The first thing you should be aware of when visiting Barcelona is that it is the capital of Catalonia – a region with a very distinct cultural identity, history and language. The locals refer to themselves as being Catalan, not Spanish and, if you visit the south of Spain and Barcelona you will notice the difference. Barcelona is possibly the most cosmopolitan city in Spain and a major tourist destination. Here are my top 5 things to see and do in and around this beautiful Catalan city:

1) Combine architecture and music. If you visit the Palau de la Musica Catalana you can enjoy a concert whilst marvelling at the spectacular Modernist architecture. Check the web site for the latest concerts, but there is always something worth seeing going on.

2) Indulge your taste buds! Barcelona is a great place to enjoy seafood thanks to its seaside location. Regional specialities such as “Pan amb tomaquet” (bread, oil, salt and tomato), lamb cutlets and “Escalivada” peeled, (grilled Mediterranean vegetables) are seemingly simple but surprisingly satisfying and moreish.

3) Enjoy taking a historical walk. There are guided walks that trace the footsteps of Picasso who spent his youth in the city or walks through the gothic neighbourhood, taking in the Cathedral and the remains of the Roman city walls. Although touristy, a guided walk is a great way of exploring the city and learning something about its past in order to better understand its present.

4) Take advantage of the city’s proximity to the Mediterranean Sea! Barcelona is quite a sprawling city and it is easy to forget that you are near the Sea at times. If you book into a hotel near the Sea in Barcelona you’ll be able to start and end your day will a stroll on the beach!

5) Get out of the city. If you are on a longer stay in Barcelona, take a day trip to one of the many interesting places within an hour of the city. Hop on a train to Sitges for a day on the beach or take a bus to Alella for a wine tasting session and to get a feel for a smaller Catalan town. Equally you could take advantage of the offers for cheap stays in one of these towns and take day trips into the city for a trip with a difference.
With that dose of architecture, music, history, sunshine, good food and fine wine you’re set for a fabulous time in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia.

The GSMA World Congress 2010 will be held at Barcelona’s Fira de Montjuic exhibition centre from 15-18th February 2010. Thousands of industry professionals, plus hundreds of manufacturers, operators and mobile phone industry gurus will be getting together in Barcelona. Now is the right time to find budget hotels close to the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2010, the former 3GSM Barcelona.
Have you seen this large selection of budget hotels, hostels, apartments and bed & breakfasts for the Mobile World Congress 2010 in Barcelona? Book now, and avoid the hassle of looking for a place to stay. Get budget accommodation online for the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2010 in Barcelona.  Save on time and energy, so you can focus on the innovations and new business opportunities at the GSMA Mobile World Congress.

The Global Meetings & Incentives Exhibition, or EIBTM, taking place at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona from 1-3 December 2009, is your opportunity to meet over 3,000 international suppliers from over 100 countries across the globe. The leading global event for the meetings and incentives industry provides an interesting platform for exhibitors, Hosted Buyers, and trade visitors. Booking an hotel in the centre of Barcelona, and close to the Fira Gran Via, will make it easy for you to find the perfect accommodation during your stay in this vibrant Spanish city.
Enjoy the comprehensive education programme at the Global Meetings & Incentives Exhibition and its numerous networking opportunities. Ensure that you are up to date with industry trends. Meet new contacts at the EIBTM and experience the vibrant city of Barcelona.

When visiting Barcelona, think carefully about the area that you chose to stay in as the Catalan capital has many different faces and the neighbourhood you pick to stay in will greatly effect your first impression of the city. From the chic Passeig de Gracia to the gritty Raval, there are parts of the city which, while geographically very close, are actually worlds apart in terms of atmosphere and security. For the purposes of this short post I’ve chosen to look at just two main tourist areas in the city centre, but naturally, there are many more.

Passeig de Gracia is Barcelona’s most glamorous shopping avenue and also home to two major architectural works by Gaudi – Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. This wide, leafy avenue has a certain Parisian style with all the bustle and glamour of New York. Come here to enjoy Barcelona’s most sophisticated side, spend a fortune in chic boutiques, eat in exquisite tapas bars and explore some of the city’s finest Modernist architecture. Accommodation on or near to Passeig de Gracia doesn’t have to be expensive though, so staying here is not only a luxury reserved for the rich, it is also one of the safer areas of the city by night.

The Born neighbourhood is where you will find the Picasso Museum and the Textile Museum with its attractive terrace cafe as well as a wide range of bars and cafes that give this area is buzzing atmosphere, day or night. Here, you can also enjoy a spot of shopping although it’s more likely to be shabby chic than Chanel as the Born neighbourhood is famous for its quirky little independent boutiques (that’s not to say they are cheap!). Eating out for less is possible here too. The neighbourhood is built upon the remains of the medieval era and there are some streets in particular, such as Calle Montcada, which are well worth a visit, along with sights such as the spectacular Santa Maria del Mar Cathedral. All of this just 10 minutes from Barcelona’s beaches! If you really want to immerse yourself in the Born atmosphere look for accommodation near to the Picasso Museum which is one of the most typical areas of this neighbourhood.

After travelling around the world extensively on a very modest budget, I’m convinced that you don’t have to have a fat wallet to see the world. With so many low-cost airlines and so much budget accommodation out there, visiting the world’s greatest capital cities is accessible to anyone with a passport and a little curiosity. So, I’m dedicating this blog to all those like-minded travellers who are looking for advice and tips on travelling abroad without breaking the bank. The first stop is Barcelona!
Tourism is a booming industry in Barcelona and there are hotels on every street corner, but it doesn’t have the tacky tourist resort feel that some other coastal towns have. The key to enjoying Barcelona on a tight budget? Shop in local markets (not the Boqueria – it’s lovely but really expensive) and find a decent but cheap place to stay.
Finding cheap accommodation in Barcelona can be a little tricky, to friends and family I´ve always recommended to check out rates for budget hotels in Barcelona before visiting the city. Hotels near to the Rambla are always going to be a little more expensive than accommodation in less famous areas, although there are some really central hostels and guesthouses (known as “Pension” locally) which offer very reasonable rates if you don’t mind something quite basic. If you are looking for an independent stay, private apartments are a good option and give you the feeling of really living Barcelona. Obviously, the time of year affects hotel rates greatly and Barcelona receives a lot less tourists in winter than in summer, although it’s never desolate.
As far as nightlife is concerned, most cities claim to be “the city that never sleeps” but it’s rarely true. In Barcelona, however, it really is possible to party 24 hours a day if you want to. Obviously, drinking Mojitos by the port and going to one of the city’s major nightclubs is a privilege reserved for the wealthy, but there are some cheaper (even free) alternatives. Visiting Barcelona during the Sant Juan (23rd & 24th June) and La Merce (24th September) celebrations is a good way of partying in Barcelona for free as the concerts and parties mainly take place outside and are free. The only risk you run if you come during these major celebrations is never actually using the hotel bed you’ve paid for!
Next stop Valencia!