Contrary to popular belief, not all Spaniards speak Spanish! Residents of Barcelona speak the languages of their autonomous community, Catalonia. Your high school Spanish won't go to waste but be ready to learn some new phrases. Barcelona serves as the capital city of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain. It is impossible to visit Barcelona and not visit Las Ramblas, a pedestrian boulevard filled with street vendors, live statues, mimes, and locals. The stroll ends at the Columbus Monument, which commemorates the discovery of America and depicts Columbus looking toward the distant land. Barcelona is a collage of its history, no feat going unnoticed, nor memory erased. Take note of the magnificent architecture of the man often called the father of Barcelona, Antoni Gaudi.

*Many of the sites provide information that will be helpful for your preparation for visiting the city. Additionally, these sites may prove valuable while you are in the specific city with the group, i.e. weather forecasts, city maps, etc. We encourage you to save these sites and visit them prior to venturing out on your own on what may be a national holiday!