Barcelona and Sitges

Barcelona is known for its stunning architecture as well as "La Rambla". Gaudi cetainly influenced much of the "gaudy" beauty that Barcelona offers. The Gaudi Park (Parc Guell) is amazing as is the Segrada Familia Cathedal that still is a work in progress, to be finished in 20 years. There are several Gaudi buildings in town, on the Passeig de Gracia, which is Barcelona's Fifth Avenue - it has it all. And the shopping is fabulous, the tapas bars are incredible. Our favourite was Txapela, offering "authentic basque pinchos" ie tapas, just north of Catalunya on Passeig de Gracia #8-10 ( www.txapela.angrup.com). Another good choice is El Gran Cafe Restaurant at Avinyo-9 (www.grupcacheiro.com).



Sitges is 45 minutes, 8 Euros pp, by train from Barcelona, accessible from the "Renfer" train station on P. de Gracia. It is a gorgeous Med resort city with long and wide beaches, a major seaside road, restaurants and hotels, an old town and Cathedral, and beauty like Barcelona yet on a smaller scale. We had lunch on a large terrace restaurant at the north end of town, on an elevated point overlooking one of several pretty bays. We would have liked to be there at sunset. Next time!