Things to do in Madrid, Barcelona and Florence - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**Canadian Bacon** · 06-04-2005, 07:49 AM

Any interesting sites to see in Madrid, Barcelona or Florence, besides museums, palaces and usual things like that?

**worldwidemike** · 06-05-2005, 03:15 AM

Madrid is a great place for day trips. I took two -- both by train. One was to Toledo (which I highly recommend), and another to Segovia (which was my favorite city in Spain). Lots of history in both cities.

As for Madrid itself, there wasn't a ton of things I wanted to do. However, if you want to party, the Madrilenos love to

worldwidemike

**omisan** · 06-05-2005, 10:22 PM

it sounds a bit silly, but I absolutely looooved strolling through the suburbs of Barcelona, away from the touristy areas, and interacting with the locals in the little stores and bars and such. Probably not what you're looking for, but that's really what made the trip for me - soaking up local culture.

**Canadian Bacon** · 06-06-2005, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by omisan@Jun 5 2005, 09:21 PM
it sounds a bit silly, but I absolutely looooved strolling through the suburbs of Barcelona, away from the touristy areas, and interacting with the locals in the little stores and bars and such. Probably not what you're looking for, but that's really what made the trip for me - soaking up local culture.

No, bud... that doens't sound silly at all!

I love doing that kind of stuff. But aside from the stuff listen on LETS GO and LONELY PLANET, is there anythign in particulars you recall doing in these areas?

**omisan** · 06-06-2005, 10:01 AM

Ehhh.. not really - I'd just have a good time trying to speak Spanish with the shopkeepers and bar patrons and try out all the little local foods like the various tapas and salted meats and ollives. Can't really remember any specific places or activities - it was just chill time. There was one very cool little locals bar in the Eixample neighborhood that I can recommend - it's called Pop Bar (you can find it listed somewhere, I'm sure) where the locals were super-friendly and the drinks über cheap!

**worldwidemike** · 06-07-2005, 02:45 AM

Well, the Gaudi buildings are cool in Barcelona. I enjoyed nosing around La Pedrera -- which Gaudi designed as an apartment building, basically. It gave me an appreciation for his work and the practicality of his unpractical looking designs.

Watch out for pickpockets in Barcelona...they're pretty bad. Especially snatch and grabs on women's purses at night.

worldwidemike

foofiter · 06-07-2005, 03:16 AM

I am in Florence as I type this. There are good museums if you get up EARLY to beat the lines. The cathedrals are amazing as well. We also went up a hill (which is on any tourist map) and you get AWESOME views of the entire city. I will post photos when I return. The food here is excellent and there is always gelatto.

PS: I highly reccomend staying at Leonoardo House. It is more of a hotel than a hostel and kind of expensive. 58 euro per night. Just stay a couple nights and go to a hostel after. Leonardo is extremely nice and helpful. It is a nice place to relax after some time on the road. They have great showers here and I just fixed their free internet computer (this one).

Hope this hellps, I have a train to catch!

foofiter