Highlights: Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona

We've been planning to write a post about Camp Nou for a while. It was difficult to do it, though. Why? Because how can you be objective and professional writing about a place that means so much to you?  And how on earth can I not drone about how awesome FC Barcelona is and how magical their matches are, when I know that's what I feel sitting there, in Camp Nou, sector 530-something? But I promise, I'll try my best to be calm, collected and professional ;) So, here it comes!

Camp Nou - main entrance

Camp Nou (Eng. New Field) is the biggest European stadium and the place where you can see play one of the most influencial and successful football teams in the world - FC Barcelona. The stadium is located in Barcelona's Les Corts neighbourhood, and it was constructed in 1957. It sits 99,786 people and, throughout the years, has hosted numerous important events, such as 2 UEFA Champions League finals and the 1992 Summer Olympics. 

Camp Nou from outside

A monument dedicated to Ladislau Kubala

Camp Nou and FC Barcelona are very important to the people of Barcelona and Catalunya. For years, the club has been considered a symbol of  Catalan culture, a feeling that was only strengthen during Franco's regime. Hence the motto "Més que un club" (More than a club), an idea of freedom, passion and Catalunya.

One of the mosaics in the stadium

Panoramic view of the stadium 

Visiting that stadium is a must not only for hardcore FC Barcelona fans, but for everybody else! It is a truly amazing experience - the stadium tour is an interesting and entertaining journey into the world of fantastic history of Spain's most vibrant city. You can visit the museum, go into the locker rooms of the team, visit the room for press conferences and see the pitch. The tour itself can take around an hour - an hour an a half, and culminates in visiting the pitch. Remember that the queue for the tickets is usually a  long one, so reserve some time for that as well. The tickets must be bought from a ticket office situated in front of the FC Barcelona Botiga (shop) and cost 23€ for adults, 17€ for kids. 

A pic in FCB Botiga

Camp Nou Experience (that's what the tour is called) is nothing though. If you really want to experience FC Barcelona, you should go for a match! The tickets for a match are not overly expensive (the cheapest seats for some matches can be bought for around 20-25€!), but the experience is amazing! The moment when the whole stadium sings the anthem of the club, the cheering, the emotions... It truly is an unforgettable experience! 

A view of the tribunes

FC Barcelona - Real Zaragoza (November '12)

Just a fair warning though - the stadium looks really... Plain from the outside. It's not very modern, flashy and pretty. It actually is a crude-looking concrete giant. Inside though, with the colourful seats and mosaics during important matches, it turns into something magical. Also, be prepared for a steep climb if you ever wish to see a match and get the upper sectors! Camp Nou is not the most wheelchair-friendly place, as there are hundreds of steps to climb. However, the place is really family friendly, as there is a smoking ban throughout the whole stadium, as well as very little violence during matches. 

A view of the pitch (match against Villareal)

Us during a match against Real Zaragoza (November '12)

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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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