Barcelona is Spain’s most cosmopolitan city with a rich cultural heritage stretching back over 2,000 years. Set on the sea against a backdrop of rolling hills, Barcelona has a wonderful Mediterranean climate and is a perfect location for a luxury visitor. This vibrant city is the heartbeat of Catalan culture. Home to Picasso, Barcelona is known throughout the world for design, fashion and food and, of course the architecture of Antoni Gaudi and, in particular, the world famous gothic creation of the Sagrada Familia church. As for luxury experiences, there are plenty to enjoy.
Driving at Montmelo
Barcelona has its own motorsport race track called the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmelo. The Formula One Spanish Grand Prix and the MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix are held here. But the racetrack is not the exclusive preserve of Lewis Hamilton and Dani Pedrosa anymore as now there is the opportunity to drive a Ferrari around the circuit for a day.
With a capacity of 107,000, Montmelo is considered a good all round track with long straights and multiple bends. Behind the wheel of a Ferrari, this is an experience not to miss, although don’t expect the stands to be full to watch you.
Football at the Camp Nou
The Camp Nou is the home of Futbol Club Barcelona. The capacity of the stadium is now ‘only’ 99,000 making it the largest stadium in Europe, so just to be in there on a tour is a site to behold with its cavernous feel as its three open sides stretch up several tiers all around.
To get a ticket though and watch Barcelona is a special experience. Some of the hottest properties in world football play there such as Messi, Neymar and now Luis Suarez (eventually) and so it’s no surprise that the Camp Nou is nearly always sold out. With nearly 100,000 people cheering on their beloved Barca, there is an amazing cacophony of sound that has to be experienced. The football’s pretty good as well.
Eating at El Celler de Can Roca
El Celler de Can Roca has just been voted the second best restaurant in the world and has been on the list of the world’s top restaurants for a decade, securing the top spot last year. The restaurant is located in Girona, just outside Barcelona, and is run by three brothers who bring their individual talents, literally to the table.
There is the outstanding chef, the world’s best pastry chef and the wine aficionado who proudly serve Catalan ingredients that play with the diners’ senses, complemented by a vast array of mainly Spanish wines and Sherries. The hospitality at the 55-seat dining room here is legendary. Get a table if you can.
Staying at the W
There’s an array of top quality 5 star hotels in Barcelona and one of the most interesting is the W Barcelona. Located at the water’s edge next to Barceloneta Beach, the W Barcelona is a remarkable structure, shaped like a sail, reminiscent of the famous Burj al-Arab hotel in Dubai.
The rooms offer spectacular views of the sea or the city and the hotel provides small telescopes in each room as standard. There’s a Michelin stared chef in one of the two gourmet restaurants and a cool rooftop bar on the 26th floor offering panoramic views of Barcelona and the Mediterranean.
Sailing from Barcelona
A perfect way to see the city’s unique landscape with its resplendent Gothic architecture, and adjoining areas such as the Port Olimpic and Barceloneta beach is from the sea with a private sailing trip.
From Barcelona’s port, hire a boat and sail up and down the city’s coastline taking in the sights and sip a cold, crisp cava. Since you’re drinking, it’s probably best to hire a boat with a skipper.
