Barcelona, capital of southern Catalunya (with Perpignan the capital of northern Catalunya- French Catalogne), is a vibrant, dynamic city.

The city itself has a huge, diverse and very useful website that covers very many aspects of social and political life, with a final section covering emergency phone numbers etc http://www.bcn.es/english/ihome.htm

There is always something to see and do - visit the web pages of  Barcelona Tourist Office for information about up and coming festivals or recommendations on where to visit, shop, eat etc. at http://www.barcelonaturisme.com  or try the Time Out guide which too, is quite impressive http://www.timeout.com/barcelona

Museums and Art Galleries abound, which is not surprising really when you sit down and think about the talent that Catalonia has spawned Antoni Gaudi, Joad Miro, Picasso - spent his formative years in Barcelona where his father was a professor at the city art college .....visit them at http://www.aboutbarcelona.com/barcelona/museums.asp 

Gastronomy.

This year - 2005 is dedicated to food and has been declared "Year of Gastronomy".  Barclona was already  fast becoming one of the most favourite gastronomical and historical cities to visit, so this will do no harm.

Recommended restaurant:

Originally called "Cafè de les 7 Portes", this establishment opened in 1836. It has over 150 years of excellence since then and this has made today's "Restaurant de les 7 Portes" the most classic of Barcelona's eating-places.

It is situated in the "Pòrtics d'en Xifré", a building declared a national monument that was, incidentally, the first place in Barcelona where running water was installed and the back drop for the first photograph ever taken in Spain, In 1942, it became the property of Paco Parellada, founder of one of the foremost dynasties of restaurateurs in all of Catalonia.

It has received many famous diners from Juan Carlos 1 - King of Spain along with Sophia Reina Queen of Spain, to Antonia Banderas, Joan Collins, the late John Wayne, Yoko Ono, Michael Douglas and many more.

Find the menu at http://www.7puertas.com/ing/index_cplatos.htm

Restaurant 7 Portes is located in the historic district of Barcelona, Pg Isabel 11,14, 08300 Barcelona. Near to Gran Hotel Barcino and the waterfront. Tel +34 93 319 30 33 or +34 93 319 29 50.

Sport and sporting events.

Sport, of course has to receive a mention here, in particular the world famous FC Barca, with its world class stadium and museum at http://www.fcbarcelona.com/eng/home-page/home/home.shtml Everything you need to know, all you may wish to buy and not to forget the other club in Barcelona FC Espanyol, who had a great 2004/2005 season http://www.rcdespanyol.com/NovaEntrada.html 

For a more diverse range of sporting events and facilities try http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/?go=gNTyP9CnoMELYyo6V+xHENPy08VTLexHGpL1JOe/ywG0XYpp1eB5d8R/Zatl+W5zQGu5mWQX84kfVoCygPa+akMXtfvba4CzH9a19zQK

Shopping.

We cannot leave Barcelona without a mention of the shopping, just about every aspect of life is covered in the city, but the diehard shoppers always in search of a bargain should try http://www.larocacompanystores.com/villages/en/default.asp

The most famous stores in town are of course El Corte Ingles http://www.elcorteingles.es/actualidad/EN/actualidad.asp