Barcelona: City of Dreams

Published in The Peak Malaysia, September 2011 (Click on images to read the article).

My Barcelona – City of Dreams

I decided to walk down memory lane with this post – to tell you about the most wonderful time of my life living in Barcelona for 2 years.  If you watch the film Vicky Cristina Barcelona, you’ll understand how delightful and charming this cosmopolitan city really is. I enrolled at the Gran Universitat de Catalunya for Castellano classes, I was offered an internship at BDDP advertising agency and time just flew by. My 1st year was spent living near the chic Avenida Diagonal (not far from Barca’s Camp Nou), 2nd year just off Las Ramblas in a residencia – my experience couldn’t be more diversified.

So here are some tips of places I enjoyed to go during my Iberian adventure:

Hotel Casa Fuster, design boutique hotel on the gorgeous Paseo de Gracia. A must stay!

Alternatively, the more traditional and super luxe Hotel Claris, on Avenida Diagonal

Or my favorite Hotel Balmes, on Avenida Digaonal for the cheaper yet comfy option!

Only 4 metro stops away, I would often walk along the beach of Barceloneta just to admire the sea and take in the fresh air.

Els Pescadors restaurant in Barceloneta – best fish and seafood restaurant with an amazing view!

So many great places to savour in Vila Olimpica, Barcelona’s beach hub by the marina

Many avid sailors (my father included!) come to stop at the Port in Vila Olimpica or check in to my favorite Hotel Arts

The amazing view from Hotel Arts, same can be said of the million-dollar dream apartments in the same tower!

My favorite Gaudi – Parc Guell: stunning views of the sea and Barcelona, and it’s like being in the Gingerbread House

Often, you would have caught me here sitting and gazing on a lazy Sunday at Parc Guell

Anton Gaudi, Barcelona’s renowned art nouveau artist/architect, designed this surreal Casa Battlo

Another must-see Gaudi, La Pedrera

An incomplete Gaudi – La Sagrada Familia. 2 sides: traditional depicts birth of Jesus, modern side (this) depicts his crucifixion.

I always got lost in the Barrio Gotico (Gothic Quarter)! But it’s so charming and quaint.

My favorite place for cafe con leche and some tapas just off Las Ramblas: Placa Reial

I used to live next to Las Ramblas (Ronda Sant Pere), the thriving famous downtown street

Fancy taking Spanish classes? Then enroll at my Gran Universitat de Catalunya on Gran Via

Definitely worth going for an evening at Mirablau (bar) at Mont Tibidabo for the panoramic view

The legendary Otto Zutz club. 3 floors of pounding music. Be prepared that it only starts at 3am!

One of my favorite tennis tournaments is held at the private tennis club in Barcelona – Trofeo Conde de Godo

A must getaway is my favorite Sitges beach resort with the most delicious paella!

So here’s hoping you’ll have a most fantastic time in Barcelona. I for one, have the most fondest memories. One useful phrase in Catalan: “no parla catala”. I don’t speak Catalan.

PZ.