Scott

Hey you all,

I have never travelled to Europe. I am going to the U.K. and Spain
this spring end of March to early april for about two weeks. The plan
is to spend 3 days in london, then 7 days in Spain, then 4 days in
London again.

We're primarily going to Barcelona. I'd like to spend a couple days
in the countryside particularly in the Spanish Pyrenees. So, the plan
would be to spend 3 days in Barcelona, go spend 2 days in the
countryside, then spend 2 more days in Barcelona.

1) Best Recommendations for visiting the Pyrenee Countryside?
Is 2 days in the countryside (Pyrenees) too much time? Anyone have
recommendations for hotels? I was looking at the PARADOR DE CARDONA.
Anyone stay there? Is there enough to do in two days or do I need to
move on to a second hotel? Can I do that without a car?

2) Hotel Recommendations?
Two other hotels I was looking at: Barcelona Universal for the first
Part of my trip and then the AC Diplomatic for the second part of the
Barcelona trip. Anyone have any comments about those hotels, good or
bad? We're trying to stay under $250 US which is kind of tough with
the latest dollar to Euro.

Lastly 3) I should not leave Barcelona if I have not done what? In
other words, what are the top things my wife and I should do in
Barcelona?

Thanks in advance for your help,

Scott Stawarz

Elio

"Scott" <intelliscott-> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:...
    > Hey you all,
    > I have never travelled to Europe. I am going to the U.K. and Spain
    > [cut]
    > 1) Best Recommendations for visiting the Pyrenee Countryside?
    > Is 2 days in the countryside (Pyrenees) too much time? Anyone have
    > recommendations for hotels? I was looking at the PARADOR DE CARDONA.
    > Anyone stay there? Is there enough to do in two days or do I need to
    > move on to a second hotel? Can I do that without a car?
I have stayed recently in the Parador de Cardona. It is a very nice Parador
located in a castle on the top of a hill with a good restaurant. A car is
very much needed. The area is a bit isolated, rather hilly but not real
mountains. If You really want to see the Pyrenees i would rather recommend
the modern Parador of Arties located in a beautiful Aran valley at the foot
of the highest mountains of the Pyrenees.
    > 2) Hotel Recommendations?
    > Two other hotels I was looking at: Barcelona Universal for the first
    > Part of my trip and then the AC Diplomatic for the second part of the
    > Barcelona trip. Anyone have any comments about those hotels, good or
    > bad? We're trying to stay under $250 US which is kind of tough with
    > the latest dollar to Euro.
I don't know the hotels you are looking for but i would also give a look at
the Melia hotels in Barcelona. Check their website www.solmelia.com for the
lowest online rate guaranteed. I find quality/price ratio very good at these
hotels in all Spain.
    > [cut]
Elio

Nisarg Sutaria

Must see things in Barcelona are :

La Rambla, Barri Gotic and area around, Waterfront, La Sagrada
Familia, Park Guell, Mont juic etc...

Nisarg


"Elio" <> wrote in message news:<btgpqv$73muk$>...
    > "Scott" <intelliscott-> ha scritto nel messaggio
    > news:...
    > > Hey you all,
    > >
    > > I have never travelled to Europe. I am going to the U.K. and Spain
    > >
    > > [cut]
    > >
    > > 1) Best Recommendations for visiting the Pyrenee Countryside?
    > > Is 2 days in the countryside (Pyrenees) too much time? Anyone have
    > > recommendations for hotels? I was looking at the PARADOR DE CARDONA.
    > > Anyone stay there? Is there enough to do in two days or do I need to
    > > move on to a second hotel? Can I do that without a car?
    > >
    > I have stayed recently in the Parador de Cardona. It is a very nice Parador
    > located in a castle on the top of a hill with a good restaurant. A car is
    > very much needed. The area is a bit isolated, rather hilly but not real
    > mountains. If You really want to see the Pyrenees i would rather recommend
    > the modern Parador of Arties located in a beautiful Aran valley at the foot
    > of the highest mountains of the Pyrenees.
    > >
    > > 2) Hotel Recommendations?
    > > Two other hotels I was looking at: Barcelona Universal for the first
    > > Part of my trip and then the AC Diplomatic for the second part of the
    > > Barcelona trip. Anyone have any comments about those hotels, good or
    > > bad? We're trying to stay under $250 US which is kind of tough with
    > > the latest dollar to Euro.
    > >
    > I don't know the hotels you are looking for but i would also give a look at
    > the Melia hotels in Barcelona. Check their website www.solmelia.com for the
    > lowest online rate guaranteed. I find quality/price ratio very good at these
    > hotels in all Spain.
    > >
    > > [cut]
    > >
    > Elio

Brenda

(Nisarg Sutaria) wrote in message news:<>...
    > Must see things in Barcelona are :
    >
    > La Rambla, Barri Gotic and area around, Waterfront, La Sagrada
    > Familia, Park Guell, Mont juic etc...
    >
    > Nisarg
    >

Must-Eat is Cap Pep!

