Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona’s sights, smells, sounds and colors all will be imprinted on your heart forever. Come and enjoy the street performers along Las Ramblas or the fanciful work of the master architect Antoni Gaudí. Barcelona’s fine city beaches, splendid Gothic palaces, elegant green parks, charming cafes, and sophisticated shopping are all within easy reach, and its museums and other cultural attractions will dazzle you. In addition to Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, be sure to visit the fabulous Palau de Musica or the 1992 Olympic site, and explore the Eixample area or Barcelonetta.

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, has truly come into its own and is known for its outstanding cultural and architectural offerings. Barcelona (and Catalonia) are truly distinct from the rest of Spain and the city's magnificent monuments reflect its history. The Barri Gòtic is the most intact Gothic Quarter in Europe; the florid, curvilinear modernisme (Catalan Art Nouveau), the splendid works of Picasso and Miró, plus daring new projects from national and international names such as Frank Gehry, Jean Nouvel, and Toyo Ito all contribute to make Barcelona one of Europe’s foremost center of art and architecture.

Barcelona is also known for its cutting-edge gastronomy: led by chef Ferran Adrià, "New Catalan Cuisine" has been recognized the next great culinary wave. Six restaurants in the region have received a Michelin star.