Travelogy

As the capital of Catalonia in Spain, Barcelona has no shortage of imaginative buildings, stirring culture and culinary delights to awaken the senses. Pick and choose from these suggestions of things to do in Barcelona on your first day there.

Immerse yourself in its modernist architecture

Turn up early to avoid the crowds as you enjoy some of these things to do in Barcelona on your first day there. Barcelona is the place to go for modernist architecture, and everyone knows it. Seven properties built by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí are listed as World Heritage Sites for their contribution to modern architecture.

Many of Gaudí’s works are in the Eixample district, including the famous Basílica de la Sagrada Família and popular Casa Batlló.

On just about everyone’s list of things to do in Barcelona on your first day there is the Sagrada Família. This Roman Catholic church was Gaudí’s life’s work and includes an impressive mix of Gothic and Art Nouveau styles.

Also, see the radical design of Casa Batlló (1904): it broke all the city bylaws of the time. Using ceramics, stone and forged iron, Gaudí reinvented a conventional old house into this residential example of Catalan Art Nouveau or Modernism.

Further out in the Horta-Guinardo district is another of Gaudí’s works: Park Güell. Time Out Barcelona describes this park as “a space that’s out of a fairy tale and emulates an English garden city.” Book in advance to save money and gain entrance to the monuments’ area. This is another of the great things to do in Barcelona on your first day there.

Get some perspective on the city on top of Montjuïc hill

You might choose to save the Gaudí experiences for your next day. As an alternative highlight on the list of great things to do in Barcelona on your first day there, explore the Montjuïc hill in the Sants-Montjuïc district. You’ll find art museums (National Museum of Art, the Joan Miró Foundation), some Olympic landmarks, and even a castle. Enjoy great views of the city while you picnic in Montjuïc’s gardens or as you dine out at the Xalet de Montjuic restaurant.

For something different, sample the tapas and Galician cuisine at Escairón restaurant, known for its and fresh, quality market fare at reasonable prices (Time Out Barcelona). If you stick around the area in the evening, you might even catch the Magic Fountain for a beautiful display of waterfalls and music (check the timetable).

Awaken your inner inventor (and your taste buds) in the Old City

Among the things to do in Barcelona on your first day there, it’s worth mentioning some of the great sights of the Ciutat Vella (Old City) district. Why not explore your inner inventor at the Museum of Ideas and Inventions ? See inventions dreamed up by 5-12 year-olds in the monthly ‘little inventors’ contest and indulge your inner child by taking the slide to the lower floor.

Sample the tastes of the city by visiting Europe’s biggest food market as part of the things to do in Barcelona on your first day there.

Mercat de La Boqueria is interesting for its size, array of food stalls and architecture (open Mon-Sat 8am to 8.30pm). Go in the morning, if you can.

You can also see some impressive examples of modern and medieval architecture in this district. For another popular art nouveau building, visit the Palau de la Música Catalana (1908) designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, with its ornate façade and the colorful stained glass dome of its concert hall.

Also, check out one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in the world: Santa Maria del Mar (completed in 1383). These architectural delights should definitely be on your list of things to do in Barcelona on your first day there.

If you are hungry for something more substantial, visit the Placa Reial just off the Ramblas boulevard for traditional Spanish and Catalan restaurants in Barcelona. Stick around or come back in the evening: this beautiful palm-treed square is also home to some of Barcelona’s best nightclubs. End the night with a boogie to finish your list of things to do in Barcelona on your first day there.

Whether you are looking for an adventurous outdoor trip or an excursion with your family or just a temporary escape from your fast paced life, a camping holiday is the best getaway possible. Camping holiday provides an environment that is free from the normal stress of everyday life and gives you the chance to spend quality time with your near and dear ones.

If you live in the UK, there are a number of destinations that you could go camping to. These include places like Dover, New Forest, Peak District, Folkestone, Ullswater, Kent, Skye, Edale, Dunvegan, Glenridding etc.

Before you embark on your journey into the wilderness, go through the following hints and tips, essential for camping in Kent or elsewhere in the UK.

While Planning the Trip

Below are some tips that will help you arrange and plan a smooth camping trip:

Book ahead of time: If the holiday season’s approaching, you might want to book a campsite well-in-advance to avoid disappointment.

Consider the facilities: There are campsites in Kent which offer you just the basic facilities and some which provide all luxuries. Choose what you would like to do more – enjoy the novelty of the outdoor experience or pick a campsite with all amenities.

