| The distinctive regional culture of Barcelona is largely | | | | the most novice eye bewildered and intrigued. Antoni |
| due to geography and a plentitude of national pride and | | | | Gaudi decorated Barcelona with his treasures of |
| elitism. Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, one of | | | | modernism as a painter on a canvas. The grand |
| Spain's 17 semi-autonomous states. The regional | | | | boulevard of Passeig de Gracia is lined with |
| language is Catalan, along with the national language of | | | | elaborately adorned Casa Batllo and Casa Mila, both |
| Castilian Spanish. There has long been pressure from | | | | with the most intricate rooftops known to modern |
| the Catalonian government and nationalists to earn | | | | architecture. Arguably the most stunning of Gaudi's |
| complete autonomy from Spain. Consequently, the | | | | work is the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia. |
| exclusive culture can be difficult to adjust to and there | | | | Each of the church's facades are meticulously |
| is significant animosity towards foreigners around the | | | | designed with different themes and styles combining |
| main tourist street of Las Ramblas. To thoroughly | | | | nature with religion and the soaring towers topped with |
| enjoy the sweet life and gentle hospitality of Barcelona, | | | | mosaic grapes are built around a conch-like coiled |
| leave this busy area and explore the many diverse | | | | staircase that visitors may choose to take instead of |
| districts, endless with possibility. | | | | the elevator. Another tribute to Barcelona's artistic |
| Café Life and Nightlife for the Night Owl | | | | heritage is the Palau da la Musica Catalana. A view of |
| Barcelona is truly a city that never sleeps, particularly | | | | the glass and mosaic inverted chandelier on the ceiling |
| during the warm Mediterranean summers. Avoid | | | | of the theater is alone worth the visit. Daily tours are |
| standing out like a sore thumb by eating dinner when | | | | offered in addition to the regularly held musical |
| the locals do: after 10 p.m. It is common to see children, | | | | performances. Afterward, get lost in the tiny twisting |
| grandparents and the family dog gathering at the | | | | passages of the surrounding historic Gothic Quarter. |
| outdoor cafes at these hours when the day's work is | | | | Traveling Barcelona Right Not Your Weekend Visit |
| finished and time for friends and family has | | | | It is best to avoid traveling to Spain in August, when |
| commenced. Since Barcelona hosted the Olympics in | | | | most of the locals (and most of Mediterranean |
| 1992, the city has been revamped with visitor friendly | | | | Europe) take their vacations. Chances are that the |
| attractions such as the massive Olympic Village, a | | | | restaurant you wanted to visit will be closed and |
| string of swanky restaurants, state-of-the-art | | | | museums will have extremely curtailed hours. August |
| nightclubs and boutiques along the beach. Most | | | | can also be uncomfortably hot. |
| nightclubs do not get going until after 1 a.m. and | | | | Barcelona should be traveled with care and patience. |
| club-goers typically wander out onto the beach around | | | | The only disappointment visitors have is the inability to |
| 5:30 to watch the sunrise over the Mediterranean. | | | | see all of the city's landmarks and hidden corners in a |
| A Modernista Mecca | | | | realistic amount of time. |
| The architectural wonders of Barcelona will keep even | | | | |