This lovely town perched on the Mediterranean is cosmopolitan and elegant. The city was built on the harbor and its commerce throughout history. The city is laid out on a very well thought out plan which makes it easy to explore such areas as the Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas and the Paseo De Garcia. Many parts of the city were given a facelift in preparation for the 1992 Summer Olympics. The best way to explore Barcelona is to get out and walk the many areas.
Another great thing about Barcelona is its proximity to many vacation retreats or day-trip visits. One of my favorites is the Costa Brava, which lies to the north of Barcelona. South of Barcelona you will find the Roman city of Tarragona and the Costa Dorada with its many resorts cities. Monserrat is also south of the city. The Balearic Islands lie to the east and the Penedis wine country to the west.