It is never straight forward if you are looking for an affordable holiday, but they are of course out there. Many people choose to camp when they don’t have quite as much money as they might be accustomed to, but this is not ideal for everyone. It takes a certain outlook on life to be able to actually enjoy camping, and if you don’t think that you are going to particularly enjoy traipsing to the shower blocks to go to the toilet in the middle of the night then it might be one to strike off the list!

It used to be that another option was to stay in Britain for your holidays. The thought being that you immediately cut down the cost of the holiday by removing the need to fly anywhere, but with petrol prices so high, and the cost of accommodation in Britain soaring, it is hard to see where the savings are going to come with this sort of holiday. Factor in the increasing cost of eating out in Britain and you are left with a potentially expensive holiday that could well be bettered abroad.

These days, one of the few countries that is still cheap to visit is Spain. On arrival you immediately notice the differences in prices. A quick stop to fill up a car or to buy a bit of lunch tells you that prices are a lot cheaper than the British Isles, and if you smoke or like the odd drink then the savings can be enormous. The benefits don’t stop here either. You will find that accommodation in Spain is as cheap as anywhere else in Europe, and considering the level of accommodation you tend to find, there are some real bargains to be had. The best way to find these deals is to search online for Cheap Hotels and you should find some great bargains show up for Spain. It’s worth a look even if you don’t think you are going to be able to afford it, because you might be really surprised at just how affordable some of the accommodation is.

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A home to avant-gardes thinkers and artists, Barcelona’s bohemian
lifestyle is apparent in every nook, cranny and corner of the city to
anyone who beholds it. Rich in historical architecture, the cityscape
is nothing short of breathtaking; while you may see certain aspects
taken from and influenced by Gothic and Romanesque attractions, the
prevailing and unifying theme of the city’s architecture is the
Modernista movement, typified by master architect Antonio Gaudi.

Some of the most famous tourist attractions in Barcelona include the
following:

• Sagrada Familia Cathedral by Antonio Gaudi: This giant temple of worship, designed by Gaudi, has been under construction since 1882; despite the building time, it still has a good 30 to 80 years before its completion, depending on funds and resources. This sight to behold elicits different reactions from different people; some love it while others seem to hate it. Be sure of one thing, though: it reputation rests on its ability to produce strong reactions.
• Port Vell: Found at the bottom of La Rambla, a little further than the Columbus Monument, is Port Vell. What used to be the old port of Barcelona has today emerged as a hip, ultra modern leisure zone. With its surfeit of bars, restaurants and shopping arcades, there’s plenty to do. Also located at Port Vell is the L’Aquarium de Barcelona (the Barcelona Aquarium), a staple if you’re travelling with children.
• La Barcelonata: A boat excursion on one of the golondrinas found in Port Vell will take you around the harbour and to La Barcelonata. What used to be the boarding homes of the fishermen has now become a popular tourist attraction, despite its run-down and earthy appearance. Its fine selection of fish markets, lining the Passeig de Joan Borbo, attracts tourists and locals alike.
• Port Olimpic:Where the sea meets the sand in La Barcelonata, you will find some of the city’s most famous beaches. A stone’s throw from the city, these beaches have found themselves heavily populated ever since they were created as part of the city’s regeneration for the 1992 Olympics. The walkway connecting La Barcelonata to Port Olimpic, which has now become a marina filled with bars and restaurants, is called the Passeig Maritim. The entire area finds itself surrounded by five-star hotels: it’s a favourite among visiting celebrities.
• Montjuic: The Transbordador Aeri is a cable car that will take you straight from La Barcelonata to Montjuic, home to the Olympic Stadium that housed the 1992 Olympic Games. The main athletic events were held at the Estadi Stadium, which was first built in 1929 for the World Fair hosted by Barcelona. Also at home to Montjuic is the La Font Magica (or the Magic Fountain of Montjuic), an extravaganza of lights, music and water, as well as the largest fountain in Barcelona, right below the terraces of the Palau Nacional de Montjuic.
• Barri Gotic: For those more in tune with the darker days of Barcelona’s history, take a look at the Gothic Quarter just east of the Ramblas. Filled with medieval buildings dating back to the 14th century in the heart of Old Barcelona, its interconnecting dark streets will lead you to the Gothic Cathedral, Placa del Rei, the Ajuntament and the Palau de la Generalitat.

These famous hotspots aside, Barcelona has a an impressive roster of illustrious museums such as the Museu Picasso, Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, Fundació de Joan Miró and the FC Barcelona Museum.

Found only a stone’s throw away from its historical buildings, the hotels in Barcelona are of an excellent quality; filled with just as much character as the monuments you leave them to see, they’re almost as memorable as the cities famous sites. No wonder Woody Allen chose to set Vicky Christina Barcelona in this wonderful city of art; it is a sure change of pace from the posh, fancy, swanky New York hotels and the director’s famous Manhattan.

Barcelona itself is pulsing with life and dances to its own drum beat. During your stay, listen closely to the music of the city, and let yourself fall madly in love with the city.

Min and Chad had a wonderful journey through Barcelona and into Sitges for a day of fun at the beach. A nasty crab almost made short work of our heroes, but a friendly giant saved them in the nick of time. Chad said of the experience: “Like, the beach was all cool and stuff, but dude, that crab was like, crazy! …I like sand.”

Backpack brand: Lego
Backpack model and capacity: Imperial style
The location where you took the picture:
(1) La Bassa Rodona beach in Sitges, Spain
(2) Park Güell, Barcelona, Spain
Trip Length: 8 days in Europe
More pictures at: http://flickr.com/photos/wizzy0807/

Thanks to Michael Williams, the photographer.

“After 3 weeks of intense travelling, we’ve ended our trip in Nerja, a little touristic – but not that much – costal city in the south of Spain. 3 days of nothing. Just perfect. The beach was not that nice but the city and its location are charming.

BTW, we’ve also been to Malaga (flights to Malaga), Sevilla, Granada, Madrid, Barcelona, Toledo and Cordoba.” – Mathieu

Backpack brand: Cerrotorre
Backpack model and capacity: Gecko 55L
The location where you took the picture: Nerja, Spain
Trip Length: 23 days

Thanks to Sheri Liebovich (and her sister Alyse for the relay)
Should Sheri win the photo contest?