Barcelona is the home of Gaudi – the grand master of Modernista architecture, the incubator of molecular gastronomy for culinary masters such as Albert Adria, and a balmy Mediterranean paradise proudly flaunting its divine geographical birthright along the northeastern coast of Spain. The 2nd-largest city by population behind Madrid, self-assured Barcelona has always been more industrious and business-minded than the rest of Spain, and deservedly so to many travellers. It is also the more easily recognisable face of the country with its unique cityscape resembling scenes straight out from a fairy-tale forest. Meet the capital of Catalonia with a customised Barcelona tour package from Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours and fall under the spell of this one-of-a-kind city straight out of a wizard’s hat almost.
Hunt high and low for food
Barcelona is an internationally regarded food paradise filled to the brims with all sorts of options that you never know your belly can handle. From the narrow medieval alleyways of the Gothic Quarter and the multicultural corner bars of El Raval to the family-run casas in graceful Gracia and the no-frills seafood of the freshest kind in beachside La Barceloneta, you will be hard-pressed to stomach a bad meal throughout your visit. Then you throw in Michelin-starred chefs like Xavier Pellicer, Mey Hoffmann and the culinary maverick Albert Adria and their luxurious temples of fine dining together with down-to-earth markets dotted around town, this city will leave no stones unturned in making sure you gain a few pounds before leaving its gastronomic grounds.
Fly over Montserrat
Barcelona is full of urban pleasures to discover and revel in but after you have your fair share of the city’s temptations, nearby Montserrat beguiles with its stunning multi-peak mountainscape, fresh nature air and tranquil ambience. As for the pilgrims, the legends and stories of Santa Maria de Montserrat, a Benedictine abbey and one of Spain’s key religious sites, await with the sacred image of Black Madonna. While plenty of travellers make their own way to Montserrat by public transport links from Barcelona, we suggest forging your own path by splashing out on a hot air balloon flight and take in panoramic views of the holy mountain from above them all, then complete your experience with a Catalan meal in a traditional farm house.