Exploring Barcelona on foot

Barcelona is one of Europe’s great cities. With something to appeal to fans of literature, architecture, sport, food and of course shopping, it’s pretty hard not to enjoy this lively Mediterranean port city. By far the best way to get to know Barcelona is on foot and depending on your interests you can take a number of themed walking tours that allow you to get under the city’s glitzy exterior. Here are just a few suggestions…


Gaudi’s Barcelona


Everyone who comes to Barcelona will want to visit Gaudi’s famous unfinished masterpiece and the no.1 landmark of the city, the Sagrada Familia Cathedral. If you’re a fan of his style of architecture there are other examples of his eccentric genius at work in the centre of Barcelona. The fairytale exterior of Casa Batilo and the strangely curved Casa Mila stand out on the busy streets of the city centre. Why not take a walk around the city with a knowledgeable local guide who will share with you tales of Gaudi’s life in Barcelona and the stories behind his famous creations? Several tour companies (including Context and Rubber Bean Tours) offer Gaudi-themed walks. 


Chocolate Tour


Barcelona’s links with chocolate go back a long way. It was adopted here as an Aztec import soon after Colombus returned from the Americas with the first cocoa beans on European soil. During the 19th century it was served as a luxury product in the cafes and bars of the city.  These cafés now form a fascinating part of the city’s heritage. You can indulge your chocolate coated desires while sampling luxury bon-bons, churros from street vendors and delicious dark truffles from the 19th century modernista cafés of the city. Now doesn’t that sound like a good way to spend an afternoon?


Maritime District


Not so long ago the waterfront district of Barcelona was a no-go area for tourists. After many years of hard work and huge investment it is now one of the trendiest parts of the city. Perfect for a gentle stroll and a good place to enjoy a drink or a meal on a summer evening, it’s getting harder to imagine the gritty past of this historic naval port. Yet if you take your time and look beyond the modern glass facades you can still find clues that shed light on the Barcelona of the fishermen, the merchants and the sailors who made the city of the major European trading posts.  


Picasso’s Barcelona


If you wander around the Ciutat Vella (Old Town) district of Barcelona you’ll be walking the same streets as Picasso walked a little over 100 years ago. He lived and worked in various places and visitors can wander from his first home at Passeig Isabel II to his favourite café Els Quatre Gats and his final Barcelona studio on Carrer de Comerç. Picasso Trail walking maps are available from the city tourist office.


‘Shadow of the Wind’ Tour


With over 15 million books sold, Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Safon is one of the best-selling books of all time. His moody descriptions of 1930s Barcelona are credited for attracting many visitors to the city. They look for the old bookshop or the Aldayas’ home on Avenida Tibidaba, or perhaps stroll around Montjuic wondering where Daniel and Bea may have met. If you’re a fan of the book you can take a Literary Walking Tour (available from the Barcelona Tourist Office) and see for yourself the Barcelona described in The Shadow of the Wind.


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Top 5 days out in Paris

Paris has so many world-famous monuments and museums that if you’re only there for a short break it’s hard to think about leaving the city. But the attractions out of Paris are just as impressive as those on offer in town. Here are five of the most popular day trips you can take from Paris.

Versailles

This royal palace, built by King Louis XIV in the 17th century and expanded in the following years to the magnificent building you can see today, is near the top of most people’s list of things to see in Paris. It’s hardly surprising as the opulence on display within the palace is truly breathtaking. Don’t miss the chance to wander through the extensive grounds too. You can even hire bikes and bring a picnic to Versailles, finding a secluded spot to enjoy a perfect French lunch.

