Barcelona

RUNNING your own business, especially from home, can be really difficult as you constantly have something you should or can be doing. In a 'normal' job once you leave work, on the whole, your work day is over - not so for business owners.

Working from home, I always have something to do. In the evening the phone rings as my franchisees find it easier to call me once their children are settled for the night. There is always something to update or create and a never ending stream of emails to answer. Evenings and weekends just merge into work time. In the 20 years I've been running Musical Minis this has just become routine for me and an acceptable part of my life. The only way I can properly escape is to go away and have a few days break.

Whilst I don't go away often I do feel it's crucial to my well being to regularly have some time off. I know that the business can run smoothly whilst I'm not around for a few days. Nobody is irreplaceable and it's important to realise this. I do have a nightmare few days before I go away and another few when I get back just organising and sorting everything out so things run calmly despite my absence. In fact sometimes I question if it's worth all the effort but it really is - I firmly believe everyone needs a chance to have time off as I'm convinced it helps them to be more productive when they return.

In taking my own advice I've just come back from a break in Barcelona. Rob, Alex, Emily and myself went for a 3 night break and a long weekend. I always like to get the most from my breaks so we had a 7.00am flight and returned at 11.00pm  - so although it was 3 nights it was 4 full days. Rob has wanted to go to Barcelona for ages and I was happy to go too. Having been there I'm really pleased I went, I did like the atmosphere in the city but It's not my favourite place and I feel no need to return.

At the moment Barcelona does seem to be the "in place" to visit, so I think I'm unusual in not finding it a brilliant city. We stayed in a good hotel in a great position in Las Ramblas - a bustling street with entertainment at all hours of the day and night. We had been warned about taking care with bags etc. as Barcelona is a prime spot for thieves. However, as with any city in the world you just have to be sensible and we were fine.

On day 1 we explored the old town and the port. I feel walking around gives you the best insight into a city - the old town, beaches and modern port certainly provided contrast but in a slightly muddled way. The hotel concierge recommended a lovely tapas place for supper, Txapela on Passeig de Gracia, a road lined with exclusive shops. When in Spain we decided to do as the Spanish do and eat Tapas - although due to our early start that morning we ate early, not at 9.00pm or 10.00pm as the Spanish do.

Day 2 we decided to be proper tourists and go on the Tourist bus. It was just a few Euros more to get a ticket for 2 days, so that's what we did. The audio guide whilst interesting didn't say a lot! I've taken tourist buses in other cities and have been amazed at the facts I've heard. In Barcelona there really wasn't much to learn. There were 3 different bus routes on offer. We left the bus at a few stops and explored the area. A great deal is related to the Olympic Games in 1992, however, we felt the stadium was unimpressive. Some of the views from the bus were lovely and being on the top deck in the sun certainly helped. We went for supper at a popular tourist restaurant,The Quatro Gats, it's famous because Salvador Dali and Picasso both frequented it and Woody Allen used it in Vicky Christina Barcelona - we found the food ordinary, didn't like the fact they added a high cover charge and all in all it was a bit of a clip joint. In fact we all went to bed hungry as the portions were small with no carbohydrates. We think this visit may have been marred by the fact that Real Madrid were playing Barcelona at 10.00 that night and everyone was rushing to go and watch it. Barcelona won and there were plenty of celebrations, including fireworks.

Day 3 we went back on the bus. We explored Gaudi's architecture, Barcelona is famous for it but actually none of us liked it! We visited Gaudi's cathedral, Sagrada Familia, an unfinished building that was started in 1882 and is largely a building site. We took a lift up to one of the towers and walked down wondering why we had actually paid about £50 for the 4 of us to look at rubble and cranes in the Cathedral. We really must have missed the point as I know others rave about Gaudi and the Cathedral. In the Old Town there is another Cathedral which is free to go in and it's finished. We felt this Cathedral was much better, especially as once when we passed it there was a local orchestra and local dancers outside it. The dancers form small circles, dance around their bags and coats, whilst counting steps. It was great fun to watch and really the only unique thing I could find in Barcelona, everything else seemed to have been copied from other cities. We also got off the bus at Park Guell, a beautiful park designed by Gaudi and in which he lived.The park was full of people, buskers and bustle. We liked the park but not the house in which he lived, which again cost a lot of money to visit. In the evening the concierge sent us to a wonderful restaurant, Pla, in the old town. The food was fantastic and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.

