Barcelona?s renaissance can be traced back to 1992, the year the Olympic torch arrived in the city, but 14 years later the Catalan capital is still seeing phenomenal growth in the number of visitors.

It?s easy to see why though, as it offers visitors a mild, northern Mediterranean climate, a healthy dose of culture, and what seems like an almost infinite number of bars and restaurants. It is also easy to see why Barcelona was chosen to host the ?92 Olympics as it is home to one of the greatest sporting clubs on earth, Futbol Club Barcelona.

Getting there

Barcelona was first made easily accessible to the UK by easyJet and the dramatic increases in tourism is surely as much due to the availability of cheap flights as to the desire to visit Barcelona. These days there are dozens of flights to Barcelona operated by budget airlines in the UK, Germany, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, while Ryanair flies into Girona-Costa Brava airport and Reus from a number of countries including the UK and Ireland — both these airports are less than 2 hours from Barcelona. The latest country to be able to easily experience the charms of Barcelona is the United States, with Delta now operating direct flights from New York and other locations.

Where to stay

Probably your first thought will be a hotel, but there are also good deals on short-term apartment rentals. Usually massively renovated, apartments can be suitable for up to 10 people, although some of them are in Barcelona?s less salubrious neighbourhoods ? if in doubt you should ask your rental agency.

Barcelona has a decent list of hotels too, although award winning Hotel Arts is a little too far from the real action to be considered by anyone wanting to get in the thick of it. Hotel Majestic is just a few minutes from Pla?a Catalunya though and so perfect for seeing the sights ? Gaud??s Casa Batllo and La Pedrera are a stone throw away — and has a first-class restaurant and rooftop pool too.

Other notable hotels include Le Meridien, just off the Ramblas, while directly opposite Barcelona?s cathedral is Hotel Colon. Of course there are plenty of hotels offering slightly less in the way of luxury too.

Sightseeing

Although your time may be short, there are some things you just cannot afford to miss in Barcelona. The first of these is a simple walk down the Ramblas. Although rather touristy these days, it remains somewhere to watch life go by while soaking up some of Barcelona?s atmosphere. There are plenty of bars and cafes on the Ramblas, so when you feel like a rest for a coffee or a beer you just need to grab a table and attract the attention of a waiter.

You should also not miss any of Gaud??s fantastic architecture, from the iconic Sagrada Familia cathedral, still unfinished after more than a century, to Casa Batllo and La Pedrera on Passeig de Gra?ia. And one much overlooked Gaud? project is the Parc G?ell, again uncompleted, but fantastic to walk around to marvel at his designs. There you can also visit a museum dedicated to his life and work.

As these sights are rather spread out you are best off taking the tourist bus from Pla?a Catalunya. The bus allows you to hop on and off where you like, on a tour of the city that allows you take in all the best sites, including the Gaud? wonders. For around 15 Euros for a day it is excellent value and its route allows you to get an overview of much of Barcelona without wearing your shoe leather too much.

Food and drink

One of Barcelona?s great benefits is the number of restaurants and bars, and good restaurants abound. Many visitors are surprised at how cheap restaurants can be, perhaps compared to the menus in London, Paris and Rome, but to find good food for a reasonable price you need to follow one simple rule ? stay away from the Ramblas, Maremagnum — near the old port — and the Port Olimpic.

One area that has been gaining in popularity for a few years now, first with the locals and now with tourists too, is the area known as El Born. Consisting of a maze of streets that at one time were virtually a complete no-go area, the area today has a real buzz and the best restaurant to eat in is any that has a table for you. Remember that the Spanish eat late and so restaurants will be empty before nine o?clock, but where is the fun in that? And instead of a sit-down meal you can also trail from bar to bar eating some any of delicious tapas that appeals to you – particularly recommended are the Basque tapas bars you find in the area.

David Leigh has been a frequent visitor to Barcelona for most of his life, finally settling there in 2001. You can visit his two Barcelona-related websites at http://www.catalunya.co.uk and http://www.simplybarcelonatickets.com

Four Buildings, two Museums, one Bridge and a Station
If you only have days in New York, these are the places to see.

Rockefeller Center Between Fifth & Seventh Avenues and 47th Street & 52nd Street
Urban architects have tried to imitate the scale and complexity of the Rockefeller Center ever since it was built in the ?30s, but no one has ever succeeded. It covers two entire city blocks! People hang about the pedestrian spaces between the Maison Francaise and the British Empire Buildings, looking down on the ice-skating rink, which in summer is used as a caf?. Sunset is the best time to visit, as the views accompanying the cocktails at the elegant Rainbow Room can be spectacular. The famous art deco Radio City Music Hall is situated on the western side of the complex.

Empire State Building 350 Fifth Avenue, at 34th Street
The top of the Empire State Building is legendary both in movies and in life. Taking this trip is one of New York?s highlights. The road travelled goes a bit like this? take a high-speed lift up to the 80th floor in under a minute. Take a second lift to the 86th floor. Queue again to continue to the 102nd storey, where there?s a 360-degree view with 50-mile/80-km visibility on a clear day. Think of innovator, Douglas Leigh, the man who worked out how to bathe the tower in different coloured lights using plastic sheets and coloured gels. Try to visit the Empire State Building at sunset when the place is less crowded. You can watch the city lighting up: the view is particularly stunning at dusk.