Beware however that you’ll find what appears to be half of Paris queuing up for tickets at the entrance to Versailles. If you turn up without a ticket you’ll almost certainly face a very long wait before you get inside. It’s a good idea to arrive very early or towards the end of the day to avoid the worst of the crowds. 

http://en.chateauversailles.fr/homepage

Giverny

Think Claude Monet and you’ll probably have a picture of slightly out-of-focus lily ponds and gently bending willow trees. You can visit the garden where he drew inspiration for many of his later paintings in the small village of Giverny, around an hour north of Paris. It’s a lovely place to spend a warm summer afternoon. Those wanting to re-create some of the master’s works should take note: while drawing at Giverny is tolerated, taking any painting materials into the gardens is strictly off limits. 

http://giverny.org/gardens/

Disneyland Paris

America meets France in what is the most visited tourist attraction in the whole of Europe. Come for exciting rides, giant-sized Disney characters, fairy-tale castles and plenty of good old fast food. There’s nothing particularly French about a visit to Disneyland Paris, but ask the kids where they want to go on a trip to Paris and Disney usually wins hands down! 

http://www.disneylandparis.co.uk/

Parc Asterix

This theme park celebrates the adventures of Asterix the Gaul, with a unique blend of Egyptian-Gallic related attractions. High adrenaline rides, lively shows and dolphin trickery (does anyone have any idea where they fit in?) await the visitors to Parc Asterix, which is only a short trip out of Paris.

Opened a few years before Disneyland Paris, Parc Asterix has received less attention and attracts fewer visitors than its American inspired rival. Perhaps as a result of this, a day out at Parc Asterix often involves less time queuing and more time actually enjoying the attractions. 

http://www.parcasterix.fr/en

Fontainebleau

This former royal hunting ground now attracts millions of visitors who come to escape the frenetic pace of Parisian life. The palace of Fontainebleau has a strong link to French royal history and has been home to several of France’s more flamboyant rulers over the past centuries. If you want to work off some of those Parisian patisserie indulgences, this is the perfect place to come and enjoy a wide variety of outdoor pursuits. People come to Fontainebleau for mountain biking, hiking, horse riding and even rock climbing. 

http://www.uk.fontainebleau-tourisme.com/medianet.asp

For hotels in Paris visit www.hotelpronto.com

New York Beyond Manhattan

If you go on a short break to New York, the chances are you will spend most if not all of your time in Manhattan. After all, it is where all of the most famous sights of New York are found. You’re bound to want to see the Empire State Building, Times Square and Central Park. But Manhattan is only one of five boroughs that make up New York City and while the other four may not grab the headlines, there are plenty of reasons why it’s worth planning a trip to the Outer Boroughs, as Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx are known. 


Brooklyn


You’ll probably be familiar with the Brooklyn Bridge from The Fantastic Four and countless other movie scenes (it’s even been blown up in a few). It is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and a walk across the bridge is a good way to walk off a slice of pizza or a piece of New York Cheesecake. Apart from anything else it’s worth getting onto the other side to get a fabulous view of that famous Manhattan skyline. 


For a fun day out in Brooklyn, head out on the subway to Coney Island, New York’s popular beach. On a sunny day the beach gets very crowded with local families. The funfair is in a sorry state and the rides are mostly closed down although there have been recent moves to bring it back to life. For a truly revolting sight you should come here on July 4th when the annual Hot Dog Eating Contest takes place. Stand well back as things tend to get very messy!


Queens


The largest of the New York boroughs, Queens is where you’ll find many of the city’s ethnic neighbourhoods. Fancy some authentic Greek food? How about Indian, Polish, Filipino or even Albanian? There’s a place in Queens for all of these and more. Some are just a few cafes along one street, while others stretch out over several blocks. If you fancy a curry while in NYC you should head over to Jackson Heights in Queens. There are plenty of great restaurants while a wander through the streets could have you wandering if you’ve been transported to Delhi or Karachi.


The Bronx


The Bronx gets a bad rap as a place not to venture out after dark. While some of the reputation may be well deserved there is certainly no reason to avoid the area altogether. The Bronx is home to the city’s main zoo and botanical gardens, both of which are well worth a visit. It’s also the place where you can enjoy that truly authentic American experience: a baseball match at the Yankee Stadium. Plan ahead though, as tickets are not easy to get hold of. 


