An Escape to Barcelona

The relationship between the UK and the EU suddenly becomes perplexed after Brexit, while Spain is still the British backyard, especially in the chilly winter, to enjoy the sunshine there (However, the second day I arrived was raining all day long).

Why Barcelona? Except for the warmer weather, here are the world-renowned attractions:

Antoni Gaudí's Architecture 

The giant basilica: Sagrada Familia (constructing...)

Park Güell: A artistic park designed by Gaudí and named after his patron Eusebi Güell.

A bird-view from the top of the park.

La Pedrera (Casa Mila) another masterpiece of Gaudí

Casa Batlló  - Opposite to Casa Mila designed by Gaudí

Museu Picasso (no photos inside!!)

The chic La Rambla to the Seafront

Unlike other cities, most Barcelona’s pedestrians are designed in the middle of the pavements. La Rambla is a wide pedestrian street to stroll to the seaside.

Barcelona Cathedral: Gothic cloister, Barroque chapels, and splendid 19th-century façade.

Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya: with many important medieval art collections, and highlighting the Romanesque art section, which deeply influence Picasso's artwork. 

  

Fascinating Markets and Tapas with drinks 

Montjuïc and Castell

Modern-designed in the historic building: CaixaForum

The Barcelona street snapshot

A colourful city itself

Finally, there are some survival guides for your information:

1. Try to avoid taking a morning flight from Barcelona back to the UK at weekends, as I have experienced, there might be a long queue of passengers waiting for passing the security and custom checks. And there are not so many gentlemen in Spain as in the UK.

2. Try to learn some Spanish, not everyone can speak English in Barcelona, the English service in the information desk, boarding timetable and the police in Barcelona airport is also limited! (“No English” said the bureaucrats.) 

3. The Antoni Gaudí's Architectures are in the long queue, but no worries, if you are from the UK, you know how to queue patiently.

4. Try to forget to say please, thank you and sorry. The fact is they are not so popular there, save your time and energy because they don’t care unless you are in the restaurant, you have to maintain your courtesy or they might have the chance to poison you!

5. Bring enough money with you, museums and most popular attractions charge you a lot, even visiting churches. Yet, it makes sense in that they desperately need money from outside. “Spain is decayed” said a French man who were writing a complaining form in the airport.

6. The last but not the least is Dinner time is about 9 pm, don’t rush to eat, take slow pace!