On Day 4 we split up. Emily and I went to a modern art museum by the hotel as we had free tickets, although neither of us enjoy modern art really, it was interesting to see. We then went round the shops. Rob and Alex went by Metro to the Nou Camp, Barcelona's football stadium, which they said was brilliant and the highlight of their trip to Barcelona. When we met up we considered visiting more of Gaudis houses but all decided it wasn't worth while. After an early tapas supper we went to the airport to come back home.

For me the best things about Barcelona were the hotel, atmosphere, tapas and weather. I discovered that I'm not a Gaudi fan and I like a city to be original with its own unique culture not parts copied from everyone else. Whilst I'm pleased I can tick Barcelona off my list of places I want to visit, I have no plans to revisit it and there are numerous other places I would recommend people to visit before Barcelona.

I know others love Barcelona, please comment and tell me what you like maybe we missed it.

Nevertheless I do feel refreshed after my break from work, the phone and emails. Everything ran smoothly in my absence and now I'm raring to go.

Comments

[Linda]

Hey Karen, great piece - I've always wanted to go to Barcelona and you have helped me understand what I may - or may not - be missing! Though the thought of the tapas alone is tempting for me! Please can I carry your piece on www.havealovelytime.com?

[Karen]

Hi Linda, the tapas was good as was the sangria. Feel free to carry this on your blog. I've decided that my next piece is going to be on City Breaks I would recommend - that is if this Icelandic volcano stops erupting and anyone can get there.

[Jo Weaving]

Hi Karen,
I've never been to Barcelona but I completly understand that the only way to get a complete break is to go away! It is a lot of effort to put everything in place so that things run smoothly while you are away but it is worth it. Like you, my phone always seems to ring later on in the evening, after prospective clients have put their children to bed. (and usually while I am teaching!)
My family and I usually go away at some point during the majority of the school holidays so Musical Minis parties, summer sessions and private music lessons (I teach) have to be fitted in around our 'holiday commitments!!'. Luckily I have a great team working for me in Musical Minis who are always happy to run the odd session or party during the holidays.
These holidays are precious to us as we get to spend lots of valuable family time together doing lots of lovely things, but best of all for me I get to be 'just Mum' for a few days.

[Trish@ Mum's Gone to]

Hello Karen. We had a similar family break in Barcelona a couple of years ago. We really enjoyed the Gaudi architecture but decided just to look at everything from the outside rather than queuing up to see the interiors which might have led to frustration. Parc Guell was a favourite, Nou Camp (which we visited on a previous cruise stop) was a big hit too. I think more than anything I enjoyed the atmosphere, people watching and just soaking up the ambience. I agree, once done I wouldn't be desperate to go back, whereas somewhere like Rome or Venice would certainly tempt me again.

You can read my posts here
http://mumsgoneto.blogspot.com/2009/11/mums-gone-to-barcelona-day-one.html

[Lucy Waters]

Hi Karen,
Brilliantly informative blog - Barcelona is still on my list of places to go see, but I don't think I'll be dashing out there immediately! (well obviously I'm not flying anywhere at the moment!)
Lucy

[Karen]

Thanks for you comments.
Jo it definately is important to have a break and just be Mum.
I loved your blog Trish - I've started to dip into it but want to read more of it. I plan to comment on it soon.
Lucy do let me know your comments on Barcelona when you've been. If you get the chance visit other places first - although it is worth a visit and I'm glad I've been.