Barcelona, Spain

The old town of Barcelona's (Ciutat Vella) is at the centre of the now great city. There are many small neighbourhoods within, and all have their own special little character of olde-worlde. The narrow streets and overhanging buildings make it a delight to visit

And to give it a touch of bohemian atmosphere, it is populated by students, artists and foreigners alike. With its warm climate, being on the Mediterranean it is easy to see how and why this city thrived in the past and will thrive in the future.

Barcelona has a great sense of history, but don't be fooled into thinking it is only a place for hunting historical muse. This place has a copious amount of trendy bars, concert halls, and excellent restaurants serving food from round the world, and o course... being by the sea, plenty of fresh fish dishes to choose from.

My personal favourite area to give you a deep feel of the old town is Barceloneta (Little Barcelona). Just off the coast, this neighbourhood has apartments you can rent in some of the oldest (up to 7 stories high) apartment blocks in the city. This area was originally a fisherman's quarter. Since the Olympics in 1992 there has been much renovation and investment especially along the sea front, and this is an ideal place for a not too expensive break away.

Just along the road is the world renound Las Ramblas: a long and wide parade from Plaça Catalunya down to the sea front full of restaurants and shops, and art galleries. Just off La Rambla is the notorious red-light area, Barri Xines, the medieval Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) home to the cathedral, the very peaceful Plaça del Pi , art galleries and lots of cafes serving delicious hot chocolate. Further east is the Born market, in La Ribera district.
El Monumento a Cristóbal Colón - Christopher Columbus monument at Plaza Portal de la Pau. It has a small lift up to the small public viewing gallery at the top, and is well worth the visit.

Moving further north, and a must of a visit is the extraordinary Sagrada Familia This controversial church, still unfinished because of the untimely death of its architect, Antoni Gaudí, in 1926, has become the city's most visited monument. But they are still building it with charitable funds and entrance fees. You could spend a good half day in there and still be awed when you leave.

With the Mediterranean climate being so mild and the seas calm, you can sail and windsurf all year round from Port Olímpic. From the harbor can take sightseeing tours of the city's waterfront and nearby coastline. Of course the fishing district offers excellent seafood restaurants.

Still at the seaside, the modern Maremagnum has busy bars with outdoor terraces, discos, shops and cinemas. This has been pushed hard since the Olympics of 1992. You'll also find trendy open-air music bars in Port Olímpic in the summer.

I'm sure this is only part of what we saw when we were there. If you like the warmth of the Mediterranean and the feel of a cosmopolitan city next to the relaxation of the seaside this is a must for a weekend break, or longer vacation. Have a look for hotels in Barcelona.