Monday, September 10, 2012

Barcelona, Spain

Before we leave Spain, I have to tell you about beautiful Barcelona. This will be just a overview.
It is worth it to take a train from Madrid to Barcelona and it will take about 3 hours.

History

Catalonia is the area of Spain that celebrates beautiful Barcelona and was first settled during the Middle Paleolithic era 300,000 years ago. Like most Mediterranean areas, it was later controlled by Phoenicians and then Carthaginians. It is a land that has seen extensive conflict and changes in political status. In 1st century BC Romans took control, then in 415 AD they were defeated by the Visigoths who renamed the city of Barcino as Barcinona. The Visigoth kingdom came to an end in 711 with the Moorish invasion from Africa until they were by the Franks in 732. Charlemagne's knights pushed in after them and installed themselves at the head of the border counties to guard the southern flank of his empire.

After Louis V refused to help repulse Moorish raiders in 988, the counts of Barcelona declared their independence from the Franks. This period also saw the beginnings of democratic institutions. In 1640 a revolt against the five year old war with France started in Barcelona and saw Catalonia first declared as a republic allied to France. Forced to surrender under the 1652 siege of Barcelona, the Catalan territories north of the Pyrenees were given to France. The following years saw the city rebuilt, only to see it destroyed again in the wars against France of 1680 and 1690.

In 1705, following years of interference from Madrid, Catalonia signed a treaty with England and Genoa and went to war. This ended with the 13 month siege of Barcelona, which ended on 11th September 1714, celebrated today as Catalonia's national day.

In the early 1900's, Catalonia enjoyed and lost several times varying degrees of autonomy, but like the rest of Spain, Catalonia autonomy and culture were crushed to an unprecedented degree in 1939 after General Francisco Franco came to power. Public use of the Catalonia language was banned; however, some continued to speak the language privately.

Finally, in 1975, after Franco's death Spain moved to democracy and, Catalonia recovered its cultural and political autonomy.


Geography


Facing the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is located on the Iberian Peninsula’s northeast coast. The Collserola mountain range falls at the backdrop of the city giving it a spectacular location.

Economy

Manufacturing has played a major role in Barcelona’s economy since the early ages of industrialization in Europe. Textile is one of the major industries with a thriving cotton trade. Tourism and other service industries have boomed recently.

 

 

Society & Cultural Life


Barcelona has a very rich culture. Catalan and Spanish are widely spoken in Barcelona making it a bilingual city. Art and architecture are celebrated in Barcelona with amazing work all around you. Barcelona has many impressive buildings with styles going from the Gothic to the modernism. Also the city has many archaeological sites that are well worth a visit. Architects from around the world flock to the city to visit much of its more modern architecture.


Bold, colorful, distinctive, harmonious, varied and unique are just a few adjectives that come to mind when describing Barcelona architecture. Barcelona has successfully blended the old and the new in a way that makes this city simply breathtakingly beautiful. There is nothing more enjoyable than strolling around the streets of Barcelona and taking in the atmosphere that radiates out from the architecture. Traditional Catalan Gothic architecture such as the Iglesia de Pi church is reserved and stoic in its design, but just a 5 minute walk away we have the Barcelona Cathedral with is beautiful arches and facade. A short metro ride we have the famous Sagrada familia Basilica which towers into the sky and has different architectural styles on all four sides of the building.


Best time to visit


Anytime is a good time to visit Barcelona, the weather is pretty good all year round, not too hot in the summer and with few genuinely cold days in winter .

Do not forget to take comfortable shoes, there is a lot of walking to do.







72 comments:

  1. Hi,

    I am a travel blogger, associated with cheapoair.com. I write blogs www.cheapoairtravelblog.com , www.businesstravelconnection.com and www.funfoodandtravel.com . I read your blogs and must admit you have an impressive blog.

    Being a blogger it would be a pleasure to write a guest blog for you. The post would be related to the contents of your blog. So, contact me ashwin-at-cheapoair.com , if you are interested.

    Waiting for your reply.

    Regards,

    Ashwin

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi,
    I apologize that I didn't see your comment before; but, I am happy that you appreciate my work. I would be delighted to exchange guest blog articles with you. My email is tundra@aol.com. Why don't you send me an outline of what you propose to write and let me know what would add to your blog. We should be able to collaborate to each others benefit.

