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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 RTW adventure 09 to 13
August 3rd 2009

Cervezas, Siestas And Sightseeing Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

Original City Gate 2

The Spanish Life Arriving in Valencia an hour late, I was pleased to find that the temperature here was much easier to handle at a mere 42C. Out of the train station and heading towards my hostel, the city was a sudden assault on the senses. There was life everywhere, from the lady feeding the birds in front of the enormous fountain to the people having a laugh around the bull fighting ring. It is also one of the more beautiful cities I've seen from first impressions with heroic monuments, fantastic sculptures and fountains in every plaza, as well as magnificent [View Full Entry]

By EricOnTour
August 2nd 2009

Arrived in Barcelona- prepared to be entertained Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

Arrived in Barcelona from Madrid, with speed of Eurostar super-comfy train. (300 Kg per hour) Everyone I met said good things about Barcelona, so it was with high expectation I arrived to this city. I will go back to Madrid after 5 days. I am taking a more leisurely pace in Spain, not rushing between cities. So 10 days were allocated between Barcelona and Madrid only. I will have more time and space to breathe, to enjoy, to see and to socialize. Until next time. [View Full Entry]

By Carly and Jez
July 29th 2009

Barcelona; its sights, its food and too much sangria! Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

Sagrada Familia

Barcelona Day 457 Steps 11670 (12/7/09) We arrived in Barcelona on time after a bus ride as good as overnight buses go. We made our way to Sergi's (a friend who we met when travelling in Egypt and Jordan). Sergi who was leaving shortly to return to summer camp but managed to orientate us, provide us with a map and info on all the 'must-see's' over our next couple days. We farewelled Sergi and thanked him for his very genorous use of his apartment. We made our way to La Rambla's to met up with Leanne, Brian and Chris for Travelers [View Full Entry]

View of National Art Museum of Catalunya

By ali c
July 29th 2009

I heart barcelona Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

Kathy

I am starting to fall in love with this city. There is an energy that radiates through it - the type of people it attracts. I've spent plenty of time bonding with my housemates. Even blended the perfect sangria with cherries and nectarines. My Panamanian and I enjoyed several glasses over their wedding photo's. I gave him my spanish/english dictionary on Monday. He reads through it everyday - today we went through the pronunciation of ''beach'' and ''bitch''. He promises me that he will be fluent the next time we meet. I have been hitting the clubs with my Polish friends. [View Full Entry]

By Sandritta
July 27th 2009

ESPANA Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

BARCELONA

Barcelona [View Full Entry]

By GPJMurphy
July 25th 2009

Olot & Lower Pyrenees Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Figueres

Road to Beget (I think)

Saturday 25th July - Olot and the lower Pyrenees Somone upstairs had finally turned the heating down and so I swapped plans and set off on the bike around 10am. It was a deliciously cool 22C and even by midday had only reached mid-twenties. I felt like I had my own personal AC unit. Perfect conditions for riding a bike - especially without full luggage on a range of cols. What a mega f*cking day! First leg was to ride out to Sant Joan de Abasses - brilliant road, Col de Joubert I think and I yabadaba-dooed out loud in my [View Full Entry]

By Lair Lair
July 25th 2009

Barcelona Europe » Spain » Catalonia

Barcelona

Without any hostel booked or any idea of where anything was we managed to hop on a train to Barcelona and find a random hostel to stay in. Turns out the hostel is dirt cheap and more like a hotel, very nice indeed and even has a small balcony. We are loving Barcelona, so much to do and see. The buildings are amazing! We are off to see the Picasso Gallery and the Gaudi Sagrada Familia tomorrow after enjoying a drink on the balcony tonight. Having a great time and such a giggle, starting to get used to the heat aswell [View Full Entry]

By GPJMurphy
July 24th 2009

Barcelona - Central Catalonia Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Monistrol de Montserrat

Ooh look where is the witch...

Friday 24th July - Barcelona - Central Catalonia Barcelona traffic was pretty dire so I was hoping this trip up to Parc Guell with me sat melting in the heat would be worth it. Was it? No. And worse I had to lug all the bungeed luggage round the park, due to the constant threat of theft of anything not bolted down. So I absolutely fried. The trousers were designed to be summer trousers so what muppet in the Hein Gericke design department decided on black as a color? Call me a philistine but I just didn't see the appeal in [View Full Entry]

By Anna and Dave
July 24th 2009

'Scenic' Costal Roads Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Figueres » Empuriabrava

Entrance to Carcassone

After our now familiar morning routine of repacking the car, throwing some coffee over the car and sluggish heads, we drove the short distance into Carcassone centre & abandoned the car to explore. Surfacing from the underground car park we took a few moments to gain our bearings & attempted to decipher the map we found by one of the impressive gates to the city. Taking pity on us an elderly gent slowly walking by supping on an oxygen cylinder gave us some basic French & hand gestured directions to the tourist information office. Thanking him with our limited French we [View Full Entry]

By Synnott
July 24th 2009

so much to see... Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

allo allo, pas facile les ordis ici...mais on se debrouille. well qu est quon fait de bon...je crois quon etait rendu au jour 4. alors la troisieme journee nous sommes aller a la plage toute la journee c est toff la vie pas vrai. Ensuite nous somme aller au mont juic. Moi qui me prennais pour lance armstrong, je me suis dit que je le montrait en velo. resultat mon velo cheap a peter au 3/4 du mont. on a barrer ce qui en restait puis on a pris le teleferic pour le chateau...interressant et surtout gratuit et apres on est [View Full Entry]

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Catalonia Travel Blogs, page 8

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