Barcelona : The City of Grand Architectures and Great Football

Barcelona won the 1999 RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architect) Royal Gold Medal for its architecture; the first and the only time that a city a city had been announced winner, but not an individual architecture. It is not a surprise for those who have ever visited Barcelona. Let's check why?

La Sagrada Familia - this giant Basilica was designed by famous architect Antonio Gaudi. The construction of the building started in 1882, unfinished yet - still need another 30 to 80 years to be completed. That means it is very different from others and confirmed that with every single visit I shall see something new. Go and experience a architectural masterpiece of the primitive modern age's mind under its construction!

Las Ramblas is the most famous street not only of Barcelona but also in entire Spain. Here lies many Spanish cum Catalanian style hotels, restaurants and eye catching shops with products from all parts of Spain. Seeing street performers is another added attraction for most of the tourists.

The Magic Fountain of Montijuice is another widely known popular tourist attraction of Barcelona with the extravaganzas of water, light and music at night.

La Pedrera (Quarry) is another masterpiece of Antonio Gaudi with wavy bricks and colourful tiles. Once the building was called CasaMila.

I am telling about the tourist attractions of Barcelona. But speaking truly, Barcelona is mostly famous for Barcelona Football FC than anything else. And no doubt, over half of the tourists who went to Barcelona visit their sacred temple - the Barcelona FC Museum and Camp Nou (the stadium) like me. It is not only the largest football stadium of Europe but also of the entire world.

Oh sorry, I have just forgot about Antonio Gaudi who designed a wonderful park, called Park Guell. The park is amazingly attractive and large with no entry fees except the "Monumental Area". The house where Antonio lived also lies within the park. You can see eye catching structures within the park. Though to the "Monumental Area" you have to give some Euros from your pocket; you actually should not come back without entering. Generally there is always a long entrance queue to visit the area specially to see the dream like views of the beautiful city of Barcelona from ceramic tiles seating.

You are in Barcelona and know that there is Picasso Museum. Do you understand what I want to say? If you are a art lover I know that like Picasso Museum you will definitely not going to miss Miro Museum too at all.

The most picturesque square of the city is Placa Reial, situated just off La Rambla. People take coffee, bites of tasty foods, one mug of beer or otherwise use to visit just for relaxation there. See the square with its fine restaurants, bars and the attractive fountain; and do not forget to make your mind calm with two large distinctive lampposts.

Barcelona Cathedral and the golden sandy beaches also attract a lot of tourists into Barcelona. The beaches offers you both to see vibrant youths and experience healthy Spanish food at a cheap rate. Barceloneta is the most popular beach. On road to the beach one can see 'Monument a Colom'; a memorial to Columbus and picturesque Port Vell de Barcelona (port). Other popular beaches includes Ica'ria Beach, Marbella Beach and Sitges Beach. Sitges need a train journey of approximately 30 minutes from the city. There lies a number of beautiful hotels, unique architectural designs on the beaches. The most unique is the leaning monument, called 'Homenatge la Barceloneta'. Famous W Hotel also looks like a wonderful piece of fine architecture from the beach.

Due to both; wallet and time I could not experience Tibidabo Mountain; a very popular site. 22@district area - the name given to an urban renewal area in formerly industrial area of Poblenoue, The Castle of the Three Dragons - a museum of history, archaeology, biology and natural sciences and Palau Ncional - The National Art Museum of Catalonia are worth mentioning among another tourist attractions of Barcelona.

Barcelona Cathedral is situated in the historic old town of Gothic Quarter along with many buildings dated back even before Roman settlement.

It is good to note that travelers can take full advantage of Barcelona Metro System to reach the major tourist hotspots of the city.

Barcelona is also heaven for food lovers and people take eating very seriously. I think you are not going to experience anything bad with the food of the city. I found Gaspatxo (cold vegetable soup) before main course very interesting and coffee of the city very genuine. Apart from worldwide reputed healthy Spanish cuisine; Catalanian cuisine, the cuisine of the province is popular to a great extent; though not very cheap. It is an ancient Mediterranean style of cooking; mainly characterized by the aromas and herbs of the mountains in and around Barcelona.

So, do you have a average fat wallet? Think about Barcelona .......................


By Jonathan Green

Read More

Uzes and Pont Du Gard

The center of the vibrant town of Uzes is now regarded as a protected historical monument. The area is a charming mixture of medieval stone houses and modern town houses. The town is surrounded by a broad boulevard that completely surrounds the historic center. The tourist office is situated at the center area and generally tourists start their day from here with a map of the town that includes all the places of interest; provided by the tourism office. A pretty square, called Place aux Herbes; surrounded by attractive stone houses and arcades and a large stone fountain; is a masterpiece of art. The Wednesday Morning Market and Saturday Market for the entire day held at the square.

The most important monument in Uzes is the Duke's Castle. The medieval Garden of the town is popular too especially due to the fact that their lies two medieval towers :- Tour de I'Eveque (12th century) and Tour de Roi (13th century). Here tourists get the opportunity to climb the Tour de Roi to access amazing views around the town and countryside near it.

Another particular spot of Uzes is the Window Tower (la tour fenestrelle). An Italian style round stone tower with several pairs of arched windows. This beautiful 42 meter high architecture stats next to The Cathedral of Saint Theodorit - obviously a tourist attraction. The 18th century Church of Saint - Etinne is another attraction south to the historic center. The nearby area of the tower provide facility to see far reaching views across the Eure Valley including Pavillon Racine. A small building with a doomed room; originally one of the tower of the defensive walls of the town was named after famous writer Racine.

Hotel des Monnaies and Hotel Chanbond la Tour are two architectural attractions; dated back to Renaissance period. Being a small town it is possible to access the entire town on foot.

La Cocalier, north to Uzes is one of the most impressive cave systems in France. The system includes both spectacular rock formations and evidence of prehistoric habitation. The water park near the town is also very popular at a lovely natural setting in Bouscarasse.

If Pont du Gard is the main or only attraction for a tourist he can get in Uzes by air; directly connected to Marsille.

The village of Vers - Pont - du - Gard is situated near the aqueduct of Pont du Gard with a very small population of around 1800 inhabitants. Majority of the people are engaged with tourism related professions. The village had an old history dated back to medieval period. A medieval tower is situated in the village is very beautiful. Rue Grand du Borg, the main street of the village has the town hall and basic village shops like butcher shop, bakery, bookshop, cafe and a Pizza Restaurant. Near the clock tower the village cafe (Las Voutes) is located to offer visitors the typical food of the locality. Vers - Pont - du - Gard is touched by the medieval walls of the old village.

The village has three wash houses (Lavoirs), built in the last part of the 19th century. Three of the wash houses has different names :- The Grand Font; a circular structure at the southeast edge of the old village center, The Lavoir Font d'lsiere at the western edge of the village and The Lavoir Fountain de Misserand at the southeast edge of the village.

Vers - Pont - du - Gard is a very lovely and vibrant village. Almost all the shops remain open for entire week. There exists some Stone Quarries, active from the days of the Romans till today; situated at a very short distance north to the village.

Pont du Gard; the most popular tourist attraction of Southern France was made by the Romans in the 1st century CE. is now regarded as one among the most visited tourist sites in Europe.The construction of this Arch Bridge was completed probably between 40 AD to 60 AD. The main purpose was to supply the city of Nemausus with water, drawing it from the natural spring that produces world famous Perrier brand; which is popular even today. The Pont du Gard strides across the Gardon tributary river near the ancient Roman city's site.

It is not just a water system and great engineering achievement, but also an architectural masterpiece. An great ancient engineering achievement because the blocks, weighing up to six tons were set in place without the use of mortar. This technique of the Romans was known as Opus Quadratum.

There are three levels of this aqueduct cum footbridge. 161 feet in height, have 52 arches. The top level is 902 feet long. The primary building materials of The Pont du Gard is shelly limestone, available in and around the local area. It is said that probably around one thousand workers took three years to complete the project of Pont du Gard. They used very simple tools to shape the blocks and set them into place.

A road bridge was added to the structure in 1743 and it became a famous attraction, especially after that construction. The road bridge was used till 1996.

The visitors center' is where the ticket machine and information center are located. The center also includes restrooms, snack bar, bistro, souvenir boutiques, bookshops etc. It also has "Discovery" areas, with an interactive museum and an educational kids playground. Pont du Gard is one of the France's top five tourist destination and regarded as one among the best family destinations in France.

There is a 1.4 km marked trail around the site from where visitors can see the river and the bridge from all angles. Guided walks across the top of the Pont du Gard can be done during July and August.

The bridge is maintained by Public Association of Cultural Cooperation (since 2003). It is great to see that the officials offer all types of necessary facilities to help disable persons to visit the site. Not only at the main site, there is always a load of parking and visitors at the nearby areas; commonly on the banks of river Gauche and river Droit for picnic and sunbath. For the visitors some wooden platforms were constructed as view points. Groups comes from all over the world to engage themselves in various types of water sports in and around Pont du Gard.

Cycling is very popular for most of the tourists. They choose cycling to reach the main site from nearby towns and cities. More adventurous souls do not hesitate to have an kayaking experience or rent balloons to reach the site.

The entire site is dotted with cafes, restaurants and snack bars. Less Terrasses Cafe - Restaurant is the most popular one with a reasonably priced French menu. For the night bed all of the nearby urban centers provide accommodation of all monetary ranges. Avignon (25 km), Castillon - du - Gard (3 km), Collias (6 - 8 km), Remoulins (4 km) and most popularly Uzes (13 km) are some nearest urban centers; where huge numbers of visitors do book their beds.

Uzes has a varieties of French restaurants with good foods. However for a very traditional French taste Millezime is regarded among the bests to have awesome food and wine. However it should be rememberd that most of the tourists outside from France should request the foods; specially that of meat and fish items to have some more heat. The French like to eat their meat above slightly raw.

All the experiences of Uzes and Pont du Gard can be explained with just some words ...... Lovely, Vibrant, Knowledgeable and no doubt Tasty!.........

By Jonathan Green

Read More