Yes, I've read this thread and thisthread.

We want to visit some wineries and will have a car for a few days. Any good ones not far away?

We are considering the following hotels:
Hotel Majestic
Claris
Hotel Ritz Palace
Hotel Arts

We are leaning toward the Claris. We've heard the Barri Gotic is not a great area to stay in because it's not safe after dark. True? There is also another hotel right neat the Plaza Catalunya. Is that a great area to stay in. What are the don't miss sights? So far, we're going to go to the Picasso Museum.

What are your favorite restaurants of all categories- opulent all the way down to inexpensive tapas? Thanks for any help.

Board-O

Stay at the Ritz on the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes

The resturant Caelis with worldwide known prestige, offers an excellent Mediterranean cuisine with exquisite "a la carte" suggestions.

or try theDawn Petite Brasserie. Located next to the Scotch Bar, it is a good option to enjoy of delicatessen, salads, pizzas, meat, sandwiches, desserts,..

For Breakfast the garden resturant is not to be missed. Great style, service and buffet.

We liked this Ritz better than teh Ritz in Madrid. Also close to everything.

Thanks. The Ritz, Majestic, and Claris are all within a 5 block span. The three of them look great and prices are pretty close. The Majestic and Claris are 10 euros more than the Ritz, so price is not a consideration. We've read great things about Caelis in the Ritz and Drolma in the Majestic. We actually might do two hotels, sonce we'll spend three days in Barcelona before our cruise and 2 days afterwards.

Board-O

droped in at the other two for a look see. Ritz appearsed better in staff, style, and ambience.

The lobby bar is great. If is basically a lounge with settees, and a server who comes to the table. Great selection of Spanish wines. I commeneted re one of teh wines as to how good it was, and the server gave me a bottle - unopened. No Charge.

Did you visit any of the area's wineries?

Spent th whole drinking wine, but no wineries. Were there to visit Gaudi and Picasso stuff, with a few side trips to Cathederals


This is the resturant
"Spanish, Fish & Seafood",Botafumeiro Moncho,"El de Gràcia, 81",Barcelona,34 93 218 4230

BotafumeiroBotafumeiro


The wine list is also available on line

Board O - are you planning to visit the Priorat region while there?

I believe so. It appears to be not too far from Barcelona. Maybe 2 day trips. Any advice would be appreciated.

I will be working there April11th to the 16 th, we are staying at the Hotel Arts, I have time to visit any wineries I let you know how it went

Thanks. Please let me know which wineries are your favorites.

Board_O,

I've not visited wineries in that region. However, if I were to go, knowing nothing about the tasting procedures at any of the Priorat wineries, the one I would be most interested in is Palacios (Les, Terraces, Finca Dofi, L'Ermita)

a

Is that 4 wineries or 1? I have a map of Spain that doesn't show Palacios. It shows two towns with Palacios in their names, but they're far from the Priorat region. I expect to spend one or two days in the Priorat region but have very little information so far as to the exact names or locations of the wineries.

I have a hell of a lot to learn in less than 4 months. We're no considering staying in the Priorat region for the first three nights of our trip, and in Barcelona for the last two. Priorat seems to be about 80 miles from Barcelona.

Go to the 7 Portes for dinner. Excellent paella.

Board-O

Try this site out.
Spanish Wineries, listing, and where they are

Thanks, Brent and Edward. The restaurant looks great. Edward, the wine site only lists three Priorat wineries. I've emailed about 50 of them already. We'll be staying at an inn or hotel in Priorat for three days. We have it narrowed down to four places.

At the end of our trip, we'll be spending 2 days in Barcelona.

Thanks to all for their advice. We've booked what looks like a great hotel in Priorat for three nights. Thanks largely to Edward's recommendation, we booked the Ritz in Barcelona, rather than the Claris or Majestic we had also been considering.

sharkey, did you visit any wineries in Priorat?

I think you will find the Ritz is more centrally located than the other two The Ritz is the original grand hotel of Barcelona but honestly I do not know what it is like today. Have a great time, if there is anything I can do to help just pm, me

We were at the Ritz in 2004. Everything in fine form. Great staff. They bent over backwards to please.

One of the resturants is the Garden for breakfast. Also 2 blocks away from Ramblas and main traffic circle, and tour bus area.