After meeting your professionally trained guide, you will set off to see the numerous highlights of this multi layered city. First stop will be a visit to Montjuïc Hill, the highest part of the city where the sports facilities for the 1992 Olympic Games are located in what is referred to as the Olympic Ring. Here you will see the FC Barcelona, which is the home for Barcelona's many famous sports teams. Also on Montjuic Hill are structures from the 1929 International Exhibition, including the Palau Nacional, which is now an art museum, the Placa Espanya and the Spanish Village. The original project consisted of recreating the local architectural styles of each Spanish province. A stop will be made with time for you to stroll through the Andalusian or Castilian streets in the Village and browse among the interesting arts and crafts. You will drive along the Barcelona waterfront where you will see the Columbus Statue, the Old Port as well as the Olympic port which is now a major entertainment area.
You will pass the Arc de Triomf as you make your way to one of Barcelona's most famous avenues, the Passeig de Gràcia. Considered the most expensive avenue in Spain, it is home to business, hotels, shops and restaurants. Here you will see two famous Gaudí facades, La Pedrera and Casa Betllo, as well as buildings by Montaner, Sagnier, and Urpí's famous ornate benches and streetlights. Your next stop will be at Gaudi's Park Güell. The park was commissioned by Eusebi Güell who wanted to create a stylish park for Barcelona aristocracy. The park contains amazing stone structures, intricate mosaics and fascinating buildings that reflect Gaudi's love of natural shapes.
The Sagrada Família, perhaps Gaudi's greatest love letter to Barcelona is still unfinished more than 80 years after his death. The privately-funded Roman Catholic Church that has been under construction since 1882 and is not scheduled for completion until around 2026. After time for photos of the exterior, you will drive to the Gothic Quarter.
Dating from a Roman settlement started in 15 B. C. the Gothic Quarter is a collage of structures from every century since. The walled enclosure, with medieval additions and subsequent reconstructions, was built between 270 and 310 A.D. Many of the Gothic features of the middle ages were added upon the Roman structures. A visit will be made to the Le Seu Cathedral, located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. The present day structure was started in 1298 but a previous basilica on the same spot dates back to 343 A.D. Your visit includes the dramatic interior, the beautifully carved Choir and the 14th century Cloister.
From here, it is a short journey to La Ramblas, the famous pedestrian mall that links the center of Barcelona, Plaça de Catalunya, with the Columbus statue near the harbor. Some free time will be spent here to browse the many shops or have a coffee at one of the many sidewalk cafes.
