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