So you are thinking about coming to Barcelona? Don’t think twice! You will love it…

Barcelona is a beautiful city and with a little luck you will have some great weather and a wonderful experience.

So here we go – for our Recommendation #1 – we want to ensure you are part of the 99%… No this is not a political movement… We want you to be part of the 99% of visitors to the city that leave with happy memories and their camera to prove it! So you guessed it – our recommendation #1 is to keep your valuables safe and remain aware of pick-pockets — this is the best way to be part of the 99%!

Barcelona is famous for pick-pockets and petty theft so stay alert and keep your wallet and camera safe and hidden. If you are touring independently or with another operator then make sure they keep your valuables safe in the vehicle. For us this is top priority and we always secure the belongings of our guests while they are touring with us, but make sure you remain alert throughout your time in the city.

Recommendation #2- only tour with a legal tour operator! Yes, we know, this sounds like a marketing plan to get you to sign up with us. Well, it is that too.

We know it’s a great way to market ourselves BUT don’t say we didn’t warn you. You will not be happy with your decision to book with someone off the internet when you are pulled over for a random police check (which are becoming more frequent these days). There are many websites offering tours in Barcelona but very few are by legal TOUR OPERATORS. What this means is that they are not allowed by law to make incoming reservations into Spain. Some of these companies are run by certified guides (but they are still not allowed to make bookings for tours) and others are run by people that have a license for transporting only (not allowed to make bookings). The bottom line is that you are taking a risk if you are not booking with a genuine TOUR OPERATOR and you may end up spending your valuable day being interviewed by the police instead of visiting the sites. The best way to ensure you are booking with a genuine Tour Operator is to inquire with ASTA (the American Society of Travel Agents) which is the main body supervising travel companies worldwide.

Just as you would not go with anyone at the airport other than a licensed taxi we recommend you help us stop the piracy of tourism in Barcelona and book only with a genuine travel company.

Our Recommendation #3 is about how to best spend your time when visiting Barcelona.

In general, the main sites in the city considered a ‘MUST SEE’ are related to the architectural masterpieces of the famous Gaudi. Seeing La Sagrada Familia should be on everyone’s list but there are of course other Gaudi gems scattered around the city such as Casa Batllo, Casa Amatller, Casa Morera, and more. A stroll in the famous Park Guell is certainly worth the effort. Watch your wallet and walk the busy La Rambla avenue located off Plaza Catalonia. A view from Montjuic Castle over the city and port is a great way to finish a busy afternoon. In the evening, catch the musical water-fountain light show on the steps of the Magic Fountain, or enjoy Spanish cuisine over an authentic flamenco show. This will cap a most memorable day you will not soon forget.

For day trips outside Barcelona you should definitely consider a visit to the site of Montserrat and the city of Girona. Both are about an hour or less away from the city and worth a visit if you have more than one day in Catalonia. Other options to consider are a visit to the wine-country, the Costa Brava (wild coast), and a visit to the famous Dali Museum in the city of Figueres (about an hour and 45 minutes drive). If you want to read more about these places visit our tour description for each of these sites using the menu on the left.

Recommendation #4 is for those of you coming via the airport or the cruise port. Our advice – book a tour that will pick you up right from the port and drop you off wherever you need to be at the end of the tour – your hotel, the airport, or the cruise port.

Save the cost of the transportation only and then having to book another tour. Have someone take care of you as soon as you step on solid ground and enjoy the comfort of your luggage being taken care of right from arrival.

For those of you who are going to the hotel, if you start the tour right from the port/airport in the morning you will be able to arrive at the hotel just in time for checking into the room… Avoid having to sit around waiting for your room to be ready.

If you are starting a cruise, enjoy a tour in the morning right from the airport/hotel and arrive at the port in time for embarkation. Most experienced cruisers already know about the advantages of touring prior/post cruise so learn from these experts (some of our cruisers are on their 20+ journey… ahh the good life!)

Our last Recommendation #5 is about making sure you remember the good times: take lots and lots of pictures! Its a digital camera so let loose and be trigger happy…

We have started this business out of our love for travel. Previous to working 24/7 we too had the travel bug The biggest regret looking backwards is that we don’t have enough photos to prove it. If you don’t have the picture from that place you will not have the memory to bring you back there in 10 years. So smile from ear to ear – you are on holiday in what we think is one of the best cities in the world – press that button and dont let go…!

We hope to see you soon in Barcelona and we wish you great travels! Hasta Pronto.

The BDT team