Spain
Barcelona the Great!
Article and photography by Michael Morcos
Having traveled to Spain many times in the past decades, this would be my first time to Barcelona and what a visit it would be, it was everything that I heard and seen in magazines and TV, plus much-much more. Barcelona the capital of Catalonia is a shining star, it seems there’s an endless array of things to see and do as well I would be delighted to just walk around and absorb the dynamic feeling of the city and at the same time I could not miss out on the most visited attractions and sites.
Even after travelling to Spain many times over the past few decades, this would be my first time to Barcelona – and what a visit it would be. It was everything that I heard and seen in magazines and TV, plus much-much more. Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and a shining star where it seems there’s an endless array of things to see and do. Even then, it was just as delightful to walk around and absorb the dynamic feel of the city, but I could not miss out on the most visited attractions and sites.
The Holy Family
The Sagrada Família is not only the top draw in Barcelona, but in all of Spain. This has been on my bucket list for decades and luckily having waited so long meant I would see the interior of this amazing church completed. The exterior was unique and had a humbling grandeur, but nothing could have prepared me for the first view of the interior. It was a rush to the senses with high vaulted ceilings, beautiful colors diffused by the stained glass that filled every corner with warm and pleasing light, and the fine art decoration adorning the walls and ceiling left me speechless and in total awe! Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the master architect of the basilica is, plainly speaking, an absolute genius to have envisioned this masterpiece a century ago.
Sant Pau Art Nouveau
Another Barcelona site, another mind-blowing visit. It was love at first sight as this very distinctive style of architecture that resonates through history from the period in which it was built. Art-Nouveau is the dominant style, and the complex is filled with many amazing buildings that look out onto a massive oval shaped courtyard. After all, this place was a hospital complex. I was taken back when thinking of what it took the Catalans to design and build this masterpiece. Sant Pau is now a classic museum and one of the many must see places in Barcelona.
Park Guell
Set on what was once the outskirts, Park Guell is one incredible complex. This is one of the most visited sites in Barcelona and coming here you will join the crowds that enjoy the breathtaking setting high on Carmel Hill overlooking the metropolis with a view as far as the sea. The art is unbelievably unique but it’s still so typical of this incredible city and another masterpiece of Antoni Gaudí. A visit here is a must!
Bamboo eBike ride
Biking is fun, ebiking is better and best of all is exploring Barcelona on an environmentally friendly ebike that is made of bamboo. Owner, guide, and inventor Luca Giampi of ‘Bamboo Bike Tours’ explained the idea of using bamboo in his bikes due to it’s lightweight, strong and a renewable source material.
Our two-hour bike ride with the Luca was fun, educational and informative. We would take in the best of central Barcelona that would bring us to many of the well visited sites, including: the historic Gothic District, the grand cruise-ship harbor, delightful city beaches, stately parks, well known streets including the famous La Rambla’, beautiful historic buildings and to many places with diverse and exceptional street art.
Barcelona dazzles and delights, but can still sooth all the senses. There is so much to offer that visitors can never get bored of this Mediterranean gem. It is both grand and still intimate and inviting for visitors. ‘Barcelona the great’ is a must visit to any traveler!
