Hey, Would Like Some Travel Advice!

[kimi]

I am flying with my son to Barcelona and Paris day after tomorrow. It's his graduation, birthday and Christmas present all in one, and I am fortunate enough (and smart enough) to tag along.

We're staying in great hotels in both cities (I'm kinda a hotel snob and research places pretty well on Tripadvisor), and have gotten some recommendations of places to go to in Paris especially. But we'll be in Barcelona most of the time, I've got guide books and all, but if anyone can point me to specific restaurants, sites, little outta-the-way places -- I'd appreciate it. The son will be with friends most of the time, but I'll be on my own. (Yes *sob* I am visiting Paris, the City of Love, by myself.)

Thinking about renting a car in Barcelona and exploring Catalonia. Any tips? I know lots of you all travel, and I want to take advantage of your experience.

(And I will post pics when there, too! :))

[bif]

1. Let me ask my daughter

She spent about a week there a month or two ago.

[kimi]

13. Thank you!

Got your PM, taking the laptop with me so I can access all kindsa stuff!

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

2. You could try going here;

he is loaded with good ideas!

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/plan_menu.htm

[kimi]

14. Thank you for the link

I will definitely look into it. :hi:

[MilesColtrane]

3. I've never been to Barcelona, but if I go, I'm not missing the Sagrada Familia.

Have fun.

:hi:

[kimi]

15. Oh yeah!

That's gonna be one of the first places! Still under construction after a hundred years, but definitely on the list.

[bif]

4. I just PM'd you

With some info.

[kimi]

16. Thanks again

I appreciate it, very thoughtful of you!

[Crystal Clarity]

5. Can't help w/advice regarding these places, but lucky you!

I'd love to see pretty much ANY place in Europe, but especially Spain and France this time of year! And btw, being alone may make it all the more fun. No one else insisting that we 'have' to see this or that place. Your son will still be there, plus you'll have the freedom to explore on your own. Sounds good to me!

Enjoy! And please do share some pics w/us! :hi:

[kimi]

17. Thanks, CC!

I am gonna post pics, definitely. I have 2 cameras - with different advantages, and I love taking pics.

It's kind of odd traveling alone to some places. My son has friends to do things with, and I sure don't expect him to want to hang out with me. I'm just sort of recently single, so traveling by myself is a learning experience. But yeah, the freedom to make up my own mind about things is good.

[WolverineDG]

6. no need for a car in Spain

take the train or the bus. :) You only need a car to get to really really really out of the way towns, & chances are, there's a taxi or 2 that will take you there.

dg

[kimi]

18. Ah, good to know

I guess in the States we live in such an automotive society that I just assume it's that way everywhere. But I was a little bit nervous about driving in a country where I don't speak the language anyway. :)

Thanks! :hi:

[WolverineDG]

26. Another thing to be aware of

pickpockets.

I hear the ones in Barcelona consistently win the gold medal in pickpocketing. They're pretty bad in Madrid too. They make the ones in Paris look like amateurs.

dg

[LynneSin]

7. I heard there is an Olive Garden in Barcelona.....

:hide:

[kimi]

19. My first stop!!

LOL!

[dawg]

8. I'd love to see a Moorish castle ...

and cruise through some tapas bars. Don't know the geography and customs well enough to be sure, but I suspect both of those should be possible in the areas you plan to visit.

Oh, and I'm really jealous.

[kimi]

20. Hey, great idea

There is a neat-sounding castle, Castell de Montjuic, nearby, with what sounds like a cool walking area nearby. And oh, yeah, tapas bars are high on the list.

I'll hoist a few glasses of vino and think of ya all!

[elleng]

32. Tapas readily available, kimi.

Check out hours/habits/culture in Spain; much different from ours, so you may want dinner at a time when its bar-time, kind of like tea-time in Britain, which will be OK 'cause tapas so good, but do keep it in mind. Dinner VERY late. Afternoon siestas were common. Things may have changed somewhat, since then.

