http://msmvps.com/blogs/deborahk/archive/tags/Travel/default.aspxTags: TravelenCommunityServer 2008.5 SP2 (Build: 40407.4157)http://msmvps.com/blogs/deborahk/archive/2012/10/09/barcelona-spain-2012.aspxTue, 09 Oct 2012 07:16:50 GMTd67277c4-116b-43f1-b688-e9ef184ea916:1817860Deborah Kurata0http://msmvps.com/blogs/deborahk/rsscomments.aspx?PostID=1817860http://msmvps.com/blogs/deborahk/archive/2012/10/09/barcelona-spain-2012.aspx#comments<p>One of my favorite hobbies is traveling. It&#39;s fun to dream about an amazing destination, plan the details of the trip, and then find yourself there. This summer, one of our destinations was Barcelona. A friend recently asked me for some recommendations for her trip there, which prompted this post.</p> <p>We arrived in Barcelona on May 28th, 2012 and stayed for 3 nights. We selected the <a href="http://www.hduquesadecardona.com/home/en/1/hotel-encant-port-barcelona" target="_blank">Duquesa de Cardona Hotel</a>, which is a beautiful hotel, quiet and close to many of the tourist spots.</p> <p>Room:</p> <p><a href="http://msmvps.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/deborahk.metablogapi/6180.port_2D00_cruises_2D00_luxury_2D00_hotel_2D00_barcelona2_5F00_218DE673.jpg"><img style="background-image:none;border-bottom:0px;border-left:0px;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;display:inline;border-top:0px;border-right:0px;padding-top:0px;" title="port-cruises-luxury-hotel-barcelona2" border="0" alt="port-cruises-luxury-hotel-barcelona2" src="http://msmvps.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/deborahk.metablogapi/3487.port_2D00_cruises_2D00_luxury_2D00_hotel_2D00_barcelona2_5F00_thumb_5F00_0E0086D2.jpg" width="380" height="216" /></a></p> <p>Rooftop terrace:</p> <p><a href="http://msmvps.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/deborahk.metablogapi/0268.hotel_2D00_near_2D00_the_2D00_port_2D00_barcelona_5F00_463EFDEA.jpg"><img style="background-image:none;border-bottom:0px;border-left:0px;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;display:inline;border-top:0px;border-right:0px;padding-top:0px;" title="hotel-near-the-port-barcelona" border="0" alt="hotel-near-the-port-barcelona" src="http://msmvps.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/deborahk.metablogapi/1207.hotel_2D00_near_2D00_the_2D00_port_2D00_barcelona_5F00_thumb_5F00_16A0DF5E.jpg" width="373" height="212" /></a></p> <p>The hotel (circled below) is close to La Rambla, el Gotic, and La Barceloneta beaches.</p> <p><a href="http://msmvps.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/deborahk.metablogapi/1122.image_5F00_1CE7B5EC.png"><img style="background-image:none;border-bottom:0px;border-left:0px;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;display:inline;border-top:0px;border-right:0px;padding-top:0px;" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://msmvps.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/deborahk.metablogapi/6763.image_5F00_thumb_5F00_50AFAC3D.png" width="469" height="217" /></a></p> <p>Some of our favorite places:</p> <ul> <li>La Sagrada Familia: A breath-taking church both outside and in.</li> </ul> <p>&#160;&#160; <a href="http://msmvps.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/deborahk.metablogapi/6712.IMG_5F00_1119_5F00_33C68768.jpg"><img style="background-image:none;border-bottom:0px;border-left:0px;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;display:inline;border-top:0px;border-right:0px;padding-top:0px;" title="IMG_1119" border="0" alt="IMG_1119" src="http://msmvps.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/deborahk.metablogapi/7206.IMG_5F00_1119_5F00_thumb_5F00_78FEDE91.jpg" width="286" height="215" /></a>&#160;&#160; <a href="http://msmvps.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/deborahk.metablogapi/8080.IMG_5F00_1114_5F00_4D4E1495.jpg"><img style="background-image:none;border-right-width:0px;padding-left:0px;padding-right:0px;display:inline;border-top-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;padding-top:0px;" title="IMG_1114" border="0" alt="IMG_1114" src="http://msmvps.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/deborahk.metablogapi/0827.IMG_5F00_1114_5F00_thumb_5F00_17691F7B.jpg" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <ul> <li>Parc Guell: A large park with colorful mosaic benches and &quot;Hansel and Gretel&quot; cottages.</li> <li>Gaudi&#39;s Casa Batllo: An interestingly designed house that is&#160; fun to tour.</li> <li>La Rambla: A boulevard with fresh flowers, entertainers, shops, restaurants, and lots of people.</li> <li>La Boqueria: The most colorful and tasty market I have ever seen.</li> <li>Barri Gotic: The old quarter full of narrow alleys and great restaurants.</li> <li>Barceloneta: Gorgeous beaches.</li> </ul> <p>And don&#39;t forget the tapas!</p> <p>Good travels!</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://msmvps.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=1817860" width="1" height="1">GeneralTravel