Catalunya can offer you a perfect combination of big city sophistication and small town customs. We recommend that you start your long weekend when you arrive in Barcelona by checking in to one of Barcelona's famous hotels. You can choose exclusive luxury in big hotels like the Palace hotel
or the Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I,
or if you prefer you can choose something more modest, more intimate like ABaC hotel or the Hotel Duquesa de Cardona. Both these hotels are smaller and more economical but are of equal quality and perhaps more original than bigger ones.
When you are in Barcelona don't forget to visit the famous sights of the city such as the Rambles, La Plaça Catalunya and others like this. Ask in your hotel for a guide map and all of these famous landmarks are clearly labelled.
As a curiosity also try not to miss the Bosc de les Fades, the Fairy Wood Bar, which is in the Gothic quarter at the end of the Rambles. It is a wonderfully original bar that is designed like a wood and is a memorable place to have a drink in the afternoon.
As a tip remember that no one drinks tap water in bars and restaurants so don't try asking for it. Also remember that all the most touristic places in Barcelona are full of pickpockets, especially the train from the airport to Sants station, so be careful at all times. If Barcelona has just won a football championship I recommend that you don't go out into the streets especially if you are wearing a Madrid FC shirt.
Then after a couple of days in the capital of Catalunya I would recommed a complete change. Come visit the South of Catalunya. Here you have the Baix Ebre area and the delta of the Ebro river. You can start your visit by visiting the capital of the area Tortosa. Stay in the old Moor castle, El Castell de la Suda, which dominates the city from its position up on the hill.
It's perhaps not the best hotel but it has lots of charm and is a good place from which to visit the city. While you are in Tortosa you should visit the areas of the city that lie around the base of the castle, these include the old Jewish quarter and also have remains of the original city walls. You can also visit some of the original palaces in the city which today have been reformed, for example the EOI building near the courts.
I would recommend a visit to the central market in the heart of the city, there you can see the wide range of local produce that is on sale every day. You can buy pig's trotters, tongue, molluscs, crab and salted cod and you can have a drink in one of the market's bars. If you leave a tip at Esther's bar she will ring a bell loudly to celebrate it.
If you are feeling a little more adventurous take a trip up river to Benifallet and reserve a trip on the river Ebro with Beniemocions. They will take you out on the river in canoes and let you see the local area from a very distinctive and beautiful point of view. Be careful of Joan, the owner of the company, in his speedboat. If you are not looking you will end up in the water.
Finally take the time to visit the Delta area. This is a nature reserve and the second largest wetland in the whole of Europe. Enjoy the views of the paddy fields, the diversity of its flora and fauna and its glorious beaches.
You can eat in lots of different places, visit San Carles for a good selection of local restaurants that serve locally caught fish and shellfish. Or you can go to several places on the delta itself. One place I would recommend is La Casa de Fusta. This is a very original building with a restaurant of the same name.
Here you can enjoy typical food from the area such as Black Rice, Mussels, Razor Shells, Sea Snails and other things that you have never even imagined eating.
Come to Catalunya, visit the South and enjoy a unique and once in a lifetime experience.
Thank you very much for speaking about Hotel Duquesa de Cardona Barcelona
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