BARCELONA city experience

Plaça d'Espanya -View from the ARENA-

Barcelona is best known for its football club. The city has much more to offer. It is the heart of the Catalunya region.  The city has a mix of attractions within reach; beaches, monuments, heritage, shopping, sports and lovely countryside beyond the ring of hills surrounding the city. 

The Ramblas is the main tourist hub. A long pedestrian avenue lined with shops, buskers and artists but also abounding with pick pockets and cheats taking the fun away.  There are lots of other attractions.  The old city center has a quaint nostalgic touch. The harbour and the marina offer nice strolls and good cafes. The beaches are 10 minutes from the centre.  Barcelona is steeped in history and architecture and brimming with shops.  You can enjoy some of the best restaurants in Spain. The best ones are away from the centre, just follow the locals instead of the tourists. Other attractions include the Aquarium, a tour of the Nou Camp football stadium and the Olympic city. If its raining, head off to one of the various museums (http://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_directory/museums); do not miss the Picasso Museum and the chocolate museum!

La Sagrada Famiglia

For antiques, head to the old town between the cathedral and Placa del Pi. There’s also an antiques market here every Thursday. Worth a visit.
My favourite spot in Barcelona is at Plaça d'Espanya.  Its near the majestic Montjuic landmark and overlooking one of the city's biggest squares. On a nice sunny day, I recommend a visit to the viewing platform above the ARENA shopping mall (exceptional conversion from ex-bull fighting ring).  

Hate-it or Love-it, the famous Sagrada Famiglia cathedral remains one of the main attractions in the city. Under construction since 1882, the building is truly amazing and original. Must-see. Set aside at least 2 hours for this.
And in the evening?  Start off with a night out at Barcelonetta, an area best known for its sandy beach but which abounds with bars and restaurants. Then move on to clubs dotting the city and the periphery, local advice will surely point to a good choice suiting your mood.

THE PYRENEES - France

Carcassonne

The Pyrenees straddle south west France from the Atlantic to the Med.  I started my adventure  at the foot of the mountain chain. Carcassone boasts an incredible fortified citadel guarding the pyrennean approaches.  It has the perfect setting for medieval films. 
Divided by valleys, cloaked by pines and crested with snow for much of the year, the Pyrennes harbour wildlife and offer spectacular scenery.
 The mountaintop tiny nation of Andorra stands on the east end of the Pyrenees mountain chain,  perched along mountaintops and picturesque valleys.  Famous as a skiing resort, it is also enchanting in summer. 

Gavernie



Four days in the Luchon Valley rewarded us with stunning views and waterfalls. The area offers some fantastic walking treks to various points of truly exceptional beauty (along the route of the Tour de France): 

- Lac D'Oo

- Superbagneres

- Hospice de France

- Bordes du Lys

- Genos
- Arreau

A short uphill drive from Luchon will take you to the Spanish border and then down to the picturesque Spanish Aran Valley, boasting nice views along rivers, lakes and small towns competing for the best cuisine.

At the Central Pyrenees await other majestic scenery.  Many Maltese will know this area for the town of Lourdes which attracts thousands of Maltese each year to visit the shrine.  If you  are in the area, make it a point to spend a day visiting the Pont d'espagne.  Do not settle for a 2 hour tourist bus visit to the outskirts. Take your walking shoes and spend the entire day, walk all the way to the waterfalls and beyond. Another full day excursion should be set aside for Gavarnie.  Walk to and beyond Lac de Gaube. Do not forget your camera and spare batteries and memory card... you may need all of them in a desperate attempt to capture the beauty.

After a week of long walks along the mountain treks and the Parc National des Pyrenees, relax and dine at Biarritz on the Atlantic beaches or head a couple of hours south to the fabulous Spanish border resort of San Sebastian.  Set aside not less than 10 days to truly enjoy this trip and I recommend that you lodge at Gites (family-run, French houses of character offering excellent local cuisine).  Then spoil yourself at a good resort in San Sebastian and dance the night away...

The French Riviera - Nice

One of the best corners of the Med must be the French Riviera. My 4th trip for this year found me at Nice, the 'gem' of the Riviera, France's 5th largest city with its marvellous promenade and the quaint old quarters. The absence of direct flights renders it less attractive to Maltese travellers though I did spot a Maltese couple there...you will always find Maltese at shopping zones.

The city centre and the hotels are just a short ride away from the airport. Vieille Ville is the historic part of Nice, a medieval village with narrow streets curving between old buildings with red-tile roofs, small restaurants and open-markets. Nice is famous for the mythical Promenade des Anglais with its shingles beach, hundreds of joggers and an endless stream of cyclists.

Shopping is another attraction, a fat wallet is recommended... Rue Paradis and Rue de Suède are home to the most famous fashion studios; Rue Masséna has the enormous Galeries Lafayette, second in size only to its Parisian branch. Avenue Jean-Médecin and Rue de Verdun are filled with the outlets of popular chains. In Nice, fashion shopping is much more than just a process of walking from one shop to another...it's a meticulously planned spectacle requiring a visit to every important attraction in the city centre.

Art and antiques fans will be delighted with the little artistic studios and curiosities shops situated along the narrow streets around the Old Town Cathedral.  At night, I was looking for a nice place to spend the evening over a glass of beer and I got entertained at Vieux-Nice, in the Old Town, a labyrinth of vibrant pubs and bars with street performers and tempting ice cream parlours.

A stay at Nice can be twinned with visits to other famous spots along the French Riviera. These include, Saint Troppez, Cannes, Villefranche and the famous Monte Carlo at Monaco, home to F1 and Princess Grace.

Nice has a delightful countryside. For the nature lovers, I recommend day trips to Ardeche region, Cevennes National Park and Lake St Croix. If you have hired a car, drive up to Dentelles de Montmirail for spectacular views from these small mountains. For longer stays, you may include a trip to Corsica, a destination that still eludes me... next year?? hmmm...

TRAVELLING TO SICILY - Villa Uliveto

I love travelling and discovering new places, new people and new experiences. However, every other year I get the urge to return to bella sicilia. Sicily is quite close to Malta and well connected by daily flights and sea routes. 

Alcantara gorge - Sicily

There are some magical spots in Sicily such as ERICE; SEGESTA; ETNA; TINDARIS; ALCANTARA; NEBRODI; TAORMINA & ENNA.
Our favourite place to stay in Sicily is VILLA ULIVETO on the hills above the 'Gole Alcantara' which is a unique gorge with Crystal clear waters flowing on lava rocks. Villa Uliveto is run by Felice and Erminia and it is a lodge perched on a hill overlooking ETNA and the interesting town of FRANCAVILLA. It is peaceful and ideal for those that like to escape from it all and relax in a context of greenery, nature and fantastic views.
For more information on Villa Uliveto,follow this link:
http://www.vacanzealcantara-sicilia.com/gb/index.htm

Felice and Erminia will help you make the best out of your holiday and give you advise on itineraries, walking trails and the best local restaurants.