Put up the tent at home first: It is essential that you practice putting up your tent at home first. It’ll help ensure that your tent is complete and you know how it is to be put up.

Important items to carry along: Make sure to carry these things with you – tent, bedding – sleeping bags, mallet, tent pegs, torch/battery light, container, camping gas (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-camping-gas.htm), matches, cool box/bag, pan, kettle, washing up liquid, bowl for washing up, toilet roll, towels etc.

Take warm clothing: As we all know, the British weather is extremely unpredictable. Even on a warm summer night, the temperature can drop significantly, so remember to carry some warm clothing.

Carry a first aid kit: It is important to be prepared for any injuries. In your first aid kit, you should have bandages, latex gloves, wound cleanser, and cold packs.

While Camping

A few tips on what you should do to make your camping experience comfortable:

Try to reach the site before dark: It’ll be safer and easier for you if you reach the camping site before it gets dark.

Choose the pitch carefully: Look for a place which is not too close to the hustle bustle of the shower/toilet block but close enough to access it quickly.

Use a groundsheet: While most of the tents come with their own groundsheets, it is always recommended that you purchase a cheap tarpaulin and put it on the ground before pitching your tent. It will provide protection against sharp stones and help you keep dry.

Keep your bedding dry: Sleeping on an inflatable bed and preventing it from touching the outer wall of your tent can help you keep the bedding dry. Using a self-inflating mattress or a foam roll-mat will also provide you a high level insulation.

Don’t get lost: It is a major mistake that most of the campers make. You can avoid wandering too far away from the campsite by carrying a few basic equipment with you – map, compass, and GPS device. Before setting out on your trip, learn to use these.

Avoid using fragrances: It is best not to use perfumes, colognes, and fragrant lotions because bugs tend to be attracted to them.

Practice good hygiene: When packing up, wrap all personal hygiene items such as toothbrush, soap, and washcloth separately in aluminium foil to ensure that rest of the items in your bag stay dry.

These Hints and Tips are essential for Camping Holidays and contribute in making your camp experience a delightful one. A well-planned and thought out holiday is always more enjoyable.

Camping is a great way to get back in touch with nature. Camping holidays are favoured for their simple appeal and rustic charm of a little rough living close to Mother Earth. Every year, well over 1.2 million Britons load up their backpacks and head out to campsites spread across unspoiled countryside in the UK and the Continent. Campsites in Kent offer a spot at a nominal fee for you to park your car, pitch your tent and wind down after a hectic day touring local places of interest. While campsites do offer welcome conveniences like electricity, running water and waste disposal, campers are expected to have a fair bit of knowledge about camp etiquette and carry out some basic preparation before arriving. Let’s see what you should know before you arrive at a campsite:

1. Find out about the campsite’s rules and facilities

Campsites in Kent operate under a variety of regulations such as environmental norms, local body laws and operator guidelines which may differ from location to location. So get on the internet to read up about the campsite you wish to select. Ideally, you need to know the site operating hours, whether the site will be open on the day you plan to visit, fees and rates for the conveniences offered by the sites and so on.

2. Remember to call ahead and book your spot

The campsites will be full during the peak season, so it’s a no brainer for you to reserve your spot well in advance. All the research you do might come to naught if you don’t get to use the campsite on the day you arrive. At popular sites, you can try booking between six months to a year in advance.

3. Get a Weather forecast

The weather can be unpredictable during camping season, with quick spells of rain and unexpected chilly weather, especially during the first months of summer. With advances in prediction models, weather sites usually predict a month’s weather with reasonable accuracy, so you can be prepared with appropriate supplies and clothing for your trip.

4. Plan your trip in advance

Being at the right place at the wrong time of year can be a damper. So you need to schedule your trip to know the best season for camping at your chosen vacation spot. Get your car or van’s maintenance done before you set out. While it’s not possible to plan every step, at the very least planning makes sure you stay on course during your trip.  Good guidebooks and enthusiast websites are great resources for planning a camping in Kent Coast

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5. Have a list of supplies ready

When planning a camping trip (http://camping.about.com/od/findacampground/u/plan-a-camping-trip.htm), you need to prepare a comprehensive checklist of the clothes, food supplies, fuel, luggage, vehicle spares and other accessories at least two months before the trip itself. Before you set out on the trip, make sure you have got all the items on the checklist. Be sure to carry first aid.

