| Introducing Barcelona | | | | 2 La Sagrada Familia |
| Barcelona is the capital of the Catalonia region of | | | | Barcelona's funky church was designed by the |
| Spain, and Catalan is the most widely spoken | | | | famous Antonio Gaudi. Work began in 1883, and the |
| language. The history of the region and its dealings | | | | intriguing building is still to be finished. Don't miss |
| with the other parts of Spain is often fractious but | | | | features like the nativity theme of the frontage, the |
| always fascinating. | | | | towers decorated with mosaic work, and the massive |
| | | | doorways inscribed with designs representing faith, |
| Barcelona Port | | | | hope and charity. |
| Ships dock at Port Vell, which could not be more | | | | 3 Barri Gotic |
| conveniently situated, being just a mile or so from | | | | In Barcelona's gothic quarter the buildings date back to |
| Barcelona's major sights. Today the port has become | | | | the thirteenth century. The streets are narrow and |
| a tourist attraction by itself with a large Maremagnum | | | | winding and packed with busy life. At the center of the |
| shopping mall with an IMAX theater, and Europe's | | | | Gothic Quarter sits the Museu Picasso, featuring the |
| biggest aquarium. Port Vell leads directly on to Las | | | | works (unsurprisingly!) of Picasso. Also worth visiting is |
| Ramblas, the main Barcelona boulevard packed with | | | | the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia, a magnificent example |
| cafes and street entertainment that leads into the | | | | of early-European architecture. |
| center of the city (Las Ramblas is alternately called by | | | | 4 Parc Guell |
| its singular form, La Rambla). | | | | A big treat for Gaudi fans, Parc Guell is an intriguing |
| There are eight terminals at the Barcelona port, divided | | | | public park. The planting is imaginative and colorful, but |
| into 3 quays. | | | | the premier attraction is Gaudi's hard landscaping, like |
| 1 Adossat Quay | | | | concrete arbors and mosaic lizards. |
| Cruise Terminals A, B, C and D are located at the | | | | 5 Montjuic |
| Adossat Quay and are furthest away from the port | | | | The pretty village of Montjuic rises 700 feet above the |
| entrance. Terminal D also has the name Palacruceros. | | | | city's port and is home to museums, art galleries, |
| Shuttle buses make the short trip from these cruise | | | | boutiques and cafes. Don't miss the Museu |
| terminals to the start of Las Ramblas. | | | | Arqueologic with a diverse range of items from |
| 2 World Trade Center Quay | | | | prehistoric civilizations from Catalonia and the Balearic |
| There are 3 terminals in the World Trade Center quay | | | | Islands. Another excellent museum is the Museu |
| called North, South and East terminals. From these it is | | | | Nacional d'art de Catalunya, featuring an excellent |
| an easy walk to the start of Las Ramblas. | | | | collection of early works. |
| 3 Sant Bertrand Quay | | | | Picking a Cruise from Barcelona |
| Sant Bertrand Quay is just across from the WTC | | | | The most popular itinerary is a circuit circumnavigating |
| terminal. This terminal which normally handles ferries is | | | | the beautiful Western Mediterranean. Other ideas |
| only occasionally used for cruise ships. | | | | include the Canary Islands, North Africa, or longer trips |
| 5 Best Things to Do in Barcelona (Editor's choice!) | | | | to the Eastern Mediterranean and Greek Islands. |
| It takes even an enthusiastic tourist several days to | | | | Typical itineraries would be: Eastern Mediterranean |
| explore Barcelona, so if you have only a day or two, it'll | | | | (from NCL) calling at Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Piraeus, |
| be a manic rush. Be sure to include well-known spots | | | | Izmir, Alexandria, La Valletta, Barcelona and Spain, |
| like La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's astonishing church, the | | | | Monaco, Tunisia (from Costa) calling at Barcelona, |
| romantic and medieval Barrio Gothic area, and the | | | | Monaco, Livorno, Olbia, Naples, Tunis, Port Mahon, |
| Picasso museum. Finish your whistle-stop tour by | | | | Barcelona. |
| heading up to Montjuic for a wonderful view over the | | | | Travelling to the Port from Barcelona Airport |
| whole of the city and the surrounding countryside and | | | | By public transport |
| sea. | | | | Catch the Bus to Placa Catalunya in Barcelona, next |
| 1 Las Ramblas | | | | travel by metro from Catalunya to Drassanes. From |
| A magnificent promenade connecting Port Vell to | | | | Drassanes walk to the statue of Christopher |
| Placa de Catalunya, right in the middle of of old | | | | Columbus at the port entrance. Wait for the Blue bus |
| Barcelona. The street is packed with shops, cafes, | | | | which shuttles to and from the cruise terminals. |
| florists, street entertainers, and the not-to-missed | | | | Taxi |
| Boqueria, a colorful market. You'll also pass by the | | | | The simpler method for travelling from the airport to |
| Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona's magnificent opera | | | | the port is a cab. The trip will take you about twenty |
| house. Las Ramblas end ups at the Placa de | | | | five minutes and costs about 30 Euros in total. This |
| Catalunya, a large square surrounded by offices, | | | | price will include per-bag extras and additional airport |
| restaurants, and shops. | | | | and cruise port levies. |