No Pain, No Spain

Remember this tagline during the 1992 Olympics? If you might recall then you recalled the Olympics that year were held in Spain, specifically in Barcelona. Barcelona is located along the Mediterrenean and is the capital and largest populated city of the Autonomous area of Catalan. The second biggest city in Spain with a large port situated along the Mediterrenean and an International Airport, it is a favorite short vacation spot for Spaniards and other Europeans, especially for nearby French. Barcelona is located on the Northeast portion of Spain.

Along with the Olympic village and its beaches, one of the more famous places to visit in Barcelona is the Church of the Sagrada Family. This church towers through the entire city and can be seen from almost all the parts of the city. The church is designed and worked on by architect Antoni Gaudi has been under construction since 1882 and till this day remains unfinished. Completion is planned for 2026. This church is very unique and is a World Heritage site. There are 18 towers on the church representing Christian symbolism including the 12 Apostles, Virgin Mary, the four evangelist, and the tallest of the towers is that of Jesus Christ. Enjoy the inside but the church only makes part of the interior available for tours and worship. Tickets for the tours can be purchased for the church and all proceeds are used to complete the church. This is definitely one site you don't want to miss while you are in Barcelona.

Montjuic is the place where the heart of the Olympic Village is located and one of the most memorable site of the diving competitions due to the location on top of the hill. Explore Montjuic with its numerous art galleries and parks. It's where a lot of Spaniards go to relax and enjoy the the view of the city from the toop.

For beachgoers, the beaches in Barcelona offers different tastes. For those that want good places to eat on the beach and a good night life scene on the beach, you need to go to Nova Icaria. It is usually crowded, but you get a sense of the urban beach scene. For those that prefer to run or ride bikes along the strand, go to the Bogatell. There are hotels nearby both beaches that is walking distances to the beaches. The beaches there are amazing. However, when you go to Nova Icaria beware of theifs trying to steal your wallet or purses. They are lurking there.

We will discuss more about this Catalan city in more detail covering Montserrat and some of the foods including rabbit. Don't worry, you won't hop around like a rabbit after you have a taste of one.