the world. We will visit the astonishing interior of this church, where vaults reach seventy meters. Antoni Gaudi designed a Latin cross plan with five aisles, extremely rich in ornamentation and symbolism. We will also visit the Sagrada Familia Museum, where you will see drawings, plaster models and pictures about the history and development of this basilica from its early beginnings to the present day. The museum will also give valuable information about Antoni Gaudi´s life and career.
This tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Passengers must contact the local sightseeing company upon arrival to reconfirm their tour.
Duration:
Approximately 1 hours 30 minutes
Meeting point:
Julia Travel Office at Calle Sardenya 311
Ending point:
Sagrada Familia
Departures:
12:00PM daily
Not Included:
Transportation to/from hotel, meals, beverages, gratuities
Montserrat, Tapas & Wine Tour from Barcelona
Visit Montserrat's National Park and Sanctuary, learn about how wine is made while touring Oller del Mas Cellar and partake in a wine tasting of 3 wines with tapas.
The first stop on the tour will be 1 hour in Montserrat where your guide will share information while you enjoy spectacular views and approximately a half hour of free time for the souvenir shop, shopping at the Farmer's Market or taking pictures of the Stairway to Heaven. Next, we will proceed to Oller del Mas Castle and its winery, which is situated on over 1000 acres. Your will learn about how wine is made when your guide takes you to visit the cellar and walk around the vineyards. You will have the opportunity to taste 3 wines served with tapas before returning to Barcelona.
This tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Passengers must contact the local sightseeing company upon arrival to reconfirm their tour.
Duration:
Approximately 7 hours
Meeting point:
Plaza Catalunya 21 in front of Hard Rock Cafe (look for a bright pink umbrella)
Ending point:
Same as meeting location
Departures:
8:45AM daily
Not Included:
Transportation to/from hotel, lunch, gratuities
Overview of Madrid
Madrid may be lacking in architectural beauty compared with some other major Spanish cities, but it makes up for this with its boundless energy, blue skies, art, culture, and an exhilarating and exhausting nightlife which will delight party animals. The city is compact and easy to navigate on foot; most of the touristic sights of interest are found in the downtown area between the Royal Palace and Parque del Retiro.
The capital of Spain since 1562, Madrid sits in the geographic centre of the Iberian Peninsula and has long been an important stop on any art tour through Europe. The famous Museo del Prado on the city's 'Museum Mile' houses important works by Spanish and European masters from the Renaissance onwards, while the Museo Thyssen-Bornemiza houses one of the most extensive private collections in the world. The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia is devoted to 20th century Spanish art, with works by Miro, Dali and Picasso, and completes the holy trinity of Madrid's art world.
Visitors wishing to take a break from all that art may want to see the Plaza de Toros, Spain's largest bullring, where regular bullfights are still held. Sports fanatics who like something a little less blood-thirsty can watch Real Madrid, or Atletico Madrid, two of Spain's most famous football teams, kick off. Madrid is also home to some gorgeous plazas and parks which are worth exploring.
Getting around in Madrid
Madrid is easy to get around and is served by an extensive network of buses, a modern and efficient metro, and trains. Taxis are plentiful and cheap although a list of surcharges will increase the fare. Visitors should check that the meter isn't already running and is in working order, as foreigners are often the victims of overcharging. The quickest way to get around is on the fast and very efficient metro that reaches most places and operates from 6am to 1.30am, although it is best to avoid rush hours. Otherwise the comprehensive bus network is there to fill in the gaps from 6am to midnight. Buses have designated lanes so they are able to avoid traffic congestion, and night buses operate after midnight. The 10-trip ticket package allows for cheaper travel and is valid on both the metro and buses. The Madrid Card also entitles the holder to free public transport. Driving in Madrid is best avoided because it is unnecessarily stressful when public transport is so cheap and convenient. The city is very compact and it is best to walk when possible; most of the touristic sights of interest are found in the downtown area between the Royal Palace and Parque del Retiro.
Shopping in Madrid,
Madrid offers arguably some of the best shopping in not only Spain but also Europe, and with so many shopping districts all touting their own specialities, visitors can find just about anything and everything! With small, specialised stores, boutiques and antique shops as well as the slightly bigger department stores and bustling food markets, Madrid is a shopper's paradise.
