Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

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Previous issues for Barcelona

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Spain : Barcelona - March 2008

Country Code: Dial for Spain

Getting around

El Prat

Bus: The nearest airport is El Prat Airport, about 12km from the city.

LA RAMBLA

Go with the colourful flow down this world-famous boulevard, passing human statues, shrieking caged birds and flower-sellers on the way

Culture vultures – Indulge in a night at the opera – a grand co-production of Richard Wagner’s Tannhäuser is currently performing at Gran Teatre del Liceu (51 La Rambla). Otherwise, there’s contemporary art at Centre d’Art Santa Mònica (7 La Rambla). For a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the city, take the lift to the top of Monument do Colom, the towering statue at the end of La Rambla.

Must eat – Avoid overpriced tourist traps on the main drag and head into Mercat de le Boqueria (Plaça de la Boqueria). Pull up a stool at Pinotxo’s (stall 66-67) for the pick of the day, or snack healthily on vegetarian takeaways at Organic (stall 972-974).

Must drink – Stop at the fin de siècle Cafè de l’Òpera (74 La Rambla) for café con leche (coffee with milk). When night falls, try Pastis (4 Santa Mònica), a tiny bar with a distinctly French ambience.

Dance the night away – Things hot up after midnight in multi-spaced Club Fellini (27 La Rambla).

BARRI GÒTIC

A labyrinth of medieval lanes weaves around the cathedral, housing palaces converted into government offices, museums and designer hotels.

Sleep soundly – Within chiming distance of the cathedral, the exquisite Neri Hotel & Restaurante has 22 individually designed rooms. More down to earth is Hostal Lausanne.

Culture vultures – Don’t expect sombre Easter processions typical of the south here. For a glimpse of sardanes (traditional Catalan dancing) in front of the cathedral, stop by Pla de la Seu at 6pm on Saturdays or 12pm on Sundays.

Must eat – Set in a charming gothic square, Cafè de l’Acadèmia (1 Lledó, tel. ) serves delicious new takes on classic Catalan dishes, while Taller de Tapas (9 Plaça Sant Josep Oriol, tel. ) offers a wide range of freshly made tapas.

Shop til you drop – The medieval nucleus is surrounded by shopping streets such as Portaferrissa and Portal de l’Angel, which brim with fashionable stores and boutiques.

EIXAMPLE

The sophisticated 19th-century ‘new town’ is studded with modernista architectural gems and designer shopping. At its heart you’ll find broad Passeig de Gràcia and the elegant, semi-pedestrian Rambla de Catalunya.

Sleep soundly – Be one of the first to get your head on a designer pillow in the new 987 Barcelona Hotel. Despite its elaborate 19th-century façade, the hotel is ultra-modern.

Culture vultures – Visit Gaudí’s extraordinary apartment block La Pedrera (92 Passeig de Gràcia). Galeria Joan Prats (54 Rambla de Catalunya) is good for contemporary art. Otherwise, explore the clutch of galleries on nearby Consell de Cent.

Must eat – For Mediterranean dishes served to a cool crowd, try Tragaluz (5 Pasaje de la Concepción, tel. ). Or join the grand old ladies at pastry shop Mauri (102 Rambla de Catalunya, tel. ) – a Barcelona institution since 1929.

Dance the night away – Housed in the basement of chic design hotel Omm, the dramatically lit Club Ommsession (265 Rosselló) is a great place to enjoy a top-notch cocktail from Wednesday to Sunday.

Shop til you drop – Top designers such as Antonio Miró (349 Consell de Cent) and Adolfo Dominguez (32 Passeig de Gràcia) abound in this area. Discreet mall Bulevard Rosa (53 Passeig de Gràcia) is home to several boutiques selling fashion, jewellery, food and homewares. Perfect for gifts.

Compiled by Judy Thomson