Barcelona

by Damien Simonis

Published 30 April 1999
This guide gets travellers straight to the heart of the locals' city with information on the best street parties (in Gracia), the best markets (Boqueria obviously but also smaller ones such as Placa del Pi and Placa Nova) and the best off-the-beaten-track bars (along Carrer d'Aribau).Its handy bite-sized format is perfect for short trips with style. It features four new local voices for this edition including a British ex-pat who writes novels in Catalan, and Carles Abellan, a top chef with two restaurants in the city.

Celebrating Barcelona's stronghold on architecture and art, this completely updated and revised guide to the city makes sure you don't miss a thing--from the intricately carved edifices of its Gothic quarter; Gaudi's moderniste structures; and the seminal surrealist works of Picasso and Miro. Special features include three-dimensional drawings (including one of the fabulous Sagrada Familia Cathedral) and guided tours (including a walk through Roman Barcelona and a drive through the Mediterranean-lapped Costa Brava), as well as in-depth sidebars that detail such topics as Barcelona's Jewish community, the city's markets, and what life as a local medieval monk was like. Special features are sprinkled throughout on such helpful topics as securing tickets to a bullfight, learning to windsurf on Barcelona's beaches, the ritual of spring onion barbeques, where to take Catalan or flamenco classes, and taking a suisso; and Insider Tips from National Geographic and local experts show you where the locals go. A hefty Travelwise section details how to get there and how to get around, with author-picked hotels and restaurants. Aimed at active travelers who want authentic, enriching, cultural experiences and expert advice from a trustworthy source, National Geographic Travelers provide ways for people to experience a place rather than just visit, and give the true feel of each destination not easily found online.

Germany's premier city, Berlin, is one of the fastest growing and intriguing in Europe. This guidebook, written by experienced travel writer Damien Simonis, expertly guides you through the varied land- and cityscapes that are today's Berlin. Illustrated with more than 120 vivid, up-to-date photographs and nearly 20 detailed, full-color maps, this second edition gives you every tool you need to plan a trip to the center of the new Europe. In addition, an "Excursions" chapter steers you to the best day trips out of the city. Special features give comprehensive information on many diverse topics such as the story of the Berlin Wall; the city's Jewish community; and a look at Berlin's famous Christmas markets. The book also presents mapped, guided walks and tours through some of the city's most fascinating areas, including a walk through Red Berlin and a drive through the Mecklenburg lake district. Experiential sidebars--such as reliving the feel of pre-war Berlin at a silent-movie theater or visiting the city's famed museums when they're open all night--show you details on how to immerse yourself in Berlin's culture. In addition, a thorough Travelwise section provides recommendations for hotels and restaurants in all price ranges and in all areas.