Top 10 Things to Do in Barcelona

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Top 10 Things to Do in Barcelona

1.Tapas Bar Hopping

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Definitely not one to be missed, Tapas sits on the top of our list as what any traveler must try during their stay in Barcelona. There is strong "Tapas culture" in Barcelona, where friends chat while eating Tapas and having a drink or two. Avoid flocking to the tourist traps at La Rambla– just ask a local and they will be more than happy to direct you to their favourite tapas bar.  If you want a break from bar crawls and would rather learn the art of tapas, join our BonAppetour Host, Nani, and learn how to make your very own Tapas!

[BARCELONA-BEST-PAELLA https://www.bonappetour.com/david-rg/best-paella-cooking-class-in-barcelona-delicious-hands-on-cooking-experience]​

2. Enjoy an enchanted evening

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Just minutes away from the Espanya metro station, The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is a stunning musical display of colored lights and water acrobatics. Illuminated by over 50 hues of coloured lights, this spectacular fountain is a captivating sight to behold. Whether you are 8 or 82, you are definitely in for a treat as this visual spectacle is one of the most visited attractions in all of Barcelona. It should be noted that the fountain only operates on Thursdays to Sundays from 9.30-11.00pm during the summer

3. Hit the beach

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Longing to get that summer glow? It’s time to bask under the Mediterranean Sun at Barceloneta, Barcelona’s most popular beach. Backed with a promenade of seafood restaurants and a string of clubs, it is no wonder that this seafront neighborhood is packed with partygoers every weekend. If the raucous nightlife is not your cup of tea, another beach worth the visit is Sitges, a coastal town that is 20 minutes away from Barcelona. Other than the cerulean waters, this coastal town boasts a rich artistic history, it is home to multiple museums dedicated to the works of Catalan artists.

4. Trek up Mount. Tibidabo

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Overlooking Barcelona, Mount. Tibidabo is a great spot to capture panoramic views of the city. Prepare your favourite snacks, get your playlist ready and put on your trusty pair of sneakers to embark on a 15km trek up the mountain. Pay a visit to Temple de Sagrat Cor, a charming cathedral designed in a modernisme and neo-Gothic styles and for just €2.50, ride an elevator that takes up to a viewing platform just below the Sacred Heart of Jesus sculpture. If you’re travelling with children, The Tibidabo Amusement Park is a must go, With 25 rides like classic roller coasters and great street theatre performances, the Tibidabo Amusement Park promises a fun-filled time for family members of all ages. Do check out the park’s Skywalk area for the Giradabo, a Ferris wheel gives you a bird’s eye view of Barcelona. Before you leave, make a pit stop at the foot of the mountain and wander into Casa Figueres, a hidden tower constructed by Gaudí.

5. Admire Gaudí’s works of art

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With a name synonymous with Barcelona’s urban landscape, it is hard to miss any of Gaudi’s masterpieces while you’re out on the streets. Other than his magnus opus, La Sagrada Família, go on a trail to discover the rest of Gaudí’s work throughout the city. Begin your trail at Güell Palace, a mansion built for the Güell family and then head over to Casa Calvet, one of Gaudí’s most conventional buildings. Once a residential project for textile manufacturers, this beauty now houses a popular restaurant under the same name. We could go on about the other must-see places by Gaudí but it would be slightly ambitious to complete the entire trail in a day. Gaudí’s architecture is full of surprises and unusual elements and it is without a doubt that he left an indelible mark on Barcelona.

6. Watch the sunset at El Carmel Bunker

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The El Carmel Bunker is another great spot to capture the best panoramic views of the city. An important slice of history, the place is the ruins of an old air raid bunker used during the Spanish Civil War.  Located at the peak of Turo de la Rovira, many locals flock here to watch the sunset and have a picnic with their loved ones, particularly during the summer season. Although situated in a rather remote area, the bunker is accessible by metro and public buses that run from the city centre. If you are into photography, this is the place to take breathtaking photos of Barcelona!

7. Uncover hidden treasures at local markets

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Although widely perceived to be ‘tourist traps’, spending the afternoon at a local market is a great way for you to purchase local favourites at an affordable price. These markets are a one-stop shop for everything gastronomical.Push through the tour groups that usually crowd the entrances of the market and venture deeper where you would find the part of the market that locals love- from seafood and specialty meat cuts to pickled delights. Just a word of caution, don’t get carried away by the hubbub of the market’s crowd always keep an eye on your valuables at all times.

8. Dine with a local home chef

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If you are here in Barcelona for a special occasion, why not take up a cooking class for an unforgettable experience? This is a great way for you to learn more about the city, have a wonderful time with your loved ones, straight from a local's kitchen. Cook like a local, dine like a local and live like a local- get a taste of home away from home and perhaps learn a recipe or two! Check out our BonAppetour hosts, like Teresa, who will teach how to make your own paella from scratch!

9. Pop by a quirky museum

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Barcelona is renowned for having one of the most vibrant and established art scenes in Europe. But beyond Picasso and Dalí, there are many weird and wonderful museums to stop by for a fun-filled afternoon. Museu de Perfum tops the list as a museum so unusual that it remains the only perfume museum in Spain. Step into a time capsule and sniff your way through times dating back to Mesopotamia, Roman and Egyptian times. Another museum that showcases something stranger is the Museum of Funeral Carriages, aptly located inside Montjuïc Cemetery. Renowned for displaying some of the most exquisite antique funeral carriages and hearses in the world, the exhibits here are key in learning how the deceased were moved to burial sites in the past. If you have a morbid fascination and are travelling on a budget, do check out this museum as entry is completely free of charge!

10. Be part of a summer festival

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One of the best ways to immerse yourself in Catalan culture is to participate in the neighbourhood festivals. Barcelona’s niche festival, La Mercè takes place during late summer and it is a boisterous celebration that honours the city’s patron saint, the Virgin of La Mercè. La Mercè is a time of gaiety that brings locals and tourists together through the flurry of events and attractions-heart-thumping live music festivals, castells(acrobatic locals building their own human towers), processions of gegants(giant papier-mâché figures) and street parties!

 

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7 Tricks for Visiting Barcelona on a Budget that No One Tells you About

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7 Tricks for Visiting Barcelona on a Budget that No One Tells you About

Do you find yourself cultivating an unhealthy habit? Having a routine of booking flights and dropping them into the cart, but have never gotten the courage to click on the check-out button? What’s holding you back, my friend? Could it be that empty wallet that jerks you back to reality?

Here are 7 tips to show you that having plenty of dough is not a pre-requisite for travelling to Barcelona, the city of dreams; be assured that you will have a blast in Barcelona with your budget no matter how tight it is.  

1. Hit the road when the time’s right

Before you type ‘best period to visit Barcelona’ in the search engine, you may want to reconsider the period you are planning to visit Barcelona. While August and September promise large parties such as Fiesta de Gracia and La Merce festival, it could probably be a much better idea to march to a different drum and avoid the hiked up accommodation and food prices. Making a slight amendment to visit Barcelona at its own peak months during April through May, and middle September to October will definitely allow you to magnify your dollar power to spend less on accommodation, and hopefully more on satisfying your Tapas and Paella cravings.

[BARCELONA-FLAVOURS https://www.bonappetour.com/s/Barcelona–Barcelona–Spain?lat=41.38506389999999&lng=2.1734034999999494]

2. Choose the smartest way to get around in Barcelona

Getting around a foreign land by metro is probably a budget tip that we already know at the back of the mind but picking the type of metro ticket probably requires a little more effort. Instead of buying an individual trip ticket, a more economical and time-efficient option would be to get a T-10 ticket instead. It not only entitles you to unlimited, yes, unlimited journey rides on public transport over the span of your visit, it offers discounted price for entrance fees to shows, attractions, souvenirs store and restaurants!

