The Best of Barcelona

So we only had one full day to see all of Barcelona and what better way to do this than to take the All Barcelona Highlights Tour!

I knew we had a long day ahead so I decided to eat a lot for breakfast... A lot of sweets that is! Haha I really loved the hotel's breakfast buffet, they served so much cakes and pastries. My kind of breakfast!

After breakfast, we headed straight to the meeting place and the first stop of the tour was Park Güell. 

Park Güell was designed by the famous architect, Antoni Gaudi. He was tasked by the rich industrialist, Eusebi Güell, to create a residential village inspired by the concept of the garden city. Only 2 houses were built and today, it is considered a municipal property and has since been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Doesn't this look like a gingerbread house?

I won't pretend to know a lot about art and architecture but I do know how to appreciate beauty. You don't need to be an expert to notice the intricate details placed on each area of Park Güell. I love the whimsical feel of the curves and mosaics!

Next stop: The Sagrada Familia! I am in awe of this place. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site and another work of Antoni Gaudi. 

Construction started in 1882 and after more than a century, it is still on going.

Then a quick stop by the Barceloneta Beach for pictures. It was a holiday, and it seemed like everyone decided to go to the beach! 

Next on the itinerary, Mirador de l.Alcalde or the Mayor's Lookout. 

This place boasts of the best view you can get of Barcelona. 

I was entranced by the different shades of blue of the Mediterranean Sea. 

And there's the city. With my huge face covering most of it. Haha FAIL.

Last stop of the tour was El Poble Espanyol. Originally built for the 1929 International Exhibition on the mountain of Montjuïc, it was supposed to be demolished at the end of the exhibition. It was, however, saved due to its popularity. 

It is now considered an architectural museum wherein one is allowed to see and somehow experience the different autonomous communities of Spain within a matter of a few hours.

Each street looks different, and there are numerous restaurants, artists' workshops and souvenir shops to choose from and see. I actually panicked because we were only given an hour to eat and explore. And while I was starving, I also wanted to see EVERYTHING. 

Hunger won though, the tummy always wins. Hahaha

At the Plaza Mayor-- I had to take one last picture before the tour ends.

And back we went to La Rambla for some last minute shopping and sightseeing before the day ends.

I am in love with this city. I hope I'd get a chance to go back!

And Then Came Barcelona.

Barcelona. Our last stop for this trip. Oh I am in love with Barcelona. We came here thinking that our days would be spent shopping, but God had other plans for us. Haha 

We arrived on a Sunday not knowing that most, if not all shopping centers are closed on Sundays. We also didn't know that the following day was a holiday and only one mall was going to be open. (We really should do some research before leaving the country!) Disappointed as I was, the charm (well--more like the masculinity) of our hotel was enough to distract me from the problem.

We stayed at Hotel 1898, located in La Rambla, at the center of Barcelona. One cool thing to know about this hotel is that it used to be the Philippine Tobacco Company Headquarters!

Nice, yes?

We decided that we weren't too tired from our flight so out we went to explore La Rambla! And guess what greeted us outside our hotel door. These two didn't seem too happy to see us. Probably because I took their picture without dropping money in their can! Haha I didn't have any change yet!

I looooved this street. It's so full of life. Walk the strip and you would see all types of trinkets, different pieces of artworks and entertainers of every kind.

Behind me is the Columbus Monument, built at the site where he returned from his first expedition to America.

If I lived in Barcelona I'd probably be one of those kids hanging out on this bridge. (Across this bridge is a mall! )

And because I couldn't get my mind off the Belgian Waffles I saw in Brussels, I decided to try it in Barcelona instead. Haha

YUM!!! But let me tell you, it is not advisable to eat waffles while walking. You'll end up looking like a two year old who just had her first taste of chocolates. hahaha that little yellow fork doesn't really do anything. 


I had to stop taking photos because of all the chocolate syrup on my hands and face! Haha guess that ends Day 1 of Barcelona 2010!