Barcelona

Janelle and I at the Hotel Cataluna.
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We arrived in Barcelona on an overcast day exhausted from a miserable 11 hour train ride through France and the Pyrenees hoping that it would be half as exciting as Paris and we were quite surprised.

Janelle had never been to Barcelona and neither had I, so this experience was going to be new for both of us.  I had known of Parque Guell, the Pedrada and the Sagrada Familia through my Latin American history classes and what not, but other than that I didn't know much about Barcelona.

I recommend going with a loved one.

A photo of the Sagrada Familia
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I will say this from the get go.  I recommend everyone who is in Spain or even Europe check this place out.  Barcelona is much different from Paris in that it has a much more laidback vibe and also has an artsy feel to it.  Everything here is much more affordable than Paris as well, but that's besides the point.  On with what we did in Barcelona.

We arrived at 1 or so to the Hotel Cataluna (gorgeous 4-star hotel in downtown Barcelona), had time to shower and eat and then we were straight off on our tour.  Basically all the gorgeous architecture in the city is Antonio Gaudi's work so we went on a little bus tour to look at his eye-popping abstract works.

The Christopher Columbus statue at the end of the Rambla
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First we went to Parque Guell which I think everyone was a little surprised by considering how bizarre and unique some of Gaudi's style is.  We spent two or so hours there enjoying the sights and taking in Gaudi's work of art.  The world's longest bench is there as well...which the students found interesting.

We left there and headed over to the Sagrada Familia which I don't think anyone was ready for.  Myself included, all 21 of the individuals on our team seemed absolutely taken aback by the mighty Church still under construction in the middle of the city of Barcelona.  It is not necessarily downtown, but it is by no means off the beaten path.  We did not go through the church, but we did stand outside and got a good educational lecture from our guide on what everything on the facade of the church stood for and everyone snapped photos the entire time.  This place, this piece of architecture I would say is by far the most astounding piece I've seen in my young life.  Pictures do not do the SF justice as in real life, you can actually get a feel for how insane the detail is on this building.  It has been under construction for almost 80 years and isn't planned to be finished until 2026 if that gives you any indication of the amount of work and tedious detail that is going into this fine building.  Anyway, after we walked around the SG, we got back on our bus and headed back to the hotel.

Cruising into our hotel after a night on the Rambla
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We had time to shop then ate dinner at eight, then had more time to shop and then went to bed.

The next day we saw the Gothic Cathedral which is right on the middle of the downtown as well, right off the Rambla.  The Rambla (which we were on most of our time in Barcelona) is the main strip which leads to the Mediterranean at the end and a very cool statue of Christopher Columbus.  The Rambla has an abundance of shopping to offer as well as many great restaurants as well.  There were more street performers and artists here than anywhere we went in Paris and I think my students as well as my girlfriend truly enjoyed them.

All in all, we had a ton of free time on the 2nd day and Janelle and I basically just spent it walking around, drinking coffees and enjoying the culture in general.  This city is great because it doesn't feel big and pretentious at all, but rather like a homely, small European village with an abundance to offer.  I think this is why the majority of my students and colleagues enjoyed Barcelona more than Paris actually.  Having a hotel in the immediate downtown didn't hurt either, but all in all, a fabulous experience had by all.  Lastly, I recommend going with a loved one as there is a nice romantic air about this town just as there is with Paris.