User:(WT-en) Dgibney

Region name is in Country name.Spain

Cities
Barcelona and surrounding areas

Talk
Don't just think Spanish if you are travelling to North west Spain in or around Barcelona. You will often encounter local people who speak Catalan instead of mainstream Spanish. Don't be afraid to punctuate onversations with gestures as well.

See
If your time is short, get a quick overview of a city such as Barcelona or Valencia with a Tourist Bus. In Barcelona there are three main routes and the same ticket allows transfer between routes. All the buses we have seen have the option to get off for a longer look when the fancy takes you. Barcelona has more opportunities for this than Valencia.

Itineraries
Don't try to cram too much. After an overview bus tour, pick a few key attractions that interest you for a closer look.

Tourist maps can often be picked up free in cafes or restuarants which can save mony to spend getting around and into attractions.

If you are thinking of including Montserrat, its deffinitely worth a visit, but the sacred caves are only open at the weekend during the off season months. We missed out on our visit and recommend that you check first or plan your visit for the weekend if this part of the attraction is important to you.

Access via the cablecar is quite spectacular.

When in Montserrat, we had trouble finding entry to the Cathedral and it really is worth the effort. The map from the inforamtion desk isn't very clear and we didn't think the direction signs were too clear either. Leaving the cafe turn to the right and walk up and around. The access is at the back.

When visiting places such as cathedrals, vivistors often want to light a candle. We didn't find directions to these well indicated. There are plenty available, of varying sizes, towards the exit from the cathedral area.

Access to the cathedral in tarragona too we found a little confusing. Again, access is around the back of the building. If you reach the front steps turn to the left and follow the alleyway up to the left then turn right to go alongside the cathedral area. At the back you can gain access. This access requires payment of an admission fee and includes other items of interest as well.

Eat
Sample lots of different tastes at one sitting with Tapas.

Drink
Try finishing off with a local liquer made from herbs that aids digestion. Often eating a lot of different food than usual when travelling can upset even the most strong stomachs and this liquer is worth a try.

Stay safe
keep your possesions out of sight inside a handbag. Watch out for passiong (motor)cyclists who may try to grab items such as passports from accessible pockets.