Aside From The Food Trip, My 15-hour Bus Ride to Barcelona Was Worth It Because...

While I was planning my Euro Trip, I was checking out photos of different cities so I can decide which ones I should see. It was then that I realized that I just can't miss Barcelona. I'm such an architecture fan so I really wanted to see Gaudi's masterpieces.

Because my Contiki Trip didn't include Barcelona, I had to choose how I will go from Paris to Barcelona:

• Airplane - Because it will be one way (my flight back home will depart from Barcelona), it will turn out to be very expensive to fly a regular airline. Budget airline didn't turn out to be an option because I will have to pay for a lot of excess baggage.
• Train - This was an option but it turned out to be too expensive. Around EUR200+ if I remember correctly.
• Bus - Luckily, I saw a Eurolines outlet while I was walking around in Paris. The ticket only costs EUR70 but the trip will be for 15 hours. I decided to take the bus. Aside from the price, taking the bus will allow me to have a longer stay in Barcelona because I will arrive in Barcelona by 6am. Buying the ticket during my first stop in Paris (my Contiki trip which started after my initial Paris stop also ended in Paris) was also a very good decision because the Iceland Volcano fiasco was ongoing while I was about to go to Barcelona - all flights were cancelled, and bus and train tickets will surely be expensive (if still available) had I bought it during my second stop.

I arrived in Barcelona almost 6 am. The 15-hour bus ride wasn't agonizing after all. Just have a good pillow with you and you can surely sleep on your way to Barcelona. In addition, what awaited me in my two night stay (22-24April2010) in Barcelona (aside from the food trip which will be featured on a separate post) was worth all the effort:

1. Passeig de Gracia - This is the street that I really wanted to see because of Modernist Houses (aka Block of Discord). I wanted to see it so much that I made sure that the hotel where I stayed was very near Passeig de Gracia. I didn't think twice even if I had to pay EUR16.50 (including audio guide) just to enter one of the houses, Casa Batlló. This street is such an eyecandy for architecture fans!

Casa Amatller and Casa Batlló

Casa Amatller

                                  Casa Lleo Morera                                          Casa Batlló

Inside  Casa Batlló

 

 

2. Parc Guell - This is a whimsical open air park visioned by Gaudi. I'll let the pictures portray what I'm saying. The best part is that it's for free!  

3. Font Magica - I was awed when I went out of the Metro station and saw an avenue full of fountains! The feeling was very fanciful! Admission is free!

Details: 
Oct-Sep, Fri-Sat every half hour between 7 and 8:30pm
May-Oct, Thurs-Sun every half hour between 9:30 and 11:30pm
Metro: Espanya

Photo courtesy of Pedi dela Cruz

Photo courtesy of Pedi dela Cruz

Photo courtesy of Pedi dela Cruz

4. Las Ramblas - This is Barcelona's most famed street. Lots of things to see and buy. Just take care of your belongings as it is known to be filled with pickpockets.

 

5. La Pedrera - Another Gaudi work. The museum inside explains the the rationale behind Gaudi's relatively eccentric architectural style. If I remember correctly, it costs EUR8 to go inside.

 

 

 

 

6. Mercat de la Bouqueria - You will see this when you walk along Las Ramblas. Definitely worth stopping by to see the colorful candies and shakes, taste what tapas bars have to offer (if you're lucky enough to get a seat!), drool over various chocolate varieties, and witness very large sizes of fruits and vegetables.

 

7. Barceloneta - Such a leisurely walk if the weather is perfect like how I experienced it - windy but not sunny. Here, you will witness a lot of architectural street art that will surely tickle your sight.

8. Sagrada Familia - I wasn't really fascinated of Sagrada Familia even before I went to Barcelona. I guess it's because of the lack of color and it being unfinished. However, I'm hands down on the level of detail in this structure considering the magnitude of its size. If you're on a budget, you may skip paying EUR12 just to go inside.

   

 

 

9. Artsy Streets, Buildings and Metro Stations - The entire city of Barcelona is a modern art museum. There are several ornate buildings and structures such as leaning lamposts and hanging staircases. I suggest you visit the area around the Lesseps Metro to better understand what I'm saying. 

 

 

 

 

  

I wish I spent more time in Barcelona that I'm hoping I can return to this colorful and lively city soon! Two nights were simply not enough :(

Paris Hotel Recommendation - Campanile Paris XV

Related posts:
- Top 12 Paris (minus my food adventure) -
- What to Eat in Paris -

"che said...

thank you for sharing your photos and will include it to my must-visit places

what hotel did you stay? i'm searching for a hotel- 3 days in Paris but it's quite expensive. do you have any recommendation? thanks"

The above comment made me so happy because it's the first time a visitor of this blog sought for a recommendation. As a sign of gratitude, I decided to make an entire review of the hotel where I stayed. I believe the hotel also deserves this because I am according it a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating. Please note that my HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating is mainly on value-for-money. There are lots of glitzy hotels in Paris but they surely come with glaring prices. Even if you have the money to spend on fancy hotels, I'm sure you wouldn't mind spending that on shopping or dining instead.

