If you are like us, sometimes you just need a quick getaway from the daily grind, and maybe even more so in the summer. We were thinking about this very thing just the other day and came up with a great idea, Barcelona!
Yes, Barcelona is practically perfect for a weekend escape. The city’s amazing array of attractions are almost all near the center and easy enough to get to by metro, bus, taxi, or even walking as long as we stay in the central part of town.
So first things first, we need to find the ultimate hotel for our adventure. And since it is summer, we really wanted to find a hotel with pool in Poblenou Barcelona. With that in mind, I don’t think that we could do better than the ILUNION Barcelona Hotel.
They have a pool, and not just any pool, a rooftop hideaway with unbelievable views of the city. This is absolutely the best place in town to relax after a day of sightseeing and take in an unforgettable sunset.
Speaking of sightseeing, in order to see as much as possible in our two day whirlwind weekend we need to plan an itinerary. That way we won’t waste any time. We decided to make two lists of the most important places, one with our “must-see” attractions, and another with our “if we have time to see them” ideas.
Must-see items of course include the most amazing cathedral we have ever seen, Sagrada Familia. Without a doubt this is the crowning glory of architect and designer Antoni Gaudí’s exceptional career and no trip to Barcelona could be considered complete without a visit.
The church is also ever changing because it is not finished. So even though we have seen it before, we are always excited to see it again.
While we are on the subject of Antoni Gaudí, we would also include his fanciful Park Güell on our must-see list. His whimsical and innovative creations are scattered around the more than forty five acres of beautiful green space and make for a lovely respite right in the middle of the bustling city.
Another must-see attraction, at least in our eyes, is La Rambla. This broad boulevard with a pedestrian walkway in the middle serves as the main street of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. There is a ton of history to take in along the nearly one mile walk, but we think the most fun is watching the astonishing street performers, especially the human statues.
Just off the main street there are a few places worthy of a slight detour. First is the Palau Güell, another of Gaudí’s best works, and across La Ramble a few blocks away is the Plaça de George Orwell, which commemorates the great writer’s time spent in Barcelona.
We also highly recommend a quick look inside, or even a bite to eat at the Mercat de la Boqueria. This is the place to find spectacular tapas. Nearby, the Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi is also definitely worth a visit.
The walk ends at Plaça de Catalunya, where at least a dozen trains and busses, along with unlimited taxis, make it super easy to get on to the next destination.
This certainly looks like enough to fill a couple days, but in case we have some time left our “hope we have time” list will include a few more of Gaudí’s buildings such as Casa Vicens, Casa Milá, and Casa Batlló. And hopefully we can find time to include Montjuïc Castle as well.
We would like to remind everybody that all of this can be done without breaking the bank, because when you search for budget hotels in Barcelona it doesn’t necessarily mean you will need to sacrifice service, luxury, amenities, or comfort while getting a great price on a room.
Oh, and one more thing, don’t worry about what to do with your pets while you’re away. They are always welcome at ILUNION Barcelona since it is perhaps the most pet friendly hotel in Barcelona. There is even a bed, drinking fountain, and food bowl right in the room, along with a WELCOME KIT of treats and a toy for their enjoyment waiting to greet your furry family member.
Who knows, your pet may even enjoy the vacation as much as you.
David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com
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