DH and I are starting to plan how much currency and stuff we need to bring on this trip. In Barcelona, how much (approximately) is a:
-coffee
-bottle of water
-a sandwich
-a simple meal (table service, cafe)
-a family-style restaurant dinner
-a nice dinner (like where you would go on a date)
-fruit from vendors/markets?
About how much are museum tickets? Bus tickets?
Is VISA well accepted in Barcelona? How about Mastercard? Do most restaurants take credit card?
And-
Do you carry your passport with you in places like Barcelona in a safe spot, or the hotel safe or room safe? What about extra cash?
What are the toilets like in Barcelona? How do children find them? Are there places to change diapers? Are umbrella strollers easy to use in Barcelona?
Sorry to sound so naive. I haven't been to Spain before. I feel comfortable protecting our belongings - I just have some questions about things that will help me plan and frame our trip better. I am a planner.
VISA is more acceptable than Mastercard. DISCOVER IS NOT ACCEPTED AT ALL. Specify Credit or Debit. Things are more expensive - like someone said, liken it to a day eating at a fancy restaurant. ALSO...........drum roll please. DO NOT ACCEPT ANY UNORDERED APPETIZER or plate you did not order. You will be charged for it. Example: We went to dinner with the family in 2007, we were given brushetta (unordered) we even heard the party next to us arguing with the waiter and before I could stop it - the girls dug right in. Well you guessed it - it was added to our bill. We had to pay for it. If they bring something to the table - return it or make sure you will NOT be charged for it.
Las Ramblas, one friend had his phone pickpocketed with 5 minutes of his arrival on Las Ramblas. DH was bombarded with "offers" when he got separated from us on the main drag. He was scared (doesnt speak a lick of Spanish even after 23 yrs together) but was left alone whenever I was next to him. Be aware of your surroundings, especially if someone seems to be walking near you - if you see the same person - BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. Also on the metro, if anyone comes in and stands next to you, especially if they have an overcoat or a sweater hanging over their folded hands, be aware. They are preparing to be pickpocketed. Safety in numbers and someone should always be aware. That's how we did it in our group. We would take turns watching. Carry all your stuff in front of you, not behind you. If you have a purse, carry a cross body purse and keep it in front of you. I walk with my hand on top of the zipper at all times.
If you can hit the farmer's market in the middle of Las Ramblas, the fruit is fresher and cheaper than in a restuarant and can make a great gift for the stateroom hosts..
I do have some pictures if anyone is interested that I can post later. Right now the princess just got home from finals and is dying of hunger. I can talk more later. I'll check my receipts if I can find them.
Oh yeah, watch out for the "beer sellers" on Las Ramblas. They are NOT always selling beer. They will get in your face attempting to sell and they may be working with someone who comes up behind you. The get pushy. My experience was that these persons "selling" are not native Barcelonians. There are a lot of transients and a lot of disconnect so the name of the game is vigilence.
What a pain ... in more ways that one. At least once you have had the MRI they will know how to treat it properly though
This would actually be very funny, there are so many accents among this group it would be very interesting.
Or for a real challenge, the difference between our New Zealand accent and the Australian one
I confess I struggle with the difference between some Canadian and US accents but I can easily differentiate parts of England as well as Scottish, Welsh, Irish and South African.
Welcome!
I don't like ice cream - its far too cold for my liking and too "creamy" so I've not had one either.
OMG, there is a pool on board?
I read a blog from a native Barcelonan (is that the correct term?) and he/she said they won't let family use the Aerobus due to the pickpocketing that is really bad at the stops - basically people are tired, confused, not sure where they are going and very easily distracted so parted from their belongings easily.
I think after a 30+ hour flight, I'll be willing to pay the cost of a taxi
Paula's in a time warp again...sing it with me Paula......"Let's do the Time Warp Again.....
Was your VISA card issued in Europe?
At FNAC and El Corte Ingles on Placa Catalunya, both places asked for a passport to pay with VISA.
Folks, that was just MY experience. YMMV. Hopefully no one else will have any difficulty in Barcelona.
Woody
Hi Woody,
DD and I were in Madrid this Easter/APril - I know not Barcelona, but we were there last April also and I was one of the lucky ones NOT to be asked. I used the VISA in El Cortes Ingles (Madrid) and in a smaller type of shop local shop and was not asked for it. I guess I just lucked out. In London, I was asked for ID but I happened to have my picture on the card and she said, oh, never mind. I'll use that. As far as I know, as long as you have a 4 digit pin number, you should be ok but as you or someone else said, not every restaurant will use it. Also, you MUST specify if its credit or debit. I had more trouble when they assumed it was debit and ran it as that.
All in all, its pretty easy to use a credit card/debit but just be aware of the conversion rates. I have an opinion that the "younger" salesclerks tend not to ask especially if they are conversing with others. But it does help to strike up a conversation with the clerk.
Thanks for all the info on the toilet issues in Spain. I am a "toilet snob" and all this information is helpful. I know that sounds funny, but it is true. I don't even like the airplane bathrooms. I am not snobby towards people, only toilets!!
One of my tag lines is about rolling TP.
I found that Wal-mart sells those rolled TP's and even toilet seat covers. But its cheaper to roll your own. The problem is that NOT all the toilets have toilet seat on them. I often find the ones that you have to um........(sorry - just trying to prepare) stand over them.
This might make it a bit um.....uncomfortable. Also, El Cortes Ingles, has a VERY big like um- 12-story dept building at the top of Las Ramblas......they have toilets in every floor it seems. HOWEVER, keep this in mind, if you are running in - so is everyone else. Move up to the higher floors and you'll not get a line. I ended up having to go to floor 6 when I needed to go. I hit every single one until I wised up and just skipped the first couple floors every time after that.
drives me nuts. These are all 3rd flights cause like you they cancelled on us.
another list! I love it!
