Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Barcelona - A Two Thousand-Year-Old Social Hotspot

By Ben Pate


Several components of Spanish culture come together in its second-biggest city, Barcelona. Fashion, science, art, and entertainment combine here to make it one of Spain's most engaging and exciting cities, and it's 2000-year history only make it all the more interesting. Barcelona has something for everyone: nightlife, beaches, culture, and more. All travel outside the US means needing to have a US passport though, but any passport service - including Expedited US passport name changes - can be quickly done online.

You Will Need A Passport To Get There

No matter what issue you are facing with your passport, online services can help you out. For example, name changes are for those who just got married or divorced. Other services include passport renewal for expired passports, passport replacement for stolen, lost, or damaged passports, and even new passport cards service, an inexpensive alternative for those looking to travel by land or sea to countries near the US.

Barri Gotic - The Gothic Quarter

A very cool place to begin your exploration of Barcelona is the historical area, Barri Gotic, or the Gothic Quarter. Many of the buildings in this neighborhood date back to Medieval times, and some even go back to Roman times. The streets are excellent for exploring, as they are often too thin for cars to get through. There are many important landmarks around the Barri Gotic, including several large squares and old churches. Another good place for exploring on foot or on bike is the long walkway that runs along the Mediterranean Sea.

El Palau de la Musica Catalana - Palace of Catalan Music

Barcelona has several official UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and one of the most love is El Palau de la Musica Catalana, or the Palace of Catalan Music. Lluis Domenech i Montaner, a famous local architect, designed the building. This breathtaking structure is as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside, full of intricate details, gorgeous colors, and more. The Church of the Sacred Family, or El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia, is an impressive yet beautiful Gothic-style building, as well as another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to allot enough time to take in the exterior and the interior.

Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya

If you are interested in visiting some museums, one of the most popular is the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. Featuring hundreds of pieces of art from the Medieval times to the 19th century, it is a great place to spend an afternoon. Another very interesting museum is the City History Museum (Museu d'Historia de la Ciutat), which covers much of the 2000 year history of Barcelona.

Don't Forget To Try The Food!

Barcelona is known for its gastronomic experience, i.e., the food. That being said, Barcelona is full of great places to eat, and the locals know the best ones. Don't be afraid to ask for pointers! Simply asking for advice can lead you to the best restaurants with the best prices.




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