Essence
Author: Anothertravelguide.com0 COMMENTS
Barcelona is a beautiful city and a true pleasure to visit - very Catalan and cosmopolitan at the same time. It's hard to imagine that the bustling capital of Catalonia was an unremarkable provincial town as recently as the 19th century. It was transformed beyond recognition by the world exhibitions of 1888 and 1929. Today Barcelona is a city that has it all: beaches and hills; a Champs-Élysées of its own (Passeig de Gràcia); the charming medieval historical centre of Barri Gòtic with its tiny pubs, shops and mild Mediterranean chaos; the splendid architecture by Gaudí and the Torre Agbar, a metal and glass tower designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel and symbol of modern Barcelona.
One should also mention Catalonian cuisine and the bold experiments conducted by legendary chef Ferran Adrià and his followers. For years, Adrià was the head chef at one of the most renowned restaurants of our times, the El Bulli. Although the establishment closed its doors last year, it is set to reopen in 2014 as a foundation dedicated to the art and science of gastronomy. In any case, the former restaurant's revolutionary and innovative influence on Catalonian and European cuisine could be compared to an avalanche that can no longer be stopped.
Barcelona is a city that is open to everyone and everything. True, it may sometimes appear to be wild, crazy and anarchic. At the same time, it exudes an amazing sense of positivism. Not withstanding the current economic crisis that has afflicted Spain and the country's rising unemployment rate, you will find little evidence of a depression on the streets of Barcelona. On the contrary, one gets the feeling that this city has the unique capacity to continually renew itself. Along with the opening of the Filmotheque of Catalonia (Filmoteca de Catalunya) earlier this year, the formerly rundown Raval neighbourhood, once a haven for poor immigrants and prostitutes, has been experiencing a steady transformation and revival. For its part, the formerly marginal south end of Barceloneta Beach has become a trendy place to visit, thanks to the sail-shaped WBarcelona hotel.
Despite its venerable status as the second largest city in Spain, Barcelona is fairly compact and is best explored on foot. Take a stroll out of the La Rambla district - a neighbourhood that is frequented by tourists and pickpockets - and slip into the old town's labyrinth of narrow streets. Then just let your feet carry you wherever you fancy.
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