Why Barcelona?

Spain's Hip City

It is popular with the college educated, urban Spanish youth.  It is home to numerous Spanish start-ups, successful Spanish companies, and large international corporations.  It is unique in Europe -There is a lot of influence from French and Italian cultures mixing with Spanish heritage creating the distinct Catalan language and culture.  It is home to Spanish fashion- Desigual, Tous, Mango, Massimo Dutti

CULTURE

Barcelona gave us World Book Day- Every year, on 23rd April, Barcelona celebrates the patron saint of Catalonia with roses and books.  Also known as El Día de los Amantes (Lovers’ Day), La Diada de Sant Jordi (Saint George’s Day), which coincides with the death of both Cervantes and Shakespeare, inspired UNESCO to create the World Book Day

It has 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Two of them – Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau – have been designed by Modernista architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner, while seven belong to Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona’s most famous son. These are part of the “Works of Antoni Gaudí” list and include Park Güell, Palau Güell, Casa Milà, Casa Vicens, La Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, and the Crypt of the Church at Colonia Guell.

COLORFUL ARCHITECTURE

Modernism:  Barcelona is really the home of 20th Century Spanish Modernism architecture with amazing examples of homes, churches and public buildings throughout the city in neighborhoods such as L’Eixample.  Gaudi:  Antoni Gaudi’s works such as La Sagrada Familia church, the Parc Guëll park, La Pedrera and Casa Batlló homes… famous tile mosaics and unique forms and shapes

IT IS LOCATED ON THE COAST

Barcelona has outstanding beaches.  Four km of beach, including the famous La Barceloneta. The climate of the city is generally warm, and the beaches are nice and clean. Thy are easily reachable by local transportation and you can spend a lovely afternoon on the sand and sun after a hard day’s work in the city.

IT HAS 2,000 YEARS OF HISTORY

Barcelona was first founded by the Phoenician and then Carthaginians.  It was also inhabited by the Roman and then Visigoths.  The city was conquered by the Moors, re-conquered by the Franks and then the Spaniards when Wilfred the Hairy created the Catalan kingdom. Tourism of Barcelona webpage.

CUISINE

Churros con chocolate, Tapas, Paella, Pescaito frito, Tortilla española,  La Boquería food market...

FÚTBOL (Don’t call it soccer!)

Barcelona is the home of the famous FC Barcelona club and world-famous players (current and former) like Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Ronaldinho, Pujol, Piqué, Luis Suarez, Neymar, Lewandoski, Gavi…  Camp Nou (home of FC Barcelona) is the largest football stadium in Europe and the Club Museum is the most visited museum in the city with 1.5 million visitors per year.

THE PEOPLE

Barcelona is the largest city on the Mediterranean Sea with a population of 1.6 million.  The Barceloneses  enjoy a “tranquilo” lifestyle.  Evenings socializing in an outdoor café, strolling Las Ramblas or the port, they really know how to enjoy life!  Your homestay families will be a great way to integrate and learn about their culture.