Tell me all about Barcelona please

Buy the Time Out guide to eating and drinking - the recommendations are always spot on (Meson Jesus and Can Culleteres are outstanding if they're still going).

Otherwise the obvious ones are the Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell, take a walk everywhere just to get a sense of the architecture for things like La Pedrera. Montjuic is good for a quiet walk. Cable car over the port etc.

There are loads of Gaudi buildings which are well worth a look, especially the Sacrida Familia (I'm sure I've spelt that wrong, but you can't miss it. It's a fecking huge cathedral).

If you havent been before its worth doing the open top bus tour, takes you everywhere and you get a day ticket so you can hop on and off whenever and wherever you like. We did it on our first day there and then you can decide where you want to see in more detail then. The Gaudi buildings are fantastic, well worth going.

When I went we had tapas in a place called Cata 1.81 (Carrer de Valencia 181) which served up small plates of loveliness. Would definitely recommend that one. The area it's in is called L'Eixample.

Also enjoyed buying food at Mercat de la Boqueria.

As it was a girly trip, the rest of it mainly involved shopping ?

Mmmm, Meson Jesus was fabulous - don't expect it to be swanky though, it's very rustic and 'wipe-clean tablecloth'! I think Time Out rates the runner bean and ham dish (which is exactly what you get, nothing else!), and it was lush.

Obviously Sagrada Familia, and I also adored Casa Battlo (also Gaudi). I didn't rate Parc Guell much, but I suppose it was worth the trip - just jump on the tourist bus that takes you round the city.

I loved wandering around the old part of town, where a lot of the fashion boutiques are. Plus we spent a good few hours mooching around the big department store (particularly the food hall in the basement) in the square - is it called Cortes Ingles?

The Maritime Museum near the seafront was fun too.

And my fave fave place for a quick bite to eat was Buenas Migas - they have various places around the city. How cute is their website!

Another vote for the hop on hop off bus tour!

The Fat Tire bike tour is fab!

Ooooh this is all sounding good, thanks all! I am very excited, I love sightseeing, I love Spanish food (well all food ?), I love not being at work.... it's going to be great!

Would love to hear how your trip went. We are going there for my big birthday in a week's time. I would like to book somewhere for dinner on my birthday but haven't decided where.

Thanks

Blond Tart - it was amazing! We were so tired when we got back, but it was so worth it. How long are you going for? Highlights for us were:

• Magic Fountains - just so amazing to watch, they're only on a Friday and Saturday night in the winter months, at 7, 7:30 and 8 I think. About the only thing that was free too!
• The open top bus - there are 2, we went on the Bus Turistic - it was 21 Euros each for 1 day or 26 for 2 days so we booked 2 days and didn't regret it. The first day we did the red route and got off at a couple of places, second day we did the blue route similar, then went back to places we'd missed. You can get decent pics of places you're not that bothered about stopping at from the top of the bus as well and the commentary is really interesting. You also get discount vouchers for attractions - tip - if you're staying a week (say) book it at the beginning of your stay as you can use vouchers whenever!
• Dinner at Les Quinze Nits - was absolutely delicious but they don't take bookings so you have to queue. We had to wait about an hour but it's not so long if you're willing to eat very early or late. We didn't get to Can Culleretes as it wasn't open the night we wanted to go, but that was highly rated on here
• The football - we booked tickets via Expedia and ended up 6 rows back pretty much right behind the goal, brilliant view. If you like football and maybe have never been like me, it's a great introduction - although the game wasn't until 10pm so a bit late!

We did a fair few other bits and pieces, so if you want any other info just shout. MrSC is going to try and get pics sorted (he took about 700 so needs to cull a bit!) so I'll post those when they're ready.

Thank you very much. Think we'll do the bus trips (Mr T has a bad ankle and doesn't like too much walking). We're going Sunday to Thursday so will miss the fountains. I've been persuaded to do the Nou Camp tour! But it return he'll come with me to the Picasso museum, Sagrada Familia etc.