Euro Travel & More

While some people say it’s a budget hotel – I didn’t really think it was – rooms were like $200 a night – so I don’t really think it’s budget hotel.  But it sure was pretty sleek looking and almost geeky like inside.

The staff very pretty nice and the hotel lobby and general area were kept clean – and overall it’s alright – but don’t expect any frills even though you paid so much for the hotel.  Now the plus – about Alma Barcelona is – it’s right in the middle of everything within walking distance – so the locality is great.  It seems like a pretty safe neighborhood to stay in and getting a cab is pretty easy and it’s not expensive like most people say about 10 euros. The shops around the hotels are all high end stuff so if you want to shop for more reasonable price stuff head out to Plaza Catalunya.

Modern looking room – clean and comfy and a bit futuristic looking as you can see.

A basic looking bathroom – but adequate.

This is the bar in the hotel but since there are many restaurants and cafes around the hotel, we usually choose to eat out instead of paying lots for the food here.  There is room service but I think they stop at 10pm if I am not wrong.  There isn’t a real concierge in this hotel – and the staff recommendation for restaurants wasn’t the most accurate. Overall, it’s a great place to stay for a few days – and if you are a single geeky male – this place is awesome – and if you are in for the location – great – but for that price – I think I prefer a more feminine hotel and that’s just my perspective – not kid friendly either.

Of all the places I’ve been to – I’ll have to say that I love Europe the best.  Whether to Madrid, Barcelona or Greece – Europe is top destination place – when I plan to go for a vacation.   The people are friendly, lots of different food to try out and of course, the magnificent buildings – I’m always in awe of – even if I’ve already been to the same place twice.

And the musicals of course ! how can one missed that – I like the arty farty stuff sometimes.

Tell me you are not in awe – of such beautiful columns.

And the street musician and talent – you don’t find many of this anywhere else.  More on Europe in another post.

Shopping in Barcelona was never a disappointment.  After the first trip to Barcelona for work – I understand why my boss’s wife was always so well dressed.  The quality and selection – has gotta be one of the best – you can buy almost anything in Barcelona – from acne scar cream to fashionable clothings or jewelry and if you so prefer food like I did – specialty food was also awesome.

Besides all the big brand names like Gucci and Channel – one can also check out Passeig de Gracia  – a shopping areas with a mixed of high end or affordable brands.  There you can find the lastest fashion of Europe and maybe get a replica jewelry worn by Sophie Loran – whom I’ve heard shopped here too.  Lots of cafes and restaurants to eat and drink when you are tired from shopping.

Besides Louis Vuitton, don’t forget to shop at David Valls and Adolfo Dominguez or bring home some jams and biscuits from Caelum.  Going to visit a friend?  don’t forget to get some flowers at Las Ramblas.

Before making my first trip to Barcelona – Spain – my boss had told me how many wonderful buildings and statues there were all over Barcelona.  But he failed to tell me how awesome the architectural part of Barcelona was.  When I arrived in Barcelona – my mouth was wide opened and I was in awe – when I saw the many beautiful buildings.  There is no words to describe how magnificent and detailed these building were and one such building was Casa Mila  – also known as the Le Pedrera.

A bit dreaming – a bit like in fairy tales – that we so often read about.  Designed by Catalan architect – Antoni Gaudi – this building was completed in 1912 – located at 92 Passeig de Gracia.  Inside the Casa Mila – houses apartments.

The courtyard of Casa Mila – beautifully restored after being abandoned for many years.  By the 1980s – the building was in such bad shape – but after the restoration – it was said that even the colors were revived.

The balcony area of each apartment of Casa Mila – kinda make you feel like some movie star or some elite model will open its window and show her face eh – so that we can gawk at them – hahah!

Magnificent artwork – that must have taken a lot of patience to paint on the ceiling.

More artwork up on the walls going into the ceiling – and more on Casa Mila in my next post. Stay tuned.

I’ve written many a times about Spain but rarely write about Barcelona Airport – I’ve many happy memories in Spain, especially Barcelona – for there I met a wonderful couple that I had lost touch with and missed a boss and his wife who had settled in a small island in Barcelona after they retired.  I even remembered about the natural colon cleanser that was introduced to me at the Duty Free Store at this very airport – it was rather funny because I was with my Managing Director taking a shuttle to Madrid – you see – Barcelona was where our factory was.

Don’t forget to check out the taxis at the airport entrance the yellow and dark blue cars all lined up and steadily waiting for the arrivals of the airplanes.  The airport was huge but clean and many DFS for you to pick up your last minute gifts.

I flew a lot to Barcelona and Madrid because my ex-company was located in Spain and the factory was in Barcelona. For Spanair Gold member like myself, I used the lounge a lot.  I think some of the hostess there kinda know me, they even greet me by my family at times.  Drinks were free and there were no shower.. but a smoking area there is .. as you all know the Spaniards love to smoke a lot.  The lounge is nothing to shout about and small compared to the one in Madrid but it is at a great location, so instead of heading over to Singapore Airline lounge.. because i fly a lot on SIA too, i used this one instead.

Ya.. ! the olives were huge.. and the drinks were so-so.

Famous cured ham that my ex-boss, Mr Tsingos  loved so much..!  I remember one year, he even got his wife to fly it with her..when she visited him in Asia.  That was too funny..!!! if she was stopped by custom.  Traveling to the heart of the city .. every time i am in Barcelona to visit Barcelona’s most famous out door market is now a routine . .and a must do for me.  For those who knows me, you will know that i lived for these outdoor market. La Boqueria is an awesome place to be in . .even if you do not love food. So vibrant . .and so colorful..!

Awesome fruits of all kinds.. and one can find the usual produce, seafood and candied in color.  Like most open market, this one has cured hams for you to try and snack on while you are checking out the market. Lots of local fruits too. .as you can see here.

Seafood anyone..??  Prices are great too..!  i didn’t buy any.. because I was staying in a hotel and we didn’t have a kitchenette in the hotel.  But a co-worker of mine did get some .. for BBQing the next day. and it was the best BBQ i have had in Barcelona.

All sorts of chillies as you can see here.. ! so yes.. food can get spicy. .a wee bit like mexican food if you asked me.