Paris is such an expensive city partially because it is the world's most popular tourist destination with an estimated 27 million visitors per year (think of law of supply and demand). Although it is the world's most popular destination, it is very hard to find "value-for-money" accommodations. While I was researching for my Euro Trip, I encountered a lot of Paris hotel horror stories. Luckily, I stumbled upon a two-star hotel named Campanile Paris XV located at 30 Rue Saint Charles, 15th Arr., 75015 Paris. (Note that there are several Campanile Hotels in Paris)

Now, here are the reasons why Campanile Paris XV got its HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating:

1. Strategic Location - The hotel is just two to three blocks from the Metro Station. It is walking distance from the Eiffel Tower, which is very visible if you step outside of the hotel.

2. Relatively Cheap - If you've been scouting for accommodations in Paris, I'm sure you would agree that this is already cheap. If you find a cheaper deal, it is most likely that the hotel is either remotely located (Campanile XV is within central Paris and is walking distance from Eiffel) or dirty (yes, I've read a lot of Paris Hotel Horror Stories).

Price I paid: USD94/night or USD282 for 3 nights (April 2 to April 5, 2010)

3. Spotlessly Clean - It's not a fancy hotel but I can vouch for it's cleanliness. 

 

Some other images:

View from my room

The buffet breakfast area (Having a "free" buffet breakfast means that your room will cost more... It's not free after all! I decided to opt out because I wanted to eat as much local food)

Points for consideration: 

Here are some of the things which you may set you back from Campanile Paris XV. But personally, I don't mind them:

1. Very small elevator - This is common in Paris because each square meter is very expensive. I think the elevator will only fit two to three people. If you have a luggage with you, I think it's only good for one.

2. Narrow hallways - Same logic as above... making the most out of every square meter

My seal of confidence: I will book in this hotel again given the chance to go back to Paris!

Top 12 Paris (minus my food adventure)

Related posts:


- What to Eat in Paris -
- Paris Hotel Recommendation - Campanile Paris XV -


Because it has always been my dream to go to Europe, I can't explain how ecstatic I was from the time I got my Schengen Visa till the time I was cleared by the French immigration (because my interrogation experience with the Australian immigration still lingers on me) so that I can finally travel to my first European destination --- Paris. Even until I got off the Cite station, I still can't believe that I was finally in Europe so I wanted to jump as high as I could (good thing I was able to control myself from doing so). After my four-day trip from April 2, 2010 to April 5, 2010, I realized that Paris had a lot more to offer than the Eiffel Tower and that the Eiffel Tower was not overrated. As a result, I'd like to share my favorite Parisian experiences (except for eating as I will be dedicating a separate post for that) during my short but jam-packed stay:


Note: I am not claiming to be an expert in Paris as my stay was relatively short. I acknowledge that Paris could have a lot more to offer than these.


1. Going to Versailles - Going to Versailles was non-negotiable to me. I read so many good things about it that I just can't let the opportunity pass. It didn't fail me. The trip to Versailles on my 2nd day made me feel that my vacation in Europe was already worth every cent. I will be sharing more of my trip to Versailles on a separate post.

 

2. Watching the Eiffel Tower Sparkle - Once the sky darkens, the Eiffel Tower literally glitters every hour. Can't get enough of this experience that I caught it thrice in one day (1 while I was in the elevator going up the tower  so the glittering bulbs were literally beside me; 1 while I was under the tower... this felt magical as I experienced the entire spectacle very near; 1 while I was near Ecole Militaire... can't help but get awed by the charm of this moment)

The view near Ecole Militaire

Morning version of the Eiffel Tower (I took this photo from Trocadero and I'm proud of it)

3. Discovering that Notre Dame has another facade (at the back) which is miles better than the front facade

4. Searching for the famous Moulin Rouge

5. Walking alongside the Seine River while seeing the La Conciergerie, etc.

6. Walking around the Louvre Complex (Outside only! I wasn't able to go inside because the enormous amount of visitors prompted the museum to close earlier than usual... or should I say I prioritized my food adventure during my last day in Paris so I didn't have enough time to get into Louvre)

My only glimpse of the Louvre from a glass outside

7. Having a risky photo with the Arc de Triomphe - If you want a picture of the entire landmark with you in the middle, you have to take the risk of getting a similar shot right in the middle of Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Tip: No need to go up but make sure to get at least to the base by passing through an underpass via Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

 

  

8. Walking along the sidestreets of Paris - Walking around the sidestreets of Paris is already an activity of its own. Just savor the feel of the city and enjoy the shops and cafes all around. Suggested areas: Latin Quarter, Marais, Montmartre, Opera Garnier, Ile-St Louis 

9. Walking along Avenue des Champs-Élysées - catch the latest in fashion, cars, music or simply have your own Parisian cafe experience

 

Louis Vuitton Flagship Store along Avenue des Champs-Élysées

People lining up just to get inside LV's Flagship Store

Video of LV's Window Display

10. Walking around the area of Opera Garnier - This landmark is marvelous! Walking around the sidestreets of the area also offers a great opportunity to expore Paris' hidden secrets. I wasn't able to go inside as I had my luggage along with me when I went here. I will definitely go inside given the chance to come back to Paris.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Photo courtesy of concertclassic.com

11. Gazing at Sainte-Chapelle's stained glass windows - Make sure you go upstairs to the main attraction as the staircase leading to it isn't very noticeable

12. Appreciating the artistry of Paris' Metro stations - Make sure to gaze outside of the train's windows at every station to see the variety of design each one offers.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia