Description
A multi-sensory experience to
discover the Catalan capital among its most authentic examples of architecture
and traditional flavours. A complete journey into Gaudì’s Barcelona to admire
its lively spirit and pulsing essence.
What we will see
Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
Sagrada Familia (external visit)
Tapas lunch in a typical local restaurant
Casa
Vicens
Casa Milà (photostop)
Barrio Gotico
Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia
What we will do
We
leave the port behind us and head towards the Eixample district, where we begin
by visiting an extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Hospital de la
Santa Creu i Sant Pau, a complex of monumental buildings connected via
underground passages and enchanting gardens boasting numerous sculptures
featuring symbolic details. It is one of the most unusual and lesser known of
Barcelona's marvels created by architect Domènech i Montaner.
We
continue with the Sagrada Familia to admire its façades, doors and
towers. The vastness of the design and its unique style have made Gaudì’s
unfinished project the most iconic in the city.
We
have lunch in a typical restaurant where we can savour a few Iberian
specialities including patatas bravas, ensaladilla rusa, corquetas,
buñuelos and pulpo... All these traditional delicacies cater to our
palate’s every whim and perfect to nibble and share “para compartir”
just the way the Spaniards do!
After
refuelling, we continue towards Casa Vicens, the first important project
commissioned to Gaudì. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, the
modernist building combines Gothic, Mediterranean and Islamic elements while
expressing the amateurish yet already unique style of the artist, who was
looking for a “Gothic building full of light, which made use of colour; a
Gothic that was half maritime, half continental.”
Our
excursion continues with a stop for photos at one of Gaudì’s most famous works
of art: Casa Mila. This monumental, eccentric and futuristic building -
also known as La Pedrera - enabled the architect to break with all of
the architectural rules of the time thereby sparking the rage of the municipal
authorities and attracting the criticism of his colleagues while, at the same
time, managing to create what went down in history as one of the most
representative examples of his naturalist period and modernism in general.
We
then move on to the splendid Barrio Gotico, the historic city centre and
vibrant hub of the Catalan capital. We take in this open-air museum and let
ourselves be conquered by the timeless atmosphere which envelops its maze of
alleyways.
The
central element of the Barrio Gotico and the maximum representation of the
style the district is named after is Barcelona Cathedral, i.e. Cathedral of
the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia. With its stained glass windows and
statues characterized by a more expressive and angular naturalism, it perfectly
incarnates the archetype of Gothic architecture whose features inevitably
invite observers to lift their gaze upwards and admire its beauty in its
entirety.
Our
tour has come to an end but, before returning to the ship, we enjoy some
free time to do a spot of shopping or stroll around the city centre while
we remind ourselves of the incredible experience that has enabled us to fully
experience this dynamic city.
What you need to know
We recommend that you book early as only a limited
number of places are available.