    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Ashwin. So sorry I forget to give you 4 numbers for my e-mail.
    This is the right one: tundra1225@aol.com
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  4. You made some clear points there. I did a search on the subject matter and found most individuals will approve with

    your blog.
    Stop by my blog ... www.spaingolf.us

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the compliment, it means a lot to me. It has been only about 6 months that I started to write this blog and there is people from all over the world reading it and enjoying it. Since I have not earned any money yet with it, the compliments are my BIG SUCCESS.
      Have a wonderful Holiday.
      Marcia

      Delete
  5. Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at

    your blog site in Firefox, it looks fine but
    when opening in Internet Explorer, it

    has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Other then that, wonderful blog!
    My web page : http://www.fishingspain.net/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks for letting me know about the difference on my blog with Internet Explore and Firefox. I have stopped to use the Internet because I was told that terrorists can get to you private information from it. I have been using only Firefox for a while now but I will definitely look at it to see what is the problem.
      Thanks for the compliment, it is a lot of work but I love to do it.
      Have a wonderful Holiday.
      Marcia

      Delete
  6. I have been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used
    to love this website.

    Thanks , I’ll try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your web

    site?
    My web-site ; http://www.higp.hawaii.edu/

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi, I am so very glad you enjoy what I write. It is a lot of work and tremendous amount of research but I love to do it.
    It has been only about 6 months I am writing this blog but people all over the world are reading it and appreciating it.
    I generally write about 2 blogs per week, if you subscribe every time I write, you will receive it, it is under the products I recommend. I will take a look at your web.
    Have wonderful holidays.
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am continuously searching online for

    ideas that can assist me. Thank you!
    Also visit my web page :: Thespainforum.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are very welcome! I am glad I can help.
      Saw your web and it is very nice, congratulations!
      Have a wonderful Holiday.
      Marcia

      Delete
  9. I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
    Did you make this website yourself or did you

    hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply as I'm looking to design my own blog and

    would like to know where u got this from. thanks a lot
    Check out my blog post ; http://www.catralproperty.net

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi, thank you so much for the compliment.
    My blog was done with the tools from Google, it is a lot of work and my husband helped me to set it up.
    Looked at your web and thought was really nice.
    Have a wonderful holiday.
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have been exploring for a little bit for any
    high quality articles or blog posts in this sort of area .
    Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this site. Studying this
    info So i am

    satisfied to show that I've a very good uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed. I most

    undoubtedly will

    make sure to don’t put out of your mind this web

    site and give it a look on a continuing basis.
    My webpage - www.thespainforum.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am very happy you found my site so helpful.
      Have a great Holiday
      Marcia

      Delete
  12. What’s Happening i'm new to this, I stumbled upon this I've found It absolutely

    useful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & assist other users
    like its helped me. Great job.
    Also see my website :: http://www.diysolarheatingspain.com/forum.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks for writing me, sorry I could not do it before, I was out of the country for a while.
      I tried to see your website but it says "page not found", so glad I was able to help.
      Marcia

      Delete
  13. Hello! Quick question that's completely off

    topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My website looks weird when

    viewing from my iphone4. I'm trying to find a theme or plugin
    that

    might be able to resolve this problem. If you have any recommendations, please share.


    Appreciate it!
    Feel free to surf my web site : Catral villas

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, mobile sites create a special problem due to their form factor. I have not attempted to convert my blog to mobile platform for this reason.
      Let me know if you come up with a solution to this problem.
      Sorry I could not help.
      Have a great Holiday.
      Marcia

      Delete
  14. Hi, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar
    one and i was just

    curious if you get a lot of spam remarks?
    If so how do you

    protect against it, any plugin or anything you can advise?

    I get so much lately it's driving me

    insane so any assistance is very much appreciated.
    My weblog :: helium-music-manager.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, I do not get spam comments, mine are all about my articles, so I guess I can not be too much help to you, so sorry.
      Happy Holidays
      Marcia

      Delete
  15. What’s Happening i'm new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively helpful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to contribute & help other users like its

    aided me. Good job.
    Here is my page : spain restaurants doral

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you so much for the compliments, that means the world to me!
    My blog gives me a tremendous amount of work but I love to do it.
    Just wish I could be earning money with it.
    Have a great Holiday.
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi there! This post could not be written any better!

    Reading through this post reminds me of my old room mate!
    He always kept talking

    about this. I will forward this page to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read.


    Thanks for sharing!
    Also see my website > http://www.n-v-d-a.org/

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi, Merry Christmas and thanks for writing me.
    I am so glad you like my Post and will share it with your friend.
    Thanks a lot.
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you for another fantastic

    post. The place else could anyone get that kind of info

    in such a perfect way of writing? I have a
    presentation subsequent

    week, and I'm at the look for such information.
    Also visit my web-site ; satellite internet

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy New Year:
      Thanks for writing and for the compliment.
      That is what makes my work worth it.
      Marcia

      Delete
  20. Can I just say what a aid to search out somebody who

    actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet.

    You definitely know easy methods to convey a problem to


    mild and make it important. More people have to read this

    and understand this side of the story. I cant consider youre not more

    widespread since you definitely have the gift.
    Have a look at my website blushcrush1.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi, Happy New Year.
    Thanks for writing me and appreciating my work.
    I looked at your web and saw that you sell make-up, don't we love make-up?
    Is there anything unique about your line of products, which makes it especially appropriate for travelers?
    Thanks
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi! I could have sworn I've been to this website

    before but after checking through some of the post I realized it's new
    to me.

    Anyhow, I'm definitely glad I found it and I'll be bookmarking and checking back

    frequently!

    Look at my blog; http://trevia.pixnet.net/blog/post/6427052
    Also visit my homepage ; Alicante properties

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am so glad you found my blog, thanks for writing.
    Hope it will be helpful to you.
    Looked at your blog but can't understand anything since it is all written in Japanese (I think).
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  24. I know this if off topic but I'm looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is

    needed to get set up? I'm assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I'm not very

    web savvy so I'm not 100% sure. Any tips or advice

    would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

    Check out my web-site - seocome.com
    Also visit my web page : new spain and mulatos Cabo de Palos

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi, thanks for writing me.
    It is not very expensive to open a blog like mine, you have to go to Google, sign up with them, got to Ad Words and then sign up with Amazon Associates, so you can get the products you want.
    It is a lot of work to do but you can do it if you have patience.
    It has been about 8 to 9 months I open my blog, it is a tremendous amount of work and research and I have not earned a penny.
    It is very frustrating but the only thing that helps me to keep going is because people from all over the world are reading it and loving it, if you read the comments on Barcelona, you will see. Hopefully one of these days people will start to purchase my products, everything that I have is not expensive and I only choose 5 stars reviews. You have to go through each product and read the reviews, it is also a lot of work that you will have to do for free. I love to do it because I have traveled a lot in my life but I wish I would earn some money, it would be a great incentive to continue. Wish you the best and hope you will be very successful.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hello. fantastic job. I did not expect

    this. This is a remarkable story. Thanks!

    My weblog - http://coolphotofunia.blogspot.com/2011/11/rahul-gandhi-girlfriend-veronique.html
    Also visit my homepage :: airline baggage dimensions

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi, thanks for writing me and I am so glad you enjoyed my blog.
    I saw you home page is very nice and also went to see your blog and was amazed how people have a opinion about your personal life.
    Your girl friend is a beautiful girl and hope you will be very happy with her.
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your

    article seem to be running off the screen in Internet explorer.
    I'm not sure if this is a

    formatting issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I

    figured I'd post to let you know. The design and style look
    great though! Hope you get

    the issue resolved soon. Many thanks
    My webpage > http://dandocandela.blogspot.fr

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks for letting me know, you are the second person that tells me this.
    I do not use Internet Explore, heard that terrorists can get your information through it.
    I have checked and on my computer it is fine. Wish I knew how to fix it.
    Thanks again.
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  30. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession

    capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Anyway I’ll

    be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
    my page > portfel.cv.ua

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for writing me and glad you enjoyed my blog.
      Marcia

      Delete
  31. This actually answered my problem, thanks!
    My web site ... http://Harriscyclery.Blogspot.fr/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks for writing me.
      Glad you got the answer through my blog and you are very welcome.
      Marcia

      Delete
  32. Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a
    amusement account it. Look advanced to far added

    agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?
    Review my web blog : Gjgy.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cassey:
      Thanks for writing me and sorry I could not answer before but I was out of the country. Great that you enjoy reading what I write, it is a lot of work but I love to do it.
      If you want to write me again, it would be great to hear from you.
      Marcia

      Delete
  33. Attractive component to content. I just stumbled

    upon your web site and in accession capital to claim that I acquire
    in

    fact loved account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing for your augment and
    even I achievement you get entry to persistently rapidly.
    My web page - http://Www.authenticlinks.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks for writing me and so glad you enjoy my blog.
      You have a great web-site, congratulations, I know how much work goes into it.
      Good luck to you.
      Marcia

      Delete
  34. Great beat ! I would like to apprentice at the
    same time as you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a
    weblog web site? The account helped me a applicable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered brilliant

    transparent concept

    my site; magnmag.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi, thanks for writing me, sorry I could not answer before but I was out of the country.
    So glad you enjoy my blog and thanks for subscribing.
    Good luck to you.
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  36. Great write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s web site, maintain up the

    excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.


    Take a look at my webpage; sjhani.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, how great that you wrote me. Thanks for enjoying my blog and coming back regularly.
      Thought you Real Estate web was very nice, congratulations!
      Marcia

      Delete
  37. What i don't understood is in fact how you're

    no longer actually much more smartly-liked than you might be now.
    You are so intelligent. You recognize therefore considerably
    relating to this topic, produced me

    in my view believe it from so many various angles.

    Its like women and men are not

    interested unless it is something to do with Girl gaga!
    Your personal stuffs great. All the time take care
    of it up!
    Feel free to visit my web page ... www.roboter-trade.de

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks for writing me and thanks for the compliments.
      I saw your web but sorry could not understand anything, so I can not comment on it. Why you do not put a window so it can be translate to several languages like I have on my blog, that is so very useful when people are reading from all over the world.
      Marcia

      Delete
  38. Valuable information. Lucky me I found your website

    by accident, and I'm surprised why this accident didn't happened in advance!
    I bookmarked it.
    Also visit my blog post : Sekpedia.Sek.net

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hi Linda:
    Thanks for writing me and I am so glad the information that I posted was valuable to you.
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  40. I discovered your blog web site on google and verify a few of your early
    posts. Proceed to maintain up the

    superb operate. I simply further up your RSS feed to
    my MSN News Reader.

    Searching for ahead to studying extra from you in a while!

    Also see my site - Paradise-soft.cz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Christy:
      Thanks for writing me and thanks for enjoying my blog.
      Marcia

      Delete
  41. Hi, thanks for writing me and I am so glad you enjoyed my blog.
    I tried to see your web-site but would not open it.
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the pictures on this blog loading?
    I'm trying

    to determine if its a problem on my end or if it's the blog.

    Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
    My blog post - omansky.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Hi Sama:
    Thanks for writing me. Sorry you are having problems with the pictures on my blog. I do not think the problem is on your end.
    I have stopped to use Internet Explore, was told that terrorists can get all your information through it, so I only use Firefox and I think that's why my blog is not as clear.
    Sorry about that.
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  44. You could certainly see your expertise in the work you write.
    The world hopes for

    even more passionate writers like you who aren't afraid to say how they believe. Always follow

    your heart.
    my web page - www.biofalu.hu

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hi, thank you so much for writing me and saying something so wonderful about me, I really appreciate. I do love to talk about the world, it is a beautiful place to be, just wish that most people would love the world in the way I do.
    I saw your web, it is fantastic and you also write so well, congratulations!
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  46. I was just seeking this information for a while. After
    six hours of

    continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your web
    site. I wonder what is the lack of

    Google strategy that don't rank this type of informative web sites in top of the list.

    Normally the top websites are full of garbage.

    My weblog; http://www.xeroxtoneri.com/

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hello, thanks for writing me and I really appreciate your compliment. I also totally agree with you about so many web-sites full of garbage.
    I looked at your blog and thought was very nice, you give information about so many different subjects, congratulations!
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  48. Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole my apple ipad and tested to

    see if it can survive a forty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation.
    My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but
    I

    had to share it with someone!

    Also visit my page mentorportal.dk

    ReplyDelete
  49. Hi, thanks for writing and I am so sorry about your ipad. Make sure you take it where ever you go so this does not happen again, it is a expensive product.
    Look at your web-site and thought was very nice, good information.
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  50. Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find
    It really useful & it helped

    me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.


    Have a look at my site; rallyshow.rossiysky.ru

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks for writing me.
      So glad I was able to help, comments like yours is what makes me happy.
      Looked at your web-site, very nice!
      Marcia

      Delete
  51. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or


    something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but

    other than that, this is magnificent blog. A great read.
    I'll definitely be back.

    Also visit my weblog: http://edinoborstva.bosa.org.ua/story.php?title=techniques-upon-finding-golf-actual-land-vision-educativa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks for writing me and I really appreciate your compliments. Your comments makes me feel strong and keep me going with my blog.
      Looked at you site and found it to be very interesting.
      Marcia

      Delete
  52. Hello there I am so grateful I found your weblog, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching on
    Google for something

    else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a tremendous post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design),
    I don’t have time to

    browse it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also

    added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please
    do keep up the great work.

    My site; http://rafaelaface.com.ar/groups/golf-tours-in-spain

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hi, thank you so much for writing me and for all the compliments you gave me. People like you make my time and love to inform people so worth it.
    I saw you blog, it is very nice but you should put your picture there.
    Thanks again, I really appreciate you.
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  54. I’ll right away grab your rss as I can't find your email subscription

    link or newsletter service. Do you've any? Please let me know so that I

    could subscribe. Thanks.

    Here is my homepage ... gnomerz.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hi, so sorry I did not write you before but did not see your comment until today.
    If you go to the right side of my blog you'll see my picture, then the products, then speak of languages and then you' ll see Follow by e-mail and then subscribe, you just have to scroll down all the way.
    I do not have a newsletter since what I write is a lot already about each country.
    Thanks again
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete