BARCELONA ON A SUNNY DAY

 BARCELONA  ON  A  SUNNY  DAY

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This week, we feature the home of nine (9) UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the beautiful and historic City of Barcelona, Spain. Our feature guest Traveler-Photographer is Edgar from Europe.

Introduction

Barcelona, Spain, is one of the most travelled cities in the world. In fact, millions of international tourists visit the city before the Pandemic. From zero tourism, so to speak, at the height of the pandemic, to millions of tourists when travel restriction was loosened up a bit. 

What is Barcelona? 

It was believed to have been founded by the father of Hannibal, Hamilcar Barca, around 230 B.C. and was given the name Barkenon. Both Hannibals were Carthaginian Generals who led the two Punic Wars against Carthage and Rome, Hannibal in circa 218-202, and Hamilcar on circa 264-241 BCE. Let's not worry about this. Let's go back to Barcelona, lol. There are a few legends about how Barcelona became what it is today but let us not dwell on it since our space is so small. 

The most important thing to remember is that Barcelona was the capital of the Republic of Spain from 1937 until 1939 - head of state was Niceto Alcala-Zamora.

Now, Spain is back to being a Monarchy, after the death of Generalissimo Francisco Franco in 1975. In 1978, the Spanish Constitution was re-established, and the Constitutional Monarchy was reinstated or restored. The first Spanish Monarch to return to the throne was King Juan Carlos. 

BARCELONA is rich in history, culture, and economic activity. It is the home of ancient

 historical sites and places that millions of tourists visit each year. 

What to do in Barcelona? 

There are so many things to do in Barcelona. It all depends on the number of days you will stay in this once upon a time ancient settlement and City of Spain. The following are possible activities you can do in Barcelona. 

*You can do a History and Culture Tour

*Gourmet Tour

*You can watch a Flamenco Dance Performance at Tablao Flamenco Cordobes, Barcelona in Las Ramblas 

*Go shopping at Arenas de Barcelona shopping center.

*Go on a city tour with one of those red colored Barcelona City Tour buses. 

*Ride the Green Tramway in Mont Serrat. 

*Visit the Market and purchase some local fruits and vegetables.

*Go for a Walking Tour of the Central Business District experience Tapas and Wine experience with any of the Bar and Restaurants of your choice.  (Tapas - peche peche food, snack food on small plates (maybe paper plates) and individually served. 

*Go on a Bike Ride around the city. 

*Go on a Sailing Adventure. Remember, Barcelona is located on the northeast coast of Iberian Peninsula, facing the Mediterranean Sea. 

*Go for a group Winery Tour and Wine Tasting. 

*Go to a nearby Jollibee, if there is any, lol.

*Visit the nine (9) UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Barcelona according to Catalan News. These heritage sites are as follows:  

1. Sagrada Familia - the famous unfinished Basilica which is dubbed as "the Bible made of stone". It is the masterpiece of architect Antoni Gaudi. (Pictured here on this page.)

2. Park Guell - is a garden located on the hills hanging over the city of Barcelona. The park is named after the greatest Catalan Entrepreneur Eusebi Guell i Bacigalupi, first Count of Guell, lived between 1846 until 1918. Photo below shows the iconic entrance to Park Guell, from https://en.wikipedia.org. 

Park Guell Entrance. Photo by Essetefano.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org 

3. Palau (Palace) Guell is a mansion located in the city center, a little distance from La Rambla Boulevard. It was built for the industrial tycoon Eusebi Guell. It is another Gaudi masterpiece. 

Palau Guell. Photo by Thomas Ledl. 

4. Casa Battlo is another magnificent masterpiece of Gaudi. The beautiful facade resembles a lake with water lilies floating on the surface. It is a must-see. This house was previously owned by Josep Batllo i Casanovas, a rich textile industrialist of his time. The house was designed by Antoni Gaudi in 1904. In 2009, the ownership of Casa Battlo was transferred to the Bernat Family. Bernat family owns the "Chupa Chups Lollipop Company". Most of the time you see this in the "loot can" of kids during Halloween.  In my research, a pack of Chupa Chups Lollipops is $6.14 for 16 Lollies.

Photo source - www.mypanier.com 

Casa Battlo. Photo by Christian Schd.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

5. Casa Mila is also known as La Pedrera meaning "the quarry" due to its stone-colored sandy look.

Casa Mila. Photo by Thomas Ledl own work.

Source:https://en.wikipedia.org

6. Casa Vicens is another major work by Gaudi here in Barcelona. Its structure is decorated with many motifs inspired by nature, reported the Catalan News.

Casa Vicens. Photo by Canaan own work.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

7. Colonia Guell and Gaudi's Crypt. This is a unique designed church with a crypt dedicated for Gaudi who also contributed much to the design of the village infrastructure thereat. 

Colonia Guell & Gaudi's Crypt.

Photo - Canaan Own work.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

8. Palau de la Musica Catalana. This beautiful palace played host to some of the most important musicians in the world, the Catalan News wrote. 

Palau de la Musica Catalana.

Look at how intricate, very complicated and detailed the artworks are. 

"Mapa Wow Ka."

Photo Tudoi61 Own work.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org

9. Modernist Enclosure of Hospital de Sant Pau. This is a hospital with intricately designed building. So beautiful that at one glance, I thought this is a palace. 

Photo by Thomas Ledl. 

From en.wikipedia.org

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You can visit this link for more information about what to see and what to do in Barcelona. 

