Showing posts with label Spain - Barcelona - To Do. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spain - Barcelona - To Do. Show all posts

Friday, December 11, 2015

Barcelona - To Do 04Dec2015 Sagrada Família (Gaudi), Museu Del Modernisme Barcelona, Jamone Experience, Park Guell, Mercat de les Corts, Magic Fountain/Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya)

BCN - To Stay
BCN - To Do 
BCN - To Eat
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Sagrada Família (Gaudi)
 
04Dec2015
Sagrada Familia
Entry €24 (Depends if you go for all options)
 €13 for basic entry, €4.50 Audio Guide €4.50 Lift to one of the towers.
Tickets come with fixed timings in order to
manage traffic flow to this impressive structure.


Like much of Gaudi's genius, he's come up with yet another stunning piece of architecture. Definitely not to be missed!

The back facade, where which tickets are being bought is Gaudi inspired. It is an interpretation by others of what they think he'd want the final design to be. The front however is undeniably his works and his distinct style shines through. Both figuratively and metaphorically. 
 
 
The thought process behind his design of Sagrada Familia is both stunning and inspiring. The importance of light and sound in his designs and how that dynamic variable changes throughout the day is taken into full consideration. It's effects pay off in spades with beautiful color array within the cathedral.

Well worth the visit, and I'd definately like to return in the evening to see it in the night. The extra 4.50Euro for the ride up the lift is a must!
ABBATIp:Take the stairs down. It is an experience in itself.

 
ABBATip: Take the stairs down. You'll truly experience Gaudi's beautiful designs.*
The audio guide is somewhat of a 50/50. Without it, one probably can't sort through the genius behind the madness of his designs and motifs. With that said, we did listen at the beginning, but sorta forgot about the audio guides midway through and only referring to them sporadically. Undeniably a must visit and re-visit.
Click here for other of Gaudi's work, Casa Balto 
Click here for ABBA Location of La Garda Familia, Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona
Museu Del Modernisme Barcelona
04Dec2015
 
Entry €10 for adults, €7 for students
A really small museum on modernism housing some of Gaudi's distinct furniture pieces. By small I mean really small. A two level structure. This place can be skipped. 
Probably the only interesting piece to me was the use of glass beads to building a complete picture. Stunning and interesting piece of work, reminiscence of Peranakan beaded shoes. 
Click here for ABBA location of Museu del Modernisme de Barcelona, Carrer de Balmes, 48, 08007 Barcelona 
Jamon Experience
Along La Ramblas
(Opens 10am)
Visited 09Dec2015


€18 for entry. Included a sampling platter and 2 drinks (Red/White/Cava/Beer/Water)
Well worth it! The self guided tour was very educational and well presented. The tour itself is short though but it gives you an appreciation of Jamon Ham.
Where you really get your money's worth is when you get to taste the ham. Each of the hams from the regions and 'cook' style taste distinctively different from one another. Superb flavors and expose oneself to what real Jamon Ham should taste nice.  

We were really lucky on our visit. They were doing a program interview on the Jamon experience. In payment they doubled up our ham which was well worth! Great experience with everyone buying some Jamon back.

 Park Guell
Visited 09Dec2015
8Euro for entry
A beautiful park that's once again design by the genius that is Gaudi. Awe inspiring with the use of mosaic motifs and blend of colors and shapes to deliver to us this beautiful park. Loads and loads of photo opportunities.

Especially with Park Guell located atop the hill, offers a spectacular view of the city of Barcelona.
ABBATip:
- Take a taxi up. As the slope is quite steep. Approx 10Euros from La Ramblas- Time your visit at about Sunset for some of the best shots.
- NOTE that park guell does not light up in the night.

Mercat de les Corts
Morning Market (750m walk from Hilton Barcelona)
10Dec2015
A little local market located a short walk from Hilton Barcelona. Opens at 7am. Great photo ops to see locals set up shop as they display the freshest Barcelona has to offer. Breakfast is also available on location with decent toast and coffee. 
Tried their strange shaped tomatoes. Staff at the corner cafe we kind enough to cut em up for us to have. Sandwiches are pretty large orders, so just be aware of that.
  
Magic Fountain/Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
(Closest station is Espanya station)
Visited 10Dec2015



A beautiful place to be. The fountain was spectacular and even more so during a song and light show, from what I was told only occurs only on the weekends. I'll definitely return just to enjoy the exterior of the magnificent structures of both the museum and the magic fountain in the night.
Entry stands at 12Euros for adults and 8.40Euros for students
Just the exterior of the place was fantastic, but entry to the exhibits, I must say is pretty well stocked and features arts across the ages. One gets a good spread of art pieces during the periods and how it progresses to the modern times.

A nice afternoon out, but the sight of the city from the top of the hill and building is definately a sight to behold.