3. Appreciate the art of Gaudi without paying a single cent

A trip to Sagrada Familia definitely sits on top of the list of attractions to visit, but entrance into the Catholic church not only tests one’s patience at the snaking queue, but it also necessitates a hefty sum to be forked out in exchange for the privilege. We highly encourage you to appreciate the exteriors of Sagrada Familia and save some of your eyeball exercises to Catedral de la Santa Cruz y Santa Eulalia, a stunning Gothic architecture that permits free entry.

4. Pick up a few lines of Spanish from the locals

Speaking in Barcelona native’s tongue will definitely give you an edge whether you are getting directions or simply putting your bargaining skills to test. An easy outlet for you to replace having to sit through a YouTube video ‘Learn useful Spanish phrases in 3 mins’ would be to pick up colloquial phrases directly from the local themselves! The Friday Language exchange class is held every Friday at França Railway Station's Bar and is entirely free of change. Did I mention that not only do you get to practice a language while having a drink, you would be meeting friends from all over the world!

5. Craft your own Spanish cuisine (with the help of the locals, of course)

Eating out could easily cost an arm and a leg if you are not inclined to dine in the restaurants that sell affordable Tapas or Paella, so a better suggestion would be to join in a cooking class that shows you the ropes in crafting a Paella that is not only moreish and meltingly tender but uniquely yours! Learn from one of our cordial BonAppetour hosts David as he shows you the way to produce a spice-laden Paella that withholds Mediterranean flavours using the traditional way. If Paella-making is not your cup of tea, meet Yves for a Tapas workshop for a gastronomical experience where you not only get to taste the legendary Tapas, but also learn the makings behind creating an opulent and earthy flavour.

6. Sharpen your ‘market-ing’ skills at the local markets

Popping by local markets like La Bouquerie is a splendid idea to get your hands on freshproduce, which are generally priced to be wallet-friendly. To enhance your market-going experience, be a little adventurous and dive into the interior to save yourself from escalated prices at the entrance. Alternatively, pay a quick visit to Santa Caterina market if you are on the hunt for a less touristy marketplace. Keep a lookout for our upcoming article that features a guide to La Bouquerie that includes the market layout and more!

7. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure

Located near Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes, Els Encant Vells, the ‘Old Charms’ flea market boasts the sale of a range of commodity from antique and vintage artworks to second-hand clothing, records, and even furniture. You name it, they have it! ­­Like any other flea markets, a good bargain tests one’s patience so hold your horses and wait till 12noon where items that are not sold usually will go on massive price cuts. If you are there early, do catch the spectacle of public auction at 7.30 am to 8.30 am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Perhaps, it’s time for you to throw in a few sentences of Spanish you have acquired from the language exchange session to haggle for the best price.

Photo credits: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

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Spotlight on: Marotta-Mondolfo, Italy

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Spotlight on: Marotta-Mondolfo, Italy

So last February, I was working on tour in Italy for three months and experienced some really lovely cities and met some wonderful people. One of those people was my good friend Alice who I was working alongside. Last September, we decided to return to Marotta, a place we had worked together, to visit our old host families and to take a little break away from London. Marotta isn’t one of the places that initially springs to mind when you think of Italy, which is why I want to do a “Spotlight on” this quirky, costal town. Flights to Marotta are very inexpensive. With Ryanair flying directly to Marotta airport, and things to do all year round, there is no excuse not to visit Marotta!

With that said, here is a round up of things to do in Marotta-Mondolfo, Italy!

1. Hit the beach

The town is parallel to a long beach that stretches for a few miles. Where I was staying was just a short walk from the beach. In fact, the train station is about 30 metres from the beach!

The beach itself is extremely long and not very wide (so the sea is fairly close). It is a sand beach, so perfect for long walks, sunbathing, or playing a game or two. In September, the weather was still hot enough to be in t-shirts and shorts, with the best “beach-time” being mid day. We even had a swim in the sea!

2. Rent a Bugsy Malone-style rickshaw

Just a short walk from the station, I came across a hotel that was renting out these pedal cars. I loved the idea of renting one and driving along the beach so we had a look at prices. As September is technically “off-season” (even though the weather is great, it is a really quiet time of year) the prices to rent the rickshaws were really low! It was €5 for an hour’s ride!

