If you ever venture to the Land Down Under CFC, then I can also recommend Robert Hughes The Fatal Shore ... it is a historical masterpiece. He told me once (at a gallery opening in New York) that he spent ten years in the British Library writing it. But it certainly made his reputation.
Thanks for the recommendation, I will come (after 14 years) this November back to Australia for a fortnight and was constantly searching for a book to bring along. I just ordered it.
Oh yeah, I read it ages ago when it first came out in the US. A great and memorable reading experience.
A wonderful book for "deep background," Onyx. Though I'm not sure how helpful it would be for the typical tourist since I doubt most of what he talks about is still in place (or even commemorated with a plaque).
Was less impressed with his last (ever?) book about Rome. If "Barcelona" splits the difference even, I'll be a happy camper.
#26 I bought and read in the city, and on my way back, Homage to Barcelona by Colm Toibin. A good read, and a lot of historical background for the city and the whole of Catalunya.
@29 - thanks for the tip ! just ordered ! I know absolutely nothing about that part of the world.
Gaudi is a brilliant architect not only because of the output of his work but also because of his inspiration (mostly nature). As everybody else already recommended, go inside, and from my opinion the best way to enjoy it is to also understand the subtleties of his work and that requires a guide. You will be awed, for sure.
Enjoy
Pia
cantstaystill.net
A bigger fan of hills than towers here.
You don't go up the tower for a view of the city but, as noted above, to experience the structure from another angle.
However, there is a lot of Gaudí to see in Barcelona -- houses and 'palaces' as well as the cathedral and the apartment building. And then there is the work of Louís Domènech i Montaner, who established Modernisme in Barcelona and taught the younger Gaudí a thing or two. Here is a handy guide to all that with an abundance of places to visit:
Without a doubt you need to go in!! La Sagrada Familia is absolutely amazing inside and out and you will not regret spending the 20 something euros. From the minute you go in it's sensory overload, though the lines can be a bit overwhelming. Check out my blog on some good tips and tricks for planning your visit: https://www.babsandivyseetheworld.com/single-post/2017/09/14/Oh-My-Gaudi
It looks like your "tips and tricks" consist of: buy advance tickets online and consider renting the audioguide.
My tips and tricks for blog writing are: if you want an audience beyond friends and family, focus more on the destinations and sights and less on "I, I, I, I, I."
Thanks for the advice but I'm just blogging for fun, not looking for much else at this point. Sorry that you're not a fan of my writing style but I just came back from Barcelona and thought the post might help answer some of your other questions re how much time to spend and what there was to see and that maybe the pics would inspire you.
Either way I hope you do choose to go inside and that you enjoy your visit!:)
You're either "just blogging for fun" or linking to your blog on multiple threads to attract a wider audience.
i don't think you can have it both ways.
Sorry that you're not a fan of my writing style
It's not so much the style as the focus. Number of paragraphs into your post about La Sagrada Familia before you mention La Sagrada Familia (except in the title): four. Number of paragraphs before you provide details: six. Number of total paragraphs about La Sagrada Familia: eight.
References to Gaudi and/or the basilica in those eight paragraphs--before moving on to Park Guell: 13.
References to I, me or my in those eight paragraphs: 32.
See what I mean?
If you want a wider audience, focus on the stuff, not on you.
If you don't want a wider audience, don't link. Just tell us what you know. Thank you.