Barcelona

Not even a killer-flu was going to stop our Barcelona weekend. We had been told wonderful things about the City. So with the cold + flu packed, it was off to the airport! When we arrived in Barcelona we were given free train tickets to the city! First impressions were good! The airport train was modern with LCD screens and security throughout. Like a jet, it took us into the heart of the city.

Our hotel was in an excellent location on The Ramblas - the main street in Barcelona. After a relaxing spa bath, and the hotel room steamed with eucalyptus oil (to clear our stuffy heads) we strolled the Ramblas for some dinner. We found an amazing Tapas restaurant called Qu Qu (Quasi Queviures). As we walked in the restaurant, delicate little parcels of meat, cheese, breads and Mediterraneum-type salads were on display to tantalise our taste buds. All the meals were prepared fresh by chefs at different food counters. The meals were sold in bit-size portions so we were able to sample a large variety. We left the restaurant around 1am and the place was buzzing with dinners still arriving!!
As the lift doors opened onto our floor, the scent of eucalyptus filled the hotel corridors!! Maybe 20 drops was a little more than recommended for steaming in the sink. Oh well, at least everyone on level 7 would have clear sinus'.

:: Hotel goodies ::

:: Our hotel ::

Our first morning in Barcelona began with a late buffet breakfast in the hotel. At 13 euros each I am happy to say, I easily ate my money's worth! (yes mum you would be proud). I sampled a selection of cheeses, meats, cereals, yogurts, breads, pastries and fruit followed by a glass of Berocca and some cold + flu!

Yeeehhaaaa now I was full of energy and ready to rock! As if that wasn't enough food for one day - our first stop was the Mercat de la Boqueria, Barcelona's oldest and largest covered food market. These colourful markets were spectacular. And a little odd to say the least......

:: Street performers ::

:: Their mushroom selection was endless ::

:: These little guys still look happy ::

:: Check out the staff - what the ::

:: Ok this may look like a normal market but if you look at the staff serving in the butcher on the left you will see why we thought these markets were a little odd (click to enlarge) ::

:: mmm chocolates ::

:: Antique markets ::

:: The Ramblas - main street in Barcelona ::

:: Street graffiti ::

:: The ramblas ::

:: La Sagrada Familia is the life's work of Barcelona's Antoni Gaudí. Like most buildings here in Barcelona this was being renovated when we arrived ::

:: Casa Batllo - designed by Antoni Gaudi ::

:: Casa Mila (la Pedrera) - designed by Antoni Gaudi ::

:: Barcelona has some pretty funky graffiti ::

:: The entrance to Güell Parc - This park was gorgeous and funnily enough the only free tourist attraction we came across! Barcelona is a little expensive when it come to entry fees into major attractions ::

:: This place looks like the set of Willy Wonka! ::

:: After the Guell Parc we headed to the Airport a little early only to discover our plane was delayed so we didn't make it home until 3am Monday morning! Needless to say it was hard to wake at 7am for work! Ahhh weekends in Europe with no hospital visits - our tally is getting higher! ::