All in all, a fabulous time in Catalonia
Spain
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Jul 22 - Jul 29, 2023
Our initial introduction to Barcelona was not the best. We were picked up by a driver and a guide, who was pleasant enough, but her English was so poor that none of us really understood anything that she was saying to us, and the driving tour was less than informative because of that. in addition, we were told that she would take us to a restaurant that she recommended to have lunch and she took us to the top floor of the mall which has beautiful views of the city, but the restaurant she took us to was awful. Most of what we ordered was inedible and I would get that off the list immediately .
The hotel, the Petit Palace BoqueriaGarden, was in the perfect location just a block off Las Ramblas and the rooms were small, but very nice. All the rest of the Recommended Restaurants were delicious.
Our guide the next day, Anna, was absolutely fabulous and we all loved the walking tour that she took us on through the Gothic quarter and the Jewish quarter, and then la sagrada Familia. Then she recommended a delicious restaurant for lunch, Las Sorrentinas, we liked so much we considered going back to it the next day.
And the next day we went on the park view tour, and although our guide was very good, we feel like that tour was misrepresented in the description, especially when the teenagers in our group were looking forward to seeing the dungeons in the castle on Monjuic but when we got there, we discovered that the dungeons were no longer being Open to the public so that was a big disappointment. As a result, we could have done without that tour.
And the next day, the car was delivered to our hotel, and although there was a bit of confusion, initially, it all went well, and we headed out of town. We absolutely adored our hotel, the Hotel Diana, and Tossa De Mar, which is a fabulous little Beachside resort.
The following day we had our hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and even some cliff, jumping experience with our fabulous guide Stepan who really made the whole experience so memorable and fun.
On the way back to Barcelona, the van broke down on the highway and the travel care team was instrumental in getting the van towed and a taxi to pick us up and get us to the airport in time for our flight so that we are very thankful for them. There was some confusion as we were getting mixed results from the care team and the Tow truck company, but we finally figured it all out and it all ended well
Hotel Reviews
Perfect location right on the beach and a magnificent building and interior design. boutique style hotel with lovely and accommodating staff.
Beautiful hotel in a fabulous location with a lovely staff and lovely gardens
Activity Reviews
Anna, our guide was fabulous and knowledgeable and so enthusiastic!!
We probably could have done without this tour. Some of the territory we covered was repetitive, and the castle that we went to visit was not completely opened and therefore misrepresented in the description. we had hoped to see the dungeons, but they are no longer open to the public and that was one of the reasons we booked that tour.
Everything about it was just right! Our guide, Stepan, was fabulous, and we recommend it so highly