The city's answer to Bond Street, dubbed 'the golden mile', Salamanca is one of Madrid's most glamorous places to indulge yourself and stretch your credit card's legs, while Chueca is filled with trendy fashion stores. El Corte Ingles at Sol is by far the most convenient place for shopaholics to get their fix, selling all kinds of goods from high fashion to regional foods like Chorizo (spicy sausage) and Turron (a kind of nougat). One of the most popular markets is Rastro, attracting Madrileños and tourists alike. It has become famous for its antique stalls, second hand goods, jewellery and unreliable electrical goods and is held every Sunday from morning until mid-afternoon.
Most shops close on Saturday afternoons and in July and August some small shops close completely. On Sunday, a handful of shops open their doors as well as some of the larger stores and small cake shops. Practically everything in Spain closes for siesta for at least two hours during the hottest part of the day and the usual reopening hours are from around 4.30pm to 8pm.
Tourists from outside the EU can apply for a tax refund on goods bought within Spain. A sales tax (VAT) of 16 percent is levied on most goods and services in the country and the specified minimum amount spent before claiming a refund is €90.16 in Spain. Shoppers can also purchase goods from shops participating in the 'Europe Tax-free Shopping' programme and they should look out for the ETS logo displayed in shops' windows.
Dining Overview
Madrid overflows with dining options, from sophisticated restaurants specializing in cocina alta (haute cuisine) to intimate tabernas and small eateries serving a full plate of Spain's regional specialties. International cuisines are also well-represented.
Before lunch or dinner, Madrilenos like to consume tapas—small snacks attractively displayed on the bar or counter and eaten as appetizers. Tapas can be anything from a few olives or a Spanish omelette to a dish of calamari. The custom is to hop from one bar to another to sample each place's specialty. Old Madrid is thick with tapas bars, especially around Plaza Mayor, in the vicinity of Puerta del Sol (Calle de Tetuan) and a few blocks southeast, near Plaza de Santa Ana (Calle de la Victoria and Alvarez Gato).
Dining hours run relatively late: 7-11 am for breakfast, 1-4 pm for lunch and 9 pm-midnight for dinner. Making reservations for lunch and dinner in most restaurants is a good idea, especially on weekends. Most central restaurants offer set-price menus at midday Monday-Friday for office workers and tourists, but evening menus are usually a la carte. Upscale restaurants require men to wear jackets and ties.
A service charge is sometimes included on the bill, and this is indicated on the menu. Tipping is certainly well appreciated, although not obligatory, especially if you're not happy with the service.
Notable Restaurants
Restaurante DCorazon
Metro Bistro
Meson
Bahiana
Los Galayos
Madrid may be lacking in architectural beauty compared with some other major Spanish cities, but it makes up for this with its boundless energy, blue skies, art, culture, and an exhilarating and exhausting nightlife which will delight party animals. The city is compact and easy to navigate on foot; most of the touristic sights of interest are found in the downtown area between the Royal Palace and Parque del Retiro.
The capital of Spain since 1562, Madrid sits in the geographic centre of the Iberian Peninsula and has long been an important stop on any art tour through Europe. The famous Museo del Prado on the city's 'Museum Mile' houses important works by Spanish and European masters from the Renaissance onwards, while the Museo Thyssen-Bornemiza houses one of the most extensive private collections in the world. The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia is devoted to 20th century Spanish art, with works by Miro, Dali and Picasso, and completes the holy trinity of Madrid's art world.
Visitors wishing to take a break from all that art may want to see the Plaza de Toros, Spain's largest bullring, where regular bullfights are still held. Sports fanatics who like something a little less blood-thirsty can watch Real Madrid, or Atletico Madrid, two of Spain's most famous football teams, kick off. Madrid is also home to some gorgeous plazas and parks which are worth exploring.
Getting around in Madrid
Madrid is easy to get around and is served by an extensive network of buses, a modern and efficient metro, and trains. Taxis are plentiful and cheap although a list of surcharges will increase the fare. Visitors should check that the meter isn't already running and is in working order, as foreigners are often the victims of overcharging. The quickest way to get around is on the fast and very efficient metro that reaches most places and operates from 6am to 1.30am, although it is best to avoid rush hours. Otherwise the comprehensive bus network is there to fill in the gaps from 6am to midnight. Buses have designated lanes so they are able to avoid traffic congestion, and night buses operate after midnight. The 10-trip ticket package allows for cheaper travel and is valid on both the metro and buses. The Madrid Card also entitles the holder to free public transport. Driving in Madrid is best avoided because it is unnecessarily stressful when public transport is so cheap and convenient. The city is very compact and it is best to walk when possible; most of the touristic sights of interest are found in the downtown area between the Royal Palace and Parque del Retiro.
Shopping in Madrid,
Madrid offers arguably some of the best shopping in not only Spain but also Europe, and with so many shopping districts all touting their own specialities, visitors can find just about anything and everything! With small, specialised stores, boutiques and antique shops as well as the slightly bigger department stores and bustling food markets, Madrid is a shopper's paradise.
The city's answer to Bond Street, dubbed 'the golden mile', Salamanca is one of Madrid's most glamorous places to indulge yourself and stretch your credit card's legs, while Chueca is filled with trendy fashion stores. El Corte Ingles at Sol is by far the most convenient place for shopaholics to get their fix, selling all kinds of goods from high fashion to regional foods like Chorizo (spicy sausage) and Turron (a kind of nougat). One of the most popular markets is Rastro, attracting Madrileños and tourists alike. It has become famous for its antique stalls, second hand goods, jewellery and unreliable electrical goods and is held every Sunday from morning until mid-afternoon.
Most shops close on Saturday afternoons and in July and August some small shops close completely. On Sunday, a handful of shops open their doors as well as some of the larger stores and small cake shops. Practically everything in Spain closes for siesta for at least two hours during the hottest part of the day and the usual reopening hours are from around 4.30pm to 8pm.
Tourists from outside the EU can apply for a tax refund on goods bought within Spain. A sales tax (VAT) of 16 percent is levied on most goods and services in the country and the specified minimum amount spent before claiming a refund is €90.16 in Spain. Shoppers can also purchase goods from shops participating in the 'Europe Tax-free Shopping' programme and they should look out for the ETS logo displayed in shops' windows.
Dining Overview
Madrid overflows with dining options, from sophisticated restaurants specializing in cocina alta (haute cuisine) to intimate tabernas and small eateries serving a full plate of Spain's regional specialties. International cuisines are also well-represented.
Before lunch or dinner, Madrilenos like to consume tapas—small snacks attractively displayed on the bar or counter and eaten as appetizers. Tapas can be anything from a few olives or a Spanish omelette to a dish of calamari. The custom is to hop from one bar to another to sample each place's specialty. Old Madrid is thick with tapas bars, especially around Plaza Mayor, in the vicinity of Puerta del Sol (Calle de Tetuan) and a few blocks southeast, near Plaza de Santa Ana (Calle de la Victoria and Alvarez Gato).
Dining hours run relatively late: 7-11 am for breakfast, 1-4 pm for lunch and 9 pm-midnight for dinner. Making reservations for lunch and dinner in most restaurants is a good idea, especially on weekends. Most central restaurants offer set-price menus at midday Monday-Friday for office workers and tourists, but evening menus are usually a la carte. Upscale restaurants require men to wear jackets and ties.
A service charge is sometimes included on the bill, and this is indicated on the menu. Tipping is certainly well appreciated, although not obligatory, especially if you're not happy with the service.
Notable Restaurants
Restaurante DCorazon
Metro Bistro
Meson
Bahiana
Los Galayos
Overview of Barcelona
The enchanting city of Barcelona is a visual delight, and has an atmosphere that combines elegance and sophistication with provincial charm. In exploring its streets you'll discover medieval romance in its Gothic quarter and the awe-inspiring delights of the fantastic and sometimes outrageous Art Nouveau architecture of Gaudi and his contemporaries.
The funicular up to Tibidabo, or the cable car up Montjuic, both offer breathtaking views over this attractive city. Its skyline is perhaps most famous for Antoni Gaudi's masterwork, the still incomplete church of the Sagrada Familia, as well as the city's huge Gothic cathedral. The artistic legacy of Barcelona is one of the city's most appealing attributes, with museums containing extensive collections of the works of Miro and Picasso. Barcelona is also a shopper's paradise, with the city's flair for style reflected in its numerous boutiques and markets, open late into the evenings. As the sun sets, and the city's many bars and restaurants open, the night truly comes alive. Dinner is served at any time between nine o'clock and midnight, and the festivities around the bars and nightclubs carry on well into the early hours of the morning.
Barcelona is the commercial centre of the popular holiday region known as the Costa Brava, the northernmost Mediterranean seafront in Spain, as well as the Costa Dorada to the south. The coast is dotted with popular resort towns, many retaining their age-old charm, which can be easily reached from the city.
Getting around in Barcelona
Barcelona's excellent transport system includes the metro, buses, trains, funiculars and cable cars; tickets for all (except night buses) are transferable across the system. The metro is the fastest and most efficient way to get around the city, except during the rush hour when it becomes very crowded. The bus network is extensive and is easy to master with a transport map. Night buses take over from about 10pm to 6am. During summer the hop-on hop-off Bus Turistic links all the main sights and tourist destinations. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive and are a good option especially late at night, but charge extra for a number of things - ask for a receipt. Hiring a car is unnecessary and frustrating within the city, but can be useful if planning daytrips outside the city.
Shopping in Barcelona
Barcelona is a shopper's playground. A three-mile (5km) shopping route runs from Las Ramblas, through Placa de Catalunya, along Passeig de Gràcia, and up Avenue Diagonal. Most of it is pedestrianised and pleasant to navigate on foot. The Tomb bus is a service specifically tailored for shoppers in the city, covering all the major retail centres; it departs every seven minutes from Catalonia Square and makes 28 stops up until Placa Pius XII. Tickets can be bought on the bus.
Barcelona is a very fashion conscious place and several big names such as Giorgio Armani, Burberry and Bally are represented in exclusive stores in the city while there are also local Spanish mega-fashion stores like Zara, Mango and Adolfo Dominguez. Travellers on a budget might want to take advantage of seasonal sales. Winter sales officially start around 10 January and summer sales around 5 July; savings are generally high, between 50 to 70 percent, during these sales.
Shops in Barcelona open at about 9am and close between 8pm and 9pm daily. Some shops close for a lunchtime siesta between 2pm and 4pm.
Non-EU visitors to Spain have a little extra incentive to bring souvenirs home: tax free shopping. So long as the goods bought are items that can be taken back to your country with you and the bill exceeds €90, you will make a saving of 18 percent on purchases. Look out for the Tax Free signs in shop windows.
Dining in Barcelona
In 2002 Barcelona was awarded the title of most gourmandcity in Europe by the prestigious Le Guide des Gourmands, the first non-French city so named in the 15 years of the publication's run (at the time). Being the capital city of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, Barcelona's restaurants specialise in the delicious Catalan cuisine, typically flaunting the extensive use of garlic, olive oil and fish for many kinds of meals. It is not uncommon to find fish mixed with red meat in a stew. The pa amb tomàquet(bread smeared in tomato and seasoned with olive oil and salt) is a signature Catalonian delicacy served with every meal in most restaurants. Tapas, now popular worldwide, originated in Spain, and these bite-sized treats are a firm favourite in the city of Barcelona.
Catalonia is a premier wine region for Spain and the birthplace of Cava sparkling wine. Dark red grapes in the region make for the darker 'black' wine, or vi negre, a stronger red concoction. Dry white wines come second to the Cava in popularity among tourists and locals alike.
Barcelona's restaurants usually open around 8am (if they are open for breakfast that is) and typically remain open until midnight. Supper hours are very late, with most residents opting to dine between 9pm and 10pm.
Notable Restaurants
Botafumeiro
Can Majo
Viena
ABAC
The enchanting city of Barcelona is a visual delight, and has an atmosphere that combines elegance and sophistication with provincial charm. In exploring its streets you'll discover medieval romance in its Gothic quarter and the awe-inspiring delights of the fantastic and sometimes outrageous Art Nouveau architecture of Gaudi and his contemporaries.
