Arriving in Barcelona

Barcelona has to have one of the most beautiful airports I have yet been in, as well as one of the most accommodating ones as well. It is modern and apparently was built in time for the Summer Olympiad back in the 1980's. They keep it in spectacularly great shape, and it has plenty of shops and food outlets to keep every traveller happy. Certainly the only other airport that compares with this one in my experience is the immense International Airport at Beijing.

One of the best things about Barcelona's airport is that there is plenty of transportation to and from the airport, especially by the AeroBus -- the airport-to-city bus, which brought us directly to the heart of the city at the Plaza Catalunya, at the end of La Rambla (Las Ramblas), the main pedestrian thoroughfare of the city.

Our hotel was the Hotel Inglaterra on Pelai 14, about 2.5 blocks from the Plaza Catalunya, and about 150 meters from the Universitat metro stop. Very convenient, and very comfortable at the same time. The hotel is an older building that has been fastidiously redone, and is very quiet for its visitors. Though the Pelai is a very busy shopping street, with eateries nearby, and is across the street from another recommended hotel, the Hotel Jazz, the hotel in question has very nicely appointed rooms, with all the conveniences one could wish for. It has a large breakfast/tapas space and bar in the lower level, and has its own spa and computer center as well. The staff is very accommodating and is quite willing to help its visitors.

One thing I should mention is that Barcelona is very friendly to English-speaking visitors: all sign are trilingual: Catalan, Castillian (Spanish) and English. And, interestingly, in some public spaces, the only languages are Catalan and English. Almost everywhere you go, people speak at the minimum some English, and often better English than some of its native-speaking visitors. The city is warm, friendly, outgoing, and -- above all -- the city that REALLY never sleeps. But what else do you expect in a city where dinner begins after 8pm? (or is that 20.00?)

Next time: eating in Barcelona...