Travel to Barcelona

Taxi is fine. But you could also use Sixt mydriver or Blacklane. Bit more expensive. Or get the hotel to send you a car (more expensive).

 

I love Barcelona - just beware of pickpockets - don't leave your mobile on the table at restaurants, etc. Petty theft is pretty bad there right now.

 

Cool thread. I'll actually be there for the first time next Sunday. I'm doing a tour of Europe to include Oktoberfest. I will be monitoring this thread for tips. Thanks!

 

If you're going to walk on the Rambla in the evening, look up Bar Pastis ... especially if you are a fan of La Carafe in Houston -- tiny place, from a different era. It's esp great when they have a french jazz band playing.

 

Lived in Barcelona for a month. Depending on how much luggage you have you should have no problem taking the underground metro to the city. The mercat de la boqueria is my favorite market in the world Good food there.

 

I got there by train and used their metro rail. Im sure its an option from the airport. It was one of the easiest rail systems to use imo. As mentioned, be wary of pickpockets.

Also order fried calamari for every meal. Or order some on the side with your paella. Everywhere I went, it didnt matter where, it was always such good fresh calamari. If youre doing tapas, order some calamari. Just grabbing a drink, order some fried calamari. Ordering some fried calamaris? Order a second serving of fried calamaris.

 

For tapas, I recommend Cerveceria Catalana.

 

Where is cruise to? Venice? Should be a nice itinerary lucky trip either way

 

Pretty sure Nick Fury just wanted you there. Penelope Cruz tried to grab my ass while I was shopping. But she was like in her 40's, so I took it for granted. Set the tone while you are there and do what you are supposed to do,

 

Congratulations and nice choice for honeymoon good job.

Would love to hear your full itinerary. You the man.

 

Talking about crime in Spain, if I may derail a little, I find it very interesting that Spain has one of the lowest murder rates in the western world, despite its relatively large population, high levels of unemployment, high levels of poverty, it’s lower GDP per capita, etc. Even more interesting is that Spain also has one of the highest life expectancies in the world despite all those factors as well.

I’m sure there’s something to be learned from their laws/culture on those particular subjects.

Also, congrats OP! Hope you and your significant other have a wonderful time.

 

Generally outside of the cities it is less prevalent. Maybe you could say that about anywhere..anecdote time..
It doesnt seem like the youth are as into gangs and things like that in spain. Im sure they exist and im loosely saying north vs south spain and my experience.

Im probably being discriminatory if i say it was south - granada sevilla valencia alicante matbella etc and it was roma or foreign actors.

I had my shoes stolen in pamplona but that was my fault.

For as much fanfare the crime rate was low.

In spain they felt a certain pride of no fights like you see in dublin manchester and anywhere in england. I give them credit. Even here in usa we want to fight when drunk.spanish dont. Spanish suck on many things to be sure ..but this is not one of them. Probably one of best party spots in world

 

Lovely.
Im trying to think of my favorite stop in your trip and I cant. Good job.

For Livorno Im interested what you have in mind. I believe due to distances and Italian logistics you may want to stick with cruise line excursions. Perhaps in civtavecchia too although that is a bigger port with more transport infrastructure.
Im sure you are on cruise critic and similar for these ports..

I can tell you i missed a boat in barcelona one time and had to improvise to get to ibiza. dont do that.. get there way early my friend

Cheers

 

Its true, its one of the most laid back cities Ive ever been to. It must be that true frenchy spanish they speak, that relaxes everyone.