Travel
Sagrada Familia
Parc Guell
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GETTING THERE
A number of low cost airlines are becoming the best way to get to Barcelona from the UK. Connections are available from Glasgow and Edinburgh, so it should be easy to get to Spain wrthout a hitch. EasyJet lwvwveasyjetcom) will take you there from either City via Luton as will Go iwvm.go-flyconii Via Stansted.
BACKGROUND INFO
There is much to explore in Barcelona. from its museums to the crty's unigue architecture. so some help may be required to get a grasp on the information. The city council's official website resides at \.v\..v\.r/.lx:rLes. and yes. it is also in l-nglish. You can also book a city tour. tickets to a football game or concert seats through the helpful people at ‘.'Nfa‘l.l)EerOIOllELCOlli, which also
includes maps. events listings and further informa-
tron.
PLACES TO VISIT
While in l-‘fiarcelona. there are many sites yOu must
not miss. Buildings from the 1929 World's Fair sur-
round the Pla/a De lispana. A walk around the
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Barri GOtic will also showcase Barcelona's Cathedral and Romans remains. but the main attractions come from (Saudi. Spain's most famous architect who died in the city in 1926. Gaudi created an entirely original style that placed him at the forefront of the Spanish art nouveau movement. Some of the best examples of his work are Casa Batllo. Casa Mile and Sagrada Familia.
SHOPPING
Barcelona is well known for its vibrant shopping districts. and if yOu are looking either for massive malls or smaller outlets. y0u will certainly not be disappomted. The Maremagnum is a colossal complex designed by two of the new breed of Barcelona's architects. Viaplana and PinOn. and is located near the Ron via a convenient bridge from Las Ramblas. Barcelona's most popular street. If you prefer designer gear, you may especially enjoy a trip to L'illa on the fringe of the city. but a walk around the main streets of the city will showcase small but intriguing stores. Remember. sometimes in Barcelona it is busier shopping at night than during the day and most places are open late.
Excess baggage
Festivals, flights and fabulous fares
I LOOKING TO TRAVEL even further afield? Until 28 March STA Travel is running a Round The World promotion with fares starting at £627 for routes such as UK—New York-LA—Sydney—Brisba ne—Christchurch—Auckla nd—Hong Kong—UK. It‘s also got discounts on adventure tours such as $90 off Trek America's three-week tours and 15% off Acacia's African Overland tours. More info on www.statravel. co.uk or call 0131
226 7747.
I LONELY PLANET has plenty of new titles out to inspire you this month, including Cycling Cuba, Zambia and Toyko Condensed. Alternatively, if it’s authentic dining you’re after, look out for the new world food guides giving you culinary pointers for Greece, Indonesia and Japan. Guides priced 52539—21399.
I IF YOU WANT TO attend a festival with a difference. how about Cape Town? lts annual arts and heritage festival runs from 16—24 March with a broad spectrum of events from contemporary dance and theatre to comedy. public art and trips to townships. For full
programme details log onto www.capetown festival.co.za or call the info-line on 082 282 5080.
I PLANNING A weekend away in March and don’t mind crowds? The obvious place to be is Dublin, where they’ve turned celebrating St Patrick’s Day into a four-day festival. From 15-18 March you can enjoy a host of free events from the famed parade to fireworks, concerts and family entertainment. Many of the city’s historic buildings will have a doors-open policy throughout the weekend too. Find out more at www.5tpatricksday.ie Alternatively, take a trip to New York, where the St Paddy’s Day parade is the city’s largest and McDonald’s even serves up mint- flavoured green milkshakes to add to the madness. Full details at www.nycvisit.com
I A NEW ROUTE FROM Glasgow Prestwick has been announced by Ryanair, which will be flying to Oslo from 4 April. Prices start at $359 (one way) and you can book those and find out about other special offers at www.ryanair.com
PHOTOGRAPHIC TRAVELOGUE
GERD KITTEL
The Final Cut — Route 66 (Thames & Hudson £19.95) OOOO
It’s the stuff of legend. A road that has captured the imagination of a nation and appeared in classic fiction from The Grapes of Wrath right through to Thelma and Louise. In this collection, German photographer Gerd Kittel portrays the reality and hints at the myths which surround the sun-baked tarmac of Route 66. Shiny Harley Davidson’s and Cadillacs co-exist with faded, tattered motels and gas stations. Freddy Langer and Alexander Bloom’s text provide snapshots of fact, fiction and even logos from roadside signs to enrich the experience. The images are striking and often humorous: a red brick wall with a portrait-shaped hole reveals a stunning view of Arizona’s meteor crater; the Route 66 Hall of Fame overflows with memorabilia. The road was decommissioned in 1985, but as a symbol of the journey west it is well and truly alive. (Louisa Pearson)