Abdul's Blog

Archive for April 2010

If you only have a few hours during which to see all that the fascinating and complex city of Barcelona has to offer, if you have special cultural interests, or special requirements, such as a walking pace suitable for children – private tours in Barcelona are the perfect option for you.

Many private tours in Barcelona are available, and even though their price is higher, this cost is divided between the members of your group, usually between 6 and 100. These custom made tours are tailored to the preferences of your and your family or companions’ preferences, who are the only members of the group, and it is conducted in the language of your choice.

Not only do you get to choose the sights you will explore, but you may determine the itinerary and the pace, so that if, for example, you wish to meet local people, you can stay at a certain quaint tapas bar for a few hours longer, or if you have kids with you, you can make the tour shorter or include more sights that they can enjoy.

Here are some examples of interesting and highly enjoyable private tours of Barcelona:

A private tour of the Jewish quarter

As is well known, Barcelona was once home to one of the most culturally and spiritually flourishing eras of Jewish history. You will be amazed to discover that an ancient Jewish synagogue from the 3rd century has been recently (twenty years ago) discovered and now serves the local Jewish community of Barcelona. Visiting this and other emotionally charged sites, located in the shadowy narrow streets of the Jewish district of the Gothic Quarter, can provide not only Sepharadic Jews but any Jew, with lifelong cherished memories.

A private tour of tapas bars

Enjoying a long lunch (or several long lunches…) in a tapas bar, is a wonderful way to get to know Barcelona locals, and to become acquainted with traditional or modern versions of this popular feature of Spanish gastronomy. Over a glass of wine, you can enjoy a relaxing meal with your family and friends, while soaking in the local atmosphere and way of life.

There are many other private tours in Barcelona you might enjoy, as diverse as the city itself. If you have only a short time between flights, there are private tours in Barcelona that give you a comprehensive overview of the city. If you have just docked from a cruise, or are in town for a conference, you can take a relaxing private shore trip, and there are many more such options.

Barcelona is a city located in the north-eastern region of Spain (on its Mediterranean coast). It is the second largest city in Spain next to Madrid, and is also capital to the autonomous region of Catalonia. The city is not only rich in history, but also culturally in terms of art and architecture. One can also find much to do during one’s day tours in Barcelona through its parks, beaches, performing arts, and sporting events as well.

When starting any of the day tours in Barcelona, history is among the first things one should explore. Dating back to Roman times, Barcelona itself was built like a Roman camp. Under the “Gothic Quarter” or “Barri Gòtic”, one can still find Roman ruins in parts of the city (such as the Conjunt Monumental Plaça del Rei) and the cathedral Basilica La Seu (where parts of the Roman walls were incorporated). There also lies the Palau Reial Major, residence of the medieval Kings of Aragon, as well as other medieval churches and structures.

The art and architecture is a necessary part of the day tours in Barcelona. The Sagrada Familia church, the work of architect Antoni Gaudí, still stands unfinished in the center of Barcelona. Another of Gaudí’s works, the Casa Milà (La Pedrera) stands with its undulating facade. Both sites were categorized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1984. Other architectural works, such as the Barcelona pavilion of Mies van der Rohe, lie within the city waiting to be explored. Many museums such as the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Picasso Museum (among others) show a wide range of art through Spain’s history.

During the day tours in Barcelona city, one should stop in any of the 68 parks within the city, such as the Park Güell (designed by Gaudí). One can also go to any of the seven beaches such as Sant Sebastià. Music and theatre can be found in such venues as the Gran Teatre del Liceu (opera), or the Palau de la Música Catalana (concert hall). Barcelona has a renowned football team which plays in the Camp Nou stadium, which also held the 1992 Summer Olympics.