For more information - click the link below: 

The BEST Barcelona Tours 2023 - FREE Cancellation | GetYourGuide

Or this link - Barcelona: 24 or 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour | GetYourGuide

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Where to eat? 

Where you stay in Barcelona, there are lots and lots of bars and restaurants that offer international cuisine.

*Italian - La Cocina de la Parejita Siciliana at Carrer de Benet, Mate57, 08034, Barcelona. 

*French - En Aparte' at C. Luis el Piados 2, Barcelona, Catalonia.

*American - Piel de Gallina Arago at C/ d'Arago, 37, 08007, Barcelona. Or you can look for McDonalds, Starbucks, KFC, Burger King, if there is any. 

*Asian - Mosquito, Kimchi Mama, Disoriente - Japanese Asian Fusion; Petit Bangkok, Thai Bistro 57; Mon Viet, Shanghai Stories, Gyoba, and Shular Hot Pot, among others. 

*Spanish Tapas (food) originated in Seville. Restaurants specializing in Tapas can be found anywhere in Barcelona.  

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Examples Tapas. 

Disclaimer:

We do not own the succeeding photos about Spanish Tapas. Owners of the photos are duly acknowledged hereunder. No copyright infringement intended. Thank you. 

Spanish Tapas Photo. 

Source: www.harryanddavid.com

Spanish Tapas Photo. 

Source: www.volunteerworld.com

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BARCELONA  ON  A  SUNNY  DAY

Photo Gallery

Traveler and Photographer - Edgar and Friends.

Our featured traveler-photographer Edgar shared some of the places he and his friends visited. Here are some of these:

Mont Serrat Rock Formation 

In Catalan, it means "serrated mountain". According to the culturedotcom, Mont Serrat was submerged (at the bottom of the sea) some 45 million years ago. Wow. 

Edgar and friends under the Barcelona sunshine. 

In the background is a portion of the serrated mountain of Mont Serrat. 

It is marvelous. (In Ilongo - "kailinit, wala pa ko da ka kadto", haha...) 

Sagrada Familia 

Would you believe that Sagrada Familia was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984? That recognition alone will encourage you to include this in your bucket list. It was beautifully designed by noted architect at that time, Antoni Gaudi. Construction began in 1882. It is considered as one of the tallest churches in the world at 560 feet or 170 meters.  The church was dedicated on November 7, 2010. The dedication was officiated by then Pope Benedict XVI. (Source:www.musement.com)

It looks like that the building is being refurbished. Not an easy job to finish it in 2026, I guess, lol.

Edgar has a great time with fellow "turista".

It's good to travel to Sunny Spain, I mean, Barcelona at this time, isn't it?

Macarena performed by Los del Rio, Espana.

Source: Jepoy Show & YouTube.

Green Tramway near Mont Serrat, Barcelona. 

One of the best ways to explore Barcelona is by joining the City Tour. 

How much does a city tour cost? Well, it depends on the tour operator. Prices may range from 30 Euros to 60 Euros. 

Hereunder is an example of Tours conducted by the Local Tour Guides. 

Please check online to find your affordable package tour. 

You can check this link here: 

Barcelona Tours with Local Private Tour Guides (toursbylocals.com)

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Arenas de Barcelona

Arenas de Barcelona

One of the most visited tourist spots is the Arenas de Barcelona. It was designed by architect August Fonti i Carreras, from Catalan. It was built in 1899-1900. It first served as an arena for Bullfight. That's why it is known as Placa de Toros de les Arenes. Please take note of the Parc de Joan Miro at the foreground of Arenas.

Arenas de Barcelona was reconstructed and designed into a commercial Centre in 2011 by Richard Rogers. The rooftop offers a very good view of the city, as reported by Barcelona Tourist Guide Dot Com. 

Arenas de Barcelona is colorful at night when the whole edifice is filled with colorful lights. 

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Picasso Museum

You are surprised why there is a Picasso Museum in Barcelona? I will not wonder why because Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga, Andalucia, Southern Spain on October 25, 1881, but he spent some time in Barcelona. If you are in Barcelona, Picasso Museum is a must see because it houses all the works of this master. My source revealed that in this museum there are 4,251 art pieces by Picasso. At home I only have two pieces, "fake pa", I mean Repro from amazon, haha. 

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Picasso Museum is located at La Ribera neighborhood in Old Barcelona. 

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Where to stay in Barcelona? 

*Hilton Barcelona - Avenida Diagonal, 589-591, Barcelona, 08014. 

*Hostal Bcn Port Barcelona

*Barcelo' Sants Barcelona 

*Arc La Rambla Hotel 

*La Franca Travellers - Adults Only 

*Allegro Barcelona 

*Hostalin Diputacion Barcelona 

*Hostal Live Barcelona 

*Holiday Inn Hotel Barcelona at Pallars 203, Barcelona, 08005, Spain.

*and many more...The hotels listed here ranges from $90.00 - $200.00 per night. Other luxury hotel may cost $300 plus per night.

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How to get there? 

Barcelona is connected to all airports, seaports, and trains all over Europe, and the world. 

Just check with your travel agent or search for available flights online. 

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Thank you for visiting Touristang Pobre Blog Site. 

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Henry Libo-on 

May 2, 2023

New Jersey, U.S.A

A Traveling Spirit by Daniel Kagawatha

Source: YouTube & 360 Music Lyrics - Music Record. 

Thanks.