Passeig de Gracia: This broad elegant avenue was built for and by the wealthy Barcelonians and they have never left; luxury and design shops line the street along with major banks and the stock exchange. Architectural details include modernist lampposts and Gaudi's tiles for pavements and a myriad of grand buildings including two of Gaudis houses. Park Guell: Demonstration of how far ahead of his time Gaudi was, this residential suburb was financed by Eusebi Guell and meticulously planned by Gaudi with intertwining roads and footpaths, water catchment, market place and square, gardens and lodges. Only two houses were sold and eventually the Guell family sold it for a symbolic amount to the city as a park and allowing us all to benefit from this beautiful, world heritage site. The now familiar mixture of highly advanced technical engineering and fantasy decoration is epitomized by the famous mosaic dragon or salamander, which is also an overflow for the underground water cistern, and the curved mosaic bench around the square which is at once a seat, a balcony and a wonderful piece of art. It was listed as World Heritage by UNESCO in 1984. Sagrada Família: The jewel in the crown of Gaudi's works, the temple is a synthesis of his overall conception of architecture. The richness of detail and its significance need explaining in order to appreciate this fascinating and extraordinary building in full. Gaudi wished the temple, which is still being built, to be financed by the people, not by taxes or funding, and that is just what your entrance fees do (included in our tour price): finance the completion of the building started in 1882. The Gaudi Tour We have kept the best to the last so tour members who so wish can stay on and savour the building for as long as they like, you can go up the towers by elevator, and visit the crypt and museum and compare the contrasting styles of the Birth and Passion facades.
Olympic Village: A run down and industrial area of Barcelona was completely reconverted into the 1992 Olympic Village. Right on the waterfront, it has become an attractive, landscaped residential area. Olympic Port: Flanked by two of the tallest buildings in the city, the Arts Hotel and the Mapfre Tower. Old Port: Separated from the Olympic port by long beaches and the old fisherman.s quarter, Barceloneta. Columbus Monument: built in his honour in 1888, it is at the foot of the famous Rambla. Gothic Drassanes: Medieval shipyards which now house the Maritime Museum. One of the finest examples of civil Gothic architecture in Europe. World Trade Center: original imposing building by Henry N. Cobb whose aesthetic features are highlighted by the building being surrounded by water. Mirador de l.Alcalde (the Mayor.s Lookout) stop: This terrace is a balcony over the Mediterranean with spectacular views over the harbour and the whole city. The bus will stop here to let you walk around and get the best viewpoints. Olympic Ring: Central sports facilities of the .92 Olympic Games, the complex includes the Stadium, the St Jordi sports pavilion by architect Arata Isozaki, the INEF by architect Ricardo Bofill and the Calatrava Communications Tower. Poble Espanyol: Final place on the tour so people who so wish can stay for as long as they like. Built for the 1929 Exhibition, you can see replicas of streets, squares, monuments and buildings from around the country. After lunch, the tour will return to Placa Catalunya and link with the Montserrat Tour for those who wish to see this special monastery and mountain.
