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Barcelona

At the very north of the Spanish coast facing the Mediterranean Sea is the capital of Catalonia (Catalunya) called Barcelona, where a little over a one and a half million Catalonians reside. Located around 629kms from Madrid, 296km from Zaragoza, 274km from Castellon, it prides itself as the most cosmopolitan and most economically vibrant Spanish city, yet its prodigious testaments to pre-ancient times all the way to the present is marked in every crook and cranny of this remarkable metropolis. Barcelona is Spain’s most happening province, and seems set to stay that way.

http://www.bcn.cat/english/ihome.htm
http://www.destination360.com/europe/spain/shopping.php

Climate

Barcelona's intimate association with the Mediterranean Sea affords her a friendly, warm, breezy climate all year round, allowing water sports and activities any time of year. The city gets pleasantly washed with heavy downpours averaging 1,000mm per year, nourishing the lush verdant spots scattered about the city.

Things to do

Barcelona is planet museum. Its 10 km-long list includes but is not limited to: Miro, Picasso, Dali, ceramics, paleontological artifacts, decorative arts, open air architecture, holography, archaeological, ethnological, zoological, botanical, geological, history of medicine, wax, bullfight, music, perfume, textile, slot-machines, funeral, shoes, military soccer, etc.

Then there are mythic mountains, pilgrimage sites, cathedrals, palaces, historic hospitals, historical and pre-historical replicas, buildings, nature parks, ad nauseam. Below are a few of the myriad noteworthy mentions.

Events

Barcelona and the rest of Spain have heaps of reasons to celebrate. They break a New Year with a Carnival party—with masked people partying in the streets, eating the traditional 12-grapes-in-the-last-12-seconds-of-the-old-year for good luck, as everywhere else in Spain. Then, on January 5th is the procession of the Three Magi, who bring presents to the children next morning.

Just a few other mentionables:

Culture

Characterized by rebellion against the powers, overwhelming sieges, roller-coasting fiscal states, burying and resurrecting Catalan culture and language, political devotion and upheavals and aggressive development of commerce and industry, Barcelona history has made pride its people’s birthright.

Beaches

Everyone in Barcelona loves chilling out all year round in any of the seven beach areas: San Sebastia, Llevant, Nova Mar Bella, Mar Bella, Bogatell, Nova Icària, Barceloneta. It is the place to party, to explore marine fauna, to enjoy all sorts of water recreation, especially the very popular sailing competitions.

Shopping

http://www.aboutbarcelona.com/barcelona/shopping-where.asp
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/spain/barcelona/shopping?ec_s_nam...
http://www.destination360.com/europe/spain/shopping.php

Not for the faint of heart and the weak of limbs, shopping in Barcelona can be quite a marathonic experience. The types of stores are as varied as the stuff they sell and the people who sell, and many go centuries back! So, just visiting shops can be a historic journey. Here are a few hotspots…

Department Stores

Restaurants

As previously stated, dining is a serious avocation in Spain, Barcelona especially. They have not been marked leaders in world gastronomy for nothing. But their gastronomic time zones slightly differ from the rest of the world: breakfast (esmorzar/desayuno) is generally a no-nonsense affair, taken at a bar on the way to work; lunch (dinar/comida) is the day’s main meal that happens from 2pm to 4pm; dinner (sopar/cena) is never before 9pm. Restaurants stay open until 1AM-ish, but their kitchens close by 11.30pm.

Nightlife

http://www.red2000.com/spain/barcelon/night.html