Worth a visit as well will return just to catch the light show and go up by cable car to the castle (another tourist attraction to see the harbor and city)
ABBATip:
Tickets are valid for 2entry within a period of one month. Try to time your visit or second visit on the weekend to catch the magical fountain and light show. Search online for more details.
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Thursday, December 25, 2014

Barcelona - To Do (22Dec2014 Camp Nou, St Josep Market La Boqueria, Casa Batllo Gaudi Barcelona)

BCN - To Stay
BCN - To Do 
BCN - To Eat
Barcelona - To Do
22Dec2014
FC Barcelona football club
(Camp Nou)
Click here for ABBA location of Camp Nou, Carrer d'Aristides Maillol, 12, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
FC Barcelona football club (Camp Nou) is a short 1.4km walk from Barcelona Hilton. Home to European football greats, one is able to walk the grounds at a tour price, or catch a live match. One of many which are played constantly.


The grounds plays host to various events and concerts as well as an ice skating ring.
Also on sight is the FC Barcelona museum and a giant merchandise store for your patronage.
 
Click here for ABBA details on sporting events
Click here for ABBA location of Camp Nou, Carrer d'Aristides Maillol, 12, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
 
St Josep Market La Boqueria
Click here for ABBA location of Mercado de La Boqueria, La Rambla, 91, 08001 Barcelona, Spain

A huge tourist market located along La Ramba. La Boqueria is an absolute joy to explore. Fresh produce, seafood and eats line this market. Nothing but the freshest of ingredients, sure to inspire any would be cook/chef.
*A different way in which produce is put on display for sale. From the left, piglets, center duck and chicken with head left on and the right, lamb head and assuming brains.*
*An array of sweets and chocolates. The samples of chocolate covered macadamias are amazing. The candied orange dipped in chocolate were decadent and light. The bitterness somehow cooked out, only to leave behind the subtle flavors of the orange. Goes by weight, and a single sample cost us 1Euro.*
*Some of the Tapas Joints found within the market.*
*Decorative chocolate pieces looking like jewels.*
 *Pictured left, chilli oil spritzers and an array of flavoured salts. Pictured center, 1.5l spiced olive oils at 70Euro and up a bottle. Pictured right, huge salad lettuces up for sale.*
*Some of the best and finest cured hams. A feast for the eyes and the senses.*
Although for actual purchases by ways of produce and sweets, its said to be a little pricy. However, despite that, its a great photo opportunity and subject matter to shoot. Definitely not to be missed for food lovers, photographers and any wondering tourist. Phenomenal selection! This place defiantly one ups the spice markets in Istanbul. Same same but different.
Click here for ABBA location of Mercado de La Boqueria, La Rambla, 91, 08001 Barcelona, Spain

Casa Batllo
(Gaudi Barcelona)
 
Adult 21.50Euro
Student 18.50Euro
(Audio Guide Comes with)
*ABBA Tip*
Bring your own headphones!
It does get quite tiring having the phone to the ear through out the entire tour.
Total tour time takes about 1hrs-1.5hrs comfortably.
Wikipedia source
*Antoni Gaudí i Cornet (Catalan pronunciation: 25 June 1852 – 10 June 1926) was a Spanish Catalan architect from Reus and the best known practitioner of Catalan Modernism. Gaudí's works reflect an individualized and distinctive style. Most are located in Barcelona, including his magnum opus, the Sagrada Família.
Gaudí's work was influenced by his passions in life: architecture, nature, and religion. Gaudí considered every detail of his creations and integrated into his architecture such crafts as ceramics, stained glass, wrought ironwork forging and carpentry. He also introduced new techniques in the treatment of materials, such as trencadís which used waste ceramic pieces.* Wikipedia source

The writeup above of Gaudi is a little lengthy, but its accurate to a T and its prominently and beautifully shown in Casa Batllo. Curves and lines evoke the senses and on top of that, ergonomics to boot. I won't go into too much details of the writeup to spoil the surprise whilst on the audio guide. 

 *The curves and the large windows purposely built to allow maximum light and allowing the sunlight to filter through the colored glasses, like the colorful sea corals. Each of the different chandeliers with inspiration from nature and the sea. Follow the audio guide and feel the space.*


*The glass mimics the feeling of being underwater*

Although the entry is a little pricy, the audio guide that comes with really brings to you an appreciation for the art and deep thought that goes into his unique architecture. Never would you have conceived that there's so much thought of a doorway, a fire place, window pains and more.

Be encouraged to touch and feel the windows, louvers, handles, as they are purposefully designed with functionality, inspiration and ergonomics in mind.
ABBATip:
Bring your own headphones as its more comfortable! They aren't provided with the audio guide. Audio guide still works without headphones.
Click here for ABBA location of Casa Batlló, Passeig de Gràcia, 43, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
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