Chrysler Building 405 Lexington Avenue, at 42nd Street
New Yorker?s have a great fondness for this magnificent building. Although you can?t visit its luminous pinnacle ? made of stainless steel arches and shaped like a ?30s Chrysler car?s radiator cap ? you can visit the fabulous art deco lobby of red and brown marble and chrome, with original inlaid wooden elevator doors and a painted ceiling. The fa?ade of white brick is decorated with designs taken from automobile hubcaps. Another romantic New York hotspot: particularly at sunset.

United Nations Headquarters First Avenue, at East 46th Street
The Modernist headquarters of the United Nations is also an excellent example of ?50s architecture. Built by a committee of international architects that included Le Corbusier (who eventually renounced any association with the final design) there are three main buildings on the 17-acre/7 hectare site by the East River, plus a library added in the ?60s. You can visit the foyer and basement of the General Assembly building alone, but to see any of the council rooms and the General Assembly itself, you must take a tour.

Brooklyn Bridge Probably the most famous and breathtaking bridge in the world; the Brooklyn Bridge was a massive undertaking. It took over 600 men, some 16 years to build and when completed in 1883 was the world?s largest suspension bridge ? and the first to be constructed of steel. This bridge is a popular film location, used as a backdrop for films like ?Saturday Night Fever? and ?Mo? Better Blues?. Although you might have seen it on celluloid; nothing beats the wonder of standing on it for the very first time.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Fifth Avenue, at 82nd Street
New Yorkers regard this Museum as home-away-from-home during the winter months. Spending endless hours pouring over the art: then retiring to the caf? for something warm. This treasure trove of 1.4 million square feet of galleries is virtually impossible to do in a single afternoon, but don?t be put off: the art you will see cannot be viewed anywhere else. Friday evenings are particularly pleasant. Relax in splendid surroundings, enjoy a cocktail, and listen to a string quartet.

Museum of Modern Art 11 West 53rd Street, between Fifth $ Sixth Avenues
A storehouse of some of the world?s most exciting and contemporary art of the twentieth century, the Museum of Modern Art houses some of the most significant modern paintings, drawings and sculpture. The collection has grown to include 150,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, architectural models and drawings, and design objects. MoMA also owns some 22,000 films, videos, and media works, as well as film stills, scripts, posters and historical documents.

Solomon R Guggenheim Museum 1071 Fifth Avenue, at 88th Street
In 1943, iconoclast architect, Frank Lloyd Wright drew a citrus press, and submitted it to the New York building authorities. 16 years later, this innovative and remarkable design came into being, commissioned by Solomon R Guggenheim to house his notable collection of works by modern artists. It was completed six months after Wright died. The cylindrical design of this building and use of volume and space make it one of Wright?s masterpieces. In January 1990, a new gallery building ? designed by Gwathmey & Associates, based on a plan by Wright ? was built and opened too much fanfare. The Guggenheim also has a downtown branch in SoHo that is well worth visiting and stays open late.

Grand Central Station
If you?re looking for old-world romance, the most legendary of New York?s romantic havens has to be Grand Central Station. Its faded elegance only adds to the ambience its magnificent origins provide. Once a hubbub of city life – before the airlines took business from the railroads – this Beax-Arts building, which dates from 1903, was once the heart of New York. Inside is still marvelous: the enormous vaulted ceiling is decorated with the constellations of the Zodiac. For great dining views; check out Michael Jordan’s Steak House on the west side of the concourse and Metrazur on the east. The Vanderbilt Hall often hosts visiting art exhibits and other events. Take a moment to stand on the platform and envisage elegant days gone by. How great it is to be in New York!

At New York Journey (http://www.newyorkjourney.com) we have developed an informative, up-to-date New York hotel directory that gives you the information you need to know before you travel. We offer information detailing each hotel’s address, contact information, accommodation, check in/out time, parking, dining, amenities, services and more.

London is often regarded as a sprawling metropolis home to millions of people from across the world. It is one of the worlds great cities and home to famous stars and the most glamorous fashion houses. Ask about Wildlife in London and people might think you?re a bit strange. But in fact, London is a great place for animal lovers to visit. The London Zoo for example, is home to over 12,000 specimens. It?s possible to have all sorts of wildlife encounters when you?re in old London town.

Dedicate one day to getting up nice and early and you won?t be disappointed. An early visit to the magnificent London Wetland Centre will ensure you see plenty of fascinating creatures. The London Wetland Centre along the Queen Elizabeth Walk is made up of more than 40 hectares of wetlands in the heart of the city. From there, head to the Thames and pop into the London Aquarium. The are over 350 species of aquatic wildlife in over 50 displays ensuring that there is something for everyone. Don?t miss the sharks and piranhas at feeding time for a sight you won?t easily forget. Bird lovers should head to St James? Park for the daily pelican feeding at 2.30pm. Take a guided tour of Duck Island and have a picnic with all the feathery residents. Die hard animal lovers will want to dedicate a day at the London Zoo. Try the amazing ?Zookeeper for a day? experience at the Zoo and get up nice and close with some of the zoo?s most popular animals. Imagine feeding some giraffes, playing with the monkeys or going behind the scenes with the big cats.

