This will be the last port as an overnight stay and the second last port before returning to Fort Lauderdale.
It was not even a full day visit when we arrived in Barcelona with the Costa Luminosa one and a half years ago.
That was too short for this beautiful and magnificent city of Catalunya.
I am so happy to be back for this time.
It was not even a full day visit when we arrived in Barcelona with the Costa Luminosa one and a half years ago.
That was too short for this beautiful and magnificent city of Catalunya.
I am so happy to be back for this time.
The Face of Barcelona (Cap de Barcelona)
Torre Agbar the Barcelonan gherkin
Go Cart is on the road?
Plaza de CatalunyaIt would take more than half an hour walk from the ship to the town through the bridge and heavy traffic of cargo trucks, so we purchased the shuttle bus return tickets for 3.50 EUR.
There are few companies operating Hop On Hop Off (HOHO) buses.
We, with Renee chose one that has three different routes.
Red and Blue routes take about 2 hours each to circle around and the Green route is only for half an hour.
It was 31 EUR with special discount for two days.
We started with the red route of HOHO bus from Columbus Square where the shuttle bus dropped us off.
It was already lunch time when we got off at the big Plaza de Catalunya.
A kind young man at the information kiosk advised us the direction for restaurants and Tapas when asked.
We saw a nice looking place called Txapela Euskal Taberna on Pg. de Gracia not far from the Plaza.
It reminded me of interior set of typical Sushi train restaurant at first but without circling belt.
There are so many variety of Tapas displayed around the bars.
We were all fascinated by the presentation of tantalizing seafood assorted Tapas.
Most of them cost range from 1.60 to 2.20 EUR each.
We ordered 4 each but they were so good that we ended up ordering few more. So delicious.
Tapas restaurant Txapela
Tapas restaurant Txapela
Sagrada Familia CathedralPlaza de Catalunya is also one of the stops to change to the blue HOHO bus.
After passing Gaudi’s Casa Mila, we got off for the Sagrada Familia Cathedral (Sacred Family), Gaudi’s masterpiece which still has few decades to complete.
We gave up getting a ticket as queue was too long and just started raining as well.
I was quite happy that I had enough time to go around the Cathedral this time and had taken some photos leisurely.
Sagrada Familia Cathedral
Then, Gaudi’s Park Güell was our next stop.We had to walk up the steep hill for 10 minutes but we all were so proud of ourselves to make it to the top of the hill breathless.
And, it was worth it and even sun came out for us for a while.
As if I were in a fairy tale book, Gaudi’s ideas and creative works in the park are beyond my imagination.
I was so looking forward to seeing them since I have first contacted the interesting photos.
With a little surprise, the park was packed with tourists.
The most famous feature in the park must be the statue of gecko lying on the steps and is made of colorful mosaic tiles.
It was impossible to take a photo of it without anyone around.
Park Güell
Park Güell
Park Güell
Famous gecko mosaic
Ping from ship’s spa salong bumped into us on La Rambla
Temperature dropped dramatically as rain got heavier in the afternoon.
It was too cold and windy to stay on top of the open air bus even with plastic ceiling cover on.
We all moved downstairs of the bus to keep warm for the rest of the bus route which was not much of scenic except for Barcelona soccer stadium.
We basically returned to the Plaza de Catalunya and strolled around the most famous and busiest street La Rambla.
La Rambla was full of interesting shops, restaurants and cafés, needless to say about thousands of tourists.
To rest our poor feet, we went inside the small café inside one of narrow lane ways.
We were so content that our café latte was strong enough and excellent!
Plaza Reial lovely court surrounded by restaurants
After taking countless beautifully ornate medieval style buildings, it is already time for dinner.
We were tourists but we always try to find a place where locals go.
There is a restaurant on Calle de Ferran in Barri Gothic, the center of old town.
It has black marble floor with dark mahogany timber ceiling and walls.
Assorted Tapas were also displayed in the middle of bar section of the restaurant.
Middle aged waiters were professional and we were so appreciative for their English ability.
I was thinking that the service was rather casual to its classic and formal look of interior.
Their seafood paella, calamari and Tapas were so delicious.
It was getting chillier and windier as night fell but we continued to walk around where this attractive old town offers to foreign visitors.
We had beautiful day and were so satisfied with it, yet we have another full day in Barcelona.
Restaurant Ferran
It was too cold and windy to stay on top of the open air bus even with plastic ceiling cover on.
We all moved downstairs of the bus to keep warm for the rest of the bus route which was not much of scenic except for Barcelona soccer stadium.
We basically returned to the Plaza de Catalunya and strolled around the most famous and busiest street La Rambla.
La Rambla was full of interesting shops, restaurants and cafés, needless to say about thousands of tourists.
To rest our poor feet, we went inside the small café inside one of narrow lane ways.
We were so content that our café latte was strong enough and excellent!
Plaza Reial lovely court surrounded by restaurants
After taking countless beautifully ornate medieval style buildings, it is already time for dinner.We were tourists but we always try to find a place where locals go.
There is a restaurant on Calle de Ferran in Barri Gothic, the center of old town.
It has black marble floor with dark mahogany timber ceiling and walls.
Assorted Tapas were also displayed in the middle of bar section of the restaurant.
Middle aged waiters were professional and we were so appreciative for their English ability.
I was thinking that the service was rather casual to its classic and formal look of interior.
Their seafood paella, calamari and Tapas were so delicious.
It was getting chillier and windier as night fell but we continued to walk around where this attractive old town offers to foreign visitors.
We had beautiful day and were so satisfied with it, yet we have another full day in Barcelona.
Restaurant Ferran
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