Catalunya

Barcelona

Senderos Camino Catalan

We arrived in Barcelona on 09 February 2012 to a chilly 2 degrees. Cold and bleak, but with very few tourists, Barcelona in winter is a different city to the Barcelona of summer. First stop the Mercat Boqueria on Las Ramblas for bocadillos for lunch and fresh fruits for breakfast. Next stop our favorite bar, La Vinya del Senyor, for a glass of the local Cava.

Friday 10 February2012, wandering around – La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi´s masterpiece, still under construction.

Saturday 11 February2012, a train 40k to Vilafranca del Penedés and Sant Sadurni, centres of Spain´s Cava (sparkling wine) production where we tried the local speciality – Gallo Negro (Black Rooster) for lunch – delicious.

Our favourite bar, La Vinya del Senyor – deserted on a winter’s afternoon
The Cathedral casts its shadow
The old town is a rabbit warren of narrow streets
If (when) you get lost, follow the Exit signs
Fresh veggies in the Mercat Boqueria on Las Ramblas …
… where there are many hams to try …
… and seafoods to buy
It was too cold to sit outside
Barcelona has its Arco de Triunfo too
Will Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia ever be finished?
Beautiful mudéjar style bullring (bullfights are now banned in Cataluña)

Saturday market beside the church at Vilafranca del Penedés 
Centre of Spain’s Cava (sparkling wine) region
The famous Cavas Freixenet in Sant Sadurni