The funicular up to Tibidabo, or the cable car up Montjuic, both offer breathtaking views over this attractive city. Its skyline is perhaps most famous for Antoni Gaudi's masterwork, the still incomplete church of the Sagrada Familia, as well as the city's huge Gothic cathedral. The artistic legacy of Barcelona is one of the city's most appealing attributes, with museums containing extensive collections of the works of Miro and Picasso. Barcelona is also a shopper's paradise, with the city's flair for style reflected in its numerous boutiques and markets, open late into the evenings. As the sun sets, and the city's many bars and restaurants open, the night truly comes alive. Dinner is served at any time between nine o'clock and midnight, and the festivities around the bars and nightclubs carry on well into the early hours of the morning.
Barcelona is the commercial centre of the popular holiday region known as the Costa Brava, the northernmost Mediterranean seafront in Spain, as well as the Costa Dorada to the south. The coast is dotted with popular resort towns, many retaining their age-old charm, which can be easily reached from the city.
Getting around in Barcelona
Barcelona's excellent transport system includes the metro, buses, trains, funiculars and cable cars; tickets for all (except night buses) are transferable across the system. The metro is the fastest and most efficient way to get around the city, except during the rush hour when it becomes very crowded. The bus network is extensive and is easy to master with a transport map. Night buses take over from about 10pm to 6am. During summer the hop-on hop-off Bus Turistic links all the main sights and tourist destinations. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive and are a good option especially late at night, but charge extra for a number of things - ask for a receipt. Hiring a car is unnecessary and frustrating within the city, but can be useful if planning daytrips outside the city.
Shopping in Barcelona
Barcelona is a shopper's playground. A three-mile (5km) shopping route runs from Las Ramblas, through Placa de Catalunya, along Passeig de Gràcia, and up Avenue Diagonal. Most of it is pedestrianised and pleasant to navigate on foot. The Tomb bus is a service specifically tailored for shoppers in the city, covering all the major retail centres; it departs every seven minutes from Catalonia Square and makes 28 stops up until Placa Pius XII. Tickets can be bought on the bus.
Barcelona is a very fashion conscious place and several big names such as Giorgio Armani, Burberry and Bally are represented in exclusive stores in the city while there are also local Spanish mega-fashion stores like Zara, Mango and Adolfo Dominguez. Travellers on a budget might want to take advantage of seasonal sales. Winter sales officially start around 10 January and summer sales around 5 July; savings are generally high, between 50 to 70 percent, during these sales.
Shops in Barcelona open at about 9am and close between 8pm and 9pm daily. Some shops close for a lunchtime siesta between 2pm and 4pm.
Non-EU visitors to Spain have a little extra incentive to bring souvenirs home: tax free shopping. So long as the goods bought are items that can be taken back to your country with you and the bill exceeds €90, you will make a saving of 18 percent on purchases. Look out for the Tax Free signs in shop windows.
Dining in Barcelona
In 2002 Barcelona was awarded the title of most gourmandcity in Europe by the prestigious Le Guide des Gourmands, the first non-French city so named in the 15 years of the publication's run (at the time). Being the capital city of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, Barcelona's restaurants specialise in the delicious Catalan cuisine, typically flaunting the extensive use of garlic, olive oil and fish for many kinds of meals. It is not uncommon to find fish mixed with red meat in a stew. The pa amb tomàquet(bread smeared in tomato and seasoned with olive oil and salt) is a signature Catalonian delicacy served with every meal in most restaurants. Tapas, now popular worldwide, originated in Spain, and these bite-sized treats are a firm favourite in the city of Barcelona.
Catalonia is a premier wine region for Spain and the birthplace of Cava sparkling wine. Dark red grapes in the region make for the darker 'black' wine, or vi negre, a stronger red concoction. Dry white wines come second to the Cava in popularity among tourists and locals alike.
Barcelona's restaurants usually open around 8am (if they are open for breakfast that is) and typically remain open until midnight. Supper hours are very late, with most residents opting to dine between 9pm and 10pm.
Notable Restaurants
Botafumeiro
Can Majo
Viena
ABAC