La Sagrada Familia by Antonio Gaudi

Posted on Thursday, May 19, 2011

La Sagrada Familia is one of Gaudi's most famous works in Barcelona. My husband & I visited Barcelona a few years ago. While there, we had the opportunity to visit the Church of the Sagrada Familia. It is something you could talk about forever. The architecture is amazing & indescribable. It is a giant temple that has been under construction since 1882 and will not be completed until 2041. There are generations of workers who will never see its completion.

The detailing of the building is exquisite. You can go to the top of one of the towers, which is definitely worth doing. While stepping onto a little balcony, you can see one of the most spectacular views you will encounter in Barcelona. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions and a MUST-SEE masterpiece of Antonio Gaudi. Be one of the hundreds of visitors each day. It is well worth the visit!

Written by: Angie Sternberg, Travel Constultant

Madrid & Barcelona Vacation: Monograms

Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2011

Madrid & Barcelona:  Monograms allows you the chance to discover Spain independently, at your own pace & in your own style. Combine ancient tradition with the exuberance of a progressive seaport city & you’ve got the most visited destination in Spain, Barcelona! From medieval fortresses & cathedrals to Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia & the exciting Las Ramblas area. Simply dive right in as colorful architecture, brilliant cultural performances & charming people await. Then travel westward to Madrid, a city bursting at the seams with world-class arts, grand historical architecture & exhilarating nightlife. Wander through its museums, enjoy tapas, sangria & dance until dawn as Madrid’s vitality & warmth show you why Spain is one of the most popular destinations in the world. Monogram vacations also offer the assistance of a local host who provides authentic service and support, helping travelers feel more at ease while in Spain. Prices from $1,639 pp

Barcelona: Centre of Art and Architecture

Posted on Friday, April 22, 2011

A major centre of art and architecture in Europe, Barcelona never fails to impress visitors.

The capital of the Catalunya region is unique in the world. It’s easy to explore on your own or take a guided tour to learn more about the artists who lived here and their work.

These are the highlights:

• The Church of the Sagrada Familia is Barcelona’s most famous landmark and the masterpiece of Spain’s greatest 20th-century architect, Antoni Gaudi. The very unusual church is still under construction following Gaudi’s modernist plans.
• Other Gaudi structures include Casa Batlló, Park Guell and Gaudi Casa-Museu, the pink castle-style house where Gaudi lived, now a museum.
• The Museu Picasso displays works from the master’s formative years. It is a few blocks off the Ramblas in the narrow streets of the old town.
• The Miro Foundation was a gift from the artist Joan Miro to his native city. The striking white building showcases Miro’s contemporary art.
• Magnificent mosaic tile work is characteristic of the Palau de la Música Catalana found on the Carrer de Sant Francesc de Paula in old Barcelona. This concert hall in modernist style was designed by Lluis Domènech i Montaner and built between 1905 and 1908.
• The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya displays art from the Catalan region dating from the Middle Ages to the 1940s.
• The Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona features art from the main movements of 20th century art mostly from Spain and the region of Catalunya.
• Immerse yourself in Surrealism by taking a day trip to nearby Figueras, Salvador Dali’s birthplace and home of the impressive Dali museum.

Everywhere you turn in this stylish city you’ll see something of interest. Barcelona is certainly not to be missed by those who appreciate art, architecture and design.

Barcelona Travel Facts

Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2011

An unforgettable city dating back to Roman times, Barcelona is Spain's dynamic capital and the cradle of Catalan culture. From Gaudi's magnificent architectural masterpieces-like Park Güell, Casa Batlló, and the Sagrada Familia church-to the Gothic Quarter, Picasso Museum, and F.C. Barcelona football stadium, Barcelona's rich culture is apparent everywhere you look. Stroll along the famed Las Ramblas to enjoy the ambiance and street entertainers. Take a tram trip up to the top of Tibidabo for panoramic views of the city below. Shop along the Passeig de Gracia at the most well-known boutiques in Barcelona. And be sure to join the locals at the Barri Gotic for a great selection of tapas and wine bars.

Quick Facts:

Population: 1.6 million
Language: Spanish
Currency: The Euro 1€ = 100 Cents
Time Zone: GMT +1

Popular Sights:

Museu Picasso - The museum has the most important works by the young Pablo Picasso, focusing on the years that he lived in Barcelona.
La Sagrada Familia - Still unfinished, this Cathedral is the work of Barcelona’s design genius Antoni Gaudi.
Barri Gótic - The center of old Barcelona, this district is filled with cafés, bars and medieval buildings from the 14th and 15th centuries. You’ll also find the Barri Gótic Cathedral – one of Spain’s greatest Gothic buildings.
La Pederra - Designed by Gaudi this apartment block is one of the world’s architectural wonders with its uneven stone design and wave effect. Visitors can tour the building and from the roof enjoy spectacular views over the city. There is also a museum dedicated to Gaudi’s work located in the building.
La Rambla - This boulevard is for pedestrians only and is filled with performers, street sellers, a bird market, the Mercat de la Boqueria (Europe’s best produce market) as well as an opera house.

Shopping:

Barcelona is rated among Europe's cities of style and is a meeting place for the fashion-conscious. You’ll find everything from books to jewels to haute couture and designer furniture – generally at a lower price than in cities like London and Paris. Several flea markets can also be found in squares around the town center. Gifts ideas available throughout the city are fans, shawls and castanets.

Food:

Barcelona enjoys a variety of high-quality seafood, meat, poultry, game, fruit and vegetables. The combinations of produce are unusual and good dishes to look out for include oca (goose) and canalons (Catalan cannelloni). Desserts include crema catalana (custard with a carmel crust) and mel i mató (cottage cheese and honey). Catalonia has many great wines particularly from Penedès, Costers del Segre, Alella and Perelada. Sangria, a wine and fruit punch sometimes laced with brandy, is a popular drink with locals.

Enjoy Barcelona's Cuisine

Posted on Monday, December 20, 2010

Paella is the Spanish national dish.  It is a combination of seafood, chicken and vegetables mixed together over a saffon-flavored rice. Typical Catalonian cuisine focuses on fish dishes such as Zarzuela, up to a dozen different types of seafood are used in this dish which is served in a brandy and wine sauce. For dessert, try Crema Catalania, the local version of Caramel Custard. 

Try a Sangría, a blend of red wine, brandy, orange juice, mineral water and fruit. Cava is the world-renown Spanish Champagne produced in the Penedés region just outside Barcelona.  Priorato is a popular local red wine.

Tipping:  In most restaurant a 10% gratuity is acceptable.  Remember that when meals are included with your tour, gratuities have been taken care of for you.