Anyone been and have any advise as to where to stay? What parts of town should we try to get a hotel in or near? Going to be there for 3 days prior to an Atlantis Cruise at the end of august...
Thanks.

Barcelona! Wow, I was there last year in May, exactly a year ago. I had a wonderful time. I wouldn't say it's my favorite city (I love London, Rome and New York more) but it definitely is entertaining.

One of the highlight was my hotel. I strongly recommend you look into The Hotel Axel. It's near the University of Barcelona right in the heart of the (small but present) gay district. It was a hip boutique hotel catering to the gay community. So in my room was this big lit photo of a naked man reclining. How gay is that? And all the people working there were young, hot looking men dressed in suits. And they were all friendly and nice. There's also a cool bar downstairs.

I don't remember how much I paid, but I remember it wasn't any more higher than the standard rates at most Barcelona hotels. I think I paid about $150 in euros? It's worth it. They have a ice box in the hallway so you can pick up free water bottles everytime you head out! And then they have a pool with jacuzzi and steam room on the rooftop, so you can lay out in the sun. And on the mezzanine, they have two computers for you to surf the Internet and check emails for free!

Anyway, I highly recommend it. I would go back to Barcelona just to stay and hang out at the hotel.

I spent a week in Ibiza back in '98 with a few days in Madrid at the start and a few in Barcelona at the end.

Barcelona has many new and exciting hotels, having experienced a bit of a building boom before/during/after the Olympics in '92. We stayed at the older Hotel Colon which is in the old town or "Gothic Quarter". It's located directly accross the main square from the Cathedral with fantastic views both day and (illuminated at) night. People stay at the Colon for the view (there are better hotels in the city). I don't believe it was particularly expensive. We never ate in the hotel restaurant but they were very helpful booking reservations at some nearby restaurants where we had very memorable meals. It's just a block or two from the Ramblas, the city's most active street at night and the old quarter is wonderful for walking around and enjoying the atmosphere.

[ May 23, 2005, 07:24 AM: Message edited by: Torgauer ]

I was just in Barcelona last summer-

I highly recommend walking down Las Ramblas at night. Maybe because I never had an experience like that before, but I thought it was quite fun and interesting.

Also, the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) was beautiful. I loved the buildings there- one was a former palace where Christopher Columbus was entertained by the King and Queen.

I think the best sights were the La Sagrada Familia and the Parque Gaudi. The Sagrada Familia is an unfinished church that's been under construction for decades. Parque Gaudi, designed by architect Gaudi, was supposed to be an elite neighborhood in Barcelona, but became a beautiful park.

Hope you have a great time! Buen viaje!

MiamiSpartan, I agree with batboy. I was in Barcelona just this past February and the area around the University Plaza was great. Walking distance to the gay clubs Arena on Las Balmas and Metro on Sepluveda (which had drag show at 3AM at the restroom doubled as the backroom.) Arena was too much fun. I did not stay at Hotel Axel but it looked fantastic. Another hotel 2 blocks from Axel is Hotel Cram. The name is funny but it was really nice. This are is also walking distance to Las Ramblas and the Barri Gothic Quarter. Certain parts of the gothic quarter are dodgy but you can easily buy hash (if you go for that sort of thing). Marsella Bar on Sant Pau right off the older Rambla de Ravel is the best place to get absinthe. (Sant Pau runs between the main Las Ramblas and the older one Ravel.) Supposedly absinthe is illegal in the US but I found a liquor store right off the university plaza that will ship it to the US (if you go for that sort of thing). The best places for tapas are a farther walk from the university plaza. They were on the other side of Las Ramblas near the Barceloneta. Have fun.

I am heading to Barcelona next week. This thread provided some great recommendations. Does anyone else have any input. I'm interested in seeing some of the beach communities. Will be traveling with my college aged daughter who is studying in Spain so I'm not necessarily looking for "gay destinations". Thanks.

I absolutely LOVE Spain.

Be sure to go to Valencia; The Sunlight is incredible; The city’s three main beaches are broad and sandy and stretch for miles: Las Arenas, La Malvarossa, and Alboraya, are pristine and orderly. The landscapes and seascapes have inspired painters for generations.

Valencia is one of the biggest natural harbors in the Med. Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, with almost one million inhabitants.

I did a blog entry on Valencia last year that you might find interesting.

Catalonia has centuries of history, with cultural and political connections to many different parts of the Mediterranean region. Now part of Spain, the people retain a distinct language and sense of nationality of their own. Catalonians learn both Catalan and Castilian Spanish, and often French as well, from birth, and are very cosmopolitan. English and other European languages are commonly understood.

