BARCELONA – SPAIN WITH A TWIST

Barcelona and the surrounding area of Catalonia are unique in Spain for promoting and using the catalan language, as well as Spanish. When you see signs in catalan, the words look like a combination of Spanish and French.

Many catalans feel they have their own identity which supersedes being Spanish. When the language was outlawed during General Franco’s dictatorship of the country, there was a huge uproar when a singer from Barcelona represented Spain in Europe’s biggest European music competition by singing in catalan instead of Spanish.

Why should Barcelona’s split personality interest you? In recent years, it has become a major tourist hub with many cruises beginning or ending there. The piers are within walking distance of the Ramblas, the main pedestrian street where you will find street entertainers, colorful fresh flower stands, numerous restaurants, and a giant market with delicious fresh fruit.

What you will find in Barcelona is the flamboyant architecture of Gaudi, the unfinished Sagrada Familia Cathedral which has been under construction since 1882, public swimming beaches within the city, and a wide range of tapas bars to give you a taste of the region.

After completing the essential city tour, you can easily travel on day tours or independently by train to the over-the-top Dali Museum in Figueres, the lively beach town of Sitges, the striking Benedictine monastery of Montserrat which is built into the cliffs, the winery region of Penedes, and up the beautiful Costa Brava to the delightful seaside town of Lloret de Mar.

Being different from the other major Spanish cities has rewarded Barcelona with a more quirky attitude toward life, while retaining all of a modern city’s attractions. For a chance to experience this unique region for yourself, book a cruise from Barcelona or plan a week’s visit to really become familiar with what makes Catalonia so special.