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miércoles, 19 de febrero de 2014

BARCELONA: BORN AND LA RIBERA

The visit to the Born and La Ribera I recommend begins in the crossroads of La Rambla and Carrer Ample (next to the Columbus Column), in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. The first interesting building we will find is the Basilica de la Mercè. If we keep walking along this street we will arrive to the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, one of the most beautiful churches in Barcelona.

And in the rear of this impressive church begins the Born Boulevard, a peaceful place during the day, but a lively place at night. I recommend two pubs to have a drink:

  • El Copetín (Pg. del Born 18, Metro L4 Jaume I Station)
  • Ribborn (Carrer Antic de Sant Joan 3, L4 Jaume I Station)

Also at the rear of Santa Maria del Mar, on the left, begins Montcada Street. This narrow and typical medieval street was possibly the most exclusive one in the past, as the palaces of this street indicate. In two of these palaces the Picasso Museum and the Textile Museum are located.

These are the interesting places and buildings we will see along this route:

  • Basílica de la Mercè
  • Santa Maria del Mar
  • Born Boulevard
  • Born Centre Cultural
  • Carrer de Montcada
  • Picasso Museum

Basilica de la Mercè


Basílica de la Mercè in BarcelonaBasílica de la Mercè is the church of the patron saint of Barcelona

Santa Maria del Mar


Santa Maria del Mar gothic churchFacade of Santa Maria del Mar. This church is surrounded and hidden by really nearby buildings, which difficults to obtain an overall impression of this imposing church, whose total width is 33 meters, which is also equal to the maximum height of the building


Gothic church of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona
Inside the church of Santa Maria del Mar is really easy to realize the beauty of this gothic church


Gothic church of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona
The church of Sant Maria del Mar in Barcelona is actually an outstanding example of Catalan Gothic, with a purity and unity of style that are very unusual in large mediaeval buildings


Fossar de les Moreres beside Santa Maria del MarFrom the Fossar de les Moreres, one of the former cemeteries which existed next to Santa Maria del Mar, we can get a nice image of the buttresses of the the side facade, ended with an slender bell tower

Apse of Santa Maria del Mar gothic churchStreetlamp in Born Boulevard with the apse of Santa Maria del Mar in the background. The apse of this wonderful church is in the beginning of the Born boulevard, where there are a lot of pubs. The Born is always a really animated quarter


Born Boulevard


Born boulevard in BarcelonaAnother image of the Born boulevard at this sunny midday of Christmas Day. Santa Maria del Mar appears at the end of this boulevard



Medieval palace in Born BoulevardA nice medieval palace in Born Boulevard

Born boulevard in BarcelonaThis image provides a better overall view of the heart of the Born quarter, the Born Boulevard, a typical cobble street in the Born quarter. In the background of this image appears shyly the apse of Sta Maria del Mar


Born Centre Cultural


Born Centre Cultural in Barcelona
An image of the Born market, built in 19th century. In February 2002, while building works were done to take in a library, archaeological remains of the medieval town appeared


Born Centre Cultural in Barcelona
Roman Remains inside Born Centre Cultural


Born Centre Cultural in Barcelona
Below the cast-iron structure of Born Centre Cultural in Barcelona you can visit roman remains found in 2002 and a exhibition on the Siege of 1714

Carrer de Montcada (Montcada Street)



Montcada Street near Born boulevard in BarcelonaHere, where Montcada Street begins, there are some boutiques a bit exclusive

Courtyard of one of the medieval palaces in Montcada StreetA nice courtyard of one of the medieval palaces in Montcada Street. In this palace is located the Textile Museum

Montaca street near Picasso MuseumMontaca street near Picasso Museum


Picasso Museum



Picasso Museum in BarcelonaThis courtyard is the main entrance to Picasso Museum. This museum is also located in a medieval palace of Montcada Street

Courtyard of Picasso Museum in BarcelonaFinally, this courtyard is the exit of Picasso Museum


Museo Picasso Useful Information

  • Address: C/ Montcada 15-23
  • Tel: 93 256 30 00
  • How to get there: Metro L4, stop Jaume I. Bus 14, 17, 19, 39, 40, 45, 51 and 59. Barcelona Bus Turístic, stop Pla de Palau.
  • Web site: www.museupicasso.bcn.es
Opening time:
  • Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays, from 10am to 8pm.
  • January 1st, May 1st, June 24th December 25th & 26th closed.




In the old city of Barcelona you can also visit other beautiful places:







Finally, clicking on the next link you will find links to more beautiful and interesting places of Barcelona.


domingo, 16 de febrero de 2014

CATALONIA: PORT AVENTURA

PortAventura theme park has six areas which will let you discover new and wonderful worlds with magnificent shows and breathtaking rides. From the tallest and fastest roller coasters in Europe to the smaller rides that parents and children can enjoy together in the magical family area of SésamoAventura. 



Map of Port Aventura
Map of PortAventura


Besides PortAventura has a privileged location in one of the best resorts in Catalonia, in the heart of the Costa Daurada and quite near of Barcelona, which will allow you to enjoy weekend breaks and holidays.

If you are also a lover of water rides, you can also enjoy the water park Costa Caribe Aquatic Park.

The six thematic areas of PortAventura are:


  • Mediterrània: PortAventura Mediterránia perfectly combines the tranquility of a typical Meditteranean fishing village with exciting rides, like Furius Baco.
  • Polynesia: Lush vegetation where aquatic attractions are hidden.
  • Sésamo Aventura: The place for the younger kids.
  • China: Shambhala and Dragon Khan will make you remember this area.
  • Mexico: In this are you can walk through the Colonial Mexico with its ancient ruins, like a Mayan pyramid.
  • Far West: The area of Port Aventura I like the most. Here I enjoyed an amusing Rodeo Show.






Mediterrània



Port Aventura in Catalonia
Harbour where Port Aventura is built around


Port Aventura Mediterrania
Halloween Pumpkin in Port Aventura Mediterrània


Furius Baco in Port Aventura
Furius Baco in Port Aventura



Polynesia


Tutuki Splash in Port Aventura
Tutuki Splash in Port Aventura



Tutuki Splash in Port Aventura
Tutuki Splash splashing water in Port Aventura


 Polynesia in Port Aventura
Going from Polynesia to China in Port Aventura



Sésamo Aventura



Sesamo Aventura in Port Aventura
Sésamo Aventura in Port Aventura

China



China in Port Aventura
China area in Port Aventura



Shambhala in Port Aventura
Shambhala in Port Aventura is the highest ride in Europe


Shambhala in Port Aventura
About to enjoy Shambhala in Port Aventura


Hurakan Condor in Port Aventura
Hurakan Condor from China area in Port Aventura


Mexico



Mexico in Port Aventura
Welcome to Mexico in Port Aventura



Hurakan Condor in Port Aventura
Hurakan Condor in Port Aventura


Hurakan Condor in Port Aventura
Overview of Hurakan Condor in Port Aventura




Diablo in Port Aventura
El Diablo or Tren de la Mina in Port Aventura


Stampida Ride in Port Aventura
Stampida Ride in Port Aventura



Gran Teatro Maya in Port Aventura
Gran Teatro Maya in Port Aventura



Far West



Far West in Port Aventura
Halloween Pumpkin in Far West in Port Aventura



Grand Canyon in Port Aventura
Grand Canyon in Port Aventura


Rodeo show in Port Aventura
Rodeo show in Port Aventura



Saloon de Roxy in Port Aventura
Saloon de Roxy in Port Aventura


Saloon de Roxy in Port Aventura
Together with a dancing girl and a spectator of Saloon de Roxy in Port Aventura




Silver River Flume in Port Aventura
Silver River Flume in Port Aventura


Silver River Flume in Port Aventura
Silver River Flume begins in this factory of Milling and Lumber


Port Aventura in Catalonia
About to leave Port Aventura after a day of fun and excitement




Helloween Pumpkins in Port Aventura
A last memory of Port Aventura


Rides of Port Aventura
The best rides of Port Aventura




In the previous picture you can see the best rides of Port Aventura. Below, I will rank them. The first one will be the one that impressed me the most:

1) Shambhala
2) Furius Baco
3) Hurakan Condor
4) Dragon Khan
5) Stampida
6) Silver River Flume
7) El Diablo
8) Tutuki Splash
9) Grand Canyon


Near Port Aventura there a lot of interesting places to visit, like:



Finally, clicking on the next link you will find more beautiful villages, beaches and landscapes in Catalonia.

sábado, 8 de febrero de 2014

BARCELONA: CARRETERA DE LES AIGÜES

The Carretera de les Aigües is the perfect place for a bike ride or a walk while you enjoy views of Barcelona. Within easy access of the city, the trail also provides a magnificent viewing point from the Collserola Ridge.


Beginning of Carretera de les Aigües
Beginning of Carretera de les Aigües in Sant Pere Màrtir


The Carretera de les Aigües is so named because of the water pipes that once ran along this path, and retains its horizontal layout. It is almost 10 kilometres long and, at its highest point, stands 450 metres above sea level. It is one of the locals’ most popular cycling and walking trails. From Sant Pere Màrtir to the Carretera de la Rabassada, the viewing point on the side of Collserola that overlooks Barcelona is perfect.


Sant Pere Martir from Carretera de les Aigues
Sant Pere Màrtir from Carretera de les Aigües



Collserola Tower from Carretera de les Aigues
Carretera de les Aigües is a fantastic place for cycling and jogging



Tibidabo from Carretera de les Aigues
Collserola Tower and Tibidabo from Carretera de les Aigües


Personally I really like to walk around La Carretera de les Aigües on a sunny day by the beautiful views you can enjoy of Barcelona. 

I usually begin the walk at the beginning of the path in Sant Pere Màrtir, where you can arrive by car or walking.

Views of Barcelona



Barcelona from Carretera de les Aigues
Barcelona from Carretera de les Aigües in the morning


Barcelona from Carretera de les Aigües
Barcelona from Carretera de les Aigües in the afternoon



Other interesting places you can visit in Collserola Ridge are:


Finally, clicking on the next link you will find more beautiful places you can visit in Barcelona.