Staten Island


The smallest and least populated borough, Staten Island is known best for the ferry service that links it to Manhattan. It’s a free ride that gives you the best views of Lower Manhattan and is really spectacular around sunset. If you have the time, get off at the other end and have a wander around Staten Island. Although a mainly residential neighbourhood there are several parks to wander around as well as historic Richmond Town, a collection of old buildings that do a good job telling the colourful history of early New York settlers.

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Inside London - Uncovering the hidden gems...

Wander around Leicester Square on a weekend and it’s easy to believe that London is a city inhabited only by tourists. Yet London is home to more than 8 million people and residents may tire of the popular tourist hang-outs such as Piccadilly Circus or Oxford Street and look for something a bit different to uncover in England’s illustrious capital. Even if you’re just visiting for the weekend, these hidden gems are well worth seeking out…

Top Museum - Dennis Severs’ House
18 Folgate St, London, Greater London, E1 6BX (Nearest tube station – Shoreditch High Street)

From the outside of this unassuming terraced house behind Spitalfields Market there are no hints as to the surprises you’ll experience as soon as you enter. Once inside you are directed to the basement to begin your visit. Over the next 30-45 minutes as you wander from room to room, you are invited to see, hear and smell the world inhabited by the previous residents of 19 Folgate Street. Some exhibits are mysterious; others will make you hungry; others still will leave you feeling strangely uneasy. Few visitors will argue however that Severs’ intention to create something unlike a typical museum has been achieved. Opening times are limited so check before visiting. http://www.dennissevershouse.co.uk/

Top Park - Kyoto Garden
Holland Park Avenue Notting Hill, London (Nearest tube station – Holland Park)

If you’re looking for somewhere peaceful to enjoy a sunny day in London, head for Holland Park and wander into the Kyoto Garden. This lovely garden is a slice of Japan in London and is complete with a cascading waterfall, stepping stones and a lake with tropical fish. It’s a favourite spot for local residents to enjoy a lazy afternoon. The weekends can get quite busy so visit in midweek to enjoy it at its tranquil best. 

Top View – Primrose Hill
North Side, Regents Park, London (Nearest tube station – Chalk Farm)

Head out from Regent’s Park behind London Zoo and you’ll see the green slope of Primrose Hill. It’s not a steep climb and once at the top you’ll enjoy a great view of the London skyline, from the traditional sights of Big Ben and St Paul’s Cathedral to modern intrusions such as the London Eye and now the Shard (the tallest building in Europe). Primrose Hill is also considered one of the finest places in London to spot celebrities, many of whom have their homes in the well-to-do neighbourhoods around the park. 

Top Restaurant – Woo Jung Korean restaurant
59 St Giles High Street (off Charing Cross Road), London, WC2H 8LH (Nearest tube station – Tottenham Court Road)

If you don’t like Korean food or are looking for somewhere posh to celebrate a special occasion you should skip this tip. If, on the other hand, you want a top quality meal at a bargain price, this is just the place. It’s usually packed with locals and folks from the London Korean community, but the friendly staff will soon find you somewhere to sit. It’s one of those rare places that have such a good reputation that they don’t need a website to advertise their wares.

Top Bar – The Old Bank of England
194 Fleet Street City of Westminster, EC4A 2LT (Nearest tube station – Temple / Chancery Lane)

Visit this bar on Fleet Street for its décor alone. As the name suggests it is the site of the old bank and has been restored in recent years to its full lavish glory. The location also enjoys a more grisly association with London’s past: it was next to this building that the infamous barber Sweeney Todd. would chop up his victims before carting off the meat to be served in Mrs Lovett’s nearby pie shop. Speaking of which, the pies in the Old Bank of England are highly recommended.


For hotels in London visit www.hotelpronto.com