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