6. Know the rules of Campground Etiquette

The basics of campsite etiquette are to respect your neighbour and to leave your spot clean for the next occupant. Respect the quiet time of your fellow campers. Keep outside lights on your van switched off after dinner to prevent disturbing sleepers. If you see another resident struggling to set up his tent or get a fire going, do offer your help.

7. Read up on Local Culture

Often tourists just enjoy the natural beauty of the places they visit, however, it helps to know that the local residents often add to the attractiveness. You could read up about their culture, traditions and cuisine to get a deeper understanding about the places you visit.

8. Fires and Barbeques to be lit only at Approved locations

Campsites offer fire pits and grill areas for lighting fires. Wood is often available for free or at a fee. Do not light fires in other areas as they could spread and cause harm.

9. Do not leave food unattended

After you have had your meal, be sure to dispose of your food waste into closed bins. Wild animals often break into the campsites to eat the food left behind by campers.

10. Be Ready to Clean Up

Finally, help out the site managers by cleaning up your litter diligently. Consider carrying litter bags for the purpose and dispose of trash in designated areas only.

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, and is one of the biggest travel destinations in Europe. People who think they need to spend a lot of money to visit Barcelona may be pleasantly surprised to find out there are a variety of affordable ways to enjoy the city. Here is a budget traveler’s guide to Barcelona.

Transportation

Barcelona is served by Barcelona International Airport located about 10 kilometers outside of the city. From the airport, budget travelers can opt to take the Renfe train from terminal 2, or the daytime or nighttime buses. Within Barcelona travelers might opt to take a tourist bus. This is a hop-on hop-off tour bus that is perfect for first time visitors to Barcelona, or for those with limited time in the city. There is also public transportation via bus and metro. Travelers can travel for free within zone 1, and save on a variety of other attractions by getting a Barcelona card.

Accommodation

While there are a lot of luxury and high-end hotel options, there are also a variety of more affordable accommodation options for the budget traveler. There are several affordable hotel options including 1 to 3 star rated hotels, hostels, and bed and breakfasts (also known as a guest house). Camping, like in nearby El Masnou, can be a great option for budget travelers to spend time around Barcelona, and gives people the option to see the nearby natural wildlife as well. For those looking to stay for a longer period of time in Barcelona, or for those traveling with a group of people (like families), renting an apartment offers travelers some of the comforts of home while traveling.

Arts and Culture

Barcelona is the home of some of famed architect Antoni Gaudi’s most famous works including La Sagrada Familia , Park Guell, and Casa Calvet. Spanish painter Pablo Picasso is known for being the father of the cubist movement in art, and over 4000 pieces of his work can be found in the Museu Picasso. The city of Barcelona has a unique mix of Spanish and Catalan culture and history. Those who want to learn more about this city’s history, dating back to ancient Roman times, can do so at Museu d’Història de la Ciutat de Barcelona. The Spanish Guitar Concert in Barcelona is the perfect place for those who love Spanish guitar music.

Dining

One of the most well-known aspect of Spanish food and dining culture is tapas, which is a meal comprised of appetizers. Tapas is a great way to be able to try a variety of Spanish foods in a single meal. Spanish cuisine, and particularly Barcelona’s location along the Mediterranean, means that the cuisine includes a variety of seafood and fresh vegetables. Barcelona is a big cosmopolitan, and travelers will be able to find a variety of international cuisine options, like Italian, Japanese and more. It’s perfect for any budget or pallet.

Nightlife

Travelers who want to go out and enjoy the nightlife will be able to find a variety of great nightlife options in Barcelona. There are nightclubs in a variety of locations across the city, including along the beach. Barcelona’s warm and temperate climate means that visiting a nightclub late in the evening (until early in the morning) is a great experience. For those who want to get out in the evening and see some unique culture in Barcelona, a visit to a Flamenco show is a unique experience that every budget traveler in Barcelona should do.

Beaches

Barcelona is located along the Mediterranean coast and has over 4 kilometers of sandy beaches to enjoy. The beaches in Barcelona offer travelers the opportunity for swimming, of course, but many of the beaches here include a variety of attractions and activities like public showers, volleyball pitches, windsurfing, sailing, Wi-Fi access, and more. Another great fact about Barcelona is that many of its public beaches can easily be accessed by public transportation, making spending time at the beach a great thing for budget travelers to do.

If you going to be traveling to Barcelona, Spain learn about the variety of ways you can have a great trip without spending a fortune on accommodations or tourist activities.