A postcard from... Barcelona!

From left: La Pedrera, La Sagrada Familia, La Barceloneta, Columbus Monument

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Highlights: Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

It's cold outside where we are right now, so we decided to write about a place dear to our hearts - about Barcelona. That city is addictive - maybe because of the fantastic people living there, many beautiful places and it's climate. But if you ask us, why do we love Barcelona so much, the answer will always be - because we feel at home there. It's the city's atmosphere - both cosmopolitan and very Catalan, that makes it so special.

But if we had to pick up a place in Barcelona that is, literally, the symbol of the city, that would be the Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (Eng. Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family). It is definitely the most famous building in Barcelona, and probably also in Spain. It's a large Roman Catholic church designed by Antoni Gaudí, a Catalan architect obsessed with and inspired by mother nature. He became involved in the construction in 1883 after he had taken over the project. Gaudí completely transformed it, and combined Gothic style with his own curvilinear Art Noveau forms, thus designing probably the most beautiful and creative church in the world. Though still under construction, the church already is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Sagrada Familia is definitely Barcelona's no. 1 place. It is truly an astonishing sight from both the outside and the inside. From the outside we can admire three very creative facades - Nativity, Passion and Glory. Each one of them has a different design and tells a different part of Jesus' life. 

Once you step inside Sagrada Familia, you will spend hours there, just looking around. The whole interior is designed to resemble a forrest - all the pillars are 'trees', whereas the ceiling is seen as the leaves through which the sun shines - hence the light coming through numerous colourful stained glass windows. 

If you are tired with admiring the inside of the church, you can take an elevator to climb to the top level of the Basilica. It is worth it, as it gives you the possibility to both admire the views of the city as well as let's you focus on the details of Gaudi's masterpiece.

You might think Sagrada Familia is yet another big catholic church. Trust us, it isn't. You will realize that once you enter the building. Or later, when you are climbing down the spiral stairs of the main tower. Or at the very end of your visit, when you go to Gaudi's workplace and see the complete design. Because, once it's finished, Sagrada Familia is going to be the most amazing example of human creativity. Ever. But.... we'll have to wait for it. Till 2026. Probably :)

And some more pix from Sagrada Familia:

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Highlights: The Sherlock Holmes Museum in London

Everyone who has read stories about the famous detective in a world know this place. The Sherlock Holmes Museum is located on 221B Baker Street, where Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John H. Watson lived.

 

The guard in front of the door to the Sherlock's museum

Museum is open every day, except Christmas Day, from 9.30am - 6pm. Tickets aren’t expensive and cost 8£ (Adult) and 5£ (Children under 16yrs). Remember to purchase your tickets in the gift shop next door. 

The main door to the shop

The museum spreads over three floors and it is decorated in period furniture. Every room is a re-construction of the rooms as featured in the stories and on the last floor you can watch a collection of waxwork figures in scenes from the books. The staff is very helpful and what is interesting is dressed in period costumes. 

Table in living room

On living room is a lot of things connected witch Sherlock and Watson, for example typical hats, Sherlock’s pipe and violin. 

 

Living room

 

Living room

The Sherlock Holmes Museum is a great place, especially for Sherlock fans, who can feel for a moment like the most popular detective in the world or his friend. 

Official site: http://www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk/

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Music places: Abbey Road

Everyone who is a real music fan knows this picture:

It is the album cover of The Beatles' 11^th studio album titled “Abbey Road”. Some of you will probably think: “Who cares? It’s only a photo”. Well, it isn’t. I'll explain in a sec, but let’s start from the beginning.

It's September 2013, a beautiful, sunny day in London. 3 music fans come up with a simple plan: “Let’s go to Abbey Road!” Ok, but where is it?

Abbey Road is located in the City of Westminster, borough of Camden in northwest London. The best way to get there is by underground and the nearest underground station is St. John Wood. At the station you will find a small shop with official The Beatles merchandise.

Only 6 minutes walk and you are next to the most famous zebra crossing in the world.

The Beatles fans from all over the world go there to take the same picture as their favorite band did. Abbey Road is just a normal street with traffic, but don’t worry. British people thought about it and hired 2 guys who are stopping traffic and taking pictures of the fans for free! The only thing you have to do is to give them your camera and walk through the crossroad. 

Here you can see how it looks like: http://www.abbeyroad.com/Crossing

The Beatles album was recorded in the studio located on the same street. Abbey Road Studios is famous for their innovative recording technique. Unfortunately, it is not open for visitors

The studio was opened in November 1931 and it was the first recording studio complex in the world. The list of artists who recorded there is really long and includes: The Beatles, Oasis,
Kate Bush, Pink Floyd, Cliff Richard, Depeche Mode, Adele, Blur, Enya, U2, Florence and The Machine, Foo Fighters, The Killers, Michael Jackson and many more...

 

Do you like The Beatles? Are you a music fan? If the answer is yes, you should go there. Abbey Road with Abbey Road Studios it is a place where you can feel the atmosphere of a place which was the focal point in music history.

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