Indulgences Travel
tn Spain
Left and centre: In Gaudi we trust — Parc Guell end the Sagrada Familia.
Below: Stepping out — Las Rambles boulevard runs through the heart of the city
From here, you can meander past the architectural
perfection of Santa Maria del Mar in thc hcart of the bustling La Ribera on
your way to the extensive Gothic Quarter (Barn Gotic), with its medieval
buildings and narrow streets. Stop for a drink or a bite to eat at onc of the
many tapas bars or restaurants; we opted br Taller de Tapas (Carrer de
l’Argenteria 51), simple but bustling.
From here, we joined the crowds thronging Las Ramblas, lapping up the
atmosphere
Esther Shaw
IF YOU are looking for a classic yet luxurious weekend break, there can be few
better European destinations than the Catalan capital Barcelona.
Famed for its art and architecture, this enduring favourite is also a stylish
shopping haven with exquisite cuisine and a vibrant night-life. At the very
least, your “to-do” list should include a stroll down Las Ramblas, the long
pedestrian boulevard at the heart of the city, a visit to the awe-inspiring
Gothic cathedral, a few hours in the Picasso museum and a pause to wonder at
Antoni Gaudi’s futuristic unfinished church, Sagrada Faniilia.
Time permitting, you could also head for the bustling waterfront — revamped and revitalised for the 1992 Olympics — or, inspired by Sagrada Familia, to Gaudi’s
uber-imaginative Parc Guell. And all that’s before you even consider where to
eat. Whichever way you look at it, Barcelona, nestled between the mountains and
sea, has the lot.
We kick-started a long weekend with a little retail therapy, using a pair of
personal shoppers to guide us through Barcelona’s most exclusive boutiques.
B&W Personal Shopper’s Carmen Bosch and Elena Wendt, both well- dressed,
well-coiffured and ultra-professional, take us to Passeig de Gracia, arguably
Barcelona’s most elegant and fashionable avenue. Located in Exiample, the new
town, it is also a byword for modernism. Stores worth checking out include the
innovative Vincon, the glamorous Santa Eulalia, Loewe
— complete with its own VIP lounge — Aramis,
Adolfo Dominguez and Gonzalo Comella.
The tour also took in the easily overlooked Perfume Museum, located within the
premises of the Perfumery Regia (Passeig de Gracia 39,
www.museodelperfume.com). Also worth a visit is the Chocolate Museum in the old
Convent of Saint Augustine in el Borne (Comerc 36, www.museuxocolata.com), if
only to ogle at the edible statue of Brazilian footballer Ronaidhino.
After a morning spent in a flurry of Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and myriad
homegrown brands, we took some time out in the trendy suburb of El Borne. This
now ranks as one of the most fashionable quarters of Barcelona, boasting chic
boutiques, design shops and quirky bars.
The vibrant, busy street boasts shops, people, flower
sellers, food markets and, erm, human statues — some
things are unavoidable, whatever country you’re in.
After a long day on your feet, the five- star Princesa Sofia Gran Hotel, with
magnificent views of the city, including Barcelona’s dramatic Camp Nou stadium,
provided some much-needed luxury. The hotel has a good restaurant, Restaurant
Contraste, and a wide range of cocktails are on offer at the Contraste Bar.
Drinks can be enjoyed in the hotel’s gardens during the summer months. The Aqua
Diagonal Wellness Centre has a gym and pool, but we headed to the Q-Spa.
Treatments include Journey to Spain: a wine bath, algae and grape wrap, and
wine oil massage.
Barcelona can feel like a world apart, rather than just a brief flight away;
there is something for all tastes, from art and architecture to food and
high-end shops. Which means that whatever you choose to do, you emerge from
your weekend break utterly refreshed — wine massage or no.
I One night in a standard room, on a bed and
breakfast basis, at Princesa Sofia Gran Hotel (Plaza Plo XII, 4
Barcelona) costs from £173 (€231, S339) plus VAT. + 3493 508 10 00,
www.expogrupo.com
• B&W Personal Shopper service costs from €400 for four hours for two
people. www.bwpersonalshopper. corn
• EasyJet flies to Barcelona from Gatwick, Stansted and Luton from £50.98
return, including taxes. www.easyjet.com
• For more information, contact the Catalan Tourist Board at
www.cataIunyaturisme.com
40 THE BUSINESS 19 January 2008
www.thebusiness.co.uk
