1. The
Bar Scene. Barcelona is renowned for
its food and drink, and for its eclectic nightlife. Combine the best of both worlds, and you get
the standout establishments: the city's varied bars. Alongwith some pintxos, Barcelona's tasty
answer to tapas, you may think of a glass of Spanish Red - but as you're in Spain, why
not ask for a jug of sangria or the Barcelona variant of the Cuban Mojito? As
for the bars, though in the U.K you can throw darts, in Barcelona aspiring
William Tells can shoot arrows at L´Arquer! To
see and be seen at the rendezvous of the rich and famous, try the Metro. Or visit Gimlet if you're into 50s decor and
style. And don't be amazed if Bogey and
Bacall step into this throwback bar; Bogey for a scotch, Bacall, a Manhattan. Ogle
if you can see through all the cigarette smoke!
2. The
Beaches. Barcelona's seaside may be
its best-kept secret. Hugging the
Mediterranean and not overcrowded like other big-city beaches, on offer are
golden sands leading to unpolluted water and clear blue sea. Though the sand and sea are unspoilt, the
beachfront offers a range of options, either for a day trip or long stay: you
can rent a hut by the day, a hotel room by the week, or an apartment by the
month. Barceloneta is the closest and most
popular of the four major beaches. As
the most well-developed beach, it offers parasailing and windsurfing, among
other attractions. For seclusion, try
the furthest beach, Sitges. Those who want to be adventurous can opt for Mar Bella, a nudist beach. No matter which one you choose, you'll see
gold and turquoise like you've never seen it before!
3. The
Magic Fountain. Musical fountains
used to be one of the charms of Old Europe.
One such still exists in Barcelona except that it's a Modern Age version
of the Old Europe mainstay. Only a very
special fountain could count as an attraction all by itself, and this truly is
one. Created for the Great Universal Exhibition of 1929, the Magic Fountain on Montjuic is akin to a sound-and-light
show with spouting, jetting water as the star.
Having an amazing 3,620 jets and 7,000 million water-light combinations,
the fountain transitions through myriad shapes as it shimmers with
ever-changing hues; the water-show coinciding with appropriate music. (Many
videos on YouTube make this description seem like an understatement!) Simply put, this dancing fountain is a
sumptuous treat for the senses.
4. Flamenco! Though flamenco originated in Sevilla,
Andalusia to the south from gypsy folkways, Barcelona boasts first-rate and
authentic presentations of all aspects of Spain's cultural heritage, and so it
is with flamenco. The staccato
rat-a-tat-a-tat of Flamenco Music is striking and arousing but the music is
difficult and challenging to dance to - for you and me. In total, there are three flamenco shows in Barcelona. El Tablao de Carmen is the most popular and
offers a dinner-show where you can take in the whole spectacle: impassioned
vocalists backed by tensely-thrumming guitars and handclaps, and even stamping
of feet, while a troupe of dancers acts out the scene. A flamenco show is an audiovisual performance of intensity and romance to
be experienced.
5. Do
Your Own Thing! In a city as replete
with attractions and diversions as Barcelona, it's hardly possible to list
every major one in any top ten list. Are
you one for the great outdoors? Head for
the hills of Montjuic and check out Jard’ Botànic. Are you an art-lover? Take in yet another art gallery - The Dali Gallery in a Barcelona suburb. Or are you an architecture lover? Admire another Gaudi marvel, Casa Batlló, which gives the impression
of having risen from the sea! Is
nightlife and the singles scene what you're looking for? Let your hair down at Diobar or at another dance club. Are family attractions your cup of tea? Barcelona has a world-class aquarium. Follow your senses, get off the beaten track,
and you may end up discovering something that's not on anyone's top ten list!
Take in one delightful diversion; take in
all - we strongly recommend the latter
course. But no matter what itinerary you
eventually map out, you will understand why Barcelona has enjoyed a renascence
and made a 'comeback'. Be warned: if you travel
to Barcelona, it is possible that you will not want to . . . 'go back'!
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