Was in Barcelona 15+ years ago with family (dipped in by train, during 'drive around' France) and enjoyed it, particularly the architecture, of course. Gaudi all over the place.

Bon Voyage!!!

[bif]

9. Two impressions of Spain

My wife and I were there years ago. One this is the Spanish eat dinner late. Real late. We'd go into as restaurant a 10 at night and we'd be the only ones there. Sometimes the waiters weren't there yet. The second thing is the Spanish stay up all night. Especially on weekends. We'd be lying in bed at three in the morning and could hear the whole city outside making a ton of noise. Little kids playing soccer in the street. So we'd wake up exhausted every morning. Also, be careful of you luggage and personal belongings. The country is full of thieves. Our car was broken into on the second day of our trip and everything was stolen. We did the rest of the trip on a few changes of underwear and sox. Learned just how light one can travel. We fit all our belongings into a small duffle bag.

[kimi]

21. I hadn't even thought about the late dinner issue

Good point. I appreciate my din-din!

I'll keep an eye on my belongings - I've learned from other travels that if you carry a fairly small purse, and cross the strap over your midriff, it feels more secure. Don't think I could handle traveling with just a duffle bag - I'm definitely the kind who carries almost everything but the kitchen sink, and in any spare room I pack books. My luggage is always being charged extra for overweight.

I will also make sure that I take ear-plugs!

[distantearlywarning]

10. I was just in Paris three weeks ago.

One of the best meals we had there was at a little local restaurant on the Il de Cite called Au Bougnat. They are friendly to English speakers, and the food is great for the price.

[kimi]

22. Thank you!

I will put it on the list! This is why I come to DU for travel advice, this type of recommendation. Thanks again!

[applegrove]

11. I really liked the Rodin Museum and Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris.

[kimi]

23. I am looking forward to Pere Lachaise

I love cemeteries anyway, saw some beautiful ones in Ireland in September. I'm one of those weird people who appreciates them, and Pere Lachaise is so well known.

I'll look into the Rodin too. The Louvre is the biggie museum on the list, I expect it to take a full day at least, and people say that even several weeks won't hit the highlights.

Thanks!

[applegrove]

25. I liked Musee D'Orsay more than the Louvre. I guess I just like the Impressionist stuff

the best.

[WolverineDG]

27. Don't forget the Marmotan Museum

Unfortunately, it's not part of the Carte Musee :( BUT it has "Impression at Sunrise," the painting that gave its name to the Impressionist movement. There's other stuff upstairs too, but in comparison, meh.

dg

[many a good man]

12. Barcelona tips

There's too many great places to eat in Barcelona to mention. Check out
* around Passeig de Gracia (Lombardos stands out in my memory).
* There's a great restaurant on the waterfront near Maremagnum with excellent seafood. It's close to the house Christopher Columbus lived in.
* A few blocks from the Picasso and Dali museums there's a stretch of really great restaurants. Next door to the Picasso museum is an AWESOME bakery to indulge your sweet tooth!
* Barri Gotic has some really good places for tapas and raciones
* Avinguda Gaudi, which runs between Sagrada Familia and Hospital Sant Pau, has a ton of little family-owned cafes with great food.
* Tip: definitely avoid any restaurant that has a laminated sign of photos of the food they serve!

Gotta see:
* Bus Turistic is a great way to see the whole city. Stop off at a few Gaudi buildings that are open to the public and look around. Must see Parc Guell!
* Go to the Poble Espanyol. It's a miniature town built for the World's Fair a hundred years ago with buildings that are representative of the architecture of each region in Spain. The buildings now house shops of craftsmen and artisans peddling really neat stuff. From there you can take the funicular down to the Moll (waterfront), if you're not afraid of heights!
* At the moll is a big statue of Columbus, a beach, aquarium, some restaurants.
* Las Ramblas is a pedestrian boulevard that links the waterfront with the Plaza de Catalunya, the main square of Barcelona. Lots of vendors and artists, etc. The maritime museum is excellent if you're into that stuff. There's an awesome market on the left there, too. Up and to the right is the Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gotic.
* Barri Gotic dates from Roman times, most of the buildings are medieval. You can see part of the original Roman wall next to the old Cathedral. It is a cool place to wander around, lots of shops and cafes. Pretty wild at night.
* Barri Xino or Chinatown: stay away! It's the red light district. (Unless you're looking for heroin or a little tranny action!)
* East and a little north of Barrio Gotico is the Cathedral (join in the jotas in front) and the Picasso museum.
* At the top end of La Rambla is Placa Catalunya. Lots of high end boutiques and such line the streets and great architecture, including several Gaudi places.

