http://freephotooftheday.com Daily Photo and Fun Facts On Budget Travel And Other Frugality Sat, 06 Sep 2008 06:00:15 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Don't make the same mistake we did. As soon as you arrive, verify when the choir is singing (NOT to be missed if you can help it). Then plan your visit around that. http://freephotooftheday.com/2008/09/06/santa-maria-de-montserrat-boys-choir/ There is a tourist package you can buy which includes the rail from Barcelona to Montserrat, a metro day pass in Barcelona and unlimited rides in the funicular. Why do you want the funicular? Because the cable car drops you at the Abbey. If you want to go to the summit of the mountain (fantastic views) or to a lower point ... http://freephotooftheday.com/2008/09/05/montserrat-funicular/ You take the train to Montserrat from Plaça de Espanya station. There are two options, cable car up the mountain or rack railway. Either are great but be aware that the train stops are different. http://freephotooftheday.com/2008/09/04/traveling-to-montserrat/ One of the popular day trips from Barcelona is to Montserrat, a mountain and home of a Benedictine abbey. What to wear? A jacket as the mountain is cooler and some sort of sturdy footware. There is a lot of walking and as much hiking as you wish. http://freephotooftheday.com/2008/09/03/day-trips-from-barcelona-montserrat/ Palau Nacional is home to the Museu d'Art de Catalunya. Even if you don't go into the building, it is well worth the walk to. There is art everywhere, the fountains are magnificent (lit up at night) and there is often music. Very romantic (and FREE)! http://freephotooftheday.com/2008/09/02/palau-nacional-barcelona/ Barcelona's Olympic Park was an unexpected frugal treat. There was no entrance fee, lots of art, we happily wandered around the buildings, even the security guards were friendly. A great place to burn off some excess energy. http://freephotooftheday.com/2008/09/02/barcelona-olympic-park/ The Plaça d'Espanya is a hub for travel. There are trains, buses, and the metro all meeting up at this one spot. Unfortunately that also makes it a hub for pickpockets and other petty crimes. Keep a good eye (and hand) on purses and wallets. http://freephotooftheday.com/2008/09/01/placa-despanya-venetian-towers-barcelona/ In the middle of the roundabout at Plaça d'Espanya Is a monument the Statue To Spain. The Plaça d'Espanya, one of the busiest squares in Barcelona, is right on the metro, VERY easy to get to. http://freephotooftheday.com/2008/08/31/placa-despanya-statue-to-spain/ The dragon and umbrella sign in the middle of Las Ramblas is one of its most famous landmarks. The umbrella shop no longer exists. Once during a remodel, the Dragon was removed. There was such a public outcry that it was quickly reinstated. http://freephotooftheday.com/2008/08/30/dragon-umbrella-shop-las-ramblas-barcelona/ Some of the most beautiful buildings in Barcelona won't be in your travel guides. You'll only find them from walking around the city. The Casa Terrades, built between 1903 and 1905 is not open to the public. It is close to and a vivid contrast to Gaudi's Casa Mila. http://freephotooftheday.com/2008/08/29/casa-terrades-casa-de-les-punxes-in-barcelona/