WALK WITH ME
collage by Mariya Golovanova
CATALAN INDEPENDENCE AND GRÀCIA NEIGHBOURHOOD
My personal favourite, as the most interesting conversations usually happen during this walk. Additionally, Gràcia is simply a lovely place to walk around.
What we’ll do
-
Get to know the most “separatist” neighbourhood of Barcelona
-
Discuss the Catalan independence movement in detail. When and why did it all start? Will Catalonia get independent? What is it that the Catalans don’t like about Spain?
-
See a lesser-known Gaudí house, visit a market, a bakery and the city hall.
-
Have some hot chocolate (or wine!).
-
Want to know more? You can contact me for more details.
Practical info:
The walk is 2.5-3 hours. Attention! The standard version requires quite a lot of walkin.
Cost: 300€
How to book:
collage by Mariya Golovanova
TAILOR-MADE
This is a walk made for you. What interests you the most? Food? We’ll visit the best Barcelona markets and explore curious bars and restaurants. Urban planning? We’ll take a look at the “superblocks” projects. Different cultures and underground movements? We can dive into the darkest streets of Raval to see a flamenco show, exit Barcelona to visit a beer factory or investigate the history of medieval Barcelona’s Jewish diaspora.
I have prepared such walks for artists, journalists, film makers, art critics, photographers and many other people with very specific interests.
The tailor-made walk can include a car with a driver, if you so wish.
How it works
Step one: Designing the walk
This can be done remotely, via videocalls or emails. You tell me what you want, I carefully listen and together we design something exciting.
Step two: The walk
At this point I know what you like and the specifics of what you want to see. And so we walk!
Approximate cost
200€ step one
The cost of step two depends entirely on how ambitious the plan is and shall be discussed at step one.
How to book:
collage by Mariya Golovanova
TAPAS AND WINE IN THE GOTHIC QUARTER
Gothic Quarter is the oldest neighbourhood of Barcelona. This labyrinth of streets has witnessed dozens of different civilizations.
Romans made garum here - a thick, oil-like fish sauce, the “black gold” of the Mediterranean a couple millenia ago.
The arabs cooked with spices and lots of garbanzo.
The jews shimmered aubergine over slow fire.
The wind from the East updated the Spanish tapas selection with ensaladilla rusa, a classic Soviet dish.
The international crowds of today updated Catalan menus with avocado toast and craft beer.
Hundreds of years brought hundreds of flavours to Barcelona’s Old City - past, present and future can all be experienced here at the tip of your tongue.
What we’ll do:
-
Eat. We will visit 3-5 different bars and try the best and the weirdest of the Spanish tapas.
-
Drink. Catalonia and Spain have excellent wine and sparkling cava. I will tell you about the different Spanish wine regions and grape varieties.
-
Walk. It is the Gothic quarter! Medieval cathedrals, the palace of the King and Queen of Aragon, 16th century villas of the noble will serve as the backdrop to our gastronomic exploration.
Practical info:
The walk is 3-3.5 hours. Do warn me if you want an alcohol-free version.
Cost: 400€ (meals not included)
How to book:
collage by Mariya Golovanova
EIXAMPLE, CATALAN MODERNISM AND URBAN PLANNING
19th century Barcelona developed its own architectural style and welcomed a genius architect, Antoni Gaudí.
21st century Barcelona is rebelling against mass tourism and the dominance of cars.
The Eixample neighbourhood, grand and extremely structured, is at the forefront of these changes.
What we’ll do:
-
See Gaudí’s work. Most of the buildings of his design are in Eixample. It’s a must-see: there’s nothing like Gaudí anywhere else in the world.
-
Visit alternate realities. Barcelona could have looked very differently. What happened? What kind of city would that be? Would it be as popular as it is today?
-
Talk urban planning. Barcelona made headlines all over the world with its daring “Superblocks” project. Would you want to live there?
Practical info:
The walk is 2.5-3 hours. Attention! The standard version requires quite a lot of walking.
Cost: 400€
How to book: