My family is taking a leisure trip to Spain (specifically, Barcelona) next month. For those of you have been there, I have some questions.

 

 

 

Does anyone know of any fun things to do in Spain? My family generally enjoys trying new things and going to new places, so I'm wondering if there are any places in Spain that are worth considering. Of course, I want to be safe, so I also want to know if there are shady places I should avoid. Also, are there any foods that are worth trying? Similarly, are there things I should steer clear from?

 

 

 

I've also heard things in Spain are very expensive. How do the prices in Spain compare to those in the 'States?

 

 

 

Oh yeah, and one more thing: thieves. I've heard there are many pickpockets in Barcelona, many of which are quite good at what they're doing. Some even say Barcelona is the pickpocket capital of the world. Is the threat of pickpockets just a big hype, or is Barcelona really the real world equivalent of Ardougne? In any case, I would not want to run into a level 99 thief in real life! :lol:

I've been to Barcelona before, it's nice. There are no real problems with pickpockets from my experience just as you aren't waving your money around like an idiot then you'll be fine.

 

 

 

You should definitely visit Gaudi's church/cathedral in the centre of the city which is really impressive. I also visited the Nou Camp which is Barcelona FC's football ground which is massive and has a museum dedicated to the club, if you can get a ticket to a game there I'd go as I'd imagine that it would be spectacular to be in the crowd during a game there. When I went (2001) we didn't find much in the way of shopping in the city but it might be different now (or we just couldn't find the places). As for food I'd try all the obvious things like paella and sangria...I'm not that knowledgable about Spanish or more specifically Catalan cuisine.

My older brother just saw a bull run in Spain, I don't know how he enjoyed it though.

 

 

 

Last time I was in Spain I just sat in the sun and drank Sangria. It's highly recommended.

Hmm, a shame Barcelona is so far from Gibraltar, (about 11 hours by car according to Google Maps) but if you somehow get a chance to go there, I would suggest it. It's the point of Europe closest to Africa, and if you look very closely you can vaguely see the Atlas mountains in the distance. There's also a bunch of ferries that bring you to northern Morocco and back in one day, but since you're so far from it would be impossible to go there and get back in one day. =/

 

 

 

Specifically for Barcelona, the beach is very nice, I heard. Probably a bit crowded but if you can find a spot you'll probably like it.

My brother was on a train in spain (perhaps in maine) when someone stole his wallet out his back pocket and got off the train. He chased the guy and his accomplice through the station when they threw a wallet back at him. This is a common tactic for thieves and John was on to them. He continued to chase them throughout madrid but many corners later lost them. He was completely lost in the 'burbs, in an unfamiliar country. To make things worse, the wallet they threw back was picked up at the station and was his.

 

 

 

DOnt do that i guess.

My family is taking a leisure trip to Spain

 

Wow, who knew the omission of a single word could let you avoid looking like a rich bastard.

 

 

 

Keep your wallet in your shirt pocket. Rich people have those, right? And maybe leave the gold watch at the hotel beneath your dirty clothes, just in case.

My family is taking a leisure trip to Spain

 

Wow, who knew the omission of a single word could let you avoid looking like a rich bastard.

 

 

 

Keep your wallet in your shirt pocket. Rich people have those, right? And maybe leave the gold watch at the hotel beneath your dirty clothes, just in case.

 

 

 

Haha, very mean but very funny at the same time :lol: .

 

 

 

OT: Research online and see what there is to do and make a plan according to what you find. If you're the more relaxed type, just take it day by day and simply bring enough money to do whatever you want.

My brother was on a train in spain (perhaps in maine) when someone stole his wallet out his back pocket and got off the train. He chased the guy and his accomplice through the station when they threw a wallet back at him. This is a common tactic for thieves and John was on to them. He continued to chase them throughout madrid but many corners later lost them. He was completely lost in the 'burbs, in an unfamiliar country. To make things worse, the wallet they threw back was picked up at the station and was his.

 

 

 

DOnt do that i guess.

 

 

 

Sorry, but what your brother did was just stupid, would be much smarter just to pick up his wallet and return to the platform for the next train.

 

 

 

Barcelona is supposed to be a great tourist city. I'm not sure of the exact description, but in Spain there is a very commonly eaten food called "Tapas". If I remember correctly, it's a selection of small different dishes. Pretty nice and decent value. Paella as well is famous as a Spanish dish.

 

 

 

Europe's biggest water park is about an hour outside Barcelona, it's supposed to be amazing. There is some amazing tourist sights there, don't know any in particular but never heard of a bad trip to Barcelona. Just buy a tourist guide from a reputable publisher and go to things that sound good to you.

 

 

 

Yes though, other than Portugal Western Europe is rather expensive compared to USA. Bring a fair amount of money.

Find a place that roasts lil piglets whole...might seem strange to eat but I heard they're amazing.

Oh yeah, and one more thing: thieves. I've heard there are many pickpockets in Barcelona, many of which are quite good at what they're doing. Some even say Barcelona is the pickpocket capital of the world. Is the threat of pickpockets just a big hype, or is Barcelona really the real world equivalent of Ardougne? In any case, I would not want to run into a level 99 thief in real life!

 

 

 

Just in case, I would fill your pocket with as much [puncture]ly stuff as you can get your hands... er, gloves on.

Barcelona is a wonderful place.

 

 

 

Does anyone know of any fun things to do in Spain? My family generally enjoys trying new things and going to new places, so I'm wondering if there are any places in Spain that are worth considering. Of course, I want to be safe, so I also want to know if there are shady places I should avoid. Also, are there any foods that are worth trying? Similarly, are there things I should steer clear from?

 

Here's what I did when I visited Spain, and it was a fantastic month.

 

- See the running of the bulls in Pamplona. The atmosphere is incredible; the entire city (and neighbouring towns) parties for days on end.

 

- If you're a fan of art galleries, I'd recommend the Prado Gallery in Madrid and the Guggenheim in Bilbao.

 

- Take a tour to Cava Winery Codorniu, near Barcelona. Cava is the Catalan version of Champagne, and it tastes great.

 

- In Barcelona: check out the beach, eat tapas outdoors, dance with flamenco girls, see the churches, go to wine bars, visit tourist attractions (like La Rambla or the 'magic' fountain), etc.

 

 

 

There was a great wine bar my friends and I stumbled upon, and on certain days an acoustic guitar player would sing English songs (I remember Bob Marley). It's unlikely that he's still there, but it was a great little place to sit and have some wine (which I highly recommend even if you are young, Spain is very lenient with alcohol). I'll try to find the location.

 

 

 

As for pickpocketing, it's common on the subways if you're a tourist. Don't wear your wallet in any back pockets, and keep it in a buttoned or zippered pocket if possible. If you're really worried, use a money strap. Keep your eyes peeled and try to stay aware of those around you.

 

 

 

PS: In terms of food, I'd recommend tapas, paella, Spanish hot chocolate, sangria, churros (with chocolate dip) and Spanish omelettes. Search online to find the best places for each item -- some restaurants are much better than others.

I lived in Barcelona for a while. Fantastic city, really. A few notes

 

 

 

- You gotta check out the Ramblas. Its a wide boulevard that runs perpendicular to, and connects to, the beach. Just totally full of cafe's, street performers, venders, entertainers, etc. Really, the place is just awesome to walk around and enjoy the sights. And it connects to the best beach in town, so thats a pluc

 

 

 

- Avoid the nude beaches on either side of the main beach. The only nude people there are gay men and old people. Seriously.

 

 

 

- In Spain, if the beaches aren't nude, they are topless (with about 30-40% of females following this, regardless of age). Just a heads up.

 

 

 

- TAKE THE METRO (aka the subway). Barcelona has a huge metro system with stations every 2-3 blocks, and it goes everywhere in the city. Its quite cheap if you buy a 10 day pass. Its like $15 and you can ride unlimited times to anywhere in the city. Really this needs emphasizing, the metro in Barcelona should be a model of publics transportation to the rest of the world :

 

 

 

As far as pickpockets go, yea Barcelona has some. One of my friends had his camera get stolen out of his backpack, and this one girl lost her entire purse with passport, etc on the beach when she fell asleep. Don't put things in your back pockets, and don't put valuables (money or anything electronic) in a backpack. Also, try to blend into the culture a little bit. If you're going around town wear long pants and a nice shirt, not shorts and flip flops.

 

 

 

And if you ever go there after the age of 18, omg the night clubs there are to die for. Like seriously, right on the beach you go in these places and you have bass running through your whole body on a dance floor that literally holds about a thousand people, with 500 of them being hot young Spanish chicks... I mean wow, good times back there.

I haven't been to Barcelona, but I did have the chance to travel to Madrid (among other cities) on a Spain trip a couple years ago.

 

 

 

I'd recommend visiting El Parque del Buen Retiro in Madrid, specifically the Crystal Palace located within the park grounds.

 

 

 

And if you drive a bit outside the city, I really recommend visiting the Valley of the Fallen, a huge Civil War memorial built deep into a mountainside.

 

 

 

These two places are in stark contrast from each other - the park being bright and loud and happy, and the memorial dark and sober - but by far those were my two favorite places in Spain.

All of those are pretty good suggestoins. I'll definitely take them into consideration! :D

My family is taking a leisure trip to Spain

 

Wow, who knew the omission of a single word could let you avoid looking like a rich bastard.

 

 

 

Keep your wallet in your shirt pocket. Rich people have those, right? And maybe leave the gold watch at the hotel beneath your dirty clothes, just in case.

 

Hes saying leisure there instead of something like 'business' or 'im going to prison there because the jails in US aint good enough.'