Have you and your daughter ever been diving?

The Medas Isles are a nature reserve that is strictly monitored by the Spanish police. You cannot take anything but pictures. There are never more than 400 divers on the islands and the dive centre needs a license to take you there. So even though they check your dive qualification card before you get on board, you also need to take it and your compulsory dive insurance certificate on board every time. Just in case the police board the boat and ask to see them. Penalties can be swift and expensive (10k EU) including confiscation of all your diving kit and your boat. Super yachts have been seized. Patrols are VERY frequent.

The underwater Sea floor is protected by law, but visits and recreational activities are allowed not only by particular boats but also by rented boats, and private boats by special permit with a licensed guide. Some years ago, a far-sighted Catalan Government (the regional government for this area) realized what a treasure it had on its doorstep. With good management it could be rejuvenated after years of mistreatment and preserved for the benefit of diving tourists and the local economy. In 1983, Spain passed the first of a series of laws declaring the islands a marine reserve. The protection law dicted in 1995 by the Generalitat de Catalunya which defined a fishing preserve area around the islands has been widened by the law 19/1990 about vegetation and fauna which converts the Medas Islands into the biggest, and one of the most important, aquatic natural parks in the whole Mediterranean Sea.

Check my blog entry for Diving the Medesas Isles from 7/8/2005

You did not say how long you would be there, but if you are traveling around Spain for a few weeks be sure to go to Seville for Feria d'Abril 25 - 30 Apr 2006 .

"Seville is a city of sleepy squares, whitewashed and decked with orange and lemon trees. It is a city of flamenco, bullfighting, good food and nights out dancing. Above all, it is a city of romance, love and lost afternoons spent dozing in the shade. And of course there is the Feria... Take a horse and cart to get the most out of this amazing city and festival.

This takes place just two weeks after Semana Santa so if you have the energy you can enjoy both spectacles during your stay in Seville. For its duration, a vast area is on the far bank of the river, the Real de la Feria is totally covered in rows of casetas, canvas pavilions or tents of varying sizes. Some of these belong to eminent Sevillano families, some to groups of friends, others to clubs, trade associations or political parties. In each one, from around nine at night until perhaps six or seven the following morning, there is flamenco singing and dancing. Many of the men and virtually all the women wear traditional costume, the latter in an astonishing array of brilliantly coloured, flounced gypsy dresses.

The sheer size of this spectacle is extraordinary, and the dancing with its intense and knowing sexuality, a revelation. Most infectious of all is the universal spontaneity of enjoyment. After wandering around staring at the crowds you wind up a part of it, drinking and dancing in one of the open casetas which have commercial bars. Among these you'll usually find lively casetas erected by all manner of clubs and societies including various anarchistic groups. Some are 'entrance by invitation only' others more welcoming. The 'caseta municipal' is run by the town hall, and is one of the largest and always open to everyone, but it can be completely full if a well known band or singer is on stage. "
- Seville travel guide

From around midday until early evening, Sevilla (and all of Spains noblest families) society parades around the fairground in carriages or on horseback. An incredible extravaganza of display and voyeurism, this has subtle but distinct graduations of dress and style, catch it at least one. There are also bullfights on a daily basis which are generally considered the best of the season.

The feria usually starts on a Saturday and runs nine days to the following Sunday night. Actually, the feria officially starts at midnight on the Sunday night (but there will be much activity during the preceding weekend).

People come from all over Spain for Feria.

If you let yourself go with the moment it is a truley wild experience that is not for the faint of heart.

Don't worry, your daughter will be perfectly safe as long as you are with her at Feria; however, I would not recommend letting a teenager loose there after midnight when things really come alive.

Are you sure about not going to a 'gay' destination - even to slip away for a weekend alone to give both of you some space?

About 300 k north of Valencia, and 35 k south of Barcelona, the region's largest city, lays the coastal village of Sitges. With narrow cobblestone streets, and friendly Mediterranean people, it has become a favorite summer resort for gay people from across the continent. If you don't need a car, and you won't if you're staying in town, hop on the train. There is frequent and rapid service from Barcelona for only about US$2, about US $10 from Valencia.

Sitges is a small village, and generally everywhere is in easy walking distance. If you are out near the Terramar, or away in the Port, at either end of Sitges, then you have a 3km walk into Town. From the Terramar you can catch a little trolley bus (for a Euro).

