So there I am, in a Barcelona gift shop looking at the postcards.  I'm just about to leave Barcelona and have a few euros in my pocket.  Like a good tourist, I have to get a few postcards.  It is my duty.

I picked up 3 - as much as the coins in my pocket could buy.  It was so hard to choose.  I settled on these: >> Read more <<

There are so many fabulous attractions to see on a tour of Barcelona, visitors often have a difficult time deciding what to do – and what to leave behind for another visit. No matter what attractions you choose, you aren't likely to be disappointed if you choose them according to your level of interest. Yet it isn't always easy to decide what you'll be interested in if you've never been to Barcelona!

Some places in Barcelona are natural attractions for almost everyone, such as Las Ramblas. In other cases, you may need to spend a little bit of time deciding what to do, and what to let go. This may be especially true of museums and architectural sights. In a week's time, you can't possibly see everything, plus partake of your daily siesta, take advantage of Barcelona's vibrant nightlife, and enjoy all the fabulous Catalan tapas you won't want to miss trying. >> Read more <<

Barcelona's famous and popular street, Las Ramblas, usually has its share of street performers entertaining tourists each day. Here's a selection of some of the stranger entertainers.

Guy Losing Head

Jesus on Lunch Break >> Read more <<

Casa Batlló is a famous Barcelona building designed by Antoni Gaudi, the same guy who design La Sagrada Familia, the huge unfinished church.

The interior of Casa Batlló, I think, is even more amazing than the exterior. Casually wandering around is fun. Everything seems to curve and it would take a lot of looking to find any straight lines. Gaudi designed the building with an organic flow - like being inside a cave.

(Photo by papalars) >> Read more <<

When the topic of Barcelona churches arises, the first thought is La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's huge unfinished church. Let's look at a few other Barcelona churches.

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After shopping in the large El Corte Inglés on the Plaça de Catalunya square (one of several of the chain's store in Barcelona), head to the top floor for both a quick meal and a great view.  From the windows, you can see Plaça de Catalunya square down below.

No habla Spanish?  The restaurant has a tourist-friendly self-service section where you get a tray and load it up with food items.

Another section of the restaurant consists of items ordered off of a menu and is attended by waitstaff.  For that, you'll should be able to at least attempt to order in Spanish.

Try to get seating near the windows of this El Corte Inglés restaurant. The view is spectacular above the Plaça de Catalunya square. >> Read more <<

I really like Barcelona. The city has a great atmosphere. It is an easy city to navigate without knowing much of any Spanish or Catalan. One of the many popular destinations within Barcelona is the Port Vell area of the waterfront.

The Barcelona waterfront provides a peak at the Mediterranean Sea while keeping visitors busy with a variety of attractions. A lot of people walk the Ramblas store-lined pedestrian walkway from inland. Then, they pass the Columbus statue and then proceed to the waterfront at Port Vell. Others see the waterfront as a good place to jog or ride a bicycle.

On Port Vell is this artsy structure, a small shopping mall, IMAX, and an aquarium.

After lots of walking, many people take breaks on the benches. Others walk to the Maremagnum, the shopping mall, on the left in the distance. >> Read more <<

Like any city, Barcelona has plenty of pidgeons and they are fun topic for taking pictures.

In this picture, these pidgeons seemed to be gathering for an event on the waterfront. They must know that tourists will come by and throw them food. The local pidgeons come in a variety of colors and patterns. Most are gray. Some are brown and others have white spots.

But pidgeons also hang out in the city. This one found a perfect nook in a Barri Gotic church.

This picture is a peak at what you'll see during a self-guided tour of the ancient Barcelona underground (a Roman village) beneath the Barcelona History Museum.

The fun excursion reveals Roman settlements from 2,000 years ago and puts the history of Barcelona in perspective. Visitors walk on a walkway and look down to see everything from ancient dwellings to a wine making room.

A series of walking bridges keep visitors just above the ruins to prevent disturbing the artifacts.  I found the underground excavation to be a truly unique experience. Where else can you see Roman ruins like this?

Learn more at the Barcelona History Museum's website.