4.8.13

Barcelona Barcelona


Well it was better than the movie.
Barcelona is a must see this summer (or spring,winter,autumn) if you ask me.

Why had I skipped this city? So vibrant, so relaxed, so cheerful and energizing. I never wanted to come back.

I was actually there for a business trip elongated to the weekend with Yucel flying in.It did turn out that I began dreaming about one month of stay there painting, eating, swimming in the long and lazy days of the summer.

Without further ado, some travel notes that I hope you'll find useful:

  • Hotel:Casa Fuster (@Passeig de Gracia 132, 08008 Barcelona)
  • Food:
1. El Xampanyet (@Carrer de Montcada, 08003, Barcelona). For some informal tapas. Great for cheese and wine.
2.Alta Taberna Paco Meralgo (@Carrer de Muntaner 171, 08036, Barcelona). More upbeat kind of tapas, less informal but great food nonetheless.
3. Cuines Santa Caterina (Avda. Francesc Cambo 16, Mercat Santa Caterina 08003 Barcelona). This was my discovery on the first day in Barcelona. After wrecklessly walking the streets for hours I found myself in this restaurany ordering some food and a glass of wine, accompanied by some warm bread fresh out of the oven.
4. Canete- Barra y Mantel (@C/ de la Unio 17, 08001 Barcelona). Again great place for tapas ... There was also an amazing paella place ...
  •  Shopping: I am sure it is a heaven for some. I didnt get much opportunity, yet in walking the steets I came across this small handmade clothes making shop with even a workshop during my time of visit called El Calaix. (@c.esquirol 4, 08003, Barcelona)
  • For the art lovers: Gaudi is everywhere-well almost.Parc Guell,Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila La Pedrera, Casa Batlio are some highlights. I visited the Parc (very touristic but the gardens next door full of lavenders are beautiful!) and had a sneak preview at La Pedrera for a non-Gaudi exhibition. There is also the Miro and Picasso Museums. But with its architecture , flamenco nights, street artists and graffiti Barcelona is a 360 culture & arts experience. 
 From its beaches to nightlife, amazing food to random street parties,I would definitely want to go back to this city. Here's some pics:
























1.7.13

Food Markets in Barcelona: La Boqueria and Santa Caterina Markets

Barcelona in June was an amazing experience.
A post will follow up shortly on the whole trip. But before I do that I wanted to tease with some snapshots from two markets that nearly blew my mind.

Mercat de Santa Caterina
Av Francesc Cambó, 16, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Opening Hours: 07.30am- 2.00pm

La Boqueria

Rambla, 91, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

Opening Hours: 09.30 am -5.30pm
I will let the pictures do the talking... Enjoy your tour of the most glamourous, gleaming, multi-coloured food markets in Europe.