Barcelona is truly a Jewel in the Sun

When you arrive in Spain for your HOLIDAY IN BARCELONA, you will be surprised to find that there is more to this charming city than red or white wine and two weeks in the sun. Since the days of package holidays, most people believe that this is all Spain has to offer. A famous person once called Barcelona “a jewel in the sun” and no truer words have ever been spoken. Once you visit Spain's second largest city you will soon understand why it received this accolade.

Barcelona is different from the rest of Spain in that it resembles a country on its own. With its own culture, tradition and language, it is understandable why it is so different from the rest of Spain. Barcelona is the capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia located on the Mediterranean coast in the north east of Spain.

Due to the package holidays that were popular in the sixties a lot of the locals speak English so don't be surprised if they would rather speak English than Spanish. This race of people is extremely proud of their Catalonina heritage and like for you to know the difference between theirs and Spanish. This is not to say they don't speak Spanish: they do but prefer Catalan.

Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city with a vibrant economic base full of history. Barcelona is a city of two parts that integrate well with each other. Barcelona can be described as a modern metropolis with ancient buildings nestled close by. As this charming town is situated on the Mediterranean coast, you have access to 2.8 miles of beautiful sandy beaches which are divided in to seven separate sections. There are beaches for the young and old where they can enjoy a beach life like no place else. Some of the beaches offer you the opportunity to mix with the locals and sample some of their culture.

There is just too much to see in Barcelona starting with the 68 municipal parks where you can take the kids for a relaxing day away from all the hustle and bustle of the city. If you take time for a stroll around the city you will come across some fine museums, galleries and leisure centres that will occupy a whole day. You could purchase a Montjuic card for twenty Euros that allows you free admission all museums, galleries and exhibitions and free rides on the tourist train. If you are up for a different kind of transportation, there are bicycle hire shops where you can hire a bike for the day.

Like we said there is just too much to do in one trip so make the best of your trip you can start by doing a little exploring on line. Barcelona is host to the Spanish formula one Grand Prix held in the north of the city on the Circuit de Catalunya. This race is considered to be one of the most important on the circuit. Just imagine twenty of the best drivers in the world racing around the track at speeds up to 180 miles an hour.

There are a number of festivals celebrated while on your HOLIDAY IN BARCELONA but the best one to attend is The Christians and Moors. The locals dress up in period costumes and re-enact battles in the city’s streets along with parades, street dancing and live music which last for a week. This is a good time to take part and sample the Catalonia culture.