Neither myself, nor my companion drives, but that didn’t matter! We were able to take our new toy out for a little cruise along the strip, right with the cars and everything! We felt so grown up! It was a really fun experience that we loved so much we even went back and purchased another hour! You do have to be very careful as you are pedalling alongside cars and pedestrians so a little knowledge on road safety goes a long way. Also, don’t do what we did and accidentally end up on a motorway slip road :/ oops!

3. Shopping Mall

If you’re like me, a little bit of a shopaholic, you will definitely need to head to the local shopping mall for a browse around Italy’s hottest high street shops. From Kiko to Calzedonia, the “Le Befane” shopping centre has a great range of things to see and buy. It makes for a perfect trip on a milder day or just an escape from the mid-day sun. There is even a cinema inside if you are in the mood for a chill activity. http://www.lebefane.it/

4. Corn Labyrinth

Our host Nicole and her boyfriend Andrea were really kind to take us to this amazing Corn Labyrinth experience just outside of town. It is basically a huge corn field (with corn twice your height) that has had paths cut out of it to create a maze (think Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when RPatz dies type thing- without Voldemort, obvs).The Labyrinth costs just a few Euros to enter, then you are left to find your way out! We went in the evening when it was completely dark, which gave it a scary feel, however if you are more inclined to a ‘sunshine and daisies’ experience, you should check it out during the day. The maze is not easy to navigate at all (which is great as you want to be challenged). There are lots of “left or right?” decisions and I think a group of four of us was perfect. It took us just over an hour to complete, which I felt was just right.

Tip: If you are a horror fan or like scary attractions, this Labyrinth did have a themed night the next day with actors hidden around corners to jump out and scare!   

5. “Il Chiostro Dell’ Avis” Restaurant

I couldn’t recommend this restaurant enough! I have been twice now and they are always so welcoming. The restaurant itself is really traditional of all the proper Italian, family run, no tourist to be seen restaurants. The host is so funny and speaks perfect English. He always makes us laugh.

The pizza is traditional Italian stone-baked pizza with a huge selection of toppings. I always go for the 4 Stagioni topping or anything with goat’s cheese and rocket. Yum! They even cater for gluten free diets, just call up in advance : )

Tip: This restaurant serve some wonderful desserts, so make sure you leave some belly room!

 

My Hints and Tips

 

  • Travel – If you have no reservations about travelling with Ryanair, I would suggest booking with them for a short stay as they fly directly to Marotta airport. You can fit a week’s worth of things into your free carry on and it is only a short couple of hours on the plane. Ryanair fly from Stanstead airport which is super easy to get to from London via train, taxi, coach or the “Easybus” which I usually use for a low cost journey. A great thing about Easybus, is your ticket is valid for the trip directly before and after your booked trip (as long as there is a space for you). So if you are running a little early or late, they will still let you on.

  • Self Catering Tips – My tip for anyone staying in a self catering place like we were, would be to stop off at the large Conard supermarket on the way from the airport, or take a short walk to the Lidl which is on the same main road as the train station. It is a large Lidl with everything you could need from food to toiletries.

  • When to Stay? – As I said before, I arrived in September for the short break, and before that I was staying in March; both off-season. Although it was really quiet in September, the weather (for a Brit) was more than satisfactory. It was sunny with a light breeze most of the time, and the beach was always really quiet. The flights are also significantly cheaper, as well as better accommodation options. If you want guaranteed burning-hot sun, I guess I would suggest a summer stay.

  • Visiting Nearby Cities- Italy have a great train system and it can be really affordable to visit nearby towns and cities. Check www.trenitalia.com to see where you can go.

 

I hope you enjoyed this post and feel inspired to check out beautiful Marotta Mondolfo!

