Tipster

There's something special about the anticipation travelers feel before departing on a cruise: Whether you're traveling to the Caribbean or Alaska, or if you're sailing along the Rhine, your expectations are high and you're ready for an adventure, so you want to make sure your trip starts out on the right foot. That's why we've collected some of our top hotel recommendations for an exceptional stay before your cruise departure.

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Tags: Alaskan cruise, where to stay, Vancouver, Norwegian Pearl, The Fairmont Waterfront, British Columbia, Barcelona, Hotel Pulitzer Barcelona, Mediterranean Cruise, Southeast Asia Cruise, Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Alaska Cruise, Fairmont Waterfront, Acqualina Resort and Spa on the beach, Fort Lauderdale

As I do before any trip, I did plenty of research about Barcelona before my recent visit there. I knew all about Antoni Gaudi and his famous La Sagrada Familia and other architectural wonders. I knew there would be great museums and spectacular foods, as well as gorgeous coastline and majestic mountains. I knew to pack comfortable walking shoes. But there were a few things I didn’t know before my trip that I wish I had. So here’s my list of seven things you should know before your first visit to this fabulous city.  More...

Tags: Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudi, Museu Picasso, Fundacio Joan Miro, Sitges

Barcelona is a fabulous city all around, with gorgeous views and delicious food and drinks to be found at every turn. If you are visiting and want to combine these two standout features at one time, you can easily do that by going to one of the many rooftop bars, where you can sip and dine while taking in the spectacular views. More...

Tags: Barcelona, W Barcelona, Hotel Duquesa de Cardona, Hotel Claris, Hotel Omm, Hotel Majestic Barcelona, Hotel Pulitzer

If you’re lucky enough to be traveling to Barcelona this summer, and you’ve never been, you may be wondering what to pack so that you’ll fit in. Basically, if you are planning to stick to the tourist areas—and there are LOTS of tourists in the city, more than 20,000 daily—most anything goes. During my recent eight-day stay there, I saw most everything from around the world, literally. More...

Tags: Barcelona

With cafes seemingly found every few steps, Barcelona is a great city for eating and drinking. The little neighborhood cafes are fun and casual and a great place to take a break from your tourist activities. On a recent visit, my husband and I noticed that there are several local foods that seem to appear on nearly every menu. If you’re lucky enough to be in this incredible city, be sure to give these a try. More...

Tags: Barcelona, Catalonia

Travel affords a multitude of photo opportunities. If you're a shutterbug like me, you strive for a healthy balance between viewing sights through your camera's viewfinder and taking in the sights with your own eyes. In my travels, I have found that there are a few photos that I'm always glad I took. Here are a few shots to jot down on your must-capture list for your next big vacation.

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Tags: travel photography, photography tips, photography, photos, travel photos, photo checklist, travel checklist, barcelona, la sagrada familia, la pedrera, Gaudi

Last week when I was updating our Barcelona report, I got so hungry reading about all the meats and cheese and tapas that I ran out to Trader Joe's after work to pick up supplies to make my own (it was nowhere near the same, but it did temporarily satisfy the craving).

With all the bars and restaurants in Barcelona, it can be hard to know where to get the best Catalan cuisine the city has to offer, but that's where travel42 comes in. We have an extensive list of the best places to try the local specialties, so read on for some of the best dining options in Barcelona—if you can handle the cravings that will result. More...

Tags: barcelona, spain, restaurants, tapas, catalan

Barcelona is home to famed modernist architect Antoni Gaudi. A visionary artist years ahead of his time (he passed away in 1926), he designed three gorgeous Barcelona landmarks that cannot be missed: La Pedrera, Park Guell and his masterpiece-still-in-progress, La Sagrada Familia. More...

Tags: barcelona, travel, spain, gaudi, architecture, modernism, neo-gothic, sculpture, park, cathedral