During the summer months, as the population swells, Sitges becomes a linguistic melting pot of every European language. The people here are more than merely tolerant, with more comfortable mingling and interaction, and less of "them and us" than you'll find in many such resorts. The gay establishments are mostly in the center of town within easy walking distance of one another, the train station, the beach, and most restaurants and hotels. A gay map, available at most bars and hotels, makes it easy to navigate. Upcoming events are posted at www.gaysitges.com. In Spanish, MENsual magazine hosts web site www.mensual.com

Most of the nighttime action here starts late. Ten, or ten-thirty in the evening is when most bars in Sitges open their doors. At 3 am most bars close, the disco clubs fill up, and the drinking and dancing continue until 6 am or so.

One of my happier finds turned out to be run by a pair of transplanted Australian Chefs. Australian chefs Brad Downes and Michael Hutton opened the Beach House in 2002. It was a dream for them to own an upmarket seasonal restaurant on the Mediterranean (April -Oct) and leave them 5 months of the year to travel the world and catch up with the latest cooking trends.

The menu changes daily at the Beach House, which means no matter how many times you choose to dine, there is always a new selection of fresh options to tempt you. The Beach House is in an elegant Spanish federation terrace, offering two dining rooms, each tastefully done to compliment the finely crafted food and wine menus. The upstairs open-air terrace is perfect for a romantic candlelit dinner for 2.. The four course set menu will run you about 20 euros. The food was simply fantastic.

The Owners also offer a variety of vacation or ‘holiday’ apartments. Apartment shares here are what house shares are on Fire Island or P’Town. Reserve early.

Sitges's popularity makes Hotel or guesthouse reservations a necessity in the summertime. There are many, many gay hotels and guest houses. The gay section of the beach is a five minute walk south down the beach, in front of ‘Picnic Restaurant’.

This – not Ibiza - is obviously the gay summer capital of Spain. Think P’town and K’West rolled into one ancient Spanish village. Beside – the beaches are MUCH nicer here.

Catalan men have dark, rugged good looks, and a internationally pampered style, that could make the most critical American fashionista, sit up and beg. Temptation is ALL around here.

If you have any other Q's please feel free to write.

Rob

[ March 27, 2006, 11:43 AM: Message edited by: ITJock ]

Thanks Rob - exactly the type of info I wanted. I have done a lot of research on Sitges and would love to plan a future trip there. I'll be staying at the Hotel Axel for the first two nights alone so I won't be gay deprived...whatever that means.

Appreciate your input wink

For a great online guide to Barcelona itself go to aboutbarcelona.com .

Under 'Where to go' check out 'Places of Interest'...

Las Ramblas is a wonderfull cocphany of everything imaginable. Be sure to stop by the Bird Market and the Mercat de la Boqueria.

"Avinguda de les Drassanes, stand the Reials Drassanes (Royal Shipyards), which house the fascinating Museu Marítim. It has more seafaring paraphernalia than you'd care to wag a sextant at - boats, models, maps, paintings, ships' figureheads and 16th-century galleys. " - guide

Be sure not to miss the sights from the Torre de Collserola telecommunications tower veiwing platform on Tibidabo hill.

At the same site there are some great links to other regional online tourist guides.

Rob

Ah, BARCELONA !!!!!

Have a drink in the bar (Moo) of the Hotel Omm at the intersection of Passeig de Gracia and Diagonal.
Highest recommendation!!!!

Our favorite restaurant is just 3 blocks away from
Hotel Omm. Restaurant Folquer (sorry I don't have the address)is fantastic. Small. An astonishing 6-course prixfixe dinner for 25 euros.
For a splurge, have lunch at Casa Calvet, located in an Antonio Gaudi building, just blocks from the main Placa Catalunya, which you'll undoubtedly walk through many times. Also in the same neighborhood is Restaurant Noti, very good, very trendy when we were there two years ago.

Other places: Restaurant Tragaluz (on Passeig de
Gracia near Hotel Omm)

NOT TO BE MISSED: On Friday and Saturday night, the rooftop of Gaudi's La Pedrera hosts "La Pedrera de Nit" -- concert, champagne and chocolate for 10 euros. It is fantastic. Be sure to buy tickets the minute you arrive.

Eat and people watch all along the Rambla Catalunya.

Be sure to visit the basement of Gaudi's la Sagrada Familia cathedral to see the building models as he envisioned. Tour Gaudi's Casa Battlo (Passeig de Gracia) or Palau Guell (foot of las Ramblas). You'll never look at architecture the same way. And of course take the tour of La Pedrera (aka Casa Mila).

Swim in the Olympic Pool on Montjuic! Take the teleferique from Montjuic to the beach at Barceloneta!

Go go GO to the amusement park at the top of Mt. Tibidabo -- it's charming and the views are incredible ---also two stupendous restaurants on the way up.

Restaurant Folquer
Adreça: C Torrent de l'Olla , 3
CP: 08012 Barcelona
Districte: Gràcia
Telèfon: 932174395

Si, es exquisita.

El chef Quim Hernández es el artífice de una exquisita carta en la que se hace difícil elegir el plato a degustar.

R

Stayed in a GREAT hotel called the Gallery, just a few short blocks from the gay neighborhood. Great price, great rooms, and a cool CD for mood music they gave to us when we left!

If you haven't ;eft for Barcelona yet - just ran across this NYT article:

Huesca, Spain: Ultramarinos La Confianza

By GEOFF PINGREE
Published: April 2, 2006

MARÍA JESÚS SANVICENTE'S eyes never leave the knife. Chatting easily with her customer, Ms. Sanvicente keeps her gaze fixed on the blade as she cuts salt cod with a surgeon's speed and care. The knife looks outdated, its handle primitive and worn. That is because it has been used continuously in Ultramarinos La Confianza, said to be Spain's oldest grocery store, since the shop's founding in 1868.

The charms of Huesca, a provincial capital at the foot of the Aragonese Pyrenees, are relatively modest: a curious Gothic cathedral, a short-film festival, excellent restaurants. But the city has a genuine treasure in Ms. Sanvicente's shop, which draws visitors from around Spain and Europe.

The store is a food lover's delight. Inside, shelves running from tiled floor to hand-painted ceiling are stacked attractively with everything from candied chestnuts to Catalan champagne. Slabs of artisanal chocolate nestle in wicker baskets. The dairy case is stocked with Ans-Hecho, Benasque, Paoleta and other local cheeses, all made in the mountains outside town. But as much as it caters to the connoisseur, La Confianza is also a thoroughly homey place, a dry-goods store where packaged white bread shares table space with the specialty chocolates, and where housewives can purchase rice or flour and children come to buy candy after school. Among townsfolk, La Confianza is especially beloved for the spices it sells at Christmas, and for its varieties of dried cod, like bacalao, and black olives.The store is also known for its distinctly personal character. Run for the last four (soon to be five) generations by members of the Sanvicente family, the shop exudes a friendly, even intimate atmosphere. And in a country where markets usually close from midday Saturday until Monday morning, La Confianza (the name means trust in Spanish) is open every day of the week.

This may be the secret to the store's longevity. La Confianza continued to do business during the country's three-year civil war in the 1930's, and it has — since the 1950's — withstood the emergence of countless supermarkets. Indeed, the store seems to embody the Spanish notion that where one shops depends more on who is selling than on what one is buying.

"My father considered this store a service, not a business," said Ms. Sanvicente matter-of-factly. "We've followed his tradition of serving the people who buy our goods. That's how we've stayed in business all these years."

La Confianza is at Plaza del Mercado 7, Huesca. Telephone: 34-974-222-632.


Enjoy Spain.

R

Barcelona was marvelous. The Hotel Axel reminds me of a W Hotel without the pretense; and about a third of the price.

I happened to be in town the week of a major Bear conclave of some sort so the sights were either very nice or very scary depending on whether you like bears or cubs, I suppose.

The City is absolutely spotless, the people are relatively friendly and it is a very affordable town. Public transportation is superb.

My first night there I was treated to a tour of the town on a scooter by a nice guy I met at the Bear Factory. He is a native of Milan who relocated to Barcelona 3 years ago so he is still in awe of the City sights. His enthusiasm added to my excitement. He wanted to show me a view of the City from the Mountains to the Sea (which is a relatively short distance) but the City was covered with fog.

The food in Barcelona was the only disappointment. Although relatively cheap, the food was uninspiring almost across the Board.

This is not a place to go unless you are in relatively good physical shape. Lots of walking...and a ton of climbing at the various attractions noted in the posts in this thread.

I look forward to a return visit...and I want to also go to Sitges which, as ITJock has noted, is supposed to be great.

Sorry you didn't like the food. We had amazing meals the entire time we were there...

Glad you had a great time.

Sorry to hear about your food experience; I am actually amazed. I loved Spanish food and thought it wonderfully varied and usually well prepared. I am pretty adventurous though, and frequently go well off the beaten track away from tourist areas. Oh well - Different tastes.

Rob

See- now I have a reason to return soon, check out the better restaurants