For more Travel posts, including a full Northern Italy Sum-up, check out my Blog EBONI + IVORY: www.eboniivory.blogspot.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 

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5 Unforgettable Dining Experiences in Barcelona

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5 Unforgettable Dining Experiences in Barcelona

Instead of frequenting the run-of-the-mill tapas bars in Barcelona, try something a little out of the ordinary on your Barcelona vacation. From eating in pitch-black darkness to sharing a drink in a –7º ice bar, here are 5 quirky places to please your palate when in Barcelona:

1.El Bosc de les Fades

Translated to ‘The Forest of Fairies’, this dark fantasy themed tapas bar is sure to appeal to both gothic horror fans and fairytale lovers. Realistically decorated with artificial waterfalls, wispy tea lights and mystical creatures lurking in the mirrors, it is hard not to believe to you have walked straight into an enchanted forest inhabited by fairies and grim-faced talking trees. Grab a refreshing glass of Sangria while you bask in the moonlight of this esoteric forest and share your grisly tales of horror with friends. A note of caution, be careful not to wander too deep into the secret grotto- there’s no telling what lies in the darkness…

2. Enjoy Paella with Home-chefs Bego and Iván

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No foodie trip to Spain would be complete without the iconic dish paella. And there’s absolutely no question the best paella is always homemade paella.

It takes a very long time to cook, so it’s difficult for restaurants to make fresh. Only 5 minutes walk from Gaudí’s iconic landmark Park Güell, talented home-chefs Bego and Iván offers Barcelona’s best paella in town using a traditional recipe from Alacant.

You can watch their whole cooking process while you enjoy an ecological white wine, from El Pla de Manlleu or rosé wine from Penedès A.O., a region famous for its excellent wines and cavas.

3. Dans Le Noir

If you are in search for innovative dining experience, why not dine in complete darkness? Enjoy a gastronomical experience in the dark at Dans Le Noir where you will find yourself fumbling for your wine glass and trying to scoop up the food on your plate. The fun part of this is guessing what you’ are eating and getting to know your fellow diners in a pitch-black room. Considerably one of the most unusual dining experiences in Barcelona, Dans Le Noir deserves a status above novelty. It is an intriguing way for you to invigorate your sense and also appreciate the gift of sight.

4. Icebarcelona  

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Established on the lively shore of El Somorrostro, Icebarcelona is an unusual beach bar with an impressive interior made entirely from ice. Marval at the grandiose ice sculptures while you sip on delicious cocktails with your friends from glasses made of…ice. The bar’s interior design changes with each season, making Icebarcelona a refreshing experience every time. Remember to take lots of photos to capture these memorable frosty moments as the average entry to the bar usually lasts no more than 30 minutes! If you prefer to lounge under the Barcelonan Sun while munching on savoury nachos, you can relax on the terrace on the 2nd floor that overlooks the coastal sands and cerulean waters.

5. ABaC

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Celebrated 2-Michelin-starred restaurant ABaC is helmed by the amazing Chef Jordi Cruz who is the youngest Spanish chef to have earned his first Michelin star at 24. This exclusive 56-seater elegant restaurant boasts an impressive 16-course menu that blends creativity and tradition seamlessly. Indulge in delicacies such asIberian meats, almonds with beans and “compango” bubbles and Foie gras taco with mole migas and sweet corn ice cream while you handpick your favourite wine from an extensive cellar. Also, the ABaC team is well-known for providing impeccable service. Other than the attentive servers, their thoughtful chefs would gladly customize your meal should you have any food allergies or intolerances. Although pricier than most restaurants found in the vicinity, give yourself a splurge to gain a once-in-a-lifetime gastronomical experience.

Bonus: Cook With Teresa!

If you are here in Barcelona for a special occasion, why not book a unique home dining experience with one of BonAppetour’s lovely hosts, Teresa? A professionally trained chef, Teresa easily whips up delicious Spanish fare but never forgets her motto in cooking that has been instilled in her since her childhood: love, time and quality produce. Step into her cozy home and savour an authentic meal that comprises of Coca Bread, Seafood Paella and of course, homemade Sangria. Cook like a local, dine like a local and live like a local- get a taste of home away from home and perhaps learn a recipe or two!

 

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