Help me plan my trip to Barcelona!

[Deleted]

We will be going the second week of April. 

What I am looking for is websites to find a hotel/apartment for a family of 6. 

Things that are MUST see in Barcelona.  I don't think we will have a car so it will need to be within walking distance or near a public transit route.  We might rent a car for a day...not sure though.

We will probably be flying Ryan Air.  What do I need to know about Ryan Air? 

Thanks for your help!

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I have not read great things about Ryan Air.  It seems to me that this was the airline that charged you to use the lavatory, and nickle and dimes you to death on everything else.

[chiver78]

for such a short flight, you'll be fine with Ryan Air. just make sure you hit the restroom before boarding, and don't expect ANY frills. it's the ultimate puddle-jumping cheapo airline.

can't help you with Barcelona though, sorry. I'll expect a full review when you get back!

[Deleted]

Let's put down the broad brush loaded with insult, shall we?  I'd suggest you not get the idea this is a good place to troll.  It isn't.  

mmhmm, Administrator

[Deleted]

I used VRBO for my London and Paris apartments and the house I am getting in Florida in April. I was happy with Paris and London. Actually it was someone on here that recommended VRBO to me.

[Deleted]

Spaniards steal and Italian guys pinch your azzes on the buses.  BEWARE!

[Deleted]

VRBO?  I will have to look it up!  Thanks!

I have never flown Ryan Air before, but a lot of the families here use them because it is dirt cheap to fly with them.  It is going to cost us around $500 to fly my entire family(6) to Barcelona.  I think if I can suck it up, I will be able to do most of the traveling that I want to do during my time in Italy.  The stories of the places people have be able to go to by flying Ryan Air makes me want to give them a try!

For Miahambone-I have never ever once had an Italian man pinch my butt or grab me in any way inappropriate.  Everyone so far has been very kind and welcoming.

[mmhmm]

You should be able to find something suitable through VRBO, Angel.  I've got friends who have used it and were very happy with the results.  As for Ryan Air, you don't have to be in the air that long to fly from Italy to Barcelona, so it should be totally doable!

[Deleted]

I just went to EasyJet website and it looks like their price to Barcelona is actually a little cheaper than Ryanair.  Anyone here ever fly EasyJet?

[steph08]

I have flown Ryan Air, and maybe Easyjet too (can't remember).  I flew round-trip London-Rome and London-Dublin.  They are definitely no-frills. You don't get to choose seat assignments (I don't think...) and it costs a ton of money to check a bag; they might even have specific dimensions for checked bags. I would recommend carry-ons.

[Deleted]

Angel,

I have been to Barcelona few times, I am sure you will have a great times over there.
Foods are pretty expensive that I found,I don't know too much about the lodging.

Here is a link, maybe you can browse around to finds a useful information for your trip.

www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=68

Browse around the traveler informations session of departure port of Barcelona.

[Deleted]

I just booked our tickets to Barcelona on Easy Jet!  It was $680 for 6 people round trip.  I also put a deposit down on an Holiday Apartment! 

Thanks Later for telling me about that website!!! 

[pinkbow832]

Make sure you read all of the check-in/baggage requirements for Easy Jet in advance of your trip.  I used to fly Ryan Air a lot while living in Europe, and while it was cheap, there were some mistakes that could be easily made that would end up costing a LOT of money!  I'm not sure if Easy Jet is the same, but I'm sure you'll be taking Ryan Air at some point in the future, and you really want to watch out for some of their shenanigans.  Does Easy Jet fly into the main int'l airport in Barcelona?  I know Ryan Air depends on the route, and they like to say things like "Barcelona Girona" that sounds like you're arriving in Barcelona, only to find yourself in some tiny town in the middle of nowhere at the mercy of the bus company that's more or less in collusion with Ryan Air.  Don't get me wrong, it can be a very, very good deal for flights and family travel, but make sure you're going in with your eyes wide open.

As for things to see in Barcelona, I think my favorite kid-friendly place is Park Guell.  It's pretty large, you can take the metro nearby and walk up the hill to the park (if I remember correctly...) and it would be a great place to take a little picnic on a nice day.  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_G%C3%BCell

If you're not too sick of churches, La Sagrada Familia is awesome.  I haven't had enough coffee yet to explain it, so here's the website: www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/
It's more of a tourist sight than church, so I don't think it has the shoulders/knees covered requirement that a lot of Italian churches do.

There's a really cute shop called Kukuxumusu that has a few locations in Barcelona www.kukuxumusu.com/index.php/en/actualidad/noticias/kukuxumusu-abre-su-tercera-tienda-en-barcelona
You'll see their designs on t-shirts and postcards in a lot of the souvenir shops and they're really fun.  I have some of their postcards framed in those cheap little Ikea frames- maybe a fun souvenir.

to eat: tapas and paella!  You can find these in a ton of places.  Also, Spanish hot chocolate and churros.  One of the places that serves them is Cafe de l'Opera on La Rambla
www.cafeoperabcn.com/

Also, the best thing to do in Barcelona is just to walk up and down La Rambla and watch the street performers and check out the market stalls.  Take a handful of coins for the street performers if you're taking photo/video- the costumes are definitely worth throwing a euro in their hat.

Have a ton of fun! Barcelona is one of the coolest cities in Europe!

[Deleted]

Thanks so much!  I am bookmarking all those links!

Easyjet just charge for baggage.  I paid for our baggage when I booked the tickets.  According to another lady I know, Easyjet DOES fly into Barcelona.  I hope she is right!   Ryan Air did not fly into Barcelona, but a small town outside.