Have a great time! I'm obviously quite jealous! The Catalan people are very progressive, but they may appear cold. But that is because they take great pride in their professionalism, whatever job it may be.

[kimi]

24. Thank you so much!

I'm printing out this whole thing. Very comprehensive!

No, not into heroin or tranny action! LOL I'm a little bit too boring for that. Although, hmmmm. . .

No, JK!

Appreciate it, and the tip about Catalan folks. :hi:

[pink-o]

28. In Spain: El Corte Ingles!

It's a HUGE department store, and Barcelona has one right on Las Rambles. It's reasonably priced and great for buying souvenirs for your friends, but they sell EVERYTHING and it's pretty eclectic, unlike boring American shops. Also, if you want to see more Gaudi art, he designed a great apartment building that has public access to the roof. You can go up there and check out the real cool sculptures. I haven't been to that part of Spain for 14 years, but ask anyone and they'll be able to direct you to it.

As for Paris, it's everything they say it is. France is my second fave country in Europe (Italy will always be Number 1) and that reputation of the French being arrogant and refusing to speak English is totally false. I've only had one bad experience with a Frenchmen in all the times I've been there, and that's probably more his being a jerk than being anti-American.

Also, if you're going in any other month than June, you'll do just fine. June is what they call Paris Plague, and all who can get out of town will run as fast as their legs can carry them. It' really is a tourist manifestation, and French tempers could flair just cuz they're sick of the invasion. Don't take it personally. I've seen Brits and Germans behave far worse in Europe than Yanks do!

[Richard Steele]

29. Go to the PRADO museum and ask a staff member about their Mona Lisa.

That's a full day right there, Itellyawhut!

[GoneOffShore]

30. Paris Restaurant recs & other stuff

Use the buses in Paris or if you're really adventurous the Vélib.
These are the free bicycles that are all around Paris. They only take Amex cards. You can buy a day ticket for a euro, get a bike out of the rack - check it before you select it because some of them are damaged. Avoid ones with the seats turned backwards as those are definitely damaged - it's the signal. You then have 30 minutes free so you can go to the next Vélib station in the neighborhood you want to see. Lots of bike lanes.
Do NOT buy the Paris Visite transit ticket - get a Mobilis for each day cheaper than the Visite.

Ignore the Louvre - too big, too crowded and overwhelming. Instead, check out Carnavalet, Musee Jaquemart (they have a good restaurant as well), Hotel de Ville (free exhibits). If you want to do the Eiffel Tower, book on line before you leave and print out your tickets( or if you're taking a laptop and have printer access at your hotel, print them there) you won't have to queue for hours.

Musee Picasso is excellent, as is the Musee d'Orsay.

On our last trip in November we ate at Yves Camdebordes Le Comptoir du Relais at Carrefour d'Odeon for the 10th time. We love the food, the bustle, the people watching and the wait for tables - they don't take reservations for lunch. Dinner reservations are only taken when they are serving the prix fixe menu, which is not every night. And reservations for the prix fixe are difficult to get unless you're staying at their attached hotel Relais Saint Germain.

We also love Café Constant on rue Saint Dominique (or rue Christian Constant as it's unofficially known, because he has three restaurants on the same street). Prix fixe, modest wine list, bistro standards well executed. We did our 20th anniversary there in the upstairs room and had a great time. He also has Cocotte on the same street - a bit more upscale, innovative and fun. La Violon d'Ingres is his high end place.