Wildlife lovers looking for a luxury hotel could try The Stafford hotel located in central London or Browns Hotel minutes from the designer stores on Bond Street, St James and only a stones throw away from the vibrancy that is the West End. You can book these hotels on a variety of websites such as www.expedia.com and www.travelocity.com but I?d suggest a quick review before you book. You can review luxury hotels at sites like www.drakeandcavendish.com

Drake & Cavendish provides a luxury hotel research directory featuring over 5,000 luxury hotels in over 700 resort locations around the world. As a content provider we are committed to developing entertaining and informative travel related information. You can read further articles and details at www.drakeandcavendish.com

Barcelona?s renaissance can be traced back to 1992, the year the Olympic torch arrived in the city, but 14 years later the Catalan capital is still seeing phenomenal growth in the number of visitors.

It?s easy to see why though, as it offers visitors a mild, northern Mediterranean climate, a healthy dose of culture, and what seems like an almost infinite number of bars and restaurants. It is also easy to see why Barcelona was chosen to host the ?92 Olympics as it is home to one of the greatest sporting clubs on earth, Futbol Club Barcelona.

Getting there

Barcelona was first made easily accessible to the UK by easyJet and the dramatic increases in tourism is surely as much due to the availability of cheap flights as to the desire to visit Barcelona. These days there are dozens of flights to Barcelona operated by budget airlines in the UK, Germany, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, while Ryanair flies into Girona-Costa Brava airport and Reus from a number of countries including the UK and Ireland — both these airports are less than 2 hours from Barcelona. The latest country to be able to easily experience the charms of Barcelona is the United States, with Delta now operating direct flights from New York and other locations.

Where to stay

Probably your first thought will be a hotel, but there are also good deals on short-term apartment rentals. Usually massively renovated, apartments can be suitable for up to 10 people, although some of them are in Barcelona?s less salubrious neighbourhoods ? if in doubt you should ask your rental agency.

Barcelona has a decent list of hotels too, although award winning Hotel Arts is a little too far from the real action to be considered by anyone wanting to get in the thick of it. Hotel Majestic is just a few minutes from Pla?a Catalunya though and so perfect for seeing the sights ? Gaud??s Casa Batllo and La Pedrera are a stone throw away — and has a first-class restaurant and rooftop pool too.

Other notable hotels include Le Meridien, just off the Ramblas, while directly opposite Barcelona?s cathedral is Hotel Colon. Of course there are plenty of hotels offering slightly less in the way of luxury too.

Sightseeing

Although your time may be short, there are some things you just cannot afford to miss in Barcelona. The first of these is a simple walk down the Ramblas. Although rather touristy these days, it remains somewhere to watch life go by while soaking up some of Barcelona?s atmosphere. There are plenty of bars and cafes on the Ramblas, so when you feel like a rest for a coffee or a beer you just need to grab a table and attract the attention of a waiter.

You should also not miss any of Gaud??s fantastic architecture, from the iconic Sagrada Familia cathedral, still unfinished after more than a century, to Casa Batllo and La Pedrera on Passeig de Gra?ia. And one much overlooked Gaud? project is the Parc G?ell, again uncompleted, but fantastic to walk around to marvel at his designs. There you can also visit a museum dedicated to his life and work.

As these sights are rather spread out you are best off taking the tourist bus from Pla?a Catalunya. The bus allows you to hop on and off where you like, on a tour of the city that allows you take in all the best sites, including the Gaud? wonders. For around 15 Euros for a day it is excellent value and its route allows you to get an overview of much of Barcelona without wearing your shoe leather too much.

Food and drink

One of Barcelona?s great benefits is the number of restaurants and bars, and good restaurants abound. Many visitors are surprised at how cheap restaurants can be, perhaps compared to the menus in London, Paris and Rome, but to find good food for a reasonable price you need to follow one simple rule ? stay away from the Ramblas, Maremagnum — near the old port — and the Port Olimpic.

One area that has been gaining in popularity for a few years now, first with the locals and now with tourists too, is the area known as El Born. Consisting of a maze of streets that at one time were virtually a complete no-go area, the area today has a real buzz and the best restaurant to eat in is any that has a table for you. Remember that the Spanish eat late and so restaurants will be empty before nine o?clock, but where is the fun in that? And instead of a sit-down meal you can also trail from bar to bar eating some any of delicious tapas that appeals to you – particularly recommended are the Basque tapas bars you find in the area.

David Leigh has been a frequent visitor to Barcelona for most of his life, finally settling there in 2001. You can visit his two Barcelona-related websites at http://www.catalunya.co.uk and http://www.simplybarcelonatickets.com