Barcelona September 2008

Barcelona September 2008 as part of our trip to Penedes with the gang.	Home Penedes holiday gallery
	First stop was at one of Gaudi's creations. Casa Batlló, is a building restored by Antoni Gaudí and Josep Maria Jujol, built in the year 1877 and remodelled in the years 1905–1907; located at 43, Passeig de Gràcia (passeig is Catalan for promenade or avenue), part of the Illa de la Discòrdia in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Catalonia.
Antoni Plàcid Guillem Gaudí i Cornet (25 June 1852–10 June 1926) – in English sometimes erroneously referred to by the Spanish translation of his name, Antonio Gaudí – was a Spanish Catalan^[3] architect who belonged to the Modernist style (Art Nouveau) movement and was famous for his unique and highly individualistic designs.
	Tapas are fast food and this restaurant was pushing the customers through at a fair rate but the quality was top notch as these mini burgers testify!
As it was on the back to the Hotel, Jen wanted to show us the fountains at Plaza Espanya and luckily there was a free show underway with the fountains dancing to light and music.
	For the 2 nights we stayed at the Vincci Arena, a top notch, modern, comfy hotel positioned between Sants train station and Plaza Espanya with the nearest metro being Tarragona. It was a short walk from the hotel on Sunday morning to catch the airport bus. Both our rooms had jacuzzis on the balcony...which we used!
Boqueria Market "The present salesmen are mostly, of the third and fourth generation of salesmen of the market. They are the union of the past with the present. Innovators, full of projects and renovation ideas for La Boqueria: for the new Barcelona. The commercial supply is in abundance and varies greatly: fresh fish and seafood; salty fish; tinned food; butchery and offal; birds; game and eggs; fruits and vegetables; herbs; delicatessen; breads and pastries; restaurants; frozen items; artisan products; charcuterie; farmers' shops; wine; and even a Greek and an Italian hand made pasta stall have joined the consortium/maelstrom that keeps La Boqueria alive. After all, the market is all about its people!"
	Barcelona is a grand city with some fine architecture especially in the wedge between Avenida Diagonal and Gran Via. But north of Diagonal in Gracia, east of metro Fontana is a residential district with narrow streets and small shops, an area off the tourist trail offerring local restaurants and bars. We wandered through plazas Del Diamant and Revolucio Sept 1868 buying t-shirts along the way.
Following a tip from the owners of the villa we took the tram up to Tibidabo and luckily got a window seat at the Mirablau cafe (C/ Manuel Arnús, 2) for a splendid view of Barca. Turned out that J&P had been there before, a previous late night trip in the pursuit of fun & booze!
	We ended the trip with dinner at Pitarra where my head was turned by a super Priorat which has adjusted my opinion of this normally super strong red wine. The trick with Priorat appears to be find one you like and avoid the super heavies.