Rotisserie Beaujolais - Quai de Tournelle - old school, lots of Parisians, lots of tourists,
Café de Musée - rue Turenne - a new take on bistro - people from the fashion trade - in the Marais
Chez Janou - rue Roger Verlomme/rue de Tournelles off the Place des Vosges - fun, hip, great chocolate mousse, Provencal food (don't get the shrimp - but everything else is good).
L'Estaminet - in the Marché Enfant Rouge off of rue Bretagne- great for lunch
Café Breizh - Crépes of all sorts and cider from Normandy -another one in the Marais
Tour d'Argent - High end, old school, fantastic view of Notre Dame, excellent service, expensive$$$$
Chez Prosper - Place de la Nation at Blvd du Trone - right behind the taxi stand - Salads, steak frites, lots of Parisians - Service non stop - Very few tourists -
Brasserie de l'Île St-Louis - Alsatian food - lots of pork and the oldest espresso machine in Paris and possibly the oldest waiters as well. If the weather's good eat outside and look at the Seine, Notre Dame and the Pantheon. Otherwise, inside and enjoy the warmth.
Restaurant du Marché - in the 15th on rue Dantzig (near the George Brassens tram stop) - Innovative new bistro cuisine in an old setting. Not to be confused with the Café du Marché on the opposite end of the same street.
Chez Michel 10 Rue de Belzunce 75010- near the Gare du Nord - Normandy cuisine - You definitely need reservations and is difficult to find.
Afaria 15 Rue Desnouettes 75015- Basque and Landais cuisine in a very busy restaurant near Convention Metro in the 15th. Well worth the trip!!!
Le Timbre-Tiny restaurant, French food, English chef - rue St Beuve
Les Papilles - Better for lunch than dinner - too many UK/US patrons at night and it shows in the cooking.
L'Avant Gout - Place d'Italie/Butte aux Cailles - Love the cooking here
Temps des Cerises - Old line Communist owners, last of the co-operative restaurants, great vibe and good andouillette
Willis Wine Bar - The place that popularized Rhone wines in the 1980's, great for lunch. rue des Petits Champs near the Palais Royale and Bibliotheque Nationale
Juveniles 47 Rue de Richelieu 75001- Offshoot of Willis but a different owner -Good lunches haven't tried dinner - Fantastic wine selection -
Le Pamphlet - rue Debelleyme in the Marais - elegant, delicious and can be pricey but worth it.
Pizza Enzo - OK- it's not really French food, but you'll love the pizza - Montparnasse

We've actually stopped going to the really high end places - the experience sometimes doesn't equal the amount you spend.

[redwitch]

35. I loved the Musee Jaquemart Andree!

Had a wonderful lunch there too.

[UTUSN]

31. In Barcelona, BE CAREFUL at Las Ramblas, the outdoor shopping

promenade. Perhaps it's just unadventurous me, but all I heard was you shouldn't be alone in Las Ramblas crowds AND you should hold onto your possessions. I don't know what you can do about being alone because even meeting people from your hotel might be risky?

[kimi]

33. First day in Barcelona!

Well, sort of half-day cause I only got to the hotel in the AM. But to me, of course, it's already late night. *snore*

I lurve it!!! Went out wandering, found Catalunya Square - totally by accident - and got great pics and saw lots of cool stuff. I have to say, cause I wandered through the streets for awhile -- the architecture in this city is amazing. Superlative. Words fall short, seriously. I have stopped and taken so many pics of just regular stuff that blows me away. Just - unbelievable. I cannot believe that any person who lives here could take it for granted. It's New Orleans on steroids. Just amazing.

So - getting back into the deep European tub in a few minutes -- loves me some good baths. And found such cool bath stuff at that 8-story department store right by the Square too. Then I will go out on my hotel balcony and sip a nice Chardonnay.

Next week I will clean litter boxes. This week, I will indulge. LOL

[bif]

34. Here's a little tip for saving money in Paris

If you're in a cafe and order water they'll sell you an overpriced bottle of water. But if you ask for a carafe d'eau they'll serve you a pitcher of water for free.