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Catalonia Travel Blogs

Background: Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II, but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). In the second half of the 20th century, Spain has played a catch-up role in the western international community; it joined the EU in 1986. Continuing challenges include Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorism and further reductions in unemployment.

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By Coopers
October 23rd 2009

Northern Spain...ola... Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Figueres

Ingrid and Nadine

It is great to escape the City and get into the country to see the more natural side of Spain. I do find it very unique and wonderful and throw in the Mediterranean and it is very special indeed. Language…a mile a minute I would like to retract any complaint I have ever made about the French speaking too fast…the Spanish put them to shame! It is almost comical to listen to news casts or conversations and trhe spead with whcih they seem to converse. It truly is amazing! However, it is discouraging when trying to understand a new language to [View Full Entry]

By SlavicNerd
October 23rd 2009

La Fira de San Ermengol Europe » Spain » Catalonia » La Seu d'Urgell

Catedral

Last weekend marked the annual celebration of the Feast of Saint Ermengol in the Catalonian town of La Seu d'Urgell. It is supposedly documented as the oldest festival in all of Spain! La Seu d'Urgell, despite only having some 13,000 inhabitants, holds many festivals throughout the year and attracts people from throughout Catalonia as well as Andorra. It is also important in that the Bishop of La Seu is one of the Andorran co-princes. Said bishop actually died a few weeks ago, so now there's a new one, but that really isn't relevant. La Seu also was the site of the [View Full Entry]

By SDaniels
October 23rd 2009

Fall Break in Barcelona Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

Sagrada Familia

For the first 3 days of our fall break we spent it in Barcelona Spain. We flew Ryanair from Pisa to Girona, I suggest not taking Ryanair. They offer extremely cheap flights but for a reason. You have to print out your boarding passes ahead of time, if you don't it is a 50 euro fee so make sure to do that if you book through them. Also, there are no assigned seats which would be fine if it was in an organized way to get to the plane. However, about an hour before the actual flight and boarding time people [View Full Entry]

By jessiestebs
October 22nd 2009

Oct 11th - 19th Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

Oct 11th - 19th Barcelona!!!! Finally back to warm weather! Our first day in Barcelona was actually an epic travel day. Even thought it started at the crack of dawn in London we didn’t make it to our hostel until about 8pm. Adam and I were so tired we literally went straight into the shower then into bed. But day two we dove right in and started exploring the city. Our hostel was called the Melon District and was really nice but a little outside the downtown core. The walk in was easy though and the weather was gorgeous. We literally [View Full Entry]

By torence777
October 15th 2009

A Glimpse of Barcelona Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

DSC00060

Traveling in Europe is pretty cheap.. well, to the UK, not so cheap... However, I found a flight that was only $100 round trip.. not so bad. But here's the catch. It involves a 5 hour layover in Barcelona, yeah that's right, south to go north.. But I can't complain, it was only $100! So my journey began at 2:30am on Wednesday night..uhh..Thursday morning?? I took a taxi to the Prague airport and the plane left at 4:30am.. I slept most of the way. I arrived in Barcelona at 6:30am.. So I can say I've been to Barcelona right? No, wrong, [View Full Entry]

By AL50
October 13th 2009

When Jeannie came to stay Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

Herself

23-09-09 After Lake Caspe we went and stayed at a huge campsite in Villanova near Barcelona which was a retirement home with sunshine and in part God’s waiting room. To top it off a bear kept us awake all night (see Alan’s top ten list). Left there ASAP and headed north up the Costa Brava which in parts is Blackpool with sunshine and in some parts is really beautiful (see photos). Using the good old Lonely Planet as our guide we stayed at an inland campsite near Pals which was in its closing down phase which was highly entertaining as Liz [View Full Entry]

By buddymedbery
October 10th 2009

Thursday, October 8, 2009 - Barcelona - El Tour de Gaudi de Barcelona Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

Catenary string model of Gaudi

I am pretty sure that is not correct Spanish. But the idea of spending the day touring the creations of Antoni Gaudi is. I don't think I have seen a city so dominated by a single architect. Not only did Gaudi design several structures, you can see his influence in many others. When Gaudi received his architect title, Elies Rogent (who signed it) declared, "Qui sap si hem donat el diploma a un boig o a un geni: el temps ens ho dirà" ("Who knows if we have given this diploma to a nut or to a genius. Time will tell.") [View Full Entry]

By buddymedbery
October 9th 2009

Tuesday, October 6, 2009 - Lourdes to Barcelona Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

Andorra mountains

Today largely consisted of a driving day from Lourdes to Barcelona, driving part way through Andorra and over and through the Pyrenees along the way. The term "Through the Pyrenees" is well chosen, since we went through several tunnels more than kilometer long, several kilometers in some cases. Grades of 6% to 11% were not uncommon, up and down. Our visit to Andorra was mostly just to briefly see it and say we had been there. Andorra is the 6th smallest country in the world, and has a fairly unique form of government derived from historical precedents. It has an elected [View Full Entry]

By buddymedbery
October 9th 2009

Wednesday, October 7, 2009 - Barcelona Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

Bird seller on Ramblas

The beginning of two days touring in Barcelona, a city we greatly enjoyed. Barcelona is the capital of Catalunya, one of the autonomous districts of Spain. I am totally unsure of how this "autonomous district" thing works. I perceive it as being analogous to states in the USA, but I am not sure it is the same thing, or even similar. Barcelona used the vehicle of the 1992 Summer Olympic Games as a means of city enhancement and renewal. It is a warm, vibrant city with broad avenues and boulevards, interspersed with rabbit warrens of narrow streets and alleys, and punctuated [View Full Entry]

By Blackie1
October 8th 2009

Time to reflect and relax Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

To any of you who may still be following us... a big hola! It is now Thursday, I think, and Bill and I are in Barcelona.... an absolutely amazing city! It has been such an incredible time since the weekend and Finisterre... I have experienced all sorts of highs and lows. Thankfully my wonderful undersatnding husband is by my side helping me adjust to life in the city again! Mind you, as I write this I can honestly say that we have adapted to the Spanish way of life quite easily... it´s 9.15 am and Bill is still in bed after [View Full Entry]

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