Brenda

(Nisarg Sutaria) wrote in message news:<>...
    > Must see things in Barcelona are :
    >
    > La Rambla, Barri Gotic and area around, Waterfront, La Sagrada
    > Familia, Park Guell, Mont juic etc...
    >
    > Nisarg

Must eat is Cal Pep! Check hours & be there when (or 10 mins before)
they open at lunch or dinner to get a seat - Placa des Olles 8 (right
behind old Cathedral), Tel 93 310 79 61. Point or let Pep pick your
menu - you'll be back over & over...

Jenn

In article <>,
(brenda) wrote:

    > (Nisarg Sutaria) wrote in message
    > news:<>...
    > > Must see things in Barcelona are :
    > >
    > > La Rambla, Barri Gotic and area around, Waterfront, La Sagrada
    > > Familia, Park Guell, Mont juic etc...
    > >
    > > Nisarg
    >
    > Must eat is Cal Pep! Check hours & be there when (or 10 mins before)
    > they open at lunch or dinner to get a seat - Placa des Olles 8 (right
    > behind old Cathedral), Tel 93 310 79 61. Point or let Pep pick your
    > menu - you'll be back over & over...

definitely agree -- you can just hang behind someone and have their seat
when they move on -- there are only about a dozen counter seats

their greens fried with pork and their fried shrimps and sardines are
both heavenly -- and try their desert that consiste of shot glasses
filled with flavored foams -- sort of like sabayon

great place

Iceman

(Nisarg Sutaria) wrote in message news:<>...
    > Must see things in Barcelona are :
    >
    > La Rambla, Barri Gotic and area around, Waterfront, La Sagrada
    > Familia, Park Guell, Mont juic etc...

If you're interested in Gaudi's architecture, the Palau Guell and La
Pedreda are also well worth seeing.

Also don't miss the gothic Seu Cathedral, and the Museu Picasso.

Ptravel

"Scott" <intelliscott-> wrote in message
news:...
    > Hey you all,
    > I have never travelled to Europe. I am going to the U.K. and Spain
    > this spring end of March to early april for about two weeks. The plan
    > is to spend 3 days in london, then 7 days in Spain, then 4 days in
    > London again.
    > We're primarily going to Barcelona. I'd like to spend a couple days
    > in the countryside particularly in the Spanish Pyrenees. So, the plan
    > would be to spend 3 days in Barcelona, go spend 2 days in the
    > countryside, then spend 2 more days in Barcelona.
    > 1) Best Recommendations for visiting the Pyrenee Countryside?
    > Is 2 days in the countryside (Pyrenees) too much time? Anyone have
    > recommendations for hotels? I was looking at the PARADOR DE CARDONA.
    > Anyone stay there? Is there enough to do in two days or do I need to
    > move on to a second hotel? Can I do that without a car?

Can't help you there. We just got back from Barcelona, but chose to fly to
Bilbao, rent a car and drive around Catabria.

    > 2) Hotel Recommendations?
    > Two other hotels I was looking at: Barcelona Universal for the first
    > Part of my trip and then the AC Diplomatic for the second part of the
    > Barcelona trip. Anyone have any comments about those hotels, good or
    > bad? We're trying to stay under $250 US which is kind of tough with
    > the latest dollar to Euro.

Check out the Hotel Colon. It's within your budget (assuming you mean
$250/night and not $250 for your entire stay). It's in a great location on
Cathedral Square, convenient walking to the old parts of the city, the
Rambla, etc.


    > Lastly 3) I should not leave Barcelona if I have not done what? In
    > other words, what are the top things my wife and I should do in
    > Barcelona?

Eat at a restaurant called Cal Pep. It's a tapas place, but unique among
tapas places. Everything is cooked on the spot, simple but varied cuisine.
My wife and I think that, not only is it the best food we had in Spain,
ever, but it's probably the best food in this universe (and the next two
adjacent). It's a little hole-in-the-wall kind of place, but people
literally line up to get in. Ask your hotel concierege -- they'll know it.

    > Thanks in advance for your help,
    > Scott Stawarz

Ptravel

"brenda" <> wrote in message
news:...
    > (Nisarg Sutaria) wrote in message
news:<>...
    > > Must see things in Barcelona are :
    > >
    > > La Rambla, Barri Gotic and area around, Waterfront, La Sagrada
    > > Familia, Park Guell, Mont juic etc...
    > >
    > > Nisarg
    > >
    > Must-Eat is Cap Pep!

That's Cal Pep, but yes, you're absolutely right! I'd go back to Barcelona
just to eat there again.

Reid

Following up to Scott

    >1) Best Recommendations for visiting the Pyrenee Countryside?
    >Is 2 days in the countryside (Pyrenees) too much time? Anyone have
    >recommendations for hotels? I was looking at the PARADOR DE CARDONA.
    >Anyone stay there? Is there enough to do in two days or do I need to
    >move on to a second hotel? Can I do that without a car?

The Pyrennees are further north than Cardona, you will need a car
and more time. But for Cardona, one day is fine to see the IIRC
salt mine.