Hotel Icaria Barcelona Barcelona Avenida Icaria, 195 Online Booking

Wonderful hospitality and traditional decor make this a most pleasant and comfortable choice. By bus or metro you are soon in the hustle and bustle of the centre. Plaza de Catalunya and Las Ramblas make a good starting point - flowers, birds, stalls selling gifts and gadgets, cool shaded seating areas where you can enjoy tasty tapas and a refreshing drink. Beautiful boutiques, glorious jewellers and all entwined in this tree lined avenue. Half way down you will come to the Gothic Quarter - home to the Cathedral, Kings Square, Bishops Palace and Picasso's Museum. Liceo Opera House, the Maritime Museum and the Monument of Columbus takes you to the port area where you find another world.

Exhibition centres, boardwalks that lead to Barceloneta - cool cafes, leisurely lunches and splendid sea view, on to the Zoo, Modern Art Museum, Olympic Village and the golden sandy beaches where you can soak up the sun, splash in the sea and revive mind, body and soul.

Art lovers, historians, music lovers all have something to find here. Montjuic the Mount of the Jews is where you will find the Olympic Stadium, Spanish Village, fairground and in the evenings down in the square at the foot of the hill fabulous fountain displays that blend with colour, clever lighting and marvellous music. Perfect end to a perfect day!