[Idyllchat] Barcelona

[Phillip King]

Dear Bonnie,
    We have never stayed in a well-located hotel in Barcelona, but I recall reading an article in a travel magazine or newspaper not too long ago that recommended a small hotel (25 rooms) off Las Ramblas, which is in the heart of the tourist area of Barcelona.  It is owned by the Camper shoe company and is called "Casa Camper."
    I just looked it up on Google and there are something like 175 reviews of the hotel by folks who have stayed there.  The ones I read seemed very positive.  Search the internet for "Casa Camper" and take it from there.
    Jane and I have been to Barcelona 2 times and have spent a lot of time walking up and down Las Ramblas (or La Rambla, depending on who you are talking to).  Barcelona is a wonderful city to visit and Las Ramblas is a great place for people-watching and is a safe place to be -- except for pickpockets, which seem to be in every tourist location in Spain, Italy, and France.  Use a "down-your-shirt" wallet for valuables, passport, ID, cash, and credit cards -- never a purse or a fanny pack -- and you will be fine.
    Either end of Las Ramblas offers good bus transportation connections, but the top of the street (away from the marina) also offers great shopping.  There is a big department store there -- El Corte Ingles -- that has anything and everything you might need, and at decent prices.
    There are lots of restaurants on Las Ramblas, but be forewarned that they charge tourist prices -- like $10 for a glass of beer and $ 7 for a Coke.  However, there is also a wonderful market, La Boqueria (Also known as St. Josef Market) that offers all manner of fresh fruits and veggies, cheeses, deli sandwiches, etc., as well as having 3 or 4 reasonably-priced food stalls where you can get a good breakfast, lunch or dinner, and beer and wine, without breaking your budget.
    While you are there, find a restaurant that specializes in "Chocolat y Churros."  It will probably be a little, nondescript, hole-in-the-wall place that serves up the most delicious, thick, hot chocolate in mugs, and the Churros are like 8 inch long sticks of donut dough that has been deep fried.  Dip the Churros into the hot chocolate and you are transported to heaven.  This is a common breakfast in Spain, and also a wonderful late night snack.
    Another great thing to do is find a Cava bar and a Tapas bar.  Cava is the Spanish equivalent of champagne, but a whole lot cheaper.  Tapas are little snacks that are available in huge variety that you buy by the piece.  Jane and I can make a whole meal of some tapas and a glass of wine, and it is delicious and not at all expensive.
    I hope this information is helpful.  Enjoy your trip.
    Phil King, Spring Lake, MI  
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bonnie Fass 
  To: idyllchat at lists.untours.com 
  Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 5:18 PM
  Subject: [Idyllchat] Barcelona




  We are planning to spend a few days in Barcelona during our trip to Spain next October and would love to get a recommendation for a hotel that is moderately priced and in an area of the city that would be safe for two single women.

  Thanks


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