Getting Around Barcelona

Whether you've heard of Barcelona because it is the capital of the Catalonia or due to its fantastic football team, when visiting this great city you cannot fail to be impressed.

Whenever I am asked for advice about what to do in a big city I give one answer:  If there is a hop-on-hop-off tour bus, take it.  Stay on it for the first time around and make notes of the places you want to visit.  Then second time around you can do the hop on and off bit.  By then you'll have a good idea of the layout and can go it alone.  Barcelona has plenty of these roofless double-decker buses which encompass all parts of the city that are of interest to tourists.  Bearing in mind the distances between many of the 'must see' sights the buses are well worth the expense.

Probably the most recognisable site is the unfinished church of the Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family) by Gaudi.  Building started in the 19th century and Gaudi died in 1926 (killed by a tram in Barcelona) when just one of the spires had been completed.  Now it is possible to go into the church and climb to the top to see splendid views of Barcelona.

The city has many types of architecture - Gothic, Renaissance, Neo-classical and modern.  All this as well as statues of famous people - Christopher Columbus stands on a tall column so you have to look up a long way to see him - and colourful 'shapes'.

Taken from top of the bus.

You want shopping?  Amble up the Ramblas, browse the department store called El Corte Ingles (The English Court), get lost in the side streets and find the markets.  Somewhere not to miss is in the Plaza de Espana (in Catalan Placa d'Espanya) and called Las Arenas.  A clue as to what the building originally was - it is circular.  Got it?  Another clue - bullfighting was banned in Catalonia.  That's right, it was a bullring.  To make it higher it was lifted above the street and new floor inserted.  It was then covered with a roof and a terrace.

If you need somewhere quieter then go to Montjuic which towers over the city and has gardens and museums.  As it was the centre of the 1992 Olympics there is an Olympic Museum.  And if needing to cool off there is a public swimming pool.  If you want fabulous views take the cable car back down to the World Trade Centre.

Sorry, football fans, did you think I'd forgotten you?  Yes, you can go to visit FC Barcelona's stadium.

If you want information on all that Barcelona has to offer you'll need to buy a very good guide book.  There is far too much to put into an article or a blog!

Back again in Florence

It was great to be back in Florence, albeit an overcrowded city.  Yes, lots of tourists and, as it was also the Easter holidays, group upon group upon group of Italian schoolchildren of varying ages.

Something which the former Mayor of Florence (now the young and handsome President of Italy) did was to ban unnecessary vehicles from the centre of this beautiful city.  Not only does it make the roads safer but has also cut down on pollution.  Everyone gains - people's health and the fabric of the historic buildings.  But when strolling do be on the lookout for bicycles!  Thousands of them.  I suspect Florentines are at lot healthier now.

If pushed for time and you don't feel the need to climb up inside the Duomo (Cathedral) don't waste time going inside.  The exterior with its white, green and pink marble facade is by far the best part and if you have strong legs you can always climb the matching bell tower.  Although at the moment the outside of the Baptistry is wrapped in plastic for cleaning purposes it is still open to the public.  The Gates of Paradise doors are replicas, the originals being in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo along with other valuable artifacts.

Whilst I was there all of the museums at the imposing Pitti Palace were open.  The ticket office is at the far end of the building (from the Ponte Vecchio).  If you are over 65 take your passport for senior discounts and the Boboli Gardens on their own are FREE for seniors.  The palace was begun in 1440 for Luca Pitti, a rival of the Medici family for whom it has also been a home.  When Florence was the capital it was used by the Italian Royal family.

Although the Piazza della Signoria may not be a familiar name, the Uffizi is and this is where the art gallery is located, but towering over the square is the Palazzo Vecchio (Town Hall).  Even if you don't go inside to see the fabulous rooms and artwork, do pop into the courtyard to see the delightful fountain with a cherub holding a dolphin.  So sweet.

My favourite church in Florence has to be the Santa Croce with its green and white facade.  I think that is because here I can pay homage to a great musician - Rossini, who is buried at this church.  There are also the tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli and a Memorial to Dante (who died in Ravenna).

You like shopping?  There are plenty of shops some of which can be expensive but there are also markets.  There is an open air one near the Church of San Lorenzo and, just a block from the Piazza della Signoria, is the straw and leather market.

Incidentally, if planning to visit the museums do remember that queues can be